Category Archives: Sports Feature

Timberwolves Outside Shooters Turn the Tale on Cumberland

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•January 11, 2017•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team has won its last 7-of-10 games to even its record to 8-8 for the season.

“We have been trending upward as the season has moved along,” said OV coach Brooks Inman. “Hopefully we can continue this trend into conference play.”

This week the Timberwolves split a pair of games, defeating Cumberland Friday and losing to Central A&M in a rescheduled game Saturday.

Against Cumberland, OV played from behind most of the game, trailing by four at the half, 21-17.

Down 23-20, the Timberwolves put together one of the best quarters the team has had all season.

“Against Cumberland, we executed pretty well in the first half,” said Inman. “We just didn’t knock down our shots. We came out in the third quarter and started connecting.”

While turning the ball over in the entire third quarter, OV made 4-of-5 3-pointers in the quarter, and in a span of less than three minutes, the Timberwolves scored 10 unanswered points.

With 5:50 left in the third, Taylor Coleman hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

“Taylor Coleman picked us up big-time with nine points in the quarter as well,” said Inman. Read More

ALAH Girls Basketball Come Back for Championship

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Photo furnished Knight’s Classic Champions: Marcy Petersheim, Kyla Carson, Hannah Wallen, Mycaela Miller, Marissa Herschberger, Abi Duzan; Back row: Madi Corum, Janette Comstock, Liz Shipman, Megan Fifer, Payton Wellbaum, Kimberly Davis, Drew Wingler and Abby Foreman.

Photo furnished
Knight’s Classic Champions: Marcy Petersheim, Kyla Carson, Hannah Wallen, Mycaela Miller, Marissa Herschberger, Abi Duzan; Back row: Madi Corum, Janette Comstock, Liz Shipman, Megan Fifer, Payton Wellbaum, Kimberly Davis, Drew Wingler and Abby Foreman.

•December 28, 2016•

By Jason Lee Brown
News Progress Sports Editor

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team defended its Knights Classic Holiday Tournament by sweeping through its pool play then defeating Tri-County 52-47 in the championship game in Arthur Friday night.

To take home the championship trophy, ALAH had to come back from an early 13-point deficit against Tri-County.

The Lady Titans pressed early to take a 12-2 lead and extended that lead to 20-7 at the end of the first quarter.

“We weren’t playing sharp at the time,” said ALAH coach Craig Moffett. “It’s just one of those deals where the ball wasn’t falling in, and they hit some shots.”

The Knights did not panic and rather chipped away at the lead one possession at a time.  Read More

Perimeter Defense Hurts Redskins in Back to Back Games

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Photo by Darian Hays Sullivan Redskins Ricky Yang and Queintan Britton fight for a rebound during the home game against Neoga Dec. 9.

Photo by Darian Hays
Sullivan Redskins Ricky Yang and Queintan Britton fight for a rebound during the home game against Neoga Dec. 9.

•December 14, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports

Sullivan men’s basketball took losses against Neoga 61-57 Friday and Heritage Villa Grove 70-45 Saturday.

Now 0-5 on the season the Redskin defense struggled with outside shooters in both contests. Head coach Chester Reeder noted that teams are too relaxed against the Redskins right now. “We let them be comfortable. Anytime, I don’t care how good or bad of a shooter you are, if you are comfortable, they go in. We never put them under duress.”

Sullivan fell behind 6-0 early against Neoga in a scoreless first four minutes of the contest. Bryce Farris ended the drought and poured six of the first seven Redskin points.

Sullivan trailed 15-7 at the end of the first quarter, but Farris’s strong play continued in the second quarter with two baskets in under two minutes. The scores kept Sullivan within six points at 17-11. Farris would finish with a team high 18 points.

Brett Tuttle canned a deep three pointer to make it a three point contest at 17-14 with 5:40 left in the first half. After another Farris score, Neoga got the last five points of the half to lead 22-16 at the break. A back and forth start to the second half saw Sullivan get within four points of Neoga’s lead at the two minute mark 34-30, thanks to consecutive baskets by Farris, Sowers, and Jacob White.

