After winning all but one of their 2023 games by double digits, the Riverside Brookfield High School boys basketball team began 2024 with two emotional victories by a combined nine points.

The Bulldogs earned a 70-63 victory over top-20 rated Lincoln Park Friday at the Hyde Park Classic followed by a 66-64 home victory over rival Nazareth Academy Saturday.

RBHS (15-2) led Lincoln Park 23-13 after one quarter and 40-25 at halftime but then had to fight off the Lions, who closed to 51-48 entering the fourth quarter.

Senior Stefan Cicic had a big game with 21 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks. Mehki Austin had 19 points, 8-for-10 two-point shooting, and three assists. Cam Mercer (11 points) and Steven Brown (10 points) also reached double figures and Danny Loftus added five points.

Brown (23 points, 5 assists) and Cicic’s double-double (21 points, 13 rebounds) were key components in beating Nazareth. Brown made 10 of 13 shots, including three of four 3-point attempts. Mercer (11 points with 2 threes) and Loftus (5 points) also contributed. 

The Bulldogs took a 48-44 lead into the fourth quarter after trailing the Roadrunners 32-30 at halftime.

“Our kids showed the ability to win in different ways this weekend,” RBHS coach Mike
Reingruber responded.

“We were up big versus Lincoln Park and they came storming back and took the lead. 
We withheld their run and closed out the game very strong. Against Nazareth we were
down double figures in the second quarter and gradually chipped away at the lead, taking
an 8-to-10 point lead most of the second half and holding on for the victory. Good teams
are able to win multiple different ways and that is what we did.”

RBHS boys wrestling

Juniors Matt Elzy and Edgar Mosquera were champions and the Bulldogs (200 points) finished second at Morton’s Steve Eckert Holiday Classic, Dec. 28.

Elzy (13-1) won the 190-pound title, 6-4, over Morton junior Lenin Contreras.

At 113, Mosquera (20-2) was a 6-5 winner over Bolingbrook junior Isaac Harris in the final. RBHS finished 11 points behind champion Bolingbrook.

Jacob Godoy (17-9 at 132) and Josh Gonzalez (20-5 at 144) were second. Mateo Gonzalez (106) and Ricky Gutierrez-Blanco (138) were third, Jayden Tulian (120) and Max Strong (175) were fourth, Jacob Noe (150) and Nathan Stanard (126) were fifth and Anthony Esposito (215) was sixth.

LTHS boys basketball 

The Lions (4-9, 1-3 in West Suburban Conference Silver) put forth another great effort Friday but lost 45-39 at Downers Grove North (12-2, 2-0), which finished fourth in state in Class 4A last season.

Brady Chambers (14 points, 8 rebounds), Liam Taylor (13 points, 5 rebounds) and Ian Polonowski (5 points), Michael Reilly (3 points) and Caleb Greer (3 assists) led the Lions. Back-to-back threes by Polonowski and Reilly got LTHS to within 33-32 in the third quarter.

Girls basketball

LTHS (13-6) moved to 5-1 in the West Suburban Silver by beating Oak Park and River Forest High, 59-15 Saturday, behind Keira Kessler (8 points) and Elin O’Brien and Emma O’Brien (7 points apiece).

On Thursday, the Lions fell behind early but nearly rallied before losing to Geneva, 48-44, in the Grow the Game Showcase at Stevenson. Emma O’Brien had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Lions, who trailed 25-13 at halftime and were down 18 in the third quarter. 

The Lions threatened at 43-37 in the fourth quarter after Emma O’Brien and Gwen Smith threes but never got closer than five down the stretch. Avery Mezan and Smith both added seven points. Elin O’Brien and Kennedy Wanless each had six.

RBHS (7-12) lost at Glenbard West, 61-32 Jan. 3. Niamh Larson (11 points) and Alyssa Morris (10 points, three-pointer) reached double figures.

RBHS boys swimming, diving

The Bulldogs were sixth at Hinsdale South’s Wheelock College Events Invite, Saturday. The 200-yard freestyle relay of Hayden Marrs, Lucas Hedrich, Will Kallas and Drew Rosa was third (1:31.46). Rosa was third in the 200 breast stroke (2:13.41) and fifth in the 100-yard freestyle (49.75). Diver Nate Kissel was fourth (199.60 points).

RBHS girls gymnastics

The Bulldogs (113.85 points) were sixth at Andrew’s Erin Olmsted Invitational Saturday. Kayla Janusz tied for 10th on vault (8.6) and went 30.70 in all-around. Paige Phelan was 11th on uneven parallel bars (7.8).