The Sullivan Redskins were looking at a three game week last week that ended up just being two. The cancellation of the Redskin Christmas Shootout left the team with matchups against Nokomis and Tuscola. Both of those opponents were undefeated, so Sullivan knew they were in for a couple of tough games.
Unfortunately, inclement weather last Saturday forced the cancellation of the Redskins Christmas Shootout. However, in the days leading up to that cancelled event, and coming off a couple of tough non-conference losses, the Lady Redskins were looking at getting back in their familiar spot in the win column. They did just that with two conference wins last week against two contrasting teams.
Undefeated Hawks
The first game of last week for the Lady Redskins was a home contest against the undefeated Heritage Lady Hawks from Broadlands, IL. Stats from the game were not made available to the News Progress prior to the printing deadline. Sullivan did deliver Heritage their first loss of the season though with a final score of 45-33.
Originally the Sullivan Lady Redskins had two games scheduled for last week, but the weather decided to alter that plan. Newton was forced to cancel last week due to deteriorating road conditions. That left the ladies all week to practice and prepare for a Saturday matchup against a good Paris Lady Tigers team.
The Sullivan Redskins had a busy week last week, unfortunately, not all outcomes were in their favor. It was not for lack of trying though as the boys continue to put up strong numbers, improving with each passing minute of every game.
11 mile rivalry
The Redskins hosted Windsor/Stew-Stras for their home opener. Always a great matchup between these close rivals, this game did not disappoint. The intensity of the first quarter gave the crowd a great idea of what the rest of the game would look like. Sullivan outscored the Hatchets 19-17 through the first eight minutes. And the Redskins kept chopping away in the second quarter, out scoring WSS 16-5.
The Sullivan boys basketball team has officially kicked off their 2025-2026 season. Under new leadership this year, the boys are looking to improve from last season where they finished 11-18 overall and 6-5 in their conference. Spencer Plank, in his first year as head coach, has a positive outlook for this season, “Our goal every year is to play in a Regional Championship and be playing our best basketball in February.”
Plank, a 2010 graduate of Arthur Christian School, has previous head coaching experience. He served as the head coach for Red Oak High School in Iowa for three years as well as one year of coaching for Buena Vista High School in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Sullivan Lady Redskins hosted two games last week prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. The first one was against a notoriously sound Mt. Zion Lady Braves while the second game was host to the Robinson Lady Maroons.
The Sullivan Lady Redskins put up impressive numbers last year. After going 11-0 in the conference, the ladies season came to a heartbreaking end at the hands of the Mt. Carmel Lady Aces by just two points. And with that loss, came more loss. Specifically, the loss of seniors Emily Miller, Shae Ellis, Addison Stollard, Addison Minor, and Brooklyn Booker. But for this year’s Lady Redskins’ crew, that was just more motivation to continue the success that has been experienced for multiple years now.
The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans are known around Illinois football for their domination. Head coach Josh Jostes has been with the Trojans since 2000. By his seventh year, he had led his team to an undefeated championship season. Since then, the Trojans have found their way to eight additional title games, collecting one more championship while falling short in the big game the other seven times. Jostes’ record over the 26 years stands at 247-67.
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on the other hand has never reached the championship. The furthest they have made it prior to this year was the second round. But under the direction of head coach Ryan Jefferson, ALAH has become a regular post-season participant. Jefferson is in his eighth year as head coach with a record of 55-25. And this year, he led his team to a 9-0 conference record and then tacked on an additional three more wins in the playoffs. Just like that, the Knights entered their first semifinal playoff appearance.
On Thursday, November 13th, Sullivan High School Senior softball player Harmony Ray signed to play at Frontier Community College in Fairfield, while majoring in early childhood education, in the new SHS gymnasium.
Parents Matt and Jenn Ray looked on proudly, as did her teammates and friends, while Sullivan High School coach Valerie Denier spoke about Harmony’s commitment to the game and her team. Harmony’s Cobras coach was Jim Cross.
Pictured back row (from left to right): Kyle Coats, Carrolton; Collin Hewing, Mode; Jaxson Wilson, Newton; Austin Carlen, Toledo; and Madelyn Coats, Carrolton.
Pictured front row (from left to right): Ellie Hagen, Clay City; Hali Kreke, Effingham; Taylar Mercer, Sullivan; Brandon Himes, Trilla; Garrett Hoene, Stewardson; and Clay Target Shooting Head Coach Josh Fulk, Saint Elmo.
The Lake Land College Clay Target Shooting team was named the National Trap Shooting Champion Runner-Up Team at the USA College Clay Target Nationals. The team placed second, trailing only Lindenwood University in the national event in which 244 athletes participated, representing 25 colleges and universities across the country.
“I am very proud of the way we closed out another fantastic season for our Clay Target team,” Clay Target Shooting Head Coach Josh Fulk said. “The team is still very young, with this being just our third year offering the sport at Lake Land. Already, we’ve proven we belong alongside some of the most accomplished programs in the country. I’m proud of the way our athletes performed and am looking forward to how this program continues to grow each year.”
Individually, Lake Land College Clay Target team member Collin Hewing placed second in the High Gun Gold Male category, finishing with a score of 198/200.