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WASHINGTON — Lawyers for Donald Trump on Monday blasted the impeachment case against him as an act of “political theater” and accused House Democrats on the eve of the former president’s trial of exploiting the chaos and trauma of last month’s Capitol riot for their party’s gain.

Trump’s legal brief is a wide-ranging attack on the House case, foreshadowing the claims his lawyers intend to present on the same Senate floor that was invaded by rioters on Jan. 6. The sharp-tongued tone, with accusations that Democrats are making “patently absurd” arguments and trying to “silence a political opponent,” makes clear that Trump’s lawyers are preparing to challenge both the constitutionality of the trial and any suggestion that he was to blame for the insurrection.

“While never willing to allow a ‘good crisis’ to go to waste, the Democratic leadership is incapable of understanding that not everything can always be blamed on their political adversaries, no matter how very badly they may wish to exploit any moment of uncertainty on the part of the American people,” the defense lawyers say.

In their brief, they suggest that Trump was simply exercising his First Amendment rights when he disputed the election results and argue that he explicitly encouraged his supporters to have a peaceful protest and therefore cannot be responsible for the actions of the rioters. They also say the Senate is not entitled to try Trump now that he has left office, an argument contested by even some conservative legal scholars, and they deny that the goal of the Democrats’ case is justice.

“Instead, this was only ever a selfish attempt by Democratic leadership in the House to prey upon the feelings of horror and confusion that fell upon all Americans across the entire political spectrum upon seeing the destruction at the Capitol on Jan. 6 by a few hundred people,” the lawyers wrote.

House impeachment managers filed their own document Monday, asserting that Trump had “betrayed the American people” and that there is no valid excuse or defense.

“His incitement of insurrection against the United States government — which disrupted the peaceful transfer of power — is the most grievous constitutional crime ever committed by a president,” the Democrats said.

The trial will begin Tuesday with a debate and vote on whether it’s even constitutional to prosecute the former president, an argument that could resonate with Republicans keen on voting to acquit Trump without being seen as condoning his behavior. Opening arguments would begin Wednesday at noon, with up to 16 hours per side for presentations.

Under a draft agreement between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, the proceedings will break Friday evening for the Jewish Sabbath at the request of Trump’s defense team and resume on Sunday. There will likely be no witnesses, and the former president has declined a request to testify.

This impeachment trial will be different because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Rather than sitting at their desks through the trial, senators may be spread out, including in the “marble room” just off the Senate floor, where proceedings will be shown on TV, and in the public galleries above the chamber, to accommodate social distancing, according to a person familiar with the discussions.

Trump’s second impeachment trial is opening with a sense of urgency — by Democrats who want to hold him accountable for the violent Capitol siege and Republicans who want it over as quickly as possible.

The proceedings are expected to diverge from the lengthy, complicated trial that resulted in Trump’s acquittal a year ago on charges that he privately pressured Ukraine to dig up dirt on a Democratic rival, Joe Biden, now the president. This time, Trump’s rally cry to “fight like hell” and the storming of the Capitol played out for the world to see. Trump very well could be acquitted again, and the trial could be over in half the time.

Biden will be busy with the business of the presidency and won’t spend “too much time watching,” press secretary Jen Psaki said when asked on Monday.

Trump is the first president to be twice impeached, and the only one to face trial after leaving the White House. The Democratic-led House approved a sole charge, “incitement of insurrection,” acting swiftly one week after the riot, the most violent attack on Congress in more than 200 years. Five people died, including a woman shot by police inside the building and a police officer who died of injuries the next day.

So far, it appears there will be few witnesses called, as the prosecutors and defense attorneys speak directly to senators who have been sworn to deliver “impartial justice” as jurors. Most are also witnesses to the siege, having fled for safety that day as the rioters broke into the Capitol and temporarily halted the electoral count certifying Biden’s victory.

Instead, House managers prosecuting the case are expected to rely on videos from the siege, along with Trump’s incendiary rhetoric refusing to concede the election, to make their case. His new defense team has said it plans to counter with its own cache of videos of Democratic politicians making fiery speeches.

“We have the unusual circumstance where on the very first day of the trial, when those managers walk on the floor of the Senate, there will already be over 100 witnesses present,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who led Trump’s first impeachment, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Whether you need additional witnesses will be a strategic call.”

Democrats argue it’s all about holding the former president accountable for his actions, even though he’s out of office. For Republicans, the trial will test their political loyalty to Trump and his enduring grip on the GOP.

Initially repulsed by the graphic images of the siege, Republican senators including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell denounced the violence and pointed fingers of blame at Trump. But in recent weeks they have rallied around Trump, arguing his comments do not make him responsible for the violence and questioning the legitimacy of trying someone no longer in office.

