Category Archives: Sports Section

Lady Redskins Open Season 1-1; Coach McCain Secures 200th Win

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•November 22, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The Lady Redskins opened their 2023-2024 season last Tuesday on the road in Rochester. The Lady Rockets were a dominant team last year going 27-8 and drawing a tough first round opponent in the playoffs that sent them packing early. While Rochester prevailed in the end 41-30, the Lady Redskins demonstrated they are not a team to be taken lightly this year.

Rochester got off to a hot start in the first quarter, scoring more points in that one quarter than Sullivan did in the first half. For the Lady Redskins, Shae Ellis led the team in the first quarter, draining a three and adding a freethrow. Emily Miller had the other three points of the team’s seven first quarter points. The second quarter was a bit of a struggle for the Lady Redskins. Aeralyn Thrasher was the only contributor for the team with four points going into the half. Read More

Lady Knights Prevail in Over Time

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•November 22, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The ALAH Lady Knights traveled to Shelbyville on Monday. Though they weren’t talking about it, many knew that senior Claire Seal was within reach of her 1,000th point in varsity action. While that would be an amazing moment, the Lady Knights wanted a win to go with the achievement. It took overtime, but they were able to see Seal hit her milestone and return home victorious over the Lady Rams 46-39.

The two evenly matched teams gave the crowd a show from the very beginning. It was an offensive battle as each team tallied 15 points in the first quarter alone. Seal started the night with 975 career points. She added eight points in the first quarter alone. Savannah Butcher and Addi Yeakel added another three points. Read More

Lady Redskins Drop Home Opener in Close Game Against Mt. Zion

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•November 22, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The Lady Redskins lost their home opener against the Lady Braves of Mt. Zion last Monday. It was a fast paced game that saw several lead changes. Mt. Zion prevailed at the final buzzer winning 51-49.

The Lady Redskins came out hot in the start, racking up 15 points in the first quarter. Kiley Dyer hit two three’s while Aeralyn Thrasher added one of her own. Addison Minor had four first quarter points and several rebounds. Minor would finish with her second double-double in as many games with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Read More

Redskins Prepare for Season Opener; Put Last Season Behind Them

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•November 22, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan Redskins had a rough season last year going 5-24 that also included a nine game losing streak. But it all depends on how you look at it. They were a relatively young team still figuring out how to work together on the court. Ten of their 24 losses were by 10 points or less. Two of those losses went into overtime. One of their losses of more than 10 points was against Tuscola, the eventual IHSA class A third place team. Factor all these things together and you have a team looking to completely change things around this year. Read More

Sullivan Dance Studio Competition Team Members Attend Convention

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Sullivan Dance Studio Competition Team Members Attend Convention
Sullivan Dance Studio had 25 Competition Dance team members plus one recreational dancer attend Dance Directive Master Classes Tour in St. Charles, Missouri on November 5. Those attending were: Gianna Krieger, Tiffany Hostetler, Mia Lovett, Natalia Beals, Kaylee Hostetler, Addi Finn, Lexi Yoder, Addisyn Carter, Brinnley Hobbs, Emma Hostetler, Hannah Taylor, Miah Voegel, Adalee Foster, Elizabeth Plank, Synthea Doss, Zoe Lynch, Sophie Foster, Caroline Hobbs, Knox Weakly, Alayna Young, Blair Camp, Abigail Plank, Mara Inman, Pasley Dowds, Alayna Ard, and Keelyn Karnes. Special shoutouts to Knox Weakley, Brinnley Hobbs and Synthea Doss for being awarded scholarships by the staff at the event. Dance Directive Conventions have classes, training and instruction with some of the top teachers and dance professionals from around the country. Those who attended had a chance to attend ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, acro, tap classes and more.

Lady Redskins Basketball Open Season with High Expectations

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•November 15, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Typically when a team loses key seniors who combined to lead the team in points per game, assists per game, steals per game, and free throw percentage, the following season is one that is in question. That is not the case for the Sullivan Lady Redskins this year. They have several key players returning this season who are stepping up to fill the void left by Izabelle Hay, Alaina Moore, Chloe Smith, and Gabby Penberthy. Read More

SBD Opens Short Course Season with Third Place Finish

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•November 8, 2023•

by Jaime Perrott

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins opened their short course season with the OKtober Swimfest meet in Lockport, IL. SBD brought home a combined total of 350 points giving them an overall third place finish out of the eight teams competing The team was excited to be back in the pool, and we saw multiple heat wins and time drops from our swimmers.

The following were High Point Winners:

10 & Under boys

1st place Tyler Blickensderfer

2nd place Mack Pogue 

Open Girls 

1st place Emily Crosier

2nd place Cadence Schmohe 

Open Boys 

1st place Isaac Chambers

Iacobazzi Competes in State XC Finals; Strong Future Ahead

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•November 8, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The IHSA Class 1A Cross Country State Finals were held last Saturday in Detweiller Park in Peoria. While much of the fanfare around the community was directed at the SOV Redskins football squad, the Sullivan Redskins Cross Country team was sending one of their own to compete against 256 other runners. Read More

Redskins Dealt Playoff Loss; End Season on a Positive Note with Bright Future

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photo by Greg Floyd
Kyle Corkill (2) takes the shuttle pass from Cooper Christensen (7) as Aian Fryman seeks out a defender to block. Corkill would have one touchdown reception and a kick-off return for a touchdown in the game.

•November 8, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Saturday morning started early for the SOV Redskins. They gathered as a team before eight o’clock for a team breakfast. A little after eight they were boarding buses. By a quarter after eight they were making their way out of town with streets lined with fans cheering them on. Fire trucks extended their ladders to wave giant SOV Redskins flags.

After about a two hour bus ride, the team disembarked at Richland County high school in Olney, Illinois for a team walk through on the Tigers’ field. They had a light lunch before boarding again and making the final leg of their journey to Mt. Carmel, where they came face-to-face with one of the most intimidating stadiums in Illinois high school football: Riverview Stadium. Or as it is more commonly known, The Snake Pit. Read More

Redskins Survive Challenge from Maroons; First Playoff Win in 22 Years

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Photo by Greg Floyd
Gavin Helmuth (77) and Adan Mills (50) join forces to bring down Clinton’s quarterback while a number of Redskins stand ready to help out if needed.

•November 1, 2023•

by E. Scott England

It can’t be said with complete certainty, but the week nine loss to the ALAH Knights might just have been the motivation SOV needed going into the first weekend of playoffs. Clinton came to Sullivan with a 6-3 record and a chip on their shoulder to finally win a playoff game in their school history. Unfortunately for the Maroons, they’ll have to wait until next season as the Redskins delivered their season-ending loss, 14-13. Read More