Chicago Sports

Music Director Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra offered a gripping tutorial Thursday evening in what sets apart rarefied ensembles like it from so many other orchestras around the world.

The CSO ended its concert in Orchestra Hall with a towering, electric performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, Op. 100, with energy and drive coursing through the orchestra and cascading off the stage.

Written during World War II, it is not an evocation or condemnation of war so much as what the composer described as an ode to the “free and happy man — his strength, his generosity and the purity of his soul.”

But if the overall spirit is one of uplift, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of tension and unsettledness along the way, with Prokofiev’s trademark pinched, sometimes aching harmonies and a prominent, rumbling bass line delivered not just by the double basses but also the prominent bass clarinet, contrabassoon and even the piano.

It is a mighty work that requires a mighty performance, and it got that Thursday evening, the kind that is only possible when a top-level conductor and top-level orchestra are completely in sync, each responding to and feeding off the other.

Muti was thoroughly in his element here, attending to the smallest details, drawing stunning playing from every section (especially the trumpets and the rest of the penetrating brass) and, most important, deftly shaping and propelling the overall arc and restless thrust of this piece.

There was one high point after another, starting with Muti and the orchestra’s kinetic, all-encompassing take on the sprawling, slow first movement, which could almost be a work unto itself, and continuing with the scherzo second movement. This lively section, with its scampering, off-balance rhythms, was pushed and punctuated by the spirited precision of the six-member percussion section.

After the slow third movement, which builds to its own mini-climax, the symphony culminates with the soaring fourth movement. Its catchy, uplifting melody first voiced with aplomb by principal clarinetist Stephen Williamson, who delivered one of the many noteworthy individual performances in this work.

Unfortunately, the abundant energy so present in the Prokofiev symphony was in shorter supply in the orchestra’s performance of Wolfgang Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543, the centerpiece of the first half. While this take was fine as far as it went, the tempos felt a bit sluggish and the playing just lacked the spark and buoyancy this music requires.

Although Muti has presented his share of premieres during his CSO tenure, he might be more remembered for the overlooked and underappreciated older works that he has programmed, and Thursday night’s concert provided a good example.

The maestro opened the concert with Gioachino Rossini’s “Il viaggio a Reims (The Journey to Reims)” Overture, but as program annotator Phillip Huscher makes clear, it is in fact not an overture to that opera, as was earlier believed. The undated 19th-century piece, which has not been performed by the CSO in nearly 60 years, actually draws its thematic material from a set of dances the composer wrote for another opera.

Whatever its genesis, it is a charming, effervescent work, and Muti seemed to delight in every phrase, leading the orchestra in a gentle, genial and utterly winning performance of this almost unknown gem.

Deserving special mention was Martha Long from the Oregon Symphony, who served as guest principal flutist for the first half. She possesses a strong, pure tone and had some stand-out solo moments both in this work and the Mozart symphony.

At the beginning of the second half, Jeff Alexander, president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, and Muti presented the Theodore Thomas Medallion to three retiring members of the orchestra — violinist Paul Phillips Jr., bassoonist Dennis Michel and assistant principal oboist Michael Henoch. Not present for the ceremony was a fourth recipient — violinist Fox Fehling.

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Martin Hopkins’ life tooka turn earlyin the pandemic when his job on the University of Iowa football staff was eliminated.

Hopkins moved to the Boston area and got a job in software sales.

But the South Side native and St. Rita grad has deep roots in the Midwest and a love of coaching.

“Me and my wife [Elizabeth, a Mother McAuley graduate], we always hoped to get back eventually,” Hopkins said.

“Eventually” is now, as Hopkins has been hired to be St. Rita’s football coach when Todd Kuska retires after this season. Kuska is 208-92 in his 25thseason, with 18 IHSAplayoff berths, a Class 7A state title in 2006 and trips to the state finals in 2019 and last season.

“It’s very exciting, just to be ableto come home to my family, to St. Rita — not just St. Rita footballbut the St. Rita family,” Hopkins said.

And it really is family for Hopkins, whose mom Margie works at the school as registrar and receptionist.

He graduated from St. Rita in 2009 after being a member of the 2006 state champion and 2007 Prep Bowl champion teams.

Hopkins moved on to Iowa before an injury ended his playing career and he transitioned to coaching. He worked with special teams, offense and defense during his time with the Hawkeyes, but said, “I’m more experienced on defense.”

When he stepped away from coaching, the idea was that he’d get back to it at some point, and as a head coach.

“I didn’t see it happening this quick,” Hopkins said.

But when Kuska announced he was stepping down after his 25th season, he reached out to see if Hopkins wanted to come home. “I immediately had interest,” Hopkins said.

Now it’s a done deal and Hopkins is making plans to move back to Chicago and start preparing for his new job. He doesn’t want to be a distraction to the current team, which is 3-2.

“I want those guys to focus on … right now,” Hopkins said.

Next year will come soon enough for the Mustangs and their new coach.

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After an abysmal 2022 campaign for Lucas Giolito, should the White Sox still consider signing him to a long term deal?

The same can be said about various White Sox players on the roster in regards to their performance this season.  However, for a player like Giolito that is supposedly seeking an extremely large amount of money in the near future, his performance this year leaves much in doubt.

With very few games left in the season, Giolito has posted an atrocious 5.05 ERA over 28 starts, with a WHIP of 1.47.  Giolito has struck out 167 on the year over 149.2 innings pitched.  What is truly concerning is that this will be the first time in 3 years that Giolito will finish with an ERA over 3.53.

A reason why could be that he has given up over 24 home runs in 4 of his last 5 seasons.  Perhaps in past seasons, many of those home runs were solo shots whereas this year more runners were on base.

Is the solution to let Lucas Giolito go?

Although Giolito’s 2022 season was largely disappointing, it is certainly still possible the White Sox still extend him to a new contract.  Letting him go to test free agency with other clubs seems a bit too extreme at this point.  If the White Sox offer him a contract it will likely be a much shorter term deal than he would like.

After his performance this past season, Lucas Giolito won’t have much wiggle room in terms of negotiating a higher paid long term deal.  Even if he signs elsewhere, it is probable it will be a short term as well.  Giolito will have to prove he can be an ace again.

In 2022, Giolito signed a one year deal for 7,450,000 dollars.  Before the start of the season, Lucas Giolito and the White Sox avoided arbitration after initially arguing over a mere 50 thousand dollar difference in offers.

With the mistake of not re-signing Carlos Rodon last year and the continued injuries to Michael Kopech, it will be imperative for the front office to sign pitching talent in the off-season regardless if they keep Giolito or not.

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After an abysmal 2022 campaign for Lucas Giolito, should the White Sox still consider signing him to a long term deal?

The same can be said about various White Sox players on the roster in regards to their performance this season.  However, for a player like Giolito that is supposedly seeking an extremely large amount of money in the near future, his performance this year leaves much in doubt.

With very few games left in the season, Giolito has posted an atrocious 5.05 ERA over 28 starts, with a WHIP of 1.47.  Giolito has struck out 167 on the year over 149.2 innings pitched.  What is truly concerning is that this will be the first time in 3 years that Giolito will finish with an ERA over 3.53.

A reason why could be that he has given up over 24 home runs in 4 of his last 5 seasons.  Perhaps in past seasons, many of those home runs were solo shots whereas this year more runners were on base.

Is the solution to let Lucas Giolito go?

Although Giolito’s 2022 season was largely disappointing, it is certainly still possible the White Sox still extend him to a new contract.  Letting him go to test free agency with other clubs seems a bit too extreme at this point.  If the White Sox offer him a contract it will likely be a much shorter term deal than he would like.

