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IHSA
announces shot clock timeline |
 06/11/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
BLOOMINGTON - It was only a matter of time.
The Illinois High School Association announced this week that
the state will move forward in using a shot clock in all varsity
basketball games (boy's and girl's) beginning in the 2026-27 school
year. While
many other states have used a shot clock for the past 20-years
the IHSA, after experimenting with it during regular season
tournaments and shootouts the past two seasons, have pulled
the trigger in making it law.
A 35-second
shot clock will be required for usage in varsity girls and boys
basketball games beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Use
of the shot clock for lower-level (freshman, sophomore, junior
varsity) contests will be determined by conferences and via
mutual agreement by competing teams in non-conference games.
“The
IHSA has allowed the shot clock to be used in tournaments and
shootouts the past two seasons, and the overwhelming feedback
we have received from coaches is that it is time to embrace
the shot clock in all varsity contests,” said IHSA Executive
Director Craig Anderson. “We believe the two-season lead
time will provide our schools with ample opportunity to install
the shot clocks and get comfortable with them from both a coaching
and game administration perspective.”
A trio
of southern Illinois coaches had positive views on the change.
Head
coach Ron Winemiller, who led Benton to a second place finish
in the most recent 2A tournament, was part of a Rich Herrin
Shootout that used a shot clock the past two seasons and weighed
in on the decision.
"It
was inevitable that it was going to happen. There were too many
big schools in the north pushing for it. I'm good with it. The
game evolved. People thought the 3-point line would kill the
game in the late 80's now we can't imagine basketball without
it,” said Coach Winemiller. “I just hope we start
using it at the lower levels sooner rather than later since
those kids are going to be most directly impacted by it."
Breese
Central mentor Jeremy Shubert and his team also got to play
a game last winter at the O'Fallon Shootout that used the shot
clock.
"I
knew this was just a formality and that it would be coming to
high school basketball sooner than later. Since we played with
a shot clock in the O'Fallon Shootout I am somewhat familiar
with the situation however we had the lead and I believe that
makes a huge difference. There was only one or two instances
where we had a violation. This will definitely make your end
of quarter and end of game situations a little different,"
said Coach Shubert. “You have to spend time on in practice
but I feel that teams will adjust and make the necessary changes
and adjustments. I think the fans will like it since the game
will be more fast paced but in some regards the game has shifted
to that anyways. I am interested to see how the players and
teams adjust."
Nashville
head coach Stote Reeder brought up a good example of how it
will help on the defensive end of the floor.
"I'm
fine with it. I believe it benefits the most prepared. There
will be adjustments to make but that's okay,” said Coach
Reeder. “What I like best is we will no longer have to
guard for a long time and the other team is still comfortable
getting a good shot. Now we can guard for 30-seconds and our
opponent has to take a panicked shot." |
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IHSA
March Madness To Remain At State Farm Center In Champaign-Urbana Through
2029 |
04/25/2024
BLOOMINGTON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board
of Directors has announced a state final hosting contract extension
for the IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals at the State Farm Center
on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign-Urbana.
“The
IHSA is thrilled for America’s Original March Madness
to remain in Champaign-Urbana for the foreseeable future,”
said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We appreciate
the support that Champaign-Urbana and its surrounding communities,
the University, State Farm Center, Experience Champaign-Urbana,
and all the tournament volunteers annually provide for the state
tournament. Champaign-Urbana has a long legacy of producing
top tier events that lead to lifelong memories for IHSA players,
coaches, schools, and their fans.”
The
contract extension is five years in length and will encompass
the 2024-25, 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29 state tournaments.
“We
are honored to continue as host of the boys’ basketball
state finals on the University of Illinois campus,” said
University of Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman. “The
Champaign-Urbana community has come together to provide a first-class
experience to all the teams over the past three years, and we
know from the overwhelming feedback we’ve received that
it has been a positive experience for all who have participated.
We are proud to continue our longstanding, strong partnership
with the IHSA and are thrilled that the state championships
will continue to be played on the biggest stage here at State
Farm Center.”
The
IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals debuted on the University
of Illinois campus in 1919 and were played in the State Farm
Center (then the Assembly Hall) from 1963 to 1995, before returning
in 2022. The Boys Basketball State Final hosting extension was
a joint proposal from the University of Illinois, the Fighting
Illini Athletic Department, State Farm Center, Visit Champaign
County, and the Champaign-Urbana communities.
“We
are thrilled with this news, as the first three years have shown
tremendous economic growth and excitement in the community and
across the state!” said Jayne DeLuce, President &
CEO of Experience Champaign-Urbana. “With local support
in partnership with University of Illinois Athletics, we will
continue to provide these student-athletes, their families,
and fans with memories that will last a lifetime.”
The
State Farm Center also serves as the host of IHSA Boys Individual
Wrestling State Finals each February.
“State
Farm Center, Illinois Athletics, and the University of Illinois
are thrilled to know the next several chapters of IHSA Boys
Basketball State Finals history will be written in Champaign,”
said John Marquardt, the Director of the State Farm Center.
“America’s Original March Madness has roots on campus
dating back to 1919 when the tournament was held in Kenney Gym.
We are honored to continue our long-standing relationship with
the IHSA and Experience Champaign-Urbana to provide a championship
experience that creates lifetime memories for players, coaches,
and fans alike at State Farm Center.”
Additionally,
the IHSA Board of Directors has asked the IHSA staff to negotiate
a contract extension for the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals
at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus in Bloomington-Normal.
“CEFCU
Arena and the Illinois State University campus in the only home
the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals have ever known, and
it is our intention to extend that agreement through 2029 as
well,” said Anderson. “There is mutual interest
by the IHSA, Illinois State University, and the Bloomington-Normal
Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to make that happen, and
I anticipate we will have a formal announcement in the very
near future.”
The
IHSA will maintain the three-day format (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
that was adopted prior to the 2022 state tourney. The daily
game and time schedule is being reviewed by the IHSA Basketball
Advisory
Committee and will be finalized at the IHSA Board of Directors
meeting in June.
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NTC
looks to continue dominance
Central Illinois All-Star Game at Toledo Cumberland
Sunday night |
03/21/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
TOLEDO - If you would like one final shot at seeing some boy's
high school hoops the 30th annual Central Illinois All-Star Game
will be held Sunday night, March 24th at Cumberland High School.
The
game is an annual “Us vs. Them” format featuring teams
from the National Trail Conference vs. the Lincoln Prairie Conference.
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Ande,
Marlow named POY's
Winemiller, Gisinger honored with "Coach of the
Year" awards
Benton, Mounds Meridian each earn top team honors |
03/13/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – At the end of last season I wrote that I
was no longer going to put together an all-south team, mainly
because of the time in which it takes to put it together and
that I had (have) a new full-time career job that consumes most
of my time.
However
after several coaches asked me about this season I came up with
a compromise.
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Benton
falls short in championship game
Chicago
Phillips wins second state title, 54-47; Rangers finish record-breaking
season at 33-4 |
03/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN – Empty possessions. A phrase that coaches hate
to hear and reluctant to experience. It
is exceptionally painful when it happens in a closely contested
contest.
The
Benton Rangers went through this occurrence at the worst possible
time .....
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| West
Central wins first title
Cougars
lead 'gate to wire' in championship game victory over Mounds Meridian |
03/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN - The Winchester West Central Cougars did something
on Saturday that the rest of the opponents of Mounds Meridian
failed to do this postseason.
Coach
Ryan Sichting's club kept the Bobcats off of the offensive glass.
Without the second chance opportunities
that Meridian had taken in its previous state
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Benton
reaches first title game
Rangers
take down Byron; will face Chicago Phillips for the 2A crown Saturday |
03/07/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN – For head coach Ron Winemiller and his Benton
Rangers the ultimate goal is within reach.
This
long-standing successful basketball program has filled multiple
trophy cases throughout its 100-plus years of its existence
with regular season and postseason hardware.
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Meridian
seals title game berth
Bobcats'
top Chicago Hope Academy; play for state championship on Saturday |
03/07/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN - Could the third time be the charm on Saturday night?
The
Mounds Meridian Bobcats basketball program, with its win over
Chicago Hope Academy Thursday morning, reached the state championship
game for the third time in its history.
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Tedeschi
named first-team 2A all-state
Benton 6-foot-8 junior is top
vote getter; Several ABV players make HM lists |
| 03/06/2024
MOLINE –- Here are the Illinois Media Class 1A-2A
All-State boys' basketball teams as voted on by a statewide
panel of newspaper writers/editors, TV/radio broadcasters, and
internet-site operators. All media members covering high school
basketball in the state were eligible to nominate and vote for
players. Compiled by Quad Cities media veteran Steve Tappa (currently
of MC22-TV and QCSportsNet). Players received five points for
a first-team vote and three points for a second-team vote. A
five-player first team and five-player second team were selected
in each class based on voting totals. A player must have been
named on two ballots to receive honorable mention. All selections
listed in order of voting points. There were a total of 33 voters
(each voting in 2A; one voter did not vote in 1A).i
ABV Area Players in RED
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 CLASS
2A FIRST TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Docker Tedeschi, Benton (6-6, Jr., PF)
100
Ryan Tucker, Byron (6-3, Sr., G) 99
Calvin "CJ" Worsham, Chicago Christ the King (6-7,
Sr., F) 88
Adyn McGinley, Beecher (6-0, Sr., G) 86
EJ Horton, Chicago Phillips (6-2, Jr., G) 85
CLASS
2A SECOND TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Dietrich Richardson, Peoria Manual (6-7, Jr., PG) 81
Al Brooks Jr., Chicago Noble Hansberry (6-7, Jr., F) 80
Ryan Mbouombouo, Chicago Latin (6-3, Sr., SF) 59
Paxton Giertz, Seneca (6-0, Jr., PG) 51
Christian Cummings, Rockford Christian (5-10, Jr., SG) 46
CLASS
2A HONORABLE MENTION
(28 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS)
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Jonah Funk, El Paso-Gridley (6-9, Jr., C) 41;
Sam Donald, Columbia (6-8, Jr., G) 39; Noah LaPorte,
Princeton (6-6, Jr., F) 37; Christian Bentancur, Woodstock Marian
Central (6-5, Sr., F) 36; Brady Clark, Kewanee (6-3, Sr., G)
33; Jake Willems, Riverdale (6-5, Sr., G) 31; Tyler Heffren,
Eureka (6-4, Sr., G/F) 29; Vontez Dent, Rockford Lutheran (6-4,
Sr., G/F) 28; Isaac Hosman, Massac County
(6-0, Sr., G) 28; Mason Shubert, Breese Central (6-3, Sr., PG)
24; Bryant Jenkins, Lawrenceville (6-3, Sr., SF) 22;
Dion Doyle, Macomb (6-5, Sr., F) 17; Braden
Kline, Alton Marquette (6-3, Sr., G) 16; Brady Ruestman,
Minonk Fieldcrest (6-6, Sr., G) 15; Owen
Treat, Vienna (6-2, Sr., G) 14; Ian Brantley, Piasa Southwestern
(6-7, Jr., F) 10; Sebastian Hill, Macon Meridian (6-3,
Sr., G) 10; TJ Seals, Johnson (6-5, Jr.) 10; Tyler Curl, Fairbury
Prairie Central (6-2, Sr., G) 9; AJ Keith,
Pinckneyville (6-4, Jr., SG) 9; Cameron Ande, Harrisburg (6-3,
Sr., SG) 8; Landon Bull, Rockridge (6-4, Jr., F) 8; Amari
Edwards, Chicago Phillips (5-9, Jr., G) 6; Garrett
Gaddis, Teutopolis (Sr., G) 6; Dierre Hill, Belleville Althoff
(6-0, Jr., PG/SG) 6; Tanner Jacob, St. Joseph-Ogden (6-2,
Sr., G) 6; Seth Macke, Trenton Wesclin
(6-6, Sr., SF) 6; Zane Schrage, Breese Central (6-5, Sr., F)
6.
NOTE:
Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention):
Brayden
Saling, Williamsville (5-11, Jr., G) 5; Lucas Collison, Mercer
County (5-11, Sr., G) 3; Landon Driscoll,
Carmi-White County (6-2, Sr., PG/SG) 3; Mitchel Edwards, Carmi-White
County (6-6, Jr., F) 3; Matthew Guthrie, Carlyle (6-7, Jr.,
F) 3; Dylan Harvel, Anna-Jonesboro (5-11, Sr., PG) 3; Micah
Meiss, El Paso-Gridley (6-5, Jr., G) 3; Caden
Nichols, Newton (6-3, Sr., G) 3; Keison Peoples, Bismarck-Henning
Rossville-Alvin (6-2, Soph., G) 3; Maddux
Ritzel, Nashville 3; Drake Wagner, Breese Mater Dei (6-2, Sr.,
SG) 3.
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| CLASS
1A FIRST TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Hank Alvey, Glasford Illini Bluffs (6-9, Sr., PF) 130
Zack Evans, Winchester West Central (6-2, Sr., G) 82
Ross Robertson, South Beloit (6-8, Jr., C) 81
Thomas Hereau, Scales Mound (6-3, Sr., G) 77
Cooper Hoffman, Pecatonica (6-1, Jr., G) 71
CLASS
1A SECOND TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Marshawn Cocroft, Aurora Christian (6-0, Soph., G) 66
Tyjuan Hunter, Chicago Hope Academy (5-5, Soph., PG) 64
Lucas Simpson, Sterling Newman (6-2, Sr., F) 63
Johnathan Calmese, Chicago Manley (6-2, Sr., PG) 58
Martin Ledbetter, Hinckley-Big Rock (6-5, Jr., F) 49
CLASS 1A HONORABLE MENTION
(30 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS)
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Baylen Damhoff, Fulton (6-6, Sr., F) 41; Nathaniel
Marlow, Bluford Webber (6-3, Soph., PG) 39; Lucas Blackford,
Springfield Calvary (6-4, Soph., F) 31; Kyle
Cooper, Waltonville (5-11, Soph., PG) 31; Connor Glasgow,
Galena (6-5, Sr., G/F) 30; Jordan Quinn,
Tuscola (6-3, Sr., F) 29; Blake Brown, Grant Park (6-0,
Jr., G) 28; Nick Feather, Heyworth (6-7, Sr., C) 28; Parker
Boehne, Centralia Christ Our Rock (6-0, Sr., G) 24; Brock Fearday,
Effingham St. Anthony (6-3, Jr., G/F) 23; Kanen Augustine, Waterloo
Gibault (5-8, Sr., G) 18; Drake Moss, Goreville (6-0, Sr., G)
18; Caleb Gephart, Dieterich (6-2, Sr., G) 16; Kesler
Collins, Flanagan-Cornell (6-2, Sr., G/F) 12; Jayden
Bazile, Centralia Christ Our Rock (Jr., G) 11; Owen Landreth,
Patoka (5-10, Sr., G) 11; Braden Phillips, Arcola (6-3, Jr.,
C) 11; Ryan Schmidt, Effingham St. Anthony (6-4, Jr., G/F) 11;
Marquis Williams, Chicago Marshall (6-0, Sr., G) 10; Griffin
Cook, Earlville (6-1, Sr., G) 9; Chance Little, Winchester West
Central (6-4, Sr., F) 9; Richie Armour, Serena (6-3, Sr., PF)
8; Cale Halpin, Gardner-South Wilmington (6-1, Sr., G) 8; Nick
Moore, Camp Point Central (6-1, Sr., G) 8; Bryson Mossman, Jacksonville
Routt (6-3, Soph., G) 8; Malachi Persinger, Peoria Christian
(5-11, Jr., PG) 8; Gavin Kesler, Waterloo
Gibault (6-3, Sr., F) 6; Noah Lyons,
Franklin South County (6-0, Sr., SG/SF) 6; Ethan Storm,
Lexington (5-8, Sr., G) 6; Antonio Tyler, Chicago Marshall (6-8,
Sr., F) 6.