White, who finished with six points off the bench, gave the Redskins much needed energy and was complimented by Coach Reeder after the game. “Jacob had a pretty solid game tonight. Still some things we have to fix defensively with him. But it was probably his best game.”  Read More

Redskin Offense Struggles Against Panthers in Family Competition

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Photo furnished Bryce Farris sparked the Redskins’ effort against Jersey Community in the home game December 3, with the locals coming up short in this third face off against brothers Chet and Stote Reeder.

Photo furnished
Bryce Farris sparked the Redskins’ effort against Jersey Community in the home game December 3, with the locals coming up short in this third face off against brothers Chet and Stote Reeder.

•December 7, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports

Sullivan basketball took their third loss Saturday 52-28 versus the 3-0 Jersey Community Panthers.  A tight game early got away from the Redskins after junior guard Brett Tuttle exited in the second quarter with a lower leg injury.

The matchup pitted Sullivan alum and Panthers head coach Stote Reeder against his brother Sullivan head coach Chet Reeder.  Sullivan’s coach reflected on the rivalry after the game, “It is fun and it is tough because one of us has to lose, and we are each other’s biggest fan.  But it is fun. This is the third time we have done it after going down there last year.”

Sullivan took advantage of a low scoring first quarter with a long two pointer from Queintan Britton at the two minute mark that gave the Redskins a 7-6 lead.  Jersey responded with a layup as time was expired to led 8-7 after one period of play.

Sullivan opened up the second quarter with back to back turnovers before Tuttle hit a runner with six minutes left to bring Sullivan within three points at 12-9.  Tuttle was then forced to exit the game due to injury. The loss proved to be costly with momentum turned towards the Panthers.   Read More

Knights Win Close Game Over Redskins

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Photo by Mike Brothers Sullivan’s Bryce Farris drives between ALAH defenders Hunter Day and Colton Romine during the Nov. 23 Knights 29-26 win over the Redskins.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan’s Bryce Farris drives between ALAH defenders Hunter Day and Colton Romine during the Nov. 23 Knights 29-26 win over the Redskins.

•November 30, 2016•

The Sullivan Redskins first home game Nov. 22 was a back and forth, low scoring match with Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knights winning 29-26.

Sullivan was ahead 9-8 following a first quarter dominated by missed shots for both teams’ first encounter of the season.

The Redskins went into the half with a 20-18 lead.

A cold shooting third quarter by Sullivan gave the Knights a 22-20 lead at the end of three.

In the fourth quarter the intensity increased for both teams with Sullivan retaking the lead 24-23 at the 5:15 mark on a couple of free throws from the Redskins Josh Stutzman.

With 4:42 left in the game Knights Kobe Wells forced his way to the lane putting ALAH ahead 25-24.

Marcus Vanausdoll came up with another Knights lay up at 3:41, driving the lead to 27-26 following two points from Sullivan’s Zach Sowers seconds earlier. Read More

SOV Girls’ Swim Team Advances to State

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Photo furnished SOV Swim team won first in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:40.41 Brynna Sentel, Anna Wooters, Natalie Drury, McKenna Kull.

Photo furnished
SOV Swim team won first in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:40.41 Brynna Sentel, Anna Wooters, Natalie Drury, McKenna Kull.

•November 16, 2016•

Sullivan-Okaw Valley High School girls’ swim team placed at the IHSA Sectional Meet Saturday Nov. 12.

All six girls had a great meet and helped in bringing home an overall third place finish out of 26 teams. There is no class level for competition in swimming so they are competing against schools of all sizes.

The team maintained the title of sectional champs in the 200 Freestyle Relay and then added sectional champs in the 400 Freestyle Relay.

They will compete Friday, Nov. 18 in the IHSA State Swim Meet in Evanston.

