Category Archives: Sports Section

Knights Engage a Plethora of Ball Carriers for Second Win of the Season

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•September 11, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

For the first time since 2014, the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond football team has started the season 2-0.
After defeating Oakland in week one, the Knights blasted Decatur LSA 41-0 in their first home game Friday night.
“It was a good win for our program,” said ALAH coach Ryan Jefferson. “We knew that they were a younger but scrappy team and that teams generally make big jumps from week one to week two with different adjustments and stuff, so we had to take care of business early.”
The Knights were able to run the ball at will. Read More

An Eight Match Week for ALAH Volleyball Team

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•September 11, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond volleyball team finished a busy week, competing in eight matches.
The Knights lost Monday night to Monticello 25-11, 25-20.
Alisha Frederick dished out 10 assists, and Mackenzi Bowles and Cheyenne Chupp each had four kills.
Charley Condill added a team-high nine digs, and Abby Abercrombie recorded three digs and a kill.
Saturday, ALAH went 2-3 the Casey-Westfield Tourney.
The Knights split two matches against Salt Fork, losing 25-19, 25-22 and winning 25-22, 19-25, and 15-7.
ALAH also defeated Tuscola 25-22, 25-23. Read More

Three Wins for Sullivan Boys’ Golf Team

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•September 11, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan boys’ golf team competed in three matches this past week.
The Redskin took second in the Olney Golf Invitational and defeated Teutopolis, Clinton and St. Teresa outside the tournament.
At the Olney Golf Invitational this past Friday, Sullivan scored a 332.
Drew Rogers placed second individually, carding a 78. Read More

Okaw Valley Volleyball Remains Undefeated

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Photo by R.R. Best
Grace Bunfill sets the ball.

•September 11, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley volleyball team picked up three wins to stay undefeated this past week.
The Timberwolves defeated Sullivan, Cowden Herrick/Beecher City and Decatur LSA.
Against Sullivan last Tuesday, OV won in straight sets, 25-22, 25-18.
For OV, Kate Jeffers had a game-high 12 kills, as well as two blocks.
Paige Coleman collected six digs, three aces and five kills, and April Decesaro had nine digs and three aces.
Grace Bunfill tallied 20 assists, six digs, three aces and three kills, and Avery Bruns had three kills.
For Sullivan, Avery Still had seven kills, and Zoe Walton had six.
Emily White dished out 17 assists.
Monday night, Okaw Valley took Cowden Herrick/Beecher City in three sets. Read More

Sullivan Volleyball Team has Strong Showing at Mattoon Tournament

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•September 11, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Avery Still helped lead the Sullivan volleyball team to more wins this season than the last three seasons combined.
After losing to Arcola in the season-opener, then to Okaw Valley last Tuesday, the Redskins finished the Mattoon High School Volleyball Invitational 3-2 Saturday.
Senior middle-hitter Still earned all-tournament team honors.
Sullivan defeated St. Elmo/Brownstown, Neoga and Heyworth.
The Redskins lost the first game of the tournament to host Mattoon 25-10, 25-17.
Still had three kills, and Jerra Goad had three digs. Read More

Sullivan Girls’ Golf Recognizes Seniors

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•September 11, 2019•
Sullivan girls’ golf team lost to Teutopolis in a dual meet and Clinton and St. Teresa in a triangular this past week.
Thursday, Sept. 5, against the Wooden Shoes, Alyssa Shriver led the Redskins’ scoring, followed by Erin Wallace, Abby Kirkwood and Lara Herschberger.
In the losses to Clinton and St. Teresa, Shriver again led Sullivan in scoring.
Erin Wallace, Herschberger and Abby Kirkwood followed.
The Redskins are scheduled to host senior night during a quad meet Thursday, Sept. 12, in which the team will be recognizing Wallace and Miriah Booker.

OV Golf Team Competes at Eagle Creek

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•September 11, 2019•
The Okaw Valley golf team finished 0-2 in a triangular against Mt. Pulaski (207-212) and Shelbyville (194-211) at OV Golf at Eagle Creek last Tuesday.
Miles Harlin finished with a score of 49, and Addison Webner shot a 50.
Cameron Sharp shot a 54, and Caleb Hildebrandt followed with a 58.
The Timberwolves are scheduled to travel to Arcola Monday then host Sullivan at Eagle Creek Tuesday.

SOV Football Redskins Put Up Good Fight Against Newton

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•September 11, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan-Okaw Valley football team dropped its first road game of the season to Newton 31-21 Friday.
The Eagles put 14 quick points on the board to take a 14-0 first-quarter lead.
From there, SOV outscored Newton but could not make up the difference.
The Redskins and Eagles each scored 14 points in the second, to make it 28-14 at half.
Sullivan scored again and held Newton to a field goal in the third quarter to cut the lead but could not get any closer in a scoreless final period. Read More

Okaw Valley Volleyball Kicks Off Season with a Sweep

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Photo by R.R. Best

•September 4, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley volleyball team kicked of its season opener with a non-conference win against Neoga last Tuesday.
The Timberwolves swept both games, 25-17, 25-18.
Kate Jeffers recorded nine kills and four aces, and April Decesaro had 19 digs a
Grace Bunfill dished out 19 assists and served three aces, and Paige Coleman tallied four kills and seven digs.
This season, OV coach Sarah McDowell returned three seniors and five letter winners from last year’s squad that went 18-14 overall and 6-3 in the Little Okaw valley Conference.
The three seniors are Coleman, Decesaro and Jeffers.
“Our greatest strength is the leadership from our seniors,” said McDowell. “We have been a young team for the past several seasons and have three starters with multiple years of varsity experience. The three of them have been great role models for the team and can act as additional coaches for the younger girls.
The five letter winners include Coleman, Decesaro, Jeffers, Macie Fleshner, and Bunfill. Read More

ALAH Cross Country Team Returns with Competitors

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•September 4, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

First-year Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond cross country coach Lyle Dorjahn has low numbers this season, but the runners he does have he believes can be good.
“Our top 3 will compete with the area’s best,” he said. “We need to see more improvement from 4-7 scoring positions. From what I see so far, our kids will work hard to make those improvements.
Dorjahn returned four letter winners in junior Layton Hall, senior Justin Miller, senior Cade Hendrickson and sophomore Jace Green.
Hall returns from an all-state performance at the state championships, and last year the team advanced out of regionals to the sectional.
“Our strengths include Layton Hall’s leadership both with his performance as well as his interaction and encouragement of his teammates, especially the underclassmen,” Dorjahn said. “Our freshman and sophomore are a strong point and I expect them to contribute immediately. This group has responded to a heavier workload and has been fun to work with. They are developing strong team chemistry.” Read More