Claire Meharry dribbles the ball in the Rockets' home game against Clinton. This week the sophomoref forward went two-for-two from the free-throw line and hit one bucket in her team's loss against BCC on Monday. Unity, who faces Prairie Central this week, is 3-1 and moves to third place in the Illini Prairie Conference.
TOLONO - Raegen Stringer led Unity with 14 points in their Illini Prairie Conference game against visiting Bloomington Central Catholic on Monday. Addison Ray chipped ten points, and Reagen Little contributed six more for the team's trio of top scorers.
Stringer snagged four steals and had five rebounds. Ray led the rebounding effort with five boards and tallied three assists.
Thanks to a 21-12 third quarter, the Saints held the 13-point advantage through the final quarter.
BCC (16-5) had three players with double figures. Logan Shanks and Meg Uhren finished with 12 points each. Laura Emm had ten points, sophomore Emme Hurie scored eight, and Cate Uhren rounded out the team's effort with six points.
Emily Decker, Claire Meharry, and Grace Bickers came off the bench to help keep the game close for two quarters. Decker finished with two points, Meharry had four, while Bickers finished with three.
The 13-9 Rockets face Prairie Central on the road this Thursday.
The students named below earned recognition for their academic performance and attention to excellence at Unity High School. Congratulations to each on their exceptional scholastic effort in the first semester.
Seniors ~
High Honor: Lindy Bates; Molly Baxley; Kolton Black; Paige Brewer; Noah Bryant; Elle Cheely; Madelyn Darnall; Jordan Daugherty; Frankie Davis; Emily Decker; Ashlyn Denney; Estella Dodd; Kade Dubson; Hunter Eastin; Catharine Ford; Paige Garretson; Kadence Goff; Sophia Hartke; Lauren Hellmer; Caleb Hoewing; Dallas Hollingsworth; Wyatt Huffstutler; Alex Mowrer; Brady Parr; Riley Petkus; Camryn Reedy; Rylee Reifsteck; Nolan Remole; Ashley Rennels; Lydia Rossi; Maegan Rothe; Savanna Sellers; Lauren Shaw; Tsihon Shotton; Daniel Stein; Joseph Tempel; Avery Watson; Gavin Weaver; McKinley Weller; Tessah Williams; Nolan Wishall; and Logan Zumbahlen.
Honor: Jenna Adkins; Avery Alagna; Emmerson Bailey; Sophia Beckett; Brianna Blakley; Holden Brazelton; Michael Bromley; Bentten Cain; Keegan Cenzano, Josephine Cler; Ava Davis; Jaden Dene; Chloey Duitsman; Piper Farney; Ava Fenter; Sophia Frye; Alexis Gady; Faith Hall; McKenzie Hart; Kaden Inman; Andrew King; Gracie Meharry; Makayla Nonman; Mary OBryan; Ryan Pickett; Rami Ramahi; Garrett Richardson; Ryan Rink; Ryan Robinson; Braden Roderick; Brock Schlittler; and Grant Steinman.
Juniors ~
High Honor: Anna Amias; Aria Battaglia; Mylie Castle; Cameryn Cobb; Kaylee Cooke; Chloe Cousins; Eli Crowe; Ella Darnall; Callie Ellars; Camden Fairbanks; Margaret Garcier; Isabel Grob; Kenley Harris; Caden Hensch; Lucas Hood; Jaxon Jett; Miles Johnson; Cameron Kaiser; Faith Lampe; Kallista Lancaