Category Archives: Sports Section

Two Receive All State Honors

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All-state second team member Marissa Herschberger gets fouled in the Pana Regional championship game. Herschberger also earned all-conference honors this week.

•February 27 2019•

The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association announced its All-State Class 1A and 2A teams.
Two area players earned honors.
In Class 2A, Sullivan’s Sullivan senior Esther Miller earned all-state second team honors with nine other players.
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond senior Marissa Herschberger earned a spot on the 30-player special mention team.

Photo by Jason Brown
All-state second team member Esther Miller drives to the basket against ALAH.

Kaden Connects

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•February 27 2019•

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Kaden Connects
Okaw Valley High School freshman Kaden Miller connected on 12 of 15 three-pointers to advance to the Altamont Sectional competition on Friday, March 1. He will compete at 5:30 p.m. for a chance to advance to the state tournament.

All-Conference Honors for Area Players

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Marcy Petersheim (right) defends Madison Vogel (with ball) in a game at Arthur earlier in the year.

•February 27 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Little Okaw Valley Conference announced its All-Conference honors Sunday.
Several area players earned LOVC Northwest Division honors including two unanimous selections.
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond senior Marissa Herschberger was a unanimous selection. Herschberger, a unanimous first-team pick last year, averaged 16.4 points per game.
Okaw Valley senior Madison Vogel also was a unanimous selection. Vogel averaged 12 points a game and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Two other area players made the LOVC NW first-team honors. Read More

Sullivan Senior Coop Swimmer Qualifies for State

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Addison Graham swims in the 200-yard medley relay race during the Champaign Centennial Sectional Saturday.

•February 20, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan coop boys’ swim team placed eighth with 53 points in the IHSA Sectional meet at Centennial High School Saturday, and one Redskin advanced to the state meet.
Senior Brodie Goss qualified for state in the 100-yard breaststroke with a first-place finish and a time of 59.96 16.
“Brodie is a senior USA regional and state qualifier who is now an IHSA 100 breaststroke state participant,” said coach Nichole Hendry. “He’s worked endlessly toward this accomplishment and has earned respect from teammates and coaches alike.” Read More

Okaw Valley Celebrates Seniors

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•February 20, 2019•

On Tuesday Feb. 12 Okaw Valley High School celebrated senior night for boys’ basketball, cheerleaders, and band members.
The seniors who were recognized are pictured. Photos by Jeni Yantis.

OVHS Band: Bailey Suarez, Shelby Harding, Bella Benning, Kailey Taylor, Shelby Hagerman, Madison Vogel, Riley Kesterson, Colten Lash and Connor Powers.

OV Senior Cheerleaders: Bella Benning, Sadie Zimmerman, Kailey George, Angela Robinson and Riley Kesterson.

Boys basketball seniors: Sam Hagerman, Parker Perrine, Talon Russell, Case Crawford and Beau Atchison.

Wooden Shoes Derail Redskins Post Season

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Zoe Walton deflects the ball against T-Town Thursday night at the Tuscola sectional championship.

•February 20, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

For the second straight year, the Sullivan girls’ basketball team could not break through the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes for a trip to the Elite Eight.
“Although I do not think we played well in the first half, I am happy that we finished strong in the second half,” Coach Sheri McLain began.
T-Town (31-4) took advantage of a strong second quarter to pull away and then maintained its lead the rest of the game for the 53-31 win.
“Teutopolis only outscored us by 3 points in the second half,” she continued. “You have to take care of the ball and own the boards against a talented team like Teutopolis.”
With 1:07 left in the first quarter, Josie Orris hit a 3-pointer to cut the Shoe’s lead to 14-7.
Sullivan hit an 8-minute cold streak from the field and did not score a point until Esther Miller hit a free throw with 1:07 left in the second quarter. Read More

Traveling Trophy for Blue Dolphins

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Traveling Trophy for Blue Dolphins
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins Swim Team participated in the first dual meet with the Heartland Hurricanes. Blue Dolphins had 63 swimmers and took home the first place traveling trophy. The Sullivan Blue Dolphins also competed in the Terre Haute Artic Blast Meet. The team took home a second place trophy out of the 12 teams that participated. Gabrielle Spain earned first place, and Anna Wooters earned second place in the girls’ open division. Johnathan Iacobazzi earned first place for 10 and under boys. Aidan Melvin earned first place for eight and under boys.

Wins for the Timberwolves

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Okaw Valley’s Case Crawford gets an opening for a drive to the basket against the ALAH Knights.

•February 20, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After losing to Arcola, the Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team bounced back to defeat Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond Friday night, then knocked off Ramsey in the Class 1A Edinburg Regional Monday night.
Against Arcola last Tuesday, the Purple Riders gradually pulled away from the Timberwolves to cruise to a 52-28 win.
Arcola pushed a six-point halftime lead to 11 after the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Riders outscored OV 20-8 for the win.
Cameron Sharp and Sam Hagerman each hit double-digit scoring with 10 points.
Case Crawford and Cole Nichols each collected three points.
Luke Vander Burgh rounded out OV scoring with two points.
Friday at Arthur, Okaw Valley spoiled A-L-A-H’s senior night 38-33 in a back-and-forth game at Arthur.
No other results were available.
OV finished the LOVC with a 5-2 record. Read More

Blue Ridge Holds Off ALAH Knights Surge for Win

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•February 20, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team lost three-straight games to end its season Monday night.
The Knights lost to Blue Ridge last Tuesday, Okaw Valley Friday and host Broadlands in the first round of the IHSA Class 2A Heritage Regional Monday night.
Against Blue Ridge in an Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division game, ALAH fell behind three after the first quarter and seven at the half, 29-22.
The Knights outscored Blue Ridge 15-11 in the third quarter to cut the lead back to two, 40-37.
Blue Ridge held off ALAH in the fourth for the 55-48 win. Read More

Three-point competitor

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Three-point
competitor
Okaw Valley guard Bella Benning was the leading shooter at the Okaw Valley Regional Feb. 7. Benning made nine-of-15 3-pointers to advance to the Central A&M Sectional. At the sectional, she made four-of-15 shots and did not advance to state at Redbird Arena.