Second half of season begins with a bang

Hersey’s boys basketball team survived a scare from Barrington Thursday night to maintain its lead in a tight MSL West race, just part of a busy week for area teams back in action after their holiday tournaments.

Fremd and Palatine kept pace.

Girls Basketball

Waubonsie Valley stayed unbeaten while Fremd and Prospect played a classic down to the wire.

In case you missed any of the highlights from the holiday tournaments, Craig Brueske, Mike Miazga and Dick Quagliano have you covered with their weekly basketball notebooks.

Kevin Schmit looks ahead toward what promises to be a 2026 year filled with change in the IHSA.

And speaking of change, the hockey finals in March will now be played in Rosemont.

Finally, here’s your chance to vote for the Daily Herald December Athlete of the Month … and win free pizza.