Sports – Page 197 – News Progress

Seniors Step Up for Win Over Clinton

Posted on February 24, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 24, 2016

Photo by ghgh
Redskin Ty Molzen is up and inside for a score as River Edwards eyes the potential defensive setup in the Feb 19 win over Clinton.

•February 24, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
News Progress Sports Reporter

Sullivan finished the regular season in style Friday with a 59-53 home win over Clinton.

In the seniors’ final home game Ty Molzen led all scorers with 23 points and nine rebounds, and Alec Ballinger tallied 18 points to go with with assists.

All eight seniors contributed and played extended minutes in the win. Sullivan head coach Chester Reeder knew coming in the Redskins would get Clinton’s best shot.

“Clinton is a really talented team. They are in the middle of a bad run, lost nine straight,” Reeder said. “We had some mental errors that gave them confidence, but the seniors gutted one out, and I am glad we get to send these seniors off on the home floor with a win.”

The Maroons nailed two three pointers to take a 6-0 lead just over a minute into the game.

Molzen then went to work and scored the next seven Redskin points as part of an 11-0 run over the next four minutes.

Sullivan led 13-8 with just 15 seconds left in the first quarter, but Clinton banked in a deep three at the buzzer to make it a 13-11 game. Sullivan would extend their second quarter lead to 20-13 after a clutch three pointer by Ballinger at the five minute mark. Read More

Knights Take Storm in Close Home Game

Posted on February 24, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 24, 2016

Photo by Darian Hays
Cade Day goes up for a field goal against Sangamon Valley Feb 19. Day also pulled down five rebounds in the win.

•February 24, 2016•

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knight basketball beat Sangamon Valley’s Storm 44-42 in Friday, Feb 19 action in Arthur.

The Knights’ better shooting percentage from the field 16-34 to the Storm’s 16-44 was a boost to team performance.

ALAH hit 3-6 three pointers by three players with Sangamon Valley hitting 5-19 three pointers. Free throw percentage was 64 for ALAH hitting 9-14 with the Storm making 5-15.

Sangamon Valley pulled down 23 rebounds to the Knights 25 with ALAH turning the ball over 17 times to Sangamon Valley’s 11.

Sangamon Valley started the first quarter off with a 15-8 run over the Knights. Second quarter saw a 10 point tie with the Storm leading 25-18 at the half.

The Storm had a 13-11 third quarter with the Knights down 38-29 at the start of the fourth quarter. ALAH kicked into high gear for a 15 -4 point fourth, resulting in the 44-42 win. Read More

Former SOV Athletes Have Strong Indoor Track Seasons

Posted on February 17, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 17, 2016

•February 17, 2016•

Former Sullivan and Okaw Valley athletes Mollie Bowman and Amanda McClain continue strong winter performances during the collegiate indoor track season.

Both were medalists in the IHSA state track meet during high school.

Bowman attends McKendree University and McLain of Findlay is on the Illinois State Redbird team.

At the Olivet Invitational Meet Bowman participated in the 200 meter dash finishing second with a time of 26.61 seconds. In the 4x400 the McKendree team took first with a 4:04.21 second time.

Bowman joined seven athletes on the McKendree team at the Grand Valley State University big meet in Allendale, Mich. Feb 13. At that meet Sullivan sophomore Bowman participated in the 4x400 relay for a 10th place finish. Read More

Strong Fourth Generates Okaw Valley Win Over Knights

Posted on February 17, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 17, 2016

•February 17, 2016•

Okaw Valley’s girls’ basketball team beat the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knights 55-48 at home February 9.

ALAH came out strong in the first quarter, boosted with a couple of Mycaela Miller three pointers, giving the Knights a 16-6 edge over the Lady Timberwolves.

Second quarter action found the Okaw Valley team’s Paige Robinson responding with three three pointers as the Timberwolves edged the Knights 12-11 for the quarter.

ALAH started the third quarter with a 27-18 lead. Okaw Valley scored 12 to the Knights 10 in the third quarter. Read More

Redskin Seniors Deliver in Road Win Over Central A&M

Posted on February 17, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 17, 2016

File Photo
Sullivan Redskin Ty Molzen

•February 17, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Ty Molzen and Alec Ballinger put together a pair of all conference performances in Friday night’s 49-45 win over Moweaqua.

Molzen led all scorers with 19 points and added 12 rebounds for a double double.

Ballinger nailed a pair of threes before the half to swing momentum and finished with 16 points.

Sullivan head coach Chester Reeder said the group is benefiting from experience. “This is always a tough place to play. They showed a lot of toughness tonight. We are towards the end and have eight seniors that show up.”

A back and forth first quarter saw the Raiders 12-10 advantage pushed to 17-10 as part of a 10-1 run.

