Photo furnished
First in Backstroke
Anna Wooters, (center), a junior at Okaw Valley High School and a member of the Sullivan Blue Dolphins, competed this weekend at the Regional Swim Championships in Bloomington. She earned first place in the 100 backstroke, second in the 50 freestyle, and both of her relays (400 medley, and 200 free medley) earned first place medals. Anna will head to Wisconsin in two weeks to compete in the Midwest Championships.
Photo by Sonya Best
The Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves took Findlay, Bethany and surrounding fans on a wild ride as Regional, Sectional, and Super-sectional champs. The historic run took the team and their fans to their first appearance at the Class 1A Illinois State Finals at Redbird Arena. The team is pictured with fourth place trophy.
•February 28, 2018•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team brought home the first state basketball trophy in the school’s history to a reception of fans at the high school in Bethany Saturday, Feb. 24.
Despite not being ranked in the top 10 all season, the Timberwolves took their fans on an incredible run that ended at the Illinois High School Association Class 1A State Tournament in Redbird Arena in Normal Friday and Saturday.
Though OV lost both games, the players, coaches and fans got to experience how special a trip to state can be.
“The trophy means everything to the communities here,” said Ackers. “We accomplished a lot of things that have never been done in school history. I could run through them; it’s a laundry list. That will sink in more as we look back here.” Read More
Photo furnished
The Okaw Valley sixth grade volleyball team won the Arthur Tournament.
•February 28, 2018•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
The Sullivan boys’ basketball team gave the No. 1 seeded Effingham St. Anthony (26-3) all it could handle in the IHSA Class 2A Vandalia Regional last Tuesday.
Sullivan took a 12-10 lead into the second quarter and kept an 18-17 lead at the half.
The first half of the third quarter was back-and-forth, but after Jacob White hit a basket to tie the game at 10, the Bulldogs went on a 12-4 run to grab the biggest lead of the game. Read More
•February 28, 2018•
After knocking off Georgetown-Ridge Farm in the first round of the IHSA Class 2A Salt Fork Regional in Catlin, the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team lost 64-45 to host Salt Fork last Tuesday to end its season.
“The game was disappointing in that we did not defend well enough to give ourselves a chance to win,” said ALAH coach Dale Schuring. “Salt Fork executed very well on both ends of the floor and deserved to win the game.”
Salt Fork jumped ahead in the first quarter with a 20-7 lead, then extended the lead to 31-15 at the half. Read More
•February 28, 2018•
The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team’s season came to an end with a 49-45 loss to Mulberry Grove in the second round of the Class 1A Windsor Regional games last Wednesday.
OV fell behind 7-0 to start the game but battled back to tie the game in the second quarter, then took a 28-24 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Timberwolves could not get shots to fall, but their defense kept them in the game. Read More
Photo by RR Best
The Okaw Valley girls’ Super Sectional win over Mounds Meridian improved their overall record to 29-5, which set another school record for most wins in a season. The Timberwolves are scheduled to play Stockton at 11 a.m. Friday at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal.
•February 21, 2018•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
Three years ago as sophomores, Paige Robinson, Natalie Jeffers and Hope Ruppert saw major playing time for the Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team.
The Timberwolves finished that season 16-7 overall and 4-1 in the Little Okaw Valley Conference.
More importantly, the seeds were sown.
Last year the trio had high expectations for the team, and though the OV finished 18-9 overall and 3-1 in the LOVC, the Timberwolves were bounced out of the regional by a tough Central A&M team.
This year as seniors, the trio of Robinson, Jeffers, Ruppert and the team’s strong supporting cast were not going to be denied. Read More
Photo courtesy Jennifer Martin
ALAH Knights seniors Colton Romine, Kobe Wells and Will Cohan celebrate senior night in Arthur Friday, Feb. 16.
•February 21, 2018•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team defeated Arthur Okaw Christian to finish out its regular season, then defeated Georgetown Ridgefarm in the first round of the Class 1A Salt Fork Regional.
Monday night, ALAH defeated Georgetown-Ridge Farm to advance to the next round.
After a close first half lead, 31-29, the Knights were able to pull away in the third by outscoring Georgetown-Ridge Farm 19-5.
From there, ALAH held on for the 56-42 win.
“It wasn’t pretty, but we survived and advanced,” said ALAH coach Dale Schuring. “The first half was lacking in effort. We played a much better second half on the defensive end and in rebounding.” Read More
Photo by Jason Brown
Chloe Riley passes the ball out of the zone defense.
•February 21, 2018•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
After a magical IHSA Class 2A post-season run that included regional wins against the No. 10 seeded Meridian, No. 3 seeded Greenville and No. 2 seeded Tuscola to win its 12th regional title and an upset win against No. 1 seeded Marshall in the sectional semifinals, the Sullivan girls’ basketball team’s season came to an end with a 56-25 loss to Teutopolis at Effingham St. Anthony last Thursday.
“I’m so proud of what these girls were able to accomplish down the stretch,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “They brought home a regional title and made it to the Sweet 16.”
With a loud crowd behind Sullivan to start the game, Elizabeth Green stole the ball two possessions in a row and scored each time on transition layups to help put the Redskins up 8-6 at the end of the first quarter. Read More
•February 21, 2018•
For the second year in a row, Okaw Valley standout guard Paige Robinson advanced through regionals and on to state in the IHSA Class 1A Country Financial Three-Point Contest this past week.
Robinson advanced through the regional shootout by making 7-of-10 three pointers in a tiebreaker round at Chrisman. Read More