Senators were sworn in as jurors late last month, shortly after Biden was inaugurated, but the trial proceedings were delayed as Democrats focused on confirming the new president’s initial Cabinet picks and Republicans sought to put as much distance as possible from the bloody riot.

At the time, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky forced a vote to set aside the trial as unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office, drawing 44 other Republicans to his argument.

The 45 votes in favor of Paul’s measure suggest the near impossibility of reaching a conviction in a Senate where Democrats hold 50 seats but a two-thirds vote — or 67 senators — would be needed to convict Trump. Only five Republicans joined with Democrats to reject Paul’s motion: Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

___

Associated Press writer Hope Yen contributed to this report.

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WASHINGTON — Lawyers for Donald Trump on Monday blasted the impeachment case against him as an act of “political theater” and accused House Democrats on the eve of the former president’s trial of exploiting the chaos and trauma of last month’s Capitol riot for their party’s gain.

Trump’s legal brief is a wide-ranging attack on the House case, foreshadowing the claims his lawyers intend to present on the same Senate floor that was invaded by rioters on Jan. 6. The sharp-tongued tone, with accusations that Democrats are making “patently absurd” arguments and trying to “silence a political opponent,” makes clear that Trump’s lawyers are preparing to challenge both the constitutionality of the trial and any suggestion that he was to blame for the insurrection.

“While never willing to allow a ‘good crisis’ to go to waste, the Democratic leadership is incapable of understanding that not everything can always be blamed on their political adversaries, no matter how very badly they may wish to exploit any moment of uncertainty on the part of the American people,” the defense lawyers say.

In their brief, they suggest that Trump was simply exercising his First Amendment rights when he disputed the election results and argue that he explicitly encouraged his supporters to have a peaceful protest and therefore cannot be responsible for the actions of the rioters. They also say the Senate is not entitled to try Trump now that he has left office, an argument contested by even some conservative legal scholars, and they deny that the goal of the Democrats’ case is justice.

“Instead, this was only ever a selfish attempt by Democratic leadership in the House to prey upon the feelings of horror and confusion that fell upon all Americans across the entire political spectrum upon seeing the destruction at the Capitol on Jan. 6 by a few hundred people,” the lawyers wrote in a brief obtained by The Associated Press.

The trial will begin Tuesday with a debate and vote on whether it’s even constitutional to prosecute the former president, an argument that could resonate with Republicans keen on voting to acquit Trump without being seen as condoning his behavior. Opening arguments would begin Wednesday at noon, with up to 16 hours per side for presentations.

Under a draft agreement between Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, the proceedings will break Friday evening for the Jewish Sabbath at the request of Trump’s defense team and resume on Sunday. There will likely be no witnesses, and the former president has declined a request to testify.

Trump’s second impeachment trial is opening with a sense of urgency — by Democrats who want to hold him accountable for the violent Capitol siege and Republicans who want it over as quickly as possible.

The proceedings are expected to diverge from the lengthy, complicated trial that resulted in Trump’s acquittal a year ago on charges that he privately pressured Ukraine to dig up dirt on a Democratic rival, Joe Biden, now the president. This time, Trump’s rally cry to “fight like hell” and the storming of the Capitol played out for the world to see. Trump very well could be acquitted again, and the trial could be over in half the time.

Trump is the first president to be twice impeached, and the only one to face trial after leaving the White House. The Democratic-led House approved a sole charge, “incitement of insurrection,” acting swiftly one week after the riot, the most violent attack on Congress in more than 200 years. Five people died, including a woman shot by police inside the building and a police officer who died of injuries the next day.

So far, it appears there will be few witnesses called, as the prosecutors and defense attorneys speak directly to senators who have been sworn to deliver “impartial justice” as jurors. Most are also witnesses to the siege, having fled for safety that day as the rioters broke into the Capitol and temporarily halted the electoral count certifying Biden’s victory.

Instead, House managers prosecuting the case are expected to rely on videos from the siege, along with Trump’s incendiary rhetoric refusing to concede the election, to make their case. His new defense team has said it plans to counter with its own cache of videos of Democratic politicians making fiery speeches.

“We have the unusual circumstance where on the very first day of the trial, when those managers walk on the floor of the Senate, there will already be over 100 witnesses present,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who led Trump’s first impeachment, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Whether you need additional witnesses will be a strategic call.”

Democrats argue it’s all about holding the former president accountable for his actions, even though he’s out of office. For Republicans, the trial will test their political loyalty to Trump and his enduring grip on the GOP.