After his performance this past season, Lucas Giolito won’t have much wiggle room in terms of negotiating a higher paid long term deal.  Even if he signs elsewhere, it is probable it will be a short term as well.  Giolito will have to prove he can be an ace again.

In 2022, Giolito signed a one year deal for 7,450,000 dollars.  Before the start of the season, Lucas Giolito and the White Sox avoided arbitration after initially arguing over a mere 50 thousand dollar difference in offers.

With the mistake of not re-signing Carlos Rodon last year and the continued injuries to Michael Kopech, it will be imperative for the front office to sign pitching talent in the off-season regardless if they keep Giolito or not.

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Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

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Chicago Bears staff and players were supporting Justin Fields during Mic’d Up conversations

The NFL uploaded some Mic’d Up clips from week three that show the Chicago Bears staff was very supportive of Justin Fields during his rough performance.

Fields threw for just 106 yards and had 2 interceptions in the Bears’ victory over the Texans. Although many have claimed the Bears have no faith in Fields, these Mic’d Up clips show a different story. After Fields threw his second interception, backup quarterback Trevor Siemian and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy were shown offering encouragement to him on the sideline.

Despite the ugly interception, many people were happy to see Getsy tell Fields to move on and that he still had faith in him.

Head coach Matt Eberflus also shared a similar sentiment with Fields, telling him that these struggles are a part of growing up.

Although Fields has had a rough start to his sophomore season, there is still plenty of time to turn it around. The Bears will have to face the New York Giants this week, who are a pretty even matchup for the Bears this year. This game is a big opportunity for Fields to bounce back, so let’s hope the staff’s faith in him can yield some positive results.

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Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

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Please send scores and corrections to [email protected].

Thursday, September 29

RED NORTH-CENTRAL

Sullivan 42, Von Steuben 35

RED WEST

North Lawndale 28, Kennedy 20

Bulls Prep vs. Payton at Lane, 7:15

BLUE CENTRAL

Longwood vs. Butler at Gately, 4:15

BLUE SOUTHEAST

Harlan vs. Chicago Military at Eckersall, 3:45

BLUE SOUTHWEST

Lindblom 62, Gage Park 0

Back of the Yards vs. Tilden at Gately, 7:15

BLUE WEST

Phoenix 28, Orr 24

Friday, September 30

RED CENTRAL

Pritzker at Speer, 7:15

UIC Prep vs. Hansberry at Stagg, 3:45

RED NORTH

Phillips vs. Young at Lane, 7:15

Westinghouse at Taft, 7:30

RED NORTH-CENTRAL

Schurz at Steinmetz, 4

RED SOUTH

Simeon vs. Curie at Lane, 4:15

RED SOUTH-CENTRAL

Ag. Science vs. UP-Bronzeville at Gately, 7:15

Dunbar vs. Hyde Park at Eckersall, 3:45

RED SOUTHEAST

Corliss vs. Carver at Gately, 4:15

RED WEST

Little Village vs. Lincoln Park at Lane, 4:15

BLUE NORTH

Clemente at Marine, 4

BLUE SOUTHWEST

Englewood STEM at Solorio, 7:15

CCL-ESCC BLUE

Loyola at Marist, 6:30

Mount Carmel at Brother Rice, 7

CCL-ESCC GREEN

Benet at Notre Dame, 7:30

St. Rita at Nazareth, 7

CCL-ESCC ORANGE

Joliet Catholic at St. Laurence, 7:30

Providence at Montini, 7:30

CCL-ESCC PURPLE

St. Patrick at Carmel, 7:30

St. Viator at Marian Catholic, 7

CCL-ESCC WHITE

Fenwick at Marmion, 7:30

St. Ignatius at De La Salle, 7:30

CENTRAL SUBURBAN NORTH

Highland Park at Deerfield, 7

Niles North at Maine East, 6

Vernon Hills at Maine West, 6:30

CENTRAL SUBURBAN SOUTH

Maine South at Glenbrook South, 7

New Trier at Glenbrook North, 7

Niles West at Evanston, 7:30

DUKANE

Geneva at St. Charles East, 7

Glenbard North at Wheaton North, 7

St. Charles North at Lake Park, 7

Wheaton-Warrenville South at Batavia, 7

DUPAGE VALLEY

DeKalb at Waubonsie Valley, 7

Metea Valley at Neuqua Valley, 7

Naperville North vs. Naperville Central at North Central, 7

FOX VALLEY

Crystal Lake Central at Crystal Lake South, 7

Huntley at Cary-Grove, 7

Jacobs at Burlington Central, 7

McHenry at Dundee-Crown, 7

Prairie Ridge at Hampshire, 7

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Lisle at Herscher, 7

Manteno at Coal City, 7

Peotone at Streator, 7

Wilmington at Reed-Custer, 7

KISHWAUKEE BLUE

Johnsburg at Plano, 7:15

Rochelle at Marengo, 7

KISHWAUKEE WHITE

Ottawa at Woodstock North, 7

Sycamore at Kaneland, 7

Woodstock at LaSalle-Peru, 7

METRO SUBURBAN BLUE

Bishop McNamara at Aurora Central, 7:15

Elmwood Park at Ridgewood, 7:15

Wheaton Academy at IC Catholic, 7:15

METRO SUBURBAN RED

Aurora Christian at St. Francis, 7

Riverside-Brookfield at Westmont, 7

St. Edward at Chicago Christian, 7

MID-SUBURBAN EAST

Prospect at Elk Grove, 7:30

Rolling Meadows at Hersey, 7

Wheeling at Buffalo Grove, 7

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Fremd at Schaumburg, 7

Palatine at Conant, 7:30

NORTH SUBURBAN

Lake Forest at Stevenson, 7

Lake Zurich at Libertyville, 7

Warren at Mundelein, 7

Zion-Benton at Waukegan, 7

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

Grayslake Central at Grant, 7

Grayslake North at Lakes, 7

Round Lake at North Chicago, 7

Wauconda at Antioch, 7

SOUTH SUBURBAN BLUE

Hillcrest at Bremen, 6

Oak Forest at Tinley Park, 6

TF North at Lemont, 7

SOUTH SUBURBAN RED

Eisenhower at Reavis, 7

Oak Lawn at Shepard, 7

Richards at Argo, 7

SOUTHLAND

Bloom at Thornwood, 6

Rich at Kankakee, 7

Thornridge at Crete-Monee, 6

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE EAST

Joliet Central at Plainfield South, 7

Plainfield Central at Plainfield East, 7

Romeoville at Joliet West, 6:30

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE WEST

Oswego at Plainfield North, 7

Oswego East at Minooka, 7

Yorkville at West Aurora, 7

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN BLUE

Homewood-Flossmoor at Bolingbrook, 6

Lincoln-Way East at Sandburg, 7

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN RED

Andrew at Stagg, 6

Lincoln-Way Central at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 7

UPSTATE EIGHT

Bartlett at Fenton, 7:30

Glenbard East at Elgin, 7

Larkin at East Aurora, 7

South Elgin at Glenbard South, 7

West Chicago at Streamwood, 7

VERMILION VALLEY NORTH

Clifton Central at Dwight, 7

Iroquois West at Momence, 7

Watseka at Seneca, 7

WEST SUBURBAN GOLD

Downers Grove South at Hinsdale South, 7:30

Proviso East vs. Leyden at Triton, 7

Willowbrook at Addison Trail, 6

WEST SUBURBAN SILVER

Glenbard West at York, 7:30

Hinsdale Central at Downers Grove North, 7:30

Lyons at Proviso West, 7

NONCONFERENCE

Evergreen Park at TF South, 7

Hope Academy at DePaul Prep, 7

Lockport at Lincoln-Way West, 7:30

Marian Central at Lena-Winslow, 7:30

Morris at Richmond-Burton, 7

Morton at Oak Park-River Forest, 7

Ottawa Marquette at LeRoy, 7

Thornton vs. Leo at St. Rita, 7

Saturday, October 1

RED CENTRAL

Rowe-Clark vs. Catalyst-Maria at Stagg, 10 a.m.

