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Ethan MacDermot (4), who moved to the United States in June, will try to help Benet win a second straight state championship this weekend in Champaign.

Boys basketball: Benet’s MacDermot left Australia 9 months ago to chase his hoops dreams — now he’s chasing a state title

Ethan MacDermot was living on the other side of the world when Benet won its state championship last March. He’ll be front and center Friday in Champaign. Benet’s 6-foot-...

Chicago Cubs right fielder Matt Shaw makes a catch on a fly ball hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' Jorge Barrosa during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Matt Shaw adds another position to his repertoire as he embraces his super-utility role

With the offseason signing of Alex Bregman, Matt Shaw was moved to a super-utility role. Shaw has made six starts in right field, one in center (and another game where he moved from right to center), two at second, two at third and now Wednesday’s game at first.

Max Homa and Tony Finau among those who discover Sawgrass can take as quickly as it gives

Max Homa could not have asked for a better start Thursday in The Players Championship. His gap wedge from 137 yards spun into the hole for eagle, and he followed that with a birdie.

‘That’s what we felt like was best,’ Poles says about Bears’ personnel moves

Here are three of the most interesting things Bears general manager Ryan Poles said Thursday when he met the media.

Illinois' Tomislav Ivisic (13) and teammate David Mirkovic (0) celebrate their team's victory over Missouri in an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

To build a Final Four contender, Illinois basketball looked 5,000 miles east — to the Balkans

The back of the Illinois team bus is a Balkan party after most road wins. Tomislav Ivisic is banging the ceiling on drums. His twin brother, Zvonimir Ivisic, is on his feet and pumping his fist to the beat. David Mirkovic is on vocals … or at least the loudest one.

Mark DeRosa owns ‘overly confident’ WBC remark before Team USA's loss to Italy

Manager Mark DeRosa says his premature comment about the United States having already punched its ticket to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals before facing Italy was just an “overly confident statement” and reiterated Thursday he knew nothing was guaranteed at that point.

Silvy: Poles still has to prove he can draft difference makers on defense

Columnist Marc Silverman writes about the Bears and their need for difference makers on defense.