Initially repulsed by the graphic images of the siege, Republican senators including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell denounced the violence and pointed fingers of blame at Trump. But in recent weeks they have rallied around Trump, arguing his comments do not make him responsible for the violence and questioning the legitimacy of trying someone no longer in office.

Senators were sworn in as jurors late last month, shortly after Biden was inaugurated, but the trial proceedings were delayed as Democrats focused on confirming the new president’s initial Cabinet picks and Republicans sought to put as much distance as possible from the bloody riot.

At the time, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky forced a vote to set aside the trial as unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office, drawing 44 other Republicans to his argument.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of Trump’s ardent defenders, said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that he believes Trump’s actions were wrong and “he’s going to have a place in history for all of this,” but insisted it’s not the Senate’s job to judge.

The 45 votes in favor of Paul’s measure suggest the near impossibility of reaching a conviction in a Senate where Democrats hold 50 seats but a two-thirds vote — or 67 senators — would be needed to convict Trump. Only five Republicans joined with Democrats to reject Paul’s motion: Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania.

___

Associated Press writer Hope Yen contributed to this report.

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Top-ranked Notre Dame and the experienced trio of Anthony Sayles, Troy D’Amico and Louis Lesmond are a dependable part of a strange season

The “preseason” Super 25 is in new, strange territory. This is not actually the preseason, several teams have started their seasons. As I write, it is still unknown if the Public League will be allowed to play basketball games this season. They currently are not even able to practice.

Star players have opted out of the season due to concerns about COVID-19. Some teams have had players opt out because they are more focused on playing football in March. A handful of schools have already had to shut things down temporarily after positive COVID-10 tests. More than 50 players transferred out of state months ago in an attempt to play high school basketball. Some are trying to transfer back now, some already have but will not be eligible for weeks.

Everything is up in the air. But high school basketball has finally started up again. The Illinois High School Association is not holding any playoffs this season due to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 regulations. So the rankings may be the only way to sort things out this season.

Here’s a look at where things stand now.

1. NOTRE DAME: There is not a better, more experienced trio of seniors in the state than Anthony Sayles, Troy D’Amico and Louis Lesmond. The early returns on new starters Frank Lynch and Sonny Williams are good as well. The Dons are one of a handful of very talented teams in the area that feels they have unfinished business after their playoff run was cut short last season. That extra fuel should help keep motivations high during this awkward, fanless run.

2. SIMEON: The most talented team in the state. DePaul recruit Ahamad Bynum is joined by Oak Park transfer Isaiah Barnes, a Michigan recruit. Seniors Dylan Ingram, Fred Poole and Phillip Holmes all played key roles last season. The trio of underclassmen guards (juniors Avyion Morris, Jaylen Drane and sophomore Jalen Griffith) are small but breathtakingly quick and will dominate most teams.

3. YOUNG: AJ Casey, the former Simeon and Tinley Park star, has joined the Dolphins. He put up eye-popping numbers last season as a sophomore and is the star attraction. Senior guard Jaeshon Thomas is vastly underrated and should be the team’s rock. Grant Newell, a 6-8 senior, is bursting with potential and sophomore point guard Dalen Davis may be one of the best young guards in the country. Junior Xavier Amos and sophomore Fenwick transfer Daniel Johnson are poised for breakout seasons.

4. EVANSTON: Blake Peters, Isaiah Holden, Elijah Bull and Rashawn Bost are going to give opponents fits all season. The Wildkits are experienced and on a mission after COVID-10 cheated them out of another run to Peoria last season. Ola Ajiboye, a 6-8 transfer from Von Steuben, could help them hit the next level. Size and rebounding is the only thing the Wildkits don’t have, although it didn’t hamper them much last season.

5. MUNDELEIN: Guard Conor Enright (Drake) and 6-8 Scottie Ebube (SIU) are the stars. Trey Baker and Jack Bikus are capable of leading the Mustangs in scoring any game as well. They won 30 games last season and everyone is back.

6. DEPAUL PREP: The Rams have five college-bound seniors. TY Johnson (Loyola) is one of the state’s best scorers. Rasheed Bello (Wisconsin-Parkside) is a dynamic defender and 6-10 Brian Mathews (Massachusetts) and 6-9 Dylan Arnett provide massive size.

7. HILLCREST: So much firepower. Point guard Mar’Keise Irving is surrounded by incredible athleticism and length. The trio of 6-6 Julius Rollins, 6-5 Hamahrie Bowers and 6-6 Jakobi Heady is a matchup nightmare for opponents. The chemistry wasn’t there last season. Can the Hawks step up senior year?