RED NORTH

Clark at Lane, noon

RED NORTH-CENTRAL

Amundsen vs. Lake View at Winnemac, 1

Senn vs. Mather at Winnemac, 4

RED SOUTH

Brooks vs. Kenwood at Lane, 4

Hubbard vs. Morgan Park at Gately, 4

RED SOUTH-CENTRAL

King vs. Chicago Richards at Stagg, 1

Perspectives vs. Bogan at Stagg, 4

RED SOUTHEAST

Dyett vs. Comer at Eckersall, 4

Goode vs. South Shore at Gately, 1

Julian vs. Vocational at Gately, 7

RED WEST

Raby vs. Crane at Orr, 1

BLUE NORTH

Chicago Academy vs. Roosevelt at Winnemac, 10 a.m.

Foreman vs. Prosser at Lane, 7

BLUE SOUTHEAST

Washington vs. Fenger at Gately, 10 a.m.

BLUE WEST

Marshall vs. Collins at Westinghouse, 1

MID-SUBURBAN WEST

Hoffman Estates at Barrington, 1

NONCONFERENCE

Detroit Loyola, Mich. at Christ the King, 3:30

Harvard at Erie-Prophetstown, 1

Walther Christian at Monmouth United, 1

Sunday, October 2

BLUE CENTRAL

Golder vs. Johnson at Lane, noon

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North Lawndale’s offense didn’t take the field until nearly halfway through the second quarter on Thursday against Kennedy. But the Phoenix spent the week dealing with an issue much more serious than a 14-point first-half deficit.

“Sometimes in Chicago there is a lot going on,” North Lawndale coach Samuel Williford said. “We lost one of our best players this week over a threat on social media. He had to transfer because someone wanted to bully him. We lost him to a threat. He transferred away and the whole team cried. That played a part today. He was our emotional leader. It hit everyone hard.”

Phoenix quarterback Earnest Rice, a junior, stepped up to lead his team on the field and emotionally. North Lawndale came from behind to knock off the Crusaders 28-20 at Lane Stadium.

“We had to make a lot of adjustments,” Rice said. “But I’ve been the starting quarterback for three years and I know how to talk to the team and help them out. And Charles comes in very handy.”

Charles Jackson Jr. and Rice connected on a 55-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that put the Phoenix (4-2, 3-1 Red-West) ahead for good.

“[Rice] is an amazing kid,” Williford said. “He’s one of the best athletes I’ve coached and I kind of let him run the flow. He knows the offense inside and out and it is working.”

Rice was 2-for-6 passing for 66 yards. Both of the completions were to Jackson, who was also a standout on defense for North Lawndale. Rice had eight carries for 85 yards and three touchdowns.

Kennedy led 14-0 in the second quarter. The Crusaders gobbled up the entire first quarter on the opening drive of the game, capping it off with a one-yard touchdown run by Wesley Haggard with 11:09 to play in the second quarter.

Then Kennedy recovered the ensuing kickoff. Haggard scored on a three-yard run to finish off that drive. North Lawndale’s offense didn’t take the field until 8:32 remained in the first half.

“I just tried to be a captain and keep my head up during that first quarter,” Jackson said. “We turned it around in the second half and got the win.”

Marquise James was the other major threat on offense for the Phoenix. He had 12 carries for 62 yards.

North Lawndale was 6-4 last season and qualified for the Class 2A state playoffs. The Phoenix are on track for another playoff appearance.

“We are still learning,” Williford said. “This isn’t what we usually do, but that’s football. We had to overcome some adversity.”

Haggard finished with 28 carries for 91 yards and three touchdowns for Kennedy (2-4, 0-4).

