Bulldogs seek continued success in regional

In another successful season for Riverside Brookfield High School boys basketball, the Bulldogs added a few twists in winning their regular-season finale, Feb. 13.

The Bulldogs celebrated Senior Night with an NBA-like rally to beat Oak Forest 65-62 after trailing 59-53 with 1:48 left. 

“It started from our point guard (Mehki Austin),” sophomore guard Cameron Mercer said. “Because of him, we made some defensive stops and got the win.” 

All eight seniors saw significant action for RBHS (25-4) — regular starters Steven Brown, Stefan Cicic and Austin, Sam Shelven, Joey Garvey, Max Almeida, Ivan Ramos-Olivera and John Super.

They hope to return to their home court — if they can win the Class 4A Hinsdale Central Regional.

The Bulldogs seek their second regional title in three years and fourth in five seasons as the No. 3 seed in the RB Sectional. They play No. 14 Argo at 6 p.m. Wednesday with the winner playing No. 6 Simeon (14-13) or No. 10 Hinsdale Central (15-15) at 7 p.m. Friday for the regional title. 

RBHS, which lost to Hinsdale Central in last year’s regional final, is enjoying its fifth straight 20-win season that includes seven conference titles in Mike Reingruber’s eight seasons as head coach.

“Our sectional is one of the deepest and toughest in the state, year in and year out,” Reingruber said. 

“We’ve found different ways to win. I think we’re battled tested and ready to go.” 

Against Oak Forest, RBHS took its first lead since the start of the second quarter at 62-59 when Mercer stole the ball and Austin converted a conventional three-point play with 45.7 seconds left. Mercer and Austin had just hit back-to-back threes to tie the game at 59.

“Any time I can help the team win, it’s good,” said Austin, a transfer as a senior from Oak Park and River Forest High. 

“My teammates have made it great so far [this season]. They’ve been very welcoming since the first day I came in.” 

Austin wasn’t done. He stole the ball at half court and converted another layup with 15 seconds left for a 64-59 lead. After Oak Forest made three free throws, Shelven made one of two free throws with 5.5 seconds. 

Trying to tie, the Bengals’ three-point attempt from the right of the key was blocked by the 7-foot Cicic. 

It was the first time Cicic remembered such a dramatic game-ending block.

“I wasn’t nervous [about fouling],” Cicic said. “I just jumped straight up and put my hands up. Luckily I’m tall enough to block the shot.” 

Cicic achieved another personal best, eight dunks, en route to yet another double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds. Austin (13 points with 2 threes, 9 rebounds, 4 assists), Mercer (11 points with 3 threes), junior Danny Loftus (6 points) and Brown (5 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) also contributed.

RBHS girls basketball

Senior Emily Organ and her Riverside Brookfield High School girls basketball teammates nearly staged another wild comeback Thursday.

The underdog Bulldogs slashed an 18-point deficit early in the second quarter down to four late in the third quarter before Kenwood regained control for a 73-57 victory and the Class 4A RB Regional title.

“We took the mindset that everyone was counting us out, but we came into it like it’s 0-0,” said Organ, who had 12 points, five rebounds and three steals.

“We worked hard for this and we were geared up and ready. We ended on a good note. Not the outcome we wanted but we played hard and played our hearts out.”

Seniors Niamh Larson (19 points with 2 threes, 6 rebounds), Mayan Covarrubias (8 points, 5 rebounds), Amanda Buckley (7 points, 3 steals) and Julia Madera (5 points) and junior Alyssa Morris (6 points) also were big contributors for the Bulldogs (17-14), the No. 6 seed in the Mother McAuley Sectional, who had hoped to win their first regional since 2020 over No. 3 Kenwood (24-8).

The impactful seven seniors have many great memories from this season, including the Bulldogs’ first conference title since 2020 and their 66-62 regional semifinal victory over No. 11 Reavis, Feb. 12, after trailing 55-42 entering the fourth quarter.

“It was just a couple of things that went in [Kenwood’s] direction. I’m super proud of the girls and from where we started when they first came in as freshman,” RBHS coach Jordan Mack said. 

“I wouldn’t trade them for the world. They’re amazing kids. It’s a special group. I don’t know how many special groups we’ll have like that.”

Kenwood junior point guard Ariella Henigan was phenomenal with 35 points, three 3-pointers and 10-for-10 free throw shooting. She also had seven rebounds and six steals.

Henigan’s back-to-back threes, which ended the third quarter, including a buzzer-beater, gave Kenwood breathing room at 56-47. 

Kenwood scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to lead 61-47. Larson’s three and Morris’ beautiful driving scoop layup cut the deficit to 61-52 before Henigan nailed another three.

“I knew this was going to be our last game [with the seniors] and I wanted to play as hard as I could,” Morris said. “I wanted to show them I loved them and they were one of my favorite teams to play with. Even though it wasn’t their main sport, they gave it their all.”

Even with the loss, the Bulldogs won nine of their last 11 games after starting 1-5 and 5-11.

“I think we just weren’t a unit at the time. Lots of people missing, sick, injuries,” Mack said. “The more time we spent together and team bonding, that goes a long, long way on and off the court and they love each other. They started to believe in themselves. And they showed that today.”