8. CURIE: Point guard Nick Owens is the only starter back from last season, but that is a great foundation to build on. We’ve seen the Condors reload successfully the past several years and coach Mike Oliver has nine other seniors with experience to join Evans. Phil Berryhill, Jermel Grigsby and Reggie Ward are the names to keep an eye on.

9. FENWICK: Senior Bryce Hopkins is a major Player of the Year contender. The Kentucky recruit has the ability to completely take over games. The Friars did lose Trey Pettigrew, who transferred when the season was delayed in November. But there are a host of juniors ready to step into the spotlight including Gabe Madej, Eian Pugh and David Gieser.

10. ST. PATRICK: Timaris Brown, a 6-5 junior, is opening eyes in recruiting circles and the Shamrocks have two rock-solid senior guards in Caleb Corro and Nick Galati. Michael Hamilton, a 6-6 late-blooming senior, recently committed to Augustana. The core group has played together for years and has very high expectations for this season.

11. GLENBARD WEST: All five starters return. It should be a tremendous two-year run for the Hilltoppers. Juniors Braden Huff and Caden Pierce are unselfish, future Division I players. Huff is 6-9 and there is more size with 6-6 Danny Mulcare and 6-5 Aidan Murphy.

12. NORTH LAWNDALE: The Phoenix bring back leading scorer Daequan Davis and leading rebounder Larry Johnson. Davis is joined in the backcourt by two highly-regarded sophomores, Ronald Chambers and Damarion Wyatt. Senior guard Jamal Washington returns from a torn ACL. There is a ton of scoring, defense is the question mark.

13. ST. IGNATIUS: Seniors Parker Higginbottom and John Digenan return but there is a lot of promise in the junior and sophomore classes, including Kolby Giles, AJ Redd, Richard Barron and Jackson Kotecki.

14. ROLLING MEADOWS: Michigan State recruit Max Christie is a total force as a senior and has a much-improved supporting cast, including his brother Cameron Christie, Daniel Sobkowicz, Ryan Stubitsch and Orlando Thomas.

15. GLENBROOK SOUTH: Juniors Nick Martinelli and Cooper Noard are a rock-solid combo for coach Phil Ralston to build around.

16. BOLINGBROOK: It is Kai Evans’ turn to step into the spotlight. Kyonte Thomas also returns in the backcourt and the Raiders have two promising sophomores in 6-8 Donoven Younger and Mekhi Cooper.

17. HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR: Big man Chad Readey, Christian Meeks and Kenton Pryor are all experienced winners and there is a ton of excitement surrounding 6-7 sophomore brothers Wes and Miles Rubin.

18. THORNTON: Brandon Hall, an East Tennessee State recruit, and Sean Burress return from last season’s 32-1 team. Rich South transfer Darius Robinson and 6-8 junior Kelsey Tarver will have major roles.

19. NEUQUA VALLEY: Seniors John Poulakidas and Connor Davis return from a 25-game winning team. Both have size and scoring ability. Poulakidas should break the school scoring record this season.

20. CLARK: Coach Terry Head is building something on the West Side. The Eagles earned promotion to the Red-North/West last season. Junior Darrius Perryman and sophomore Cordy Johnson return from that team, as does 6-9 junior Suliman Agiste. Mikell and Mikqwon Jones, a pair of talented junior brothers, transferred from Farragut and make Clark a contender.

21. LAKE FOREST: Walt Mattingly transferred in from Deerfield and pairs with senior Jack Malloy and sophomore Asa Thomas to make the Scouts a threat.

22. KENWOOD: New coach Mike Irvin has assembled a bevy of talented young players. Sophomores JJ Taylor and Darrin Ames transferred from Morgan Park and Davius Loury joined from Simeon.

23. ST. RITA: The Mustangs may be the city’s premier team over the next few years. Roshawn Russell has stacked up major talent in the sophomore and freshman classes, including 6-8 James Brown, one of the top freshmen in the country.

24. KANKAKEE: Point guard Rashard Harris and 6-5 Willie Strickland return. There is even more size with 6-5 Joeron Hill and 6-8 Jalen Maddox. Amarion Osborne, a Vocational transfer, is an excellent defender.

25. WAUBONSIE VALLEY: Loyola recruit Ben Schwieger is surrounded by an experienced group of fellow seniors.

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The area’s complete basketball schedule.