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Chicago Public Schools announced the final punishments for Kenwood and Morgan Park’s football teams on Thursday. The teams had a large fight on Saturday after they played at Lane Stadium.

Ten players from Morgan Park and three assistant coaches are suspended for one game. Nine players from Kenwood and two assistant coaches are suspended for one game. CPS did not release any names.

According to Illinois High School Association rules, a player has to miss the next scheduled game if he is ejected from a game.

After the game on Saturday, Morgan Park football coach Chris James estimated that 18-20 players had been ejected. So it appears CPS didn’t add any additional punishments or suspensions on top of what IHSA rules required.

CPS released the following statement with the list of consequences:

“We hold our coaches and players to the highest standard of sportsmanship and respect, and unfortunately, certain members of our community violated those standards this past weekend. Both schools’ administration has apologized to District leadership and the community for their coaches’ and students’ behavior and have since taken steps within their buildings and with the support of the District to ensure all parties understand the unacceptable nature of their behavior and what can be done in the future to prevent any future incidents.”

Kenwood faces Brooks (1-4) at Lane Stadium on Saturday at 4 p.m. Morgan Park plays Hubbard (0-5) at 4 p.m. at Gately Stadium. The Broncos and Mustangs will be heavily favored to win despite the missing players.

The suspended players will not be allowed to attend the games.

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Here is proof you can take something quite familiar and make it sing in ways that feel fresh, funny, warm and exhilarating.

The animated feature film “Entergalactic” on Netflix has a storyline straight out of the Rom-Com Playbook — I mean, our hero falls in love with a girl who literally lives next door. But the story is told with some of the most strikingly beautiful and memorably trippy visuals I’ve seen in a long time, augmented by a steady diet of infectious music by the film’s co-creator and star, Kid Cudi, with a finger directly on the pulse of millennial and Gen Z culture as experienced by young Black professionals.

This is a blazingly original piece of work, created by Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi and Kenya Barris, directed with great style by Fletcher Moules and essentially serving as a long-form video for Kid Cudi’s upcoming album, also titled “Entergalactic.” The fusion of music and narrative works wonderfully as we follow a group of well-drawn (in more ways than one), hilarious, likable and empathetic characters.

Set in a New York brimming with neon-rich shades of purple, maroon, yellow and orange (the style is reminiscent of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), “Entergalactic” stars Kid Cudi as Jabari, a street artist who has recently landed a major deal to turn his graffiti creation “Mr. Rager” into a series of comic books. Shortly after moving into his new, spacious, loft apartment in Manhattan, Jabari runs into his ex-girlfriend Carmen. (In one of the film’s many clever visual touches, the logo on a FedEx truck morphs into a graphic telling us Carmen is the “Ex.”)

The fall coaching carousel has likely come to a close. The last major job left to be filled was at Leo and the South Side Catholic school made a hire on Thursday.

Jimalle Ridley, 33, is Leo’s new coach. It’s the first head coaching job for Ridley, who has been an assistant at Young, Phillips and Orr and was the director of basketball operations at UIC under Steve McClain.

“This is a school that specializes in developing young black men,” Ridley said. “That’s what they focus on. To be a part of that is an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

Ridley, a De La Salle graduate, had originally planned to take this year off from coaching and figure out his next move, but some events this summer swayed his mind.

Norvell Meadows and Marquise Pryor, two players Ridley coached at Orr, were shot and killed this summer.

“After what happened to Norvell Meadows and Marquise Pryor my juices got going,” Ridley. “I didn’t think I could pass up and opportunity to help impact these young men.”

Jamal Thompson resigned as Leo coach last month. That led to several of the Lions’ top players transferring. Leo was expected to be a preseason Super 25 team, but that is no longer the case.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” Ridley said. “But I don’t really care about that. We are going to have some good days and bad days like every team does.

“[Thompson] leaving was a shock to a lot of people. I’m stepping in a month before the season begins. But I’m prepared for this.”

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