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

Photo by Jason Brown
Jerra Goad (#25) and Avery Still (#11) get into a scrum for the ball against Flanagan/Woodland in the Knights Classic Holiday Tournament in Arthur Friday.

•January 1, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan girls’ basketball team finished 3-1 in the Knights Classic Holiday Tournament and Emily White was named All-Tournament MVP.
“I thought Emily White played exceptionally well for us once again, and I am proud of her for being nominated All-Tournament MVP,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “It is well deserved. She has done an amazing job for us both offensively and defensively.”
The Redskins lost to Mt. Zion in the championship game 49-44 Saturday night.
After a first quarter tie at 5-5, Mt. Zion pulled ahead by five points in the second and extended that lead to nine at the end of the third quarter, 42-33.
Sullivan could not cut the lead to less than three in the fourth for a full comeback.
“Mt. Zion outplayed us tonight and wanted it more than we did,” said McCain. “They executed the little things and they played great team defense. Once again, you can’t beat good teams turning the ball over 21 times and shooting 59 percent from the free throw line.”
Emily White recorded a team-high 17 points, seven steals and two assists. Read More

•December 18, 2019•

Photo furnished

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins hosted a Time Trial Sanctioned Swim Meet for their team of 88 swim athletes, of which 77 swimmers competed.
This was the first home meet in 11 years for the team. Previously, SBD has been unable to host meets in Sullivan due to the lack of equipment needed to accommodate traveling swim teams, such as a scoreboard, touch pads and adequate seating, according to Head Coach Jason Drury. Even so, SBD continues to make record breaking impacts in swim athletics with the continued growth of athletes from around Central Illinois joining the team and parent volunteers achieving Meet Official certification.
High Point Winners for the event are as follows.  Read More

Photo furnished
Arthur resident Ariel Kibler poses in her USA leotard that she will be wearing in Tokyo at the World Age Group Championships Dec. 1-9.

•November 13, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP sports Editor

In her last year of eligibility, Arthur resident Ariel Kibler has earned one more chance to represent the USA trampoline team.
Kibler, 21, made the World Age-Group Competition Team and is scheduled to compete in Tokyo at the World Age Group Championships.
“This is my last year to be eligible for this competition,” Kibler said. “I will compete in the 17-21 age group. The next step is World Championships, which is the week before our event, and they are the best of the best from each country. However, because of the Olympics next year, there will not be a world championship.”
To earn her spot on the team, Kibler earned enough scores during competitions in Evansville, Ind., Winston-Salem and Des Moines to move on.
“After the first event I had the first spot,” said Kibler. “After the second, I moved to second, and the third, I moved down but was able to hang on to earn a spot.”
She was also invited to the World Championship selection camp, where she
gained a lot of experience training and competing with the best.
This was also when she heard the announcement that she made the World Championships and World Age Groups. Read More

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