Please send updates and corrections to [email protected]

Monday, February 8, 2021

BIG NORTHERN

Byron at Dixon, 7:00

Genoa-Kingston at North Boone, 7:00

Rockford Lutheran at Mendota, 7:15

Stillman Valley at Oregon, 7:00

Winnebago at Rock Falls, 7:00

CATHOLIC – CROSSOVER

Brother Rice at Providence-St. Mel, 7:00

DePaul at St. Joseph. 7:00

Leo at St. Ignatius, 7:00

Loyola at Providence, PPD

Mount Carmel at Fenwick, 7:15 (Non-Conf)

St. Laurence at Montini, 7:00

St. Rita at De La Salle, 7:00

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

Christian Liberty at Alden-Hebron, 7:30

Our Lady Sacred Heart at Christian Life, 5:30

Schaumburg Christian at Harvest Christian, 7:30

South Beloit at Parkview Christian, 7:00

NON CONFERENCE

Grant Park at McNamara, 7:30

Hampshire at Wheaton North, 7:00

Marquette at Serena, 7:00

South Elgin at St. Charles East, 7:00

Streamwood at Notre Dame. 7:00

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

CENTRAL SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Evanston at Maine West, 7:30

Maine South at Vernon Hills, 7:30

Niles West at Deerfield, 7:30

Glenbrook North at Highland Park, CNL

Glenbrook South at Niles North, 7:30

New Trier at Maine East, 7:30

DU PAGE VALLEY

Metea Valley at DeKalb, 7:00

Naperville North at Neuqua Valley, 7:00

Waubonsie Valley at Naperville Central, 7:00

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Benet at Joliet Catholic, 7:00

Marian Catholic at Marist, 7:00

Marian Central at Carmel, 7:00

St. Patrick at St. Viator, 7:00

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Coal City at Streator, 6:45

Manteno at Reed-Custer, 6:45

Peotone at Herscher, 7:00

Wilmington at Lisle, 7:00

INTERSTATE EIGHT

Kaneland at Plano, 6:00

Morris at LaSalle-Peru, 6:00

Rochelle at Sycamore, 6:00

Sandwich at Ottawa, 6:00

KISHWAUKEE RIVER

Marengo at Johnsburg, 7:30

Woodstock at Richmond-Burton, 7:30

Woodstock North at Harvard, 7:30

METRO SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Aurora Central at Wheaton Academy, 7:00

Chicago Christian at Westmont, 7:30

IC Catholic at St. Edward, 7:30

Riverside-Brookfield at Ridgewood, 6:00

St. Francis at Elmwood Park, 6:00

Timothy Christian at McNamara, 7:30

MID-SUBURBAN – EAST

Buffalo Grove at Wheeling, 7:30

Elk Grove at Rolling Meadows, 7:30

Hersey at Prospect, 7:30

MID-SUBURBAN – WEST

Hoffman Estates at Barrington, 7:30

Palatine at Fremd, 7:30

Schaumburg at Conant, 7:30

NIC – 10

Belvidere at Hononegah, 7:30

Belvidere North at Freeport, 7:30

Guilford at Auburn, 7:30

Harlem at Boylan, 7:30

Rockford East at Jefferson, 7:30

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

Grayslake Central at Lakes, 6:45

North Chicago at Grant, 7:15

Round Lake at Antioch, 6:15

Wauconda at Grayslake North, 7:15

SANGAMON VALLEY

Cissna Park at Paxton-Buckley-Loda, 7:00

Iroquois West at Clifton Central, 7:30

Watseka at Dwight, 7:00

SOUTH SUBURBAN – BLUE

Thornton Fr. North at Hillcrest, 5:00

SOUTH SUBURBAN – RED

Argo at Richards, 6:30

Shepard at Evergreen Park, 7:30

SOUTH SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Oak Forest at Reavis, 7:30

