Photo by Martin Call
Austin Hill shoots a floater in the lane against Cumberland Saturday.

•January 31, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team won the Little Okaw Valley Northeast Conference championship by defeating Decatur LSA but could not carry that momentum into the LOVC companionship game against Cumberland Saturday.

“We had a solid week going 3-1 and played three of the best defensive games in a row that I have been a part of,” said OV coach Brooks Inman. “We allowed 83 points total over the first three games of the week. Our effort and attention to detail was tremendous.”

Against Decatur LSA, OV had to make a fourth quarter comeback to overtake LSA in a close 38-36 game.

OV took a 14-11 lead into half, but LSA outscored the Timberwolves 13-4 to take a 24-18 lead.

In the fourth quarter, OV came back with a 13-4 run to overcome LSA. Read More

Photo furnished
ALAH Knight Kobe Wells is up for a block in the Hutsonville-Palestine 55-46 win over the weekend. Wells contributed 11 points and three rebounds toward the win.

•January 31, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team defeated Arcola last Friday and Hutsonville/Palestine Saturday in the Little Okaw Valley Conference Tournament to earn fifth place.

“We played well, especially offensively, this week,” said ALAH coach Dale Schuring. “Our defense hasn’t been as good as I would like, but we have rebounded very well with Colton Romine leading the way.”

Against Hutsonville/Palestine, the Knights were tied early in the second quarter but took advantage of a 20-4 run to pull away for a 23-17 halftime lead.

Hutsonville/Palestine could not get any closer.

ALAH extended the lead by three in the third period and four in the fourth period for the 55-46 final.

Colton Romine collected a game-high 22 rebounds to go with nine points, and Will Cohan scored a game-high 21 points, including three 3-pointers, and three steals. Read More

Photo by Jason Brown
Hope Ruppert (#23 left) and Taylor Nichols (right) fight over a loose ball.

•January 24, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team knocked off Argenta-Oreana and Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond to win the Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division championship.

OV advanced to the LOVC Tournament championship game but came up short against No. 7 state ranked Tri-County, Saturday, Jan 20.

To finish the busy week, OV again defeated ALAH in a regular season LOVC game at Arthur Monday, Jan 22 to stay undefeated in the LOVC at 2-0.

In the LOVC NW Division championship game, OV guard Paige Robinson scored a career-high 40 points to help the Timberwolves top ALAH 60-39. Read More

Photo by Jason Brown
Knight Janette Comstock (#11) drives between Kate Jeffers (#22) and Bella Benning.

•January 24, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team defeated Arcola to reach the Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division championship but lost to Okaw Valley at Decatur LSA Thursday night.

ALAH lost the third-place game against Villa Grove/Heritage Saturday and then lost a rematch to OV Monday, Jan 22.

Wednesday, Jan. 17, ALAH knocked off Arcola 52-38 to send them to the LOVC NW Division championship game.

After falling behind a point in the first quarter, ALAH outscored Arcola 18-5 to pull away for a 30-18 halftime lead.

The Knights held on in the third and fourth quarters for the win. Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Redskin Josh Stutzman jumps for the ball against St. Teresa Friday night.

•January 24, 2018•

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team dropped a Central Illinois Conference game Friday night at home.

After a first quarter 10-10 tie, St. Teresa took advantage of an 18-6 second quarter run for a 28-16 halftime lead.

Sullivan stayed even in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs pulled away in the fourth for the 52-36 win.Freshman Dominick Kimberlin scored a team-high 10 points, and Josh Stutzman followed with nine points, including two 3-pointers.

Isaiah Plank recorded six points, and Caden Ellis had five.

Jacob White and Zach Sowers recorded four and two points, respectively, to round out the Redskins’ scoring.

Sullivan is set to enter the CIC Tournament with games scheduled for Saturday and Monday.[/s2If]