Category Archives: Sports

Arthur Okaw Christian Overpower OV Girls

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Photo by RR Best
Okaw Valley’s Kate Jeffers goes after the ball at an Arthur Christian player’s expense in the Okaw Valley game in Arthur, Monday, Dec. 3.

•December 5, 2018•

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team fell to 1-8 with a 69-29 loss to Arthur Okaw Christian Monday night.
The Timberwolves had no answer for the Franklin sisters, who combined for 47 points.
OV fell behind 29-7 and could not recover.
For the Timberwolves, senior Bella Banning led the team with nine points, including three 3-pointers, and freshman Mia Harris had seven points.
Junior Kate Jeffers contributed six points, and freshman Shyanne Harding, and sophomore Danae Nave and Ciera Perry each added two points to round out OV’s scoring.
The Timberwolves are scheduled to travel to Altamont Thursday (Dec. 6) and then to Martinsville Monday.

Sullivan Redskins Boys Work on Offense and Defense

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•December 5, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After winning its season opener, the Sullivan boys’ basketball team dropped its next two games last week.
“I think we are heading in the right direction,” said Sullivan first-year coach Craig Black. “The guys are working hard everyday in practice, and they are still trying to learn our defensive and offensive systems. Our goal is to be playing our best at the end of the season, and I think we will be able to do that.”
The Redskins lost to St. Anthony at Effingham Friday and Stewardson-Strasburg/Windsor last Tuesday.
St. Anthony overwhelmed Sullivan with a 25-5 first-quarter run and did not look back to its 69-32 victory. Read More

OV Girls Play in Pana Thanksgiving Tournament

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•November 28, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team dropped three games in the Pana Thanksgiving Tournament this past week.
The Timberwolves lost to Mt. Pulaski, Athens and host Pana.
Monday night, OV finished up tournament action with a 63-26 loss to Mt. Pulaski.
OV fell behind 10 points in the first quarter and could not recover.
Senior Bella Benning led OV with nine points, including two 3-pointers, and nine rebounds.
Junior Kate Jeffers collected a team-high 10 rebounds to go with two points. Read More

T-Town Takes Tough Win Over Sullivan Team

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Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan’s Esther Miller kept the ball going as she scored 25 points in each of her last two games.

•November 28, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan girls’ basketball team lost its first game of the season to Teutopolis Monday night.
After a tight first quarter, the Wooden Shoes outscored the Redskins 15-5 in the second quarter for a 27-16 halftime score.
Sullivan battled back in the third quarter, outscoring Teutopolis 14-7 to cut the lead to 34-30.
“We played a tremendous second half defensively,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “Anytime you can hold a T-town team to single digits is a good day. I know the scoreboard has us losing; however, our girls played their hearts out tonight.”
In the fourth quarter, Teutopolis held on for the 48-42 lead.
“In my mind, one single stat was the deciding factor in the outcome of the game, and that was free throws,” McCain said. “We lost by six, and we were 12 for 21 from the line. I am still very proud of this team. This time last year we lost to T-town 59-29.” Read More

Tough Week for Timberwolves Basketball

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•November 28, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team could not find a win in its first four games of the St. Anthony Holiday Tournament this past week.
The Timberwolves dropped games against Tolono Unity, Mattoon, Robinson and Breese Central.
Saturday against Tolono, OV took a 19-16 lead into halftime, but the Rockets exploded for a 21-9 run in the third quarter to take control of the game.
Tolono held on in the fourth for the final 52-41 score.
Individual stats were not available.
Friday, OV lost to Mattoon 66-27. Read More

OVHS Cheer Squad

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OVHS Cheer Squad
Okaw Valley High School Cheerleading Squad. Front row from left: Seniors Riley Kesterson, Sadie Zimmerman, Kailey George, Angela Robinson, Isabella Benning. Back row from left: Julia Hildebrandt, Shaukana Tipsword, Marissa Bell, Chloe Harris, Shelby Woodall, Kalie Reed, Haven Caulfield

Sullivan Opens Basketball Season With a Bang

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•November 28, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Craig Black, who kicks off his tenure as Sullivan boys’ basketball coach, faced off in his first game of the year against another first year coach, Brad McGill, who took over Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s team.
But this game was not about two first-year coaches.
It was about Sullivan senior Caden Ellis who took over in the second quarter to help the Redskins pull away with a comfortable lead.
In the first quarter, ALAH took an early six-point lead after senior Adam Day and senior Austin Romine both hit jumpers, and senior Adam Hingson scored on a transition put-back basket.
After a Sullivan timeout, sophomore Ian Plank hit a corner three to cut the lead to 6-3.
In the middle of the first quarter, Caden Ellis put back a missed free throw, and sophomore Dom Kimberlin hit a jumper off a long rebound to take the lead 8-6. Read More

Three Make All Tourney Team

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•November 28, 2018•

Last week the Sullivan girls’ basketball team kicked off its season by winning the Maroa-Forsyth Round Robin Tip-off Classic.
This week the Maroa-Forsyth Round Robin Tip-off Classic announced all-tournament team members which included three Sullivan players.
Esther Miller, Lilly Null and Emily White each made the all-tournament team.

Six Redskins Earn All-Area Honors

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•November 21, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Champaign News Gazette announced its 2018 All-Area boys’ golf teams last Thursday.
Six Redskins earned honors, including Sullivan boys’ coach Ben Richter.
Richter was named Champaign Area Coach of the Year.
“I am honored to be awarded the COTY,” said Ben Richter. “It was not something I was expecting, and I want to thank all of my golfers for working so hard to give us such an awesome season.”
The Richter led squad placed fifth with a score of 337 in Class 1A after winning sectional, regional and Little Okaw Valley Conference championships.
They also finished the regular season a perfect 21-0. Read More