•February 1, 2017•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team completed a fourth-quarter comeback in the Little Okaw Valley NW consolation championship game to defeat Arcola 74-72 in overtime Jan. 24.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Purple Riders took a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter, but Will Cohan scored nine points as part of a Knights’ 18-2 run in the first half of the period.

ALAH outscored Arcola 22-7 in the fourth to tie the game and send it into overtime.

In the first couple minutes of overtime, ALAH outscored Arcola 9-1, but the Purple Riders’ had a chance to tie the game late but could not get a shot off before the buzzer.

The Knights scored a season-high in points, and three players scored season highs. Read More

Photo by RR Best
Jarod Merryman fights through a double team with St. Teresa in the first round of the Central Illinois Conference tournament Jan 28.

•February 1, 2017•

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team dropped two games in the Central Illinois Conference tournament games and a non-conference game against Charleston this past week.

Monday, Jan 23 in the CIC tournament, Central A&M incrementally expanded its lead against the Redskins.

CAM took a 6-point lead into the second quarter and a 24-17 into halftime.

The Raiders tacked on six more to the lead in the third quarter and eventually won 50-37.

Bryce Farris and Queintan Britton each scored nine points, and Josh Stutzman followed with eight.

Farris also recorded 11 rebounds and four steals.

In the first game of the CIC tournament, Sullivan lost to No. 1 seeded St. Teresa 45-27.

The Redskins trailed 16-12 at halftime before the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half. Josh Stutzman led Sullivan with 10 points. Read More

•February 1, 2017•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team’s winning streak came to an end at 11 games this week.

The Knights battled back to win two more games and broke into the top 10 ranking of teams in Class 2A at No. 9.

They defeated Argenta-Oreana Jan 23 and Decatur LSA Jan 26.

Against Argenta-Oreana Monday night, the first half was back-and-forth, and the Bombers went into half with a 1-point lead, 22-21.

The Knights blew open the game in third quarter, outscoring A-O 23-4.

ALAH held on in the fourth for the 54-36 win

The win was the Knights’ 20th on the season. Read More

Photo by Jason Brown
The Knights’ five starters and coach Craig Moffett break a huddle in the Little Okaw Valley Conference NW Tournament against Okaw Valley Thursday night.

•January 25, 2017•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

To earn a No. 1 ranking, win two tournaments, lead the conference and reach an 11-game winning streak a team must have consistency and balance.

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team has become one of those teams.

Before this week’s play, each of the starting five Knights averaged more than eight points per game, but none of them average more than 10 points per game, which makes ALAH a difficult team to scout and guard.

ALAH’s rebounding is also balanced, with every Knight rebounding between 2-to-5.4 rebounds per game.

“Our balance is a luxury that we’re fortunate to have,” said ALAH coach Craig Moffett. “The players’ unselfishness is the most important aspect of the balanced offense. We do have multiple girls that can score off the dribble, in the post or shooting from the perimeter.” Read More

•January 25, 2017•

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team suffered two Central Illinois Conference losses this past week.

The Redskins lost the two road games to Decatur St. Teresa Friday and Meridian last Tuesday.

Against St. Teresa, the Bulldogs used a 19-6 third quarter to pull away from the Redskins for a 34-23 and kept the lead around 10 points for the eventual 54-33 win.

Quentin Britton led Sullivan with 13 points. Read More