Category Archives: Sports Section

Two Wins for Okaw Valley Girls Basketball Team

News Progress Posted on by

•January 22, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team defeated Cumberland and Villa Grove this week to improve its overall record to 8-16.
Thursday, Jan. 16, the Timberwolves picked up a Lincoln Prairie Conference road win against Cumberland.
After falling behind 10-6 in the first quarter, OV went on a 16-4 run in the second quarter for a 22-14 halftime lead.
The Timberwolves had a strong third quarter then held on the rest of the way for the 44-34.
Bailey Bennett and Mia Harris led OV’s scoring with 13 points each.
Kate Jeffers also hit double digits with 11 points, while Lexie Bartimus netted five points. Read More

Three Win Week for ALAH

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•January 15, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team completed a three-game winning streak this week by defeating Cerro Gordo/Bement, Tri-County and Paris.
Monday night against Paris, the Knights finished the winning streak with a huge second-half comeback at home against the Tigers.
After a tied first quarter at 10, the Tigers outscored the Knights 15-2 to take a 25-12 halftime lead.
ALAH came out in the third and outscored Paris 22-10 to cut the lead to one.
In the fourth quarter, the Knights kept the momentum and pulled away in the fourth. Read More

Timberwolves Improve Conference Record

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Photo by R. R. Best
Eli Hagerman defends against Blue Ridge in Bethany Friday.

•January 15, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team picked up two more wins this past week to improve its overall record to 10-6 and in the Lincoln Prairie Conference to 2-0.
The Timberwolves defeated Villa Grove/Heritage High School on the road last Tuesday and Blue Ridge Friday.
Friday at home, OV took a five-point lead into halftime, then pulled away in the third quarter by outscoring Blue Ridge 16-7. Read More

ALAH Girls Basketball Doubles up on Wins

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•January 15, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team earned two wins this past week.
The Knights knocked off Arthur-Okaw Christian and Okaw Valley.
Monday night in Bethany, ALAH defeated rival Okaw Valley 62-34.
ALAH outscored the Timberwolves 17-4 in the first quarter and did not look back.
For the Knights, Mackenzi Bowles led with game-high 21 points, seven blocks and 11 rebounds. Read More

Nokomis Falls to OV Girls Basketball Team

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•January 15, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team finished the week 1-3 with a win against Nokomis and a lost to Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond and Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg.
OV fell to Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 62-34 Monday at Bethany. For results, see the ALAH article.
Saturday, the Timberwolves knocked off Nokomis 29-28 when senior Kate Jeffers hit the go-ahead bucket with 28 seconds left in the game. Read More

Sullivan Girls Basketball Team Holds Off Mt. Zion for Win

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Photo by R. R. Best
Kirsten O’Neill wrestles for the ball against Mt. Zion at home Saturday.

•January 15, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After losing to Mt. Zion in the championship game of the Holiday Classic Tournament in Arthur Dec. 28, Sullivan girls’ basketball coach Sheri McCain knew her team would get another shot at the Braves at home Saturday.
The Redskins took advantage and revenged the earlier loss by defeating Mt. Zion 40-31.
“The girls did a nice job defensively tonight and stuck to the game plan,” McCain said.
Unlike the first matchup in which the Redskins fell behind in the second quarter, Sullivan doubled the Braves score 14-7 in the first quarter then took a 21-13 halftime lead.
Sullivan held off Mt. Zion in the second half for the win.
“We were able to hold Wolter to 10 points tonight as opposed to 19 the first time we played them,” McCain said. “We still need to work on handling the ball more and not turning it over down the stretch, but that is something we can work on for the next few weeks. I am proud of these girls for coming back and defeating a very talented team after losing to them in the holiday tournament championship game.”
Avery Still led the team with 18 points and 13 rebounds. She scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half.
Emily White had nine points and three steals.
Taylor Orris scored five points and ripped five key defensive rebounds down in the stretch.
Lilly Null contributed six points, and Kirsten O’Neill added two points and three steals. Read More

OV Timberwolves Win Third at Tournament

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•January 8, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports EditorThe Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team defeated Meridian to place third in the 48th annual Vandalia Holiday Tournament last Monday.
OV took third by knocking off the Hawks 57-52.
Timberwolves’ senior Cameron Sharp earned all-tournament team honors and became the 31st player in tournament history to score more than 100 points in the tournament. Read More

Hilltoppers Take OVHS Girls’ Team in Overtime

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•January 8, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team wrapped up it fall break with a tough 60-52 overtime road loss to Mt. Pulaski Friday.
OV had the lead most of the game, including a 41-31 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Hilltoppers outscored the Timberwolves 18-8 in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Read More

Big Win for Sullivan Girls’ Basketball Team in Arthur

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•January 8, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan girls’ basketball team improved its overall record to 11-4 after defeating Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond Monday night.
After an even 10-10 first quarter, the Redskins outscored the Knights 23-12 in the middle two quarters to take a 43-22 lead.
“We started out a little slow in the first quarter, but picked up our defense in the second quarter as we only allowed one field goal,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain.
Sullivan added on to that lead in the fourth quarter for the 57-32 win. Read More

LeRoy Over ALAH

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•January 8, 2020•
After finishing fourth in the Decatur St. Teresa Christmas Tournament last week, the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boy’s basketball team lost to LeRoy 76-51.
No other stats were made available.
The Knights (6-5) are scheduled to host Tri-County Friday and then travel to Argenta-Oreana Tuesday.