NOTE:
Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention):
AJ Flenoid, Mounds Meridian (6-3, Fr,
C) 5; Carson Baker, Serena (6-0, Sr., G) 3; Jordan Davis,
St. Anne (5-11, Jr., G) 3; Tanner Faivre, Serena (5-11, Sr.,
PG) 3; Kris Hills, Walther Christian (5-11, Sr., PG) 3; Kaidyn
Miller, Altamont (6-0, Sr., F) 3; Gage Peterson, Waltonville
(6-5, Soph., F) 3; Jayden Riley, Yorkville Chrisitian
3; Brock Soltow, Polo (6-3, Sr., G/F) 3; Cole
Tripp, Goreville (6-0, Jr., G) 3; Lucas Westendorf, Dieterich
(6-2, Jr., G) 3. |
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Meridian,
Benton face unknown foes
Chicago
Hope Academy, Byron are semifinal opponents Thursday |
03/06/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN - Thursday morning in Champaign/Urbana the Mounds Meridian
Bobcats will step into an arena that will certainly spark some
memories of fans old enough to remember the last time this program
took the floor at the State Farm Center. It
was March of 1972 during the first Class A state finals that
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Meridian
outlasts CORL
Bobcats'
long road trip results in 60-53 win; now 27-8 |
03/04/2024
BY DAN L. CHAMNESS
CHARLESTON - It took some time for the Mounds Meridian Bobcats
to warm up, but once they did, nothing could stop them.
But,
beating a team that hit 62.5 percent of their buckets in the
second half would be a tall order for most teams.
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| Benton
holds off T-Town late
Rangers
advance to first Final Four since 1992; will face Byron on Thursday
in semifinals |
03/04/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – The Benton Rangers overcame an inauspicious
beginning of their super-sectional contest on Monday night against
Teutopolis. With
2:46 left in the first quarter, 6-foot-8 junior forward Docker
Tedeschi picked up his third personal foul.
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Meridian
nabs sectional title
Bobcats'
best Waterloo Gibault, head to Charleston on Monday |
03/01/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY - For a half of basketball on Friday night at the
Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 1A Sectional championship game, the
Waterloo Gibault Hawks had the tempo the way they wanted it and
led Mounds Meridian 17-15 heading to the break.
But
two important factors in the contest; free throw shooting and
rebounding .....
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Defending
champs remain alive
Waterloo
Gibault edges Goreville; will face Mounds Meridian Friday |
02/28/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY - The best teams always seem to be able to overcome
adversity. Especially teams with veteran players who have played
in big games. Waterloo
Gibault has a pair of kids that have “been there and done
that.”
The
Hawks overcame its problems on Wednesday night at the .....
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| Meridian
reaches sectional final
Bobcats
rally past Waltonville 52-45; Spartans' season ends at 25-7 |
02/27/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY - For head coach Anthony Lowery and his Waltonville
Spartans, the final quarter of their sectional semifinal game
against Mounds Meridian probably couldn't have gone any worse.
Having
stayed right with the athletic Bobcats for the first three quarters,
the Spartans were set up to win the program's first sectional
game since 1991.
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Cougars,
Rangers are favorites
State-ranked
Breese Central, Benton look to advance to title game
Massac County, Wesclin want to spoil the party |
02/27/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - With the top-ranked and fifth-ranked teams in the
state in the same sectional things are going to be interesting
at the Benton 2A event this week. Breese
Central, the 31-2 regional champs, and 29-3 regional titlist
Benton are on opposite sides of the bracket and could collide
on Friday night in the sectional championship game.
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Four
top-seeds set to rumble
Waltonville,
Meridian, Goreville, Gibault reach sectional semifinals |
02/26/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 1A Sectional has an
interesting mix of teams that were all favored to win regionals
and all made it through. Waltonville,
after shutting down Okawville to win the Woodlawn Regional 52-26,
got to show up for practice this week while the Rockets can
now get ready for baseball.
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Tuscola
looks to return to state
Warriors
will be tested at St. Anthony; Webber, CORL, Arcola emerge from regional
upsets |
02/26/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - While the NCOE Sectional field turned out to be
“all-chalk” only one team that advanced to the Effingham
St. Anthony Sectional was supposed to be there.
Seeding-wise
the only top dawg to get out of the regionals that feed to St.
A was defending third place finisher from a season ago Tuscola.
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Cougars
dominate title game
Breese Central's defensive effort shuts
down Pinckneyville |
02/23/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
BREESE - The description of Friday night's regional title game
is difficult to candy coat so I won't try.
The
Breese Central Cougars dominated Pinckneyville.
Coach
Jeremy Shubert's bunch never had any serious trouble as they
jumped out .....
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Massac
County, Vienna set for regional final
Patriots
big fourth quarter ends Harrisburg's season; Vienna rolls past CWC |
02/21/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
METROPOLIS - It has been a while since the Massac County Patriots
won three-consecutive regional championships.
You
have to go back to 1991-92 to find where Coach Joe Hosman finished
up a string of six-straight regional titles.
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Harrisburg
advances past A-J
Cameron
Ande scores 31-points as Bulldogs win 70-56 |
02/19/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
ANNA - Heading into Monday night's opening round matchup of the
Massac County 2A Regional the Harrisburg Bulldogs were on a losing
streak. Coach
Andy Fehrenbacher's club had dropped seven-consecutive contests,
all of them by single-digits.
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CWC
wins division title
Bulldogs
hold off host Fairfield for first back-to-back league titles since 1964 |
02/17/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
FAIRFIELD - It has been a long time since the Carmi-White County
Bulldogs won consecutive boy's basketball conference championships.
The
last back-to-back titles came in the old North Egypt Conference
in 1962-63 and again in 1963-64.
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Christopher
wins senior night battle
Bearcats handle rival Zeigler-Royalton; Hudgens
scores 22 |
12/16/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHRISTOPHER - One of the question marks in high school basketball
is how games play out when rivals meet on the court.
Especially
when teams hook up on a Senior Night.
Christopher
and Zeigler-Royalton matched up on Friday night in the .....
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A-J
impressive on senior night
Wildcats
finish regular season strong with win over West Frankfort |
02/15/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
ANNA - From the beginning of the contest on Thursday night until
the final horn sounded, the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats came out ready
to play and that effort continued throughout their 75-54 victory
over West Frankfort. Celebrating
their Senior Night in front of a large contingent of Wildcat
faithful .....
