Football crossing over with basketball in the IHSA landscape

As five area football teams prepare for the state semifinals, dozens of girls basketball teams started their season on Monday.

This edition of the Daily Herald’s prep sports newsletter looks at “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran’s latest football column, the top performances from the quarterfinals, and the preseason girls basketball rankings and team previews.

There’s also time to vote for the Daily Herald October Athlete of the Month.

Who’s No. 1?

With the start of the girls basketball season, it’s time for the opening rankings.

Scouting report

Check out the Lake County girls basketball preview.

Scouting report 2

And the DuPage County girls basketball preview.

Scouting report 3

And the Cook County girls basketball preview.

Scouting report 4

And, finally, the Fox Valley girls basketball preview.

Unsung heroes

O’Halloran writes about our five semifinalist football teams, focusing on the unsung heroes for each.

Quarterfinal heroics

The High Five honors the area’s top prep football performances from the quarterfinals.

Athlete of the Month

Be sure to chime in on the Daily Herald October Athlete of the Month.