Thornton Fr. South at Eisenhower, 7:00

Tinley Park at Oak Lawn, 6:30

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE – EAST

Joliet Central at Plainfield South, 7:00

Plainfield Central at Plainfield East, 7:00

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE – WEST

Oswego at Plainfield North, 7:00

Oswego East at Minooka, 7:00

Yorkville at West Aurora, 7:00

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – BLUE

Bolingbrook at Lincoln-Way East, 6:30

Lockport at Homewood-Flossmoor, 6:30

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – RED

Lincoln-Way Central at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 6:45

Lincoln-Way West at Andrew, 6:30

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Stagg at Sandburg, 6:15

TRI-COUNTY

Lowpoint-Washburn at Marquette, 5:30

Roanoke-Benson at Putnam County, 7:00

Seneca at Midland, 7:00

Woodland at Henry-Senachwine, 6:30

NON CONFERENCE

Batavia at Notre Dame, 6:30

Glenbard East at Stevenson, at Woodlawn MS, 7:30

Grace Christian at Illinois Lutheran, 7:00

Momence at Grant Park, 7:00

Schaumburg Christian at Elgin, 7:30

St. Charles North at Larkin, 7:30

Tri-Point at Gardner-So. Wilmington, 7:00

LITTLE TEN TOURNAMENT

Hiawatha at DePue, 6:00

Leland at LaMoille-Ohio, 6:00

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

BIG NORTHERN

Byron at Winnebago, 7:00

Genoa-Kingston at Rock Falls, 7:00

Rockford Christian at Mendota, 7:00

Rockford Lutheran at Dixon, 7:00

Stillman Valley at North Boone, 7:00

CATHOLIC – CROSSOVER

De La Salle at Mount Carmel, 7:00

Marmion at DePaul, 7:00

Montini at Brother Rice, 7:00

Providence at St. Rita, 7:00

Providence-St. Mel at Fenwick, 7:00

St. Ignatius at Loyola, 7:00

St. Joseph at St. Laurence, 7:00

FOX VALLEY

Cary-Grove at Burlington Central, 7:00

Crystal Lake Central at Jacobs, 7:00

Crystal Lake South at Prairie Ridge, 7:00

Dundee-Crown at Huntley, 7:00

McHenry at Hampshire, 7:00

NORTH SUBURBAN

Lake Forest at Stevenson, at Woodlawn MS, 7:30

Libertyville at Lake Zurich, 7:30

Waukegan at Mundelein, 7:30

Zion-Benton at Warren, 7:30

SOUTH SUBURBAN – BLUE

Lemont at Bremen, 5:00

Tinley Park at Thornton Fr. South, 6:00

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE – EAST

Romeoville at Joliet West, 7:00

NON CONFERENCE

Clifton Central at Tri-Point, 7:00

Gardner-So. Wilmington at Yorkville Christian, 7:0

Geneva at Bartlett, 7:30

Maine South at Streamwood, 5:30

Waubonsie Valley at Wheaton-Warr. South, 5:00

Wheaton North at Sandburg, 6:15

LITTLE TEN TOURNAMENT

TBD at Indian Creek, 6:00

Serena at Earlville, 6:00

TBD at Somonauk, 6:00

Newark at Hinckley-Big Rock, 6:00

Thursday, February 11, 2021

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Nazareth at Notre Dame, 7:00

NIC – 10

Boylan at Auburn, 7:30

Freeport at Harlem, 7:30

Guilford at Belvidere, 7:30

Hononegah at Rockford East, 7:30

Jefferson at Belvidere North, 7:30

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

Alden-Hebron at South Beloit, 6:00

Christian Life at Christian Liberty, 7:30

Our Lady Sacred Heart at Harvest Christian, 6:00

Parkview Christian at Schaumburg Christian, 7:30

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

Grant at Grayslake North, 7:15

Lakes at Round Lake, at Magee MS, 7:00

SOUTH SUBURBAN – RED

Reavis at Eisenhower, 6:00

SOUTH SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Argo at Oak Forest, 5:30

Evergreen Park at Hillcrest, 5:00

Richards at Bremen, 5:00

Shepard at Lemont, 7:00

NON CONFERENCE

Donovan at Watseka, 7:30

Johnsburg at Elgin, 7:30

St. Charles East at Mundelein, 7:30

Wheaton-Warr. South at Metea Valley, 7:00

Friday, February 12, 2021

BIG NORTHERN

Byron at Mendota, 7:00

Genoa-Kingston at Oregon, 7:00

Rock Falls at Dixon, 7:00

Rockford Lutheran at Rockford Christian, 7:00

Winnebago at North Boone, 7:00

CATHOLIC – CROSSOVER

DePaul at Montini, 7:00

Fenwick at De La Salle, 7:00

Leo at Providence, 7:00

Loyola at St. Joseph, 7:00

Mount Carmel at Providence-St. Mel, 7:00

St. Laurence at St. Ignatius, 7:00

St. Rita at Marmion, 7:15

CENTRAL SUBURBAN – NORTH

Deerfield at Maine East, 5:30

Highland Park at Niles North, 5:30

Vernon Hills at Maine West, 5:30

CENTRAL SUBURBAN – SOUTH

Evanston at Niles West, 5:30

Glenbrook South at Maine South, 6:00

New Trier at Glenbrook North, 5:30

DU PAGE VALLEY

DeKalb at Naperville North, 7:00

Neuqua Valley at Naperville Central, 7:00

Waubonsie Valley at Metea Valley, 7:00

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Carmel at Marian Catholic, 7:00

Joliet Catholic at Notre Dame, 7:00

Marist at Marian Central, 7:00

Nazareth at St. Patrick, 7:00

St. Viator at Benet, 7:00

FOX VALLEY

Burlington Central at Huntley, 7:00

Cary-Grove at Jacobs, 7:00

Crystal Lake Central at Hampshire, 7:00

Crystal Lake South at Dundee-Crown, 7:00

McHenry at Prairie Ridge, 7:00

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Herscher at Lisle, 7:00

Peotone at Coal City, 7:00

Reed-Custer at Streator, 6:45

Wilmington at Manteno, 7:00

INTERSTATE EIGHT

LaSalle-Peru at Rochelle, 6:00

Morris at Kaneland, 6:00

Ottawa at Sycamore, 6:00

Plano at Sandwich, 6:00

KISHWAUKEE RIVER

Harvard at Woodstock North, 7:30

Johnsburg at Marengo, 7:30

Richmond-Burton at Woodstock, 7:30

METRO SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Aurora Christian at Elmwood Park, 6:00

Chicago Christian at McNamara, 7:30

IC Catholic at Aurora Central, 7:30

St. Francis at Westmont, 7:30

Timothy Christian at St. Edward, 7:30

Wheaton Academy at Ridgewood, 6:00

MID-SUBURBAN – EAST

Buffalo Grove at Prospect, 7:30

Hersey at Elk Grove, 7:30

Wheeling at Rolling Meadows, 7:30

MID-SUBURBAN – WEST

Fremd at Conant, 7:30

Hoffman Estates at Schaumburg, 7:30

Palatine at Barrington, 7:30

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

Schaumburg Christian at Alden-Hebron, 7:30

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

Antioch at North Chicago, 7:00

Wauconda at Grayslake Central, 7:15

RIVER VALLEY

Beecher at Grant Park, 7:00

Donovan at St. Anne, 7:00

Grace Christian at Gardner-So. Wilmington, 7:00

Illinois Lutheran at Tri-Point, 7:00

SANGAMON VALLEY

Clifton Central at Cissna Park, 7:00

Dwight at Iroquois West, 7:30

Paxton-Buckley-Loda at Momence, 7:00

SOUTH SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Thornton Fr. North at Oak Lawn, 6:30

SOUTHLAND

Kankakee at Rich, 7:00

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE – EAST

Joliet Central at Romeoville, 7:00

Plainfield East at Joliet West, 7:00

Plainfield South at Plainfield Central, 7:00

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE – WEST

Plainfield North at Minooka, 7:00

West Aurora at Oswego, 7:00

Yorkville at Oswego East, 7:00

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – BLUE

Lincoln-Way East at Homewood-Flossmoor, 6:30

Sandburg at Lockport, 6:30

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – RED

Andrew at Stagg, 6:30

Lincoln-Way West at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:30

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Bradley-Bourbonnais at Bolingbrook, 6:45

TRI-COUNTY

Henry-Senachwine at Midland, 7:00

Putnam County at Seneca, 7:00

Roanoke-Benson at Marquette, 7:00

Woodland at Lowpoint-Washburn, 5:30

UPSTATE EIGHT

Elgin at East Aurora, CNL

Glenbard East at Larkin, 7:30

Glenbard South at Bartlett, 7:30

South Elgin at Fenton, 7:30

West Chicago at Streamwood, 7:30

WEST SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Downers Grove North at Addison Trail, 7:00