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No
changes at number one
Effingham St.
Anthony, Breese Central on top of final poll |
| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Effingham St. Anthony (11) |
27-4 |
128 |
1 |
| 2.
Illini Bluffs (2) |
27-3 |
110 |
2 |
| 3.
Pecatonica |
25-5 |
85 |
3 |
| 4.
Winchester West Central |
28-3 |
75 |
4 |
| 5.
Tuscola |
24-5 |
69 |
6 |
| 6.
Goreville |
27-3 |
59 |
5 |
| 7.
Chicago Hope Academy |
22-8 |
44 |
8 |
| 8.
Serena |
28-2 |
37 |
7 |
| 9.
Chicago Manley |
19-9 |
34 |
10 |
| 10.
Aurora Christian |
19-8 |
32 |
9 |
| Others
receiving votes: Mounds Meridian 8. Waterloo Gibault 6. Bluford
Webber 6. Dieterich 5. Waltonville 5. Scales Mound 3. Heyworth
3. Franklin 2. Lexington 1. South Beloit 1. Altamont 1. Camp Point
Central 1 |
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| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Breese Central (11) |
29-2 |
146 |
1 |
| 2.
Beecher (2) |
30-0 |
117 |
3 |
| 3.
Peoria Manual |
19-11 |
113 |
2 |
| 4.
Chicago Christ the King |
27-4 |
82 |
6 |
| 5.
Benton |
27-3 |
78 |
4 |
| 6.
Fieldcrest |
29-1 |
64 |
7 |
| 7.
Byron |
24-2 |
43 |
8 |
| 8.
Chicago Phillips |
18-9 |
42 |
9 |
| 9.
Tolono Unity |
23-4 |
38 |
5 |
| 10.
Rockridge |
22-6 |
27 |
10 |
| Others
receiving votes: St. Joseph-Ogden 19. Lawrenceville 12. Trenton
Wesclin 11. Bismarck-Henning 11. Pinckneyville 8. Clinton 5. Manteno
4. Columbia 2. El Paso-Gridley 2. Belleville (Althoff Catholic)
1. |
|
|
| |
Wesclin
wins division title
Warriors lead gate to wire at
Chester 70-44; improve to 27-4 overall, 8-2 in the league |
02/13/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHESTER - For the second time in three seasons the Wesclin Warriors
have won the Illinois Division of the Cahokia Conference.
It
took just eleven seconds for Coach Brent Brede's club to take
the lead in its game at Chester Tuesday night.
|
|
|
|
| |
Pope
County pounds Pharaohs
Pirates improve to 16-12 with 84-47 romp
on the road |
02/12/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
TAMMS - As the regular season enters the final week before things
get real in the state tournament basketball teams want to be playing
their best heading going into the regionals.
It
is suffice to say that the Pope County Pirates are playing well.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Warriors
pick up road win
Ruby nets 29-points in Steeleville victory
at Johnston City |
02/10/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
JOHNSTON CITY - Two teams coming off of losses on Friday night
on the road were needing to get back on track in the worst way
on Saturday night in Johnston City.
The
host Indians were throttled by Waltonville and Steeleville lost
a 41-40 decision at Marissa/Coulterville.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Carmi-White
County romps past Wayne City
Bulldogs
tune up for big week with home victory; Edwards scores 25-points |
02-10-2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARMI - With a pair of important games coming up next week it
would have been easy for the Carmi-White County Bulldogs to
have a bit of a let down in their Saturday afternoon contest
at home against Wayne City.
With
contests against Lawrenceville on Tuesday and Fairfield next
Friday on the horizon, Coach Kevin Wolf's club could have taken
the Indians lightly.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Lawrenceville
rolls late
Indians pull away from Casey-Westfield;
clinch share of league championship |
02/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
LAWRENCEVILLE - In a night in which they honored the 1974 IHSA
Class A state champion boy's basketball team, the Lawrenceville
Indians struggled in the early going of their 54-37 victory over
Casey-Westfield. But
the good news of the night, besides bringing back a lot of great
memories, Coach Randy Bishop's club put together a strong fourth
quarter run to finally ice the Little Illini Conference win.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Sisson,
Sullivan, Malawy & Skelcher
Represent 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A "Player of the Year"
honors in 2023
Mt. Carmel named "Team of the Year" |
02/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - It was the Covid19 2021 spring.
The
Illinois High School Association allowed member schools to compete
in six spring football games, which was a blessing in and of
itself.
It
was also when I decided that if I was ever going to jump into
covering football this was the time.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
St.
Anthony, Breese Central still #1
Bulldogs, Cougars
lead polling again |
| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Effingham St. Anthony (14) |
25-4 |
158 |
1 |
| 2.
Illini Bluffs (2) |
24-3 |
134 |
2 |
| 3.
Pecatonica |
23-4 |
99 |
T5 |
| 4.
Winchester West Central |
25-3 |
95 |
4 |
| 5.
Goreville |
25-2 |
92 |
T5 |
| 6.
Tuscola |
21-5 |
80 |
3 |
| 7.
Serena |
25-2 |
55 |
8 |
| 8.
Chicago Hope Academy |
21-6 |
43 |
9 |
| 9.
Aurora Christian |
18-6 |
40 |
7 |
| 10.
Chicago Manley |
18-9 |
27 |
NR |
| Others
receiving votes: Camp Point Central 20. Scales Mound 10. Bluford
Webber 9. Franklin 5. Princeville 5. Mounds Meridian 4. Griggsville-Perry
3. South Beloit 1. |
|
| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Breese Central (12) |
26-2 |
155 |
1 |
| 2.
Peoria Manual (2) |
17-10 |
124 |
2 |
| 3.
Beecher (2) |
27-0 |
119 |
4 |
| 4.
Benton |
24-3 |
83 |
6 |
| 5.
Tolono Unity |
23-2 |
77 |
5 |
| 6.
Chicago Christ the King |
24-4 |
72 |
7 |
| 7.
Fieldcrest |
24-1 |
67 |
8 |
| 8.
Byron |
22-2 |
64 |
3 |
| 9.
Chicago Phillips |
18-8 |
40 |
9 |
| 10.
Rockridge |
20-5 |
24 |
10 |
| Others
receiving votes: St. Joseph-Ogden 17. Lawrenceville 8. Bismarck-Henning
8. Columbia 8. Massac County 5. Trenton Wesclin 5. El Paso-Gridley
2. Clinton 1. Pinckneyville 1. |
|
|
|
| |
Webber's
big start holds up
Trojans survive Cisne rally for
key league victory as Marlow scores 30-points |
02/07/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
BLUFORD - Going into Wednesday night's contest at home versus
Cisne, Webber Township head coach Jaxon Helm knew how dangerous
a team the Lions could be. In
the previous meeting between the two teams in the title game
of the Wayne City Holiday Tournament, the Trojans won the championship
with a 56-45 victory.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Massac
County takes down Tigers
Patriots
leave little doubt in 68-46 romp |
02/06/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
HERRIN - If you were needing an example of how to waltz into a
gym and ruin a Senior Night for one of your conference rivals,
you can go back and look at the video of how Massac County did
that on Tuesday night. The
Patriots spoiled the party, in a big way against their rival
Herrin.
|
|
|
|
| |
Gibault
rallies past Rockets
Hawks use big fourth quarter
run for 38-30 win; Okawville drops fifth-straight game |
02/03/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE - The Gibault Hawks trailed Okawville for most of the
first three quarters of play on Saturday night.