Results from the weekend:

First 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:40.41 Brynna Sentel, Anna Wooters, Natalie Drury, McKenna Kull. Alternate Allison Oligschlaeger. Read More

State Golfer

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Photo furnished State Golfer After Sullivan boys goldf was third in the Regionals, Leighton Burcham played a great round at the Watseka Sectional shooting a personal best 80. He got ninth as an individual in the sectional which qualified him for state. Going to state was a great accomplishment. Pictured Leighton and coach Ben Richter at State.

Photo furnished
State Golfer
After Sullivan boys goldf was third in the Regionals, Leighton Burcham played a great round at the Watseka Sectional shooting a personal best 80. He got ninth as an individual in the sectional which qualified him for state. Going to state was a great accomplishment. Pictured Leighton and coach Ben Richter at State.

Knights Refuse to Quit on Senior Knight

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•October 26, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond took a tough 50-20 home loss to cap off the regular season Friday. The Knights’ defense was unable to stay with the vertical threats of the Blue Devils in a high scoring contest.

ALAH head coach Dale Schuring commented that his seniors gave all they had in the contest. “These kids have dedicated themselves all season, doing what they had to do to be competitive.”

The Knights went three and out on their first possession. ALAH’s defense responded by forcing a crucial turnover on downs on 4th and four from the 28 yard line. Dakota Myers running hard on the Knights second possession broke several tackles for a 16 yard gain.  Unfortunately, the drive stalled on 4th and four from the 45 with five remaining in the first quarter.   Read More

ALAH Drops Physical Contest to Cerro Gordo/Bement

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•October 19, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports

Arthur-Lovington football lost a frustrating game against the Broncos Friday by a score of 40-8.

Both teams struggled to score in the first 24 minutes, before combining for 48 points in the second half. ALAH head coach Dale Schuring thought Arthur could have been ahead by multiple scores at the break.  “I thought we should have been ahead by certainly one touchdown if not three at the end of the first half, but we just kept shooting ourselves in the foot.”

The Knights’ defense forced a turnover on downs with a goal line stand to start the game. Adam Day recorded two sacks on the next Broncos’ possession to force another turnover on downs.

Dakota Myers added another sack to force a punt on the third Broncos’ possession.

ALAH had their best chance to score in the first half after a fake punt by Marcus Vanausdoll resulted in a 60 yard run to setup 1st and 10 from the Broncos 15 yard line. Unfortunately the Knights could not capitalize on the field position as the drive stalled at the 10.

ALAH again turned away the Broncos on their next drive to end a half scoreless. Read More

Sullivan Girls’ Golf Advance to Sectional Competition

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Photo furnished Sullivan is Sectional Bound Pictured left to right, coach Andy Wagner, Addison Darush, Brooke Tuttle, Alexis Britton, Tatum Ellis, coach Ben Richter and Irie Dulin.

Photo furnished
Sullivan is Sectional Bound
Pictured left to right, coach Andy Wagner, Addison Darush, Brooke Tuttle, Alexis Britton, Tatum Ellis, coach Ben Richter and Irie Dulin.

•October 12, 2016•

Sullivan High School girls’ golf team competed in regionals at Oak Terrace Golf Course Wednesday. With breezy conditions, lots of rain and a tough back nine, the girls tied with Monticello with a score of 410. But in a tie-breaker of going to the fifth score, Sullivan earned second place, advancing them to the Lincoln Sectionals.

Brooke Tuttle shot an 89, earning fifth place and the low score for Sullivan. Addison Darush earned second lowest score with a 105. Alexis Britton had a 107, and Tatum Ellis and Irie Dulin both shot 109 for the girls.

This is the first time since 1986 Sullivan has advanced to sectionals as a team. Members of the 1986 team included Aimee (Wagner) Darush , Chantel Scherer, Caprice (Scherer) Light, Amy (Bishop) Greuel and Stacey (Anderson) Ward with Larry Wagner as the coach.
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