Glenbard West at Downers Grove South, 7:00

Hinsdale Central at Hinsdale South, 7:00

Lyons at Morton, 7:00

Proviso West at Proviso East, 7:30

York at Willowbrook, 7:00

LITTLE TEN TOURNAMENT

Semi-Final, 6:00

Semi-Final, 6:00

Saturday, February 13, 2021

CENTRAL SUBURBAN – NORTH

Maine East at Deerfield, 4:00

Maine West at Vernon Hills, 4:00

Niles North at Highland Park, 4:00

CENTRAL SUBURBAN – SOUTH

Niles West at Evanston, 4:00

Maine South at Glenbrook South, 4:00

Glenbrook North at New Trier, 4:00

DU KANE

Geneva at Glenbard North, 6:00

St. Charles East at Lake Park, 6:00

St. Charles North at Wheaton-Warr. South, 6:00

Wheaton North at Batavia, 6:00

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Streator at Herscher, 3:30

Wilmington at Peotone, 11:30

INTERSTATE EIGHT

Plano at Ottawa, 6:00

Rochelle at Kaneland, 6:00

Sandwich at Morris, 4:00

Sycamore at LaSalle-Peru, 6:00

METRO SUBURBAN – BLUE

Riverside-Brookfield at Chicago Christian, 5:30

NIC – 10

Auburn at Jefferson, 1:00

Belvidere at Boylan, 1:00

Guilford at Freeport, 1:00

Harlem at Rockford East, 1:00

Hononegah at Belvidere North, 1:00

NORTH SUBURBAN

Lake Forest at Zion-Benton, 3:00

Lake Zurich at Warren, 3:00

Libertyville at Waukegan, 3:00

Stevenson at Mundelein, 3:00

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC

Our Lady Sacred Heart at Parkview Christian, 1:30

South Beloit at Christian Life, 1:30

SANGAMON VALLEY

Cissna Park at Iroquois West, TBA

TRI-COUNTY

Lowpoint-Washburn at Roanoke-Benson, 1:00

Midland at Marquette, 2:30

Putnam County at Henry-Senachwine, 2:30

Woodland at Seneca, 2:30

NON CONFERENCE

Eastland at DeKalb, 3:30

Glenbard East at Neuqua Valley, 1:30

Glenbard West at Glenbard South, 3:00

Illinois Valley Central at Yorkville Christian, 7:00

Joliet West at Bolingbrook, 12:45

Lincoln-Way Central at Plainfield North, 5:00

Lockport at Joliet Central, 3:00

Loyola at Rochelle Zell, 7:30

Marian Central at Elgin, 1:00

Milledgeville at Oregon, 7:00

St. Anne at Momence, TBA

Streamwood at Benet, 6:00

Watseka at Hoopeston, 7:30

West Aurora at Waubonsie Valley, 3:30

Wheeling at Northridge, 5:15

Woodstock North at Crystal Lake South, 12:00

LITTLE TEN TOURNAMENT

Third Place, 6:00

Championship, 6:00

Sunday, February 14, 2021

DU KANE

Batavia at Lake Park, 6:00

St. Charles East at Glenbard North, 6:00

St. Charles North at Wheaton North, 6:00

Wheaton-Warr. South at Geneva, 6:00

NON CONFERENCE

Marian Catholic at Loyola, 2:00

Mundelein at Notre Dame, 3:00

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Chicago Bears: These Carson Wentz trades make the most sense by Ryan Heckman

Super Bowl LV was the Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes matchup of a lifetime.

We know how elite Mahomes is and we know that the Chicago Bears are complete fools for letting him slide in favor of Mitchell Trubisky in the 2017 NFL Draft. However, there is no denying that the Bears have a somewhat decent roster with terrible quarterback play. That is what people said about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2019 season came to an end. They ended that season with a 7-9 record and had a quarterback that threw 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.

The Chicago Bears could learn a lot from Super Bowl XL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers always felt like that team that was a “quarterback away”. Well, they added Tom Brady and now they are defending Super Bowl Champions. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV in one of the most dominant showings we have ever seen in the big game.

Tom Brady was at the center of it all as the Super Bowl MVP. He went 21/29 with 201 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He had a pretty easy time finding guys like Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, and Mike Evans amongst others. It was an amazing performance to help Tampa Bay win their first Super Bowl since 2002.

Brady went to that team and gave them just what they needed. Their roster isn’t all that different from the year prior but they have the quarterback now. They always had a good defense but the quarterback forced them to be on the field too much. When Tom got there, the defense was allowed to relax and play to the best of their ability.

In the Super Bowl, everyone needs to show up in order to win. They forced Patrick Mahomes to run a lot and it showed. Kansas City was missing a large chunk of their offensive line and Tampa Bay took full advantage. With Tom Brady on the sideline, a defense taking care of Mahomes like that gives him everything he needs to do in order to be successful.

Now, the Bears are not going to be adding the greatest of all time. They can, however, add someone who is significantly better than Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky. That might allow them to be a better team than they’ve been for a long time. We know their defense can be very good but they are on the field way too much. There is no doubt that they can go to school on what Tampa did during the offseason last year.

As for Brady, he now has one year left on the two-year deal he signed with Tampa. He is 43 years old but there is no reason to believe that he needs to hang them up. He is so good and now he has seven rings. He did it all without the New England Patriots. He went to Tampa Bay and they magically won the Super Bowl in year one. There is no doubt that he would have won a whole bunch no matter what team he went to in his draft year. The conversation about who deserved more credit in New England is now dead. It was Tom all along and everybody knows it.

Hot: Carson Wentz trades make some sense for Chicago

It is very sad that even though the need is pretty much right there in their face, nobody has any confidence that the Bears are going to get it done and learn from this. If they try something, there is a very small chance it works but it will most likely fail. However, it was awesome to watch Super Bowl LV and see Brady face Mahomes and secure his legacy as the greatest quarterback of all time. Football fans deserve that for their sport.

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