Coach
Dennis Rueter's squad trailed 27-22 heading into the fourth
quarter as they struggled offensively against the Rockets' 2-3
zone defense.
|
|
|
|
| |
Sparta
picks up home win
Bulldogs cruise past East Alton-Wood River, improve
to 16-9 overall |
|
01/31/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
SPARTA - Wednesday night at home against visiting East Alton-Wood
River, the host Sparta Bulldogs didn't shoot the ball well.
The
hosts hit just 21-of-65 shots overall and were just 2-of-16
from the 3-point line.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
No
changes at the top
Central, St. Anthony
still lead state-wide polling |
| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Effingham St. Anthony (12) |
23-4 |
120 |
1 |
| 2.
Illini Bluffs |
22-3 |
95 |
3 |
| 3.
Tuscola |
19-4 |
81 |
2 |
| 4.
Winchester West Central |
22-3 |
58 |
4 |
| 5T.
Pecatonica |
20-4 |
54 |
5 |
| 5T.
Goreville |
22-2 |
54 |
T6 |
| 7T.
Aurora Christian |
16-5 |
41 |
T6 |
| 8.
Serena |
21-1 |
34 |
8 |
| 9.
Chicago Hope Academy |
19-6 |
33 |
NR |
| 10.
Camp Point Central |
16-4 |
30 |
9 |
| Others
receiving votes: Manley 27. Scales Mound 11. Mounds Meridian 5.
Dieterich 4. Bluford Webber 4. Waltonville 2. Princeville 2. South
Beloit 2. Annawan 2. Altamont 1. |
|
| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Breese Central (11) |
23-2 |
136 |
1 |
| 2.
Peoria Manual (2) |
15-10 |
108 |
2 |
| 3.
Byron |
20-0 |
100 |
4 |
| 4.
Beecher (1) |
24-0 |
93 |
5 |
| 5.
Tolono Unity |
19-2 |
66 |
3 |
| 6.
Benton |
21-3 |
59 |
6 |
| 7.
Chicago Christ the King |
21-4 |
58 |
7 |
| 8.
Fieldcrest |
21-1 |
55 |
T9 |
| 9.
Chicago Phillips |
16-8 |
35 |
NR |
| 10.
Rockridge |
19-4 |
19 |
8 |
| Others
receiving votes: El Paso-Gridley 17. St. Joseph-Ogden 8. Pinckneyville
4. Bismarck-Henning 3. Clinton 3. Columbia 2. Lawrenceville 2.
Warsaw West Hancock 2. |
|
|
| |
Red
Devils top rival Woodlawn
Sesser-Valier
picks up key non-conference win |
|
12/09/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER - A good shooting night can often times overshadow some
other problems a team might have.
Case
in point, the Sesser-Valier victory over rival Woodlawn on Tuesday
night.
The
host Red Devils coughed up 13-turnovers, six in the fourth quarter
and .....
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Century
picks up league win
Centurions
use big first quarter run to top Pharaohs, 67-31 |
|
01/29/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
ULLIN - Overall things couldn't have went much better for Century's
Jake Parr in his first season as a varsity boy's basketball
coach.
His
Centurions had already doubled the win total from the 2022-23
team and have beaten most of the teams they should have in 2023-24.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Hardin
County wears GEC crown
Cougars top Gallatin County for tournament
title triumph |
01/27/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG – The dividends are paying off for the Hardin
County Cougars.
Head
coach Rodney Lane and his club have made the road trips, taken
on tough competition and have weathered the storm as part of
the learning process.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Shawnee
holds on for win
Redskins
go on the road for a 59-53 victory at Dongola |
01/26/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
DONGOLA - Friday night's contest between Shawnee and Dongola had
a lot of mistakes in it.
But
as the old saying goes, the team that makes the fewest mistakes
usually wins the game.
Coach
Trey Pender's Shawnee club went into Dongola and took home a
59-53 win.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Effingham St. Anthony (16) |
19-4 |
170 |
1 |
| 2.
Tuscola (1) |
18-3 |
140 |
2 |
| 3.
Illini Bluffs |
20-3 |
131 |
4 |
| 4.
Winchester-West Central |
21-3 |
108 |
4 |
| 5.
Pecatonica |
18-3 |
93 |
6 |
| 6T.
Goreville |
19-2 |
89 |
3 |
| 6T.
Aurora Christian |
15-4 |
89 |
7 |
| 8.
Serena (1) |
18-1 |
57 |
8 |
| 9.
Camp Point Central |
15-4 |
35 |
T10 |
| 10.
Scales Mound |
16-5 |
19 |
T10 |
| Others
receiving votes: Manley 15. Lexington 15. Mounds Meridian 6. Altamont
5. Webber Township 5. Dieterich 3. Griggsville-Perry 2. South
Beloit 2. Princeville 2. Casey-Westfield 2. St. Elmo 1. Arcola
1. |
|
| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Breese Central (15) |
21-2 |
183 |
1 |
| 2.
Peoria Manual (2) |
13-9 |
139 |
3 |
| 3.
Tolono Unity |
18-1 |
130 |
2 |
| 4.
Byron |
17-0 |
125 |
4 |
| 5.
Beecher (2) |
20-0 |
88 |
6 |
| 6.
Benton |
19-3 |
66 |
7 |
| 7.
Chicago Christ the King |
20-3 |
56 |
8 |
| 8.
Rockridge |
16-3 |
49 |
9 |
| 9T.
El Paso-Gridley |
19-3 |
48 |
5 |
| 9T.
Fieldcrest |
18-1 |
48 |
NR |
| Others
receiving votes: Phillips 31. Clinton 31. St. Joseph-Ogden 15.
Warsaw West Hancock 8. Belleville Althoff Catholic 7. Pinckneyville
7. Columbia 4. Lawrenceville 4. Bismarck-Henning 3. Macomb 1.
Teutopolis 1. Chicago King 1 |
|
|
|
| |
St.
Anthony, Central still on top
Unity takes a tumble, Benton
picks up tournament title, Tuscola survives road trips |
01/23/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Another week with no changes at the top of the
ABV 1A and 2A Rankings.
Effingham
St. Anthony and Breese Central continue to command respect in
the South and around the state.
Coach
Cody Rincker and his club are .....
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Webber
nabs first MTC title
Trojans top Waltonville in finale,
58-51; Woodlawn, WC win final day games |
12/15/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY - Heading into the title clash of the MTC tournament
on Saturday the Webber Township Trojans only had two blemishes
on their regular season record and both came from one team.
Their
opponent on Saturday night.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Redbirds
defend home turf
West Frankfort tops Crab Orchard,
71-55, Cairo defeats Thompsonville |
01/19/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
WEST FRANKFORT - The West Frankfort Redbirds, heading into Friday
night's title contest against Crab Orchard, had won or shared
nine championships of the previous 36 Mid-Winter Classic's.
Behind
the tournament's MVP Keagan Bowers and a .....
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Bulldogs,
Cougar remain on top
Effingham
St. Anthony stays on top in 1A; ditto
for Breese Central in 2A |
| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Effingham St. Anthony (12) |
17-4 |
135 |
1 |
| 2.
Tuscola (2) |
17-2 |
126 |
2 |
| 3.
Goreville |
17-1 |
87 |
5 |
| 4.
Illini Bluffs |
19-3 |
85 |
3 |
| 5.
West Central |
20-2 |
84 |
7 |
| 6.
Pecatonica |
15-3 |
75 |
6 |
| 7.
Aurora Christian |
15-3 |
69 |
4 |
| 8.
Serena |
17-1 |
35 |
9 |
| 9.
Lexington |
17-4 |
14 |
8 |
| 10T.
Chicago Manley |
10-6 |
13 |
NR |
| 10T.
Camp Point Central |
14-4 |
13 |
NR |
| 10T.
Scales Mound |
14-5 |
13 |
10 |
| Others
receiving votes: Mounds Meridian 11. South Beloit 8. Waltonville
1. Casey-Westfield 1. |
|
| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Breese Central (10) |
19-2 |
143 |
1 |
| 2.
Tolono Unity (2) |
17-0 |
128 |
3 |
| 3.
Peoria Manual (2) |
9-9 |
97 |
2 |
| 4.
Byron |
14-0 |
96 |
4 |
| 5.
El Paso-Gridley |
17-2 |
73 |
5 |
| 6.
Beecher (1) |
19-0 |
71 |
6 |
| 7.
Benton |
17-3 |
52 |
7 |
| 8.
Chicago Christ the King |
17-3 |
35 |
8 |
| 9.
Rockridge |
14-3 |
34 |
10 |
| 10.
Chicago Phillips |
10-8 |
29 |
9 |
| Others
receiving votes: Clinton 19. Pinckneyville 12. Fieldcrest 11.
Bismarck-Henning 6. Teutopolis 6. St. Joseph-Ogden 5. Trenton
Wesclin 2. Columbia 2. Peoria Notre Dame 2. Macomb 1. Belleville
(Althoff Catholic) 1. |
|
|
|
| |
St.
Anthony, Central still on top
Unity still unbeaten, Benton
picks up big wins, Tuscola gets back on track |
01/16/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - There isn't much to say this week as the top ones
are still leading the 1A and 2A packs with both the Bulldogs
and Cougars are taking care of their business for coaches Rincker
and Shubert.
Central
needs wins over 3A Marion and either cross-town rival Mater
Dei or St. Louis .....
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Mater
Dei, Central win first round games
Knights
knock Nashville into consy bracket;
Cougars thump MELHS |
01/15/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NASHVILLE - When you look at the schedule that the Breese Mater
Dei Knights have navigated this season, it is a wonder that they
have as good of a won-loss mark as they've produced.
Coach
Cody Arentsen and his crew took on another challenge on Monday
night, playing the host Hornets at the 41st annual Nashville
Invitational Tournament.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Meridian
defends home turf
Bobcats
hold off Waltonville, 86-78; Kyle Cooper nets 33 for Spartans |
|
01/13/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
MOUNDS - If you looked at just the statistics from Saturday's
finale of the 19th annual Martin Luther King Classic at Mounds
Meridian, you would have thought that the host Bobcats would
have won easily against visiting Waltonville.
Nearly
every category favored the home team.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Benton
wins key road matchup
Rangers'
"hot start" leads to 64-60 victory over host Pinckneyville |
01/12/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
PINCKNEYVILLE - It was a special night offensively for the Benton
Rangers on Friday as they went into Duster Thomas Gymnasium and
came away with a 64-60 victory. Special
in that the offense of the Rangers for Coach Ron Winemiller
was impressive.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Carlyle
picks up road victory
Indians top Steeleville behind big third
quarter run |
01/10/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
STEELEVILLE - For the first half of their road game at Steeleville
on Wednesday night, Coach Maverick Taylor's Carlyle Indians were
struggling offensively. The
Tribe committed nine turnovers and were letting the Warriors
hang around as they only managed a 23-17 halftime advantage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just
like ABV rankings
Breese
Central tops 2A, Effingham St. Anthony moves up in 1A |
| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Effingham St. Anthony (11) |
15-4 |
123 |
2 |
| 2.
Tuscola (1) |
15-2 |
98 |
1 |
| 3.
Illini Bluffs |
16-3 |
94 |
3 |
| 4.
Aurora Christian |
13-2 |
92 |
4 |
| 5.
Goreville (1) |
16-1 |
78 |
5 |
| 6.
Pecatonica |
11-3 |
63 |
6 |
| 7.
West Central |
18-2 |
50 |
7 |
| 8.
Lexington |
15-3 |
36 |
10 |
| 9.
Serena |
17-1 |
32 |
NR |
| 10.
Scales Mound |
12-2 |
18 |
9 |
| Others
receiving votes: Camp Point Central 12, Waltonville 7, Griggsville-Perry
4, South Beloit 3, Mounds Meridian 3, Chicago Manley 1, Calhoun
1. |
|
| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Breese Central (6) |
16-2 |
116 |
1 |
| 2.
Peoria Manual (4) |
9-5 |
99 |
3 |
| 3.
Tolono Unity (2) |
16-0 |
97 |
2 |
| 4.
Byron |
13-0 |
85 |
4 |
| 5.
El Paso-Gridley |
14-2 |
52 |
6 |
| 6.
Beecher (1) |
19-0 |
50 |
7 |
| 7.
Benton |
15-3 |
45 |
5 |
| 8.
Chicago Christ the King |
15-2 |
34 |
10 |
| 9.
Chicago Phillips |
8-7 |
27 |
NR |
| 10.
Rockridge |
12-3 |
25 |
9 |
| Others
receiving votes: St. Joseph-Ogden 15. Clinton 11. Pinckneyville
9. Tremont 9. Bureau Valley 8. Bismarck-Henning 6. Fieldcrest
6. Teutopolis 5. Columbia 3. Rockford Christian 3. Murphysboro
2. Peoria Notre Dame 2. Trenton Wesclin 2. Belleville Althoff
Catholic. 1. Massac County 1. Macomb 1. Lawrenceville 1. |
|
|
|
| |
Lions
get act together late
Second
half scoring/defense leads to 54-41 win over Hamilton County |
01/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARTERVILLE - Tuesday night the Carterville Lions beginning wasn't
nearly as good as the end result. Hamilton
County rolled into town and played the hosts tough for the full
32-minutes and only trailed the Lions by two at halftime and
four at the end of three quarters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Tolono
Unity stays unbeaten
Rockets knock off Tuscola, 74-70; improve
to 16-0 |
|
01/09/2024
BY DAN CHAMNESS
FOR ABASELINEVIEW.COM
TOLONO - Many basketball games that are hyped to the level that
Tolono Unity versus Tuscola garner are not able to live up to
their hype.
But the game,
in which Unity won by a 74-70 score, lived up to the hype and
then some.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
St.
Anthony moves up, Central stays put
Tuscola winning streak snapped,
Unity stays undefeated |
01/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The first week of the January brought a few changes
to what's going on in southern Illinois.
Tuscola
saw its undefeated record take a dive with a loss at Shelbyville
on Friday.
The
Warriors next five games are on the road, with the first four
being against teams .....
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Patriots
romp past Cougars
Massac
County gives Coach Joe Hosman his 839th win, 75-45 |
01/06/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
METROPOLIS - Back on December 26th in the first round of the Eldorado
Holiday Tournament Hardin County hung right with Massac County,
trailing the Patriots by just two-points in the fourth quarter
before losing 50-40.
Heading
into a rematch between the two teams on Saturday at Massac, Patriots'
head coach Joe Hosman was rightfully concerned with the Cougars.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Red
Devils' defense shines
Murphysboro
rallies for key conference road win, 54-46 at Harrisburg |
01/05/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG - Senior guard Karmello Abernathy only scored three-points
on Friday night, a key three-point play in the fourth quarter
of Murphysboro's 54-46 win over Harrisburg.
