Photo by R.R. Best
What Would Wolfie Do?
During a break in the action at an Okaw Valley High School home basketball game cheerleaders Madalyne McPheeters, Marissa Bell and Autumn Burns plan their next fan boosting move with school mascot Emileah Drake, Wolfie.
•January 29, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team finished the week 1-2 in Lincoln Prairie Conference action.
The Timberwolves lost to Villa Grove Heritage last Monday and Blue Ridge on Thursday in the Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament game.
But four days later, OV avenged the Blue Ridge loss by knocking off the Knights at Farmer City.
The Timberwolves fell behind 18-9 in the first quarter, but OV slowly battled back in the next two quarters to cut the lead to 30-28.
OV then went on a 14-7 run to take the lead and game 42-37. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team picked up a Lincoln Prairie Conference win against Argenta-Oreana last Tuesday and had a game against Arcola postponed on Friday.
Against the Bombers, the Knights took a four-point lead, 18-14, in the first quarter.
ALAH’s defense then held AO’s offense to eight points or less in the last three quarters.
The Knights scored 17 points in the third and fourth quarters for the eventual 65-30 win. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball game against Blue Ridge Saturday was like déjà vu.
That was because the Knights had just played Blue Ridge less than 48 hours earlier.
ALAH won both games to improve its overall record to 13-8 and its Lincoln Prairie Conference record to 4-1.
Saturday at Farmer City, ALAH defeated Blue Ridge 45-23.
The Knights doubled Blue Ridge in the first quarter 10-5 before running away with it.
Every player on ALAH’s team scored.
Mackenzi Bowles led the team with 15 points. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Sullivan girls’ basketball team improved its winning streak to six with two big wins this week.
The Redskins took down Clinton and Altamont.
In the NTC vs CIC Shoot Out Saturday, Sullivan represented the Central Illinois Conference well with a 67-53 win.
“This was the by far the best game of the season for us,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “We really did a great job executing our game plan and limiting their attempts inside. We took care of the ball and transitioned really well.”
Sullivan took a five-point lead in the first quarter then incrementally extended its lead the rest of the game. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
Sullivan Blue Dolphins competed at the Seth Dunscomb Memorial New Year Opener in Decatur and took home the First place team trophy. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
The Sullivan boys’ swim team took first place in a meet in Decatur last week.
Individual results are as follows.
Julian Poston won the open division, and Ethan Schmohe took first in the 13-14 division.
Clayton Schmohe finished second in the open division, and Matthew Wesselman placed fourth in the 13-14 division.
•January 22, 2020•
After having its home game against Sangamon Valley postponed on Friday because of inclement weather, the Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team turned around and hosted Neoga in less than 24 hours.
The Timberwolves defeated the Indians 63-51.
Stats for this game were not available.
OV is scheduled to enter the Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament at Arcola starting Friday.
•January 22, 2020•
The Sullivan boys’ basketball team lost its Central Illinois Conference opener last Tuesday, then had its Friday game against Warrensburg-Latham postponed because of inclement weather.
Against the Rams, the Redskins found themselves in a barnburner. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team defeated Cumberland and Villa Grove this week to improve its overall record to 8-16.
Thursday, Jan. 16, the Timberwolves picked up a Lincoln Prairie Conference road win against Cumberland.
After falling behind 10-6 in the first quarter, OV went on a 16-4 run in the second quarter for a 22-14 halftime lead.
The Timberwolves had a strong third quarter then held on the rest of the way for the 44-34.
Bailey Bennett and Mia Harris led OV’s scoring with 13 points each.
Kate Jeffers also hit double digits with 11 points, while Lexie Bartimus netted five points. Read More