Redskin senior Adam White scored to stop the bleeding with six minutes left in the second quarter. The basket started a 17-6 Redskin run to close the half.

Trailing by three 23-20 at the two minute mark, back to back threes by Ballinger vaulted Sullivan in front 26-23. Read More

Local Runner Places for ISU

Posted on February 17, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 17, 2016

•February 17, 2016•

Amanda McClain, former Sullivan Okaw Valley track and field athlete recently competed at the Missouri Valley Conference indoor track and field competition in which her Illinois State University team finished fifth.

McClain, who is from Findlay, posted a personal best time of 56.03 in the women’s 400 dash and placed 19th overall of the 67 competing teams. Read More

Arcola Takes Home Win Over Knights

Posted on February 17, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 17, 2016

File Photo
ALAH Knight Shandon Herschberger

•February 17, 2016•

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s Knights traveled to Arcola Friday, Feb 5 with the Purple Riders taking the win 59-43.

First quarter action found the Arcola team ahead 20-9 followed by a Knight tied second quarter at 9-9. The Purple Riders started the third quarter with a 29-18 edge.

Arcola scored a 16-11 third quarter with the Knights scoring 14-14 in the fourth. The Purple Riders came away with the 59-43 win.

The Knights were 16-36 from the field for 44 percent, while the Riders hit 15-32 for 46 percent. ALAH hit 2-3 three point shots for 66 percent while Arcola was 6-17 for 35 percent.

ALAH was 9-12 from the free stripe for 75 percent with Arcola hitting 23-37 for 62 percent.

The Knights’ Shandon Herschberger had two rebounds, two steals was four for nine from the field and 2-2 from the free stripe for 10 points.

Teddy Poe grabbed five rebounds, had three assists, was 3-4 from the field and 2-2 from the free stripe for eight points. Read More

Okaw Valley Take Knights by One Point in Bethany

Posted on February 17, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 17, 2016

•February 17, 2016•

Only one point separated Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond from Okaw Valley in Bethany February 9, and the 49-48 win went to the home team.

The Knights had a strong first half outscoring the Timberwolves 11-6 in the first quarter and 16-11 in the second quarter. ALAH started the third quarter ahead 27-17.

The Timberwolves came on strong in the third quarter with a 15-9 run over the Knights. Okaw Valley scored 17 to Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond’s 12 in the fourth to win the game 49-48.

The Knights hit 15-29 for 51 percent from the field while the Timberwolves hit 18-43 for 41 percent.

Okaw Valley made 6-17 three point shots for 35 percent while ALAH made one three point shot.

The Knights hit 73 percent of free throws 17-23 while the Timberwolves hit 7-16 for 43 percent.

Okaw Valley dominated with 22 rebounds to ALAH’s 14. Read More

Tough Redskin Loss to Broncos at Regionals

Posted on February 10, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 10, 2016

Photo by Doug Cottle
Sullivan Lady Redskins Madi Wall and Alyssa Marshall take rebound from Bronco in the 43-40 regional loss in Tuscola Monday.

•February 10, 2016•

The Sullivan Lady Redskins ended the basketball season with a tough 43-40 loss to Cerro Gordo Bement February 8.

It was the first game of Regional play at Tuscola, and the Broncos were hungry.

“No one wants to end their season on a loss,” coach Sheri McCain began, “but tonight Cerro Gordo simply outplayed us and wanted it more.”

“They hustled after every loose ball and contested our shots,” she continued, noting the Redskins were hindered by missed free throws and 22 turnovers.

“I think Brooke Tuttle played a great game for us, and Ester Miller also played hard,” she said. “The plus side is we are young and can only get better if we work hard in the off season.” Read More

Fourth Quarter Blasts Knights Past Lions

Posted on February 10, 2016 by webmasterFebruary 10, 2016

Knight Jakob Brewer leaves three Decatur LSA Lions behind going up for two of his 17 points in the ALAH win February 5.

Big Comeback for ALAH

•February 10, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

From floor wrestling to leads flipping, the final few minutes of the Knights 55-49 win over Decatur LSA was a crowd pleaser.

The midcourt wrestling match for the ball between Knight Shandon Herschberger and Decatur LSA’s Austin with 5:43 left during the Friday, February 5 game started a Knights fire.

“I was really pleased with the effort and the ability to overcome adversity we displayed.” Knight coach Dale Schuring said of the comeback victory.

“The players did a great job of taking the last two days of practice to the game floor.”

After the floor encounter, the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood Hammond Knights went ahead 45-43 on a three point shot by Brad R. Miller at 4:49.

The LSA Lions had dominated the game and responded with a field goal and free shot. Then Cade Day tied the scored at 47-47 with 3: 25 left.

LSA returned to the lead while Jakob Brewer responded for the Knights resulting in a 49-49 tie. Read More