However
his defensive effort (with help from his teammates) on high-scoring
Bulldog senior guard Cameron Ande, along with a big fourth quarter
scoring run, propelled the Red Devils to a huge conference road
victory.
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| Cobden
delivers quick "knock-out" blow
Appleknockers
roll to 70-26 win over Joppa-Maple Grove; improve to 3-0 in the SEC |
01/04/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
COBDEN - Sometimes the phrase in sports that gets tossed around
the most is “ALL” and the name of the team that was
clearly better than its opposition on a given night.
Thursday
night if you said it was “ALL Cobden” in its contest
against Joppa-Maple Grove, you would be 100 percent correct.
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Tuscola,
Central also top state-wide poll
Warriors, Cougars lead the 1A/2A voting |
| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Tuscola (16) |
15-0 |
160 |
1 |
| 2.
Effingham St. Anthony |
13-4 |
103 |
4 |
| 3.
Illini Bluffs |
15-4 |
96 |
3 |
| 4.
Aurora Christian |
13-2 |
86 |
9 |
| 5.
Goreville |
14-1 |
81 |
NR |
| 6.
Pecatonica |
11-3 |
62 |
2 |
| 7.
West Central |
15-2 |
47 |
NR |
| 8.
Camp Point Central |
10-2 |
46 |
NR |
| 9.
Scales Mound |
12-2 |
44 |
5 |
| 10.
Lexington |
13-3 |
27 |
NR |
| Others
receiving votes: Serena 26. Waltonville 23. Springfield Calvary
18. Casey-Westfield 15. Mounds Meridian 13. South Beloit 12. Manley
6. Annawan 5. Bluford Webber 5. Altamont 3. Calvary Christian
Academy 2. |
| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| 1.
Breese Central (7) |
14-2 |
136 |
2 |
| 2.
Tolono Unity (2) |
13-0 |
104 |
6 |
| 3.
Peoria Manual (4) |
9-4 |
96 |
3 |
| 4.
Byron |
11-0 |
82 |
9 |
| 5.
Benton |
14-1 |
71 |
NR |
| 6.
El Paso-Gridley |
13-2 |
61 |
NR |
| 7.
Beecher (2) |
16-0 |
51 |
NR |
| 8.
St. Joseph-Ogden |
12-2 |
43 |
10 |
| 9.
Rockridge |
12-3 |
41 |
1 |
| 10.
Chicago Christ the King |
12-2 |
35 |
8 |
| Others
receiving votes: Phillips 34. Fieldcrest 21. Clinton 11. Trenton
Wesclin 10. Peoria Notre Dame 9. Bismarck-Henning 5. Pinckneyville
5. Teutopolis 4. Macomb 3. Rockford Christian 1. Belleville (Althoff
Catholic) 1. Shelbyville 1. |
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Tuscola,
Central top the charts
Warriors, Cougars earn top spots
after holiday tournament success |
01/02/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – The holiday
tournament season has come to a close and the first ABV Rankings
are ready for viewing here in the first week of January.
In
case you were not aware the Illinois High School Association
made some directional changes to the 1A and 2A state tournament
assignments.
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| Calhoun
denies Litchfield repeat
Turnovers doom Purple Panthers
in loss; Carlinville, Hillsboro, Bunker Hill post final day wins |
12/29/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARLINVILLE - The Litchfield Purple Panthers were looking right
at a second Carlinville Holiday Tournament championship in as
many seasons on Friday night in its title game against Calhoun.
Coach
Daniel Bonnell and his club led by as many as 10-points in the
first half and were clinging to a 59-57 lead after a free throw
by senior guard AJ Odle with :18.1 remaining in the fourth quarter.
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Goreville
holds off Waltonville
Blackcats win eighth SVHT championship,
66-59
Altamont, DQ, Marissa/Coulterville win on final day |
12/28/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER - When it comes to winning tournament championships,
especially the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament, Goreville head
coach Todd Tripp knows how to get his team prepared for the
title game.
This
mentor has been a part of the successful run as a coach at the
event, and also as a player.
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Herrin
outlasts Fairfield
Two-time defending champs need two overtimes
to get past Mules |
12/27/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
ELDORADO - The Herrin Tigers appeared to be headed for a relatively
easy win over Fairfield in the quarterfinals of the 59th annual
Eldorado Holiday Tournament on Wednesday night.
But
looks can be deceiving.
Coach
Sayler Shurtz saw his club “take their foot off of the
gas” in the fourth quarter ....
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Altamont
moves to semifinals
Defending champions pull away from Du
Quoin, 68-48
Waltonville, Red Bud, Goreville round out Final Four |
12/26/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER - Good things have happened over the past several seasons
for the Altamont Indians when they play well on the defensive
end of the floor. The
Tribe displayed their usual strong defensive effort and were
in control of the boards on Tuesday night.
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Panthers
win division battle
Pinckneyville
uses big offensive runs to pull away from Anna-Jonesboro |
12/22/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
PINCKNEYVILLE - For the first quarter and a half of the Anna-Jonesboro
Wildcats road game at Pinckneyville on Friday night head coach
Mike Chamness' crew were playing well and the shots were falling.
A-J
took an early first quarter lead and led 23-20 with 4:12 left
in the first half.
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Host
Eagles take home top prize
SEB rolls past WSS; Cumberland,
Patoka/Odin, Ramsey post final day wins |
12/16/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO - Saturday night in the championship game of the 69th
annual St. Elmo Holiday Tournament the Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg
Hatchets were looking for their third consecutive title in this
long-standing event.
After a few minutes of action against the hosts it was apparent
that there wasn't going to be a “three-peat.”
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| Cisne,
Webber set for title clash
Lions take care of Crab Orchard; Trojans hold
off Grayville |
12/15/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY - Defense is still the name of the game when it comes
to winning basketball and on Friday night the Cisne Runnin' Lions
got the right amount of stops and rebounds, especially in the
final frame, to take control of their semifinal game against Crab
Orchard. Coach
Kevin Bowen's club pulled away from the Trojans with a 22-10
second quarter in route to a 73-58 win to advance to Saturday's
championship game.
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| Class
1A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| |
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| 1.
Tuscola (7) |
8-0 |
124 |
NR |
| 2.
Pecatonica (3) |
6-0 |
112 |
NR |
| 3.
Illini Bluffs (2) |
8-2 |
96 |
NR |
| 4.
Effingham St. Anthony |
7-2 |
61 |
NR |
| 5.
Scales Mound |
9-1 |
54 |
NR |
| 6.
Springfield Calvary |
8-0 |
46 |
NR |
| 7.
Serena |
9-0 |
44 |
NR |
| 7.
Chicago Manley |
5-1 |
44 |
NR |
| 9.
Aurora Christian |
9-1 |
40 |
NR |
| 10.
Fulton |
6-1 |
28 |
NR |
| Others
receiving votes: Griggsville-Perry 24. Winchester-West Central
16. South Beloit 14. South County 13. Waltonville 11. Altamont
7. Camp Point Central 7. Lexington 7. Goreville 7. New Berlin
7. Waterloo Gibault 5. Crab Orchard 2. Dieterich 1. |
| Class
2A |
W/L |
Votes |
LWR |
| |
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| 1.
Rockridge (7) |
7-1 |
126 |
NR |
| 2.
Breese Central (4) |
8-1 |
124 |
NR |
| 3.
Peoria Manual (2) |
4-3 |
86 |
NR |
| 4.
Wesclin |
10-1 |
66 |
NR |
| 5.
Fieldcrest |
7-0 |
45 |
NR |
| 6.
Tolono Unity (1) |
6-0 |
42 |
NR |
| 7.
Peoria Notre Dame |
2-5 |
41 |
NR |
| 7.
Chicago Christ the King |
5-2 |
41 |
NR |
| 9.
Byron |
3-0 |
34 |
NR |
| 10.
St. Joseph-Ogden |
7-0 |
29 |
NR |
| Others
receiving votes: Phillips 27. Benton 18. Beecher 15. Clinton 14.
Macomb 13. Rockford Christian 11. El Paso-Gridley 10. Fairbury
Prairie Central 9. Northridge Prep 6. Julian 5. Columbia 3. Teutopolis
2. Pinckneyville 2. Lawrenceville 1. |
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Waltonville
stays undefeated
Spartans use big
fourth quarter run to put away NCOE, 79-57 |
12/09/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WALTONVILLE - On Saturday night it took the Waltonville Spartans'
defense a while to get caught up with its offense.
The hosts let Norris City-Omaha-Enfield
hang around for the first three quarters of the game as Coach
Anthony Lowery's club only led 49-45 with just under a minute
left in the the third quarter.
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Cardinals
win MTC matinee
Woodlawn pulls away from Red
Hill late, 62-48; improve to 1-0, 3-4 |
12/09/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WOODLAWN - After picking up an important win over Christopher
on Friday night that broke a four-game losing streak, Woodlawn
was looking for a victory in their first Midland Trail Conference
contest of the season on Saturday afternoon at home.
The
inside-outside duo of seniors Wyatt Rollie and Josh Lewis led
an offensive performance that took care of business in a 62-48
victory over Red Hill at home.
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Yellow
Jackets hold off Okawville
Chester wins defensive struggle, 34-32;
improves to 4-4 overall |
| 12/08/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHESTER - After dropping their Cahokia Conference Illinois Division
opener on Tuesday night at home to Carlyle, 45-42, the Chester
Yellow Jackets could ill afford to lose a second straight league
contest if they want to stay in contention for the division
title.
While
the offense for Coach Chris Toledo's club was a bit stagnant,
the defensive effort proved to be just enough.
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Red
Bud ends title drought
Musketeers edge Carterville, 51-48, finish
3-0 at the PIT |
12/01/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CAMPBELL HILL - Red Bud senior Isaac Moll is listed as 5-feet-4-inches
tall in the program. However
this diminutive guard came up huge on Friday night at the Trico
Pioneer Invitational Tournament.
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The
usual suspects look strong
Tuscola stays 1A, looking for another
state trip; Gibault, Marquette, BMD, have much to replace |
12/01/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE -
Even the best teams will throw in a 'clunker'
sometimes and usually it is in an inappropriate time.
Last
season Tuscola picked a really
bad time to have an off game.
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Meridian
returns the most for an SEC repeat
Cobden, Agape have a lot to
replace; Egyptian, Shawnee, Dongola look to improve |
11/30/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The leading scorer in the program's history left
Mounds Meridian in the spring after
leading his team to the Carbondale 1A Super-sectional last March.
Five-nine
senior guard Roderic Gatewood, Jr., also a 1A ABV first team
selection, took away a boat load of points from the 23-12 club
that got clubbed by Tuscola, 74-53 to end the fine season for
head coach David Davis.
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| St.
Elmo/Brownstown appears the best of the EIC
CHBC,
Patoka/Odin, Ramsey, Martinsville, MG looking to move up |
| 11/27/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Ramsey will enter the 2023-24 with a new coach
but a familiar face leading the Rams.
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| Greenville
hopes to repeat
Litchfield,
Hillsboro, Southwestern return experience
Pana, North Mac, Vandalia, Carlinville, Staunton turn to young talent |
11/27/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The only team in the South Central Conference who
managed to have a pretty good postseason in 2022-23 were the
Greenville Comets.
Coach
Todd Cantrill's club went 21-12 a year ago, 8-1 in the SCC to
win the league by a game over North Mac and then took home the
hardware from the East Alton-Wood River Regional with a 46-26
dismantling ...
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St.
Anthony, Altamont lead strong contingent
League posted
dominant figures last season with six 20-game winners |
11/24/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - If you sat down, pen in hand, and were to write down
who you think will be the top teams in the National Trail Conference
for 2023-24, you would jot down Altamont
and Effingham St. Anthony automatically.
The
Indians and Bulldogs have been joined at the hip for the past
several seasons as they have met many times in showdowns with
conference hardware on the line.
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Pinckneyville,
Nashville should duke it out again
Benton looks strong, West Frankfort,
A-J, DQ in chasing the top ones |
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Tigers
search for back-to-back titles
Massac, Murphy, Harrisburg, Carterville
look to challenge |
11/23/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Pinckneyville Panthers
made the most of their chances in the postseason last February
and March.
Nearly
all of them at least.
Coach
Bob Waggoner and his crew looked anything but a championship
caliber team .....
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Top
teams return key players
Lawrenceville looks to continue postseason
success
C-W, Newton, Richland Co., Robinson have talented vets;
Mt. Carmel has an excuse for a slow start |
11/22/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Last season the race to the top of the Little Illini
Conference was quite a dog-fight as none of the teams managed
to go without a league defeat and the top six teams of the eight
members had at least three conference victories.
Long
story short, nearly every night was a battle.
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East
Division looks evenly matched
Every squad has talent returning for 2023-24;
Race to the top should be interesting |
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Vienna
looks to continue success
Goreville,
Sesser-Valier, Christopher,
set to challenge; Trico has new coach in place |
11/21/2022
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Eldorado Eagles
have the makings of a team that could be much improved over
last season's 19-10 overall, 7-3 BDC East Division, finish.
Considering
that Coach Josh Bradley and his club lost their first three
games of the season at the Vienna Thanksgiving Classic, it was
quite a turn around.
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| Central,
Columbia look strong again
Salem looks improved; Freeburg, EAWR must replace
missing pieces
Roxana will get a late start due to football playoff success |
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| Wesclin,
Red Bud, Okawville look strong
Sparta lost some key players, Carlyle has a new mentor,
Chester has work to do |
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| Steeleville
should have company this season
New Athens, M/C have talent returning;
Valmeyer, Lebanon, Dupo look improved |
11/20/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - When it comes to the most successful programs in
southern Illinois boy's high school basketball in recent history,
Breese Central is at or near the top.
The
Cougars' run in the Cahokia Conference and postseason won-loss
mark stand out.
Since
the beginning of the two division set up, which became three
divisions two years ago .....
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Wide
open title race expected
Top teams all return quality
experience from 2022-23 |
11/20/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Midland Trail Conference in 2023-24 has a little
bit of everything that a prep basketball league should have.
There
are veteran players returning for teams along with some young
kids that look ready to mature into standout players.
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Hawks,
Cougars, Wildcats, Pirates return experience
Crab Orchard, NCOE have holes
to fill; Thompsonville, Galatia look to rebuild |
11/20/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - As it is for most seasons, the 2023-24 Greater
Egyptian Conference race in boy's basketball will be interesting
as several of the teams look capable of winning the regular
season championship.
The
league tournament at the end of January always produces a good
week of basketball ...
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