Dave Shepard was all set to make his debut officiating the IHSA state boys basketball tournament in March of 2020. Then COVID hit, sending him and the teams home the night before the games were to begin.

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Get caught up on news, sports and features from the week of March 9-15, 2024 in the Sauk Valley.

Here's a look at the 2023-24 SVM Boys Basketball All-Area Team.

For a record-setting senior season, Newman's Lucas Simpson has been voted the 2024 SVM Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

For leading Eastland to its best season in a decade, Tyler Zumdahl has been voted the 2024 SVM Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.

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The thinking behind the images for this year's boys and girls players of the year.

February was an exciting month for Sauk Valley area basketball. Here are some of the highlights from the past month.

On the biggest stage in program history, Byron came out ready to roll Monday night at the Class 2A Sterling Supersectional. The Tigers earned their first-ever trip to the state finals, building a double-digit lead early and holding off every Chicago Latin surge for an 85-71 win.

Eastland cut a 19-point third-quarter deficit to four points late in the fourth quarter but fell 60-50 to Pecatonica in the Class 1A River Ridge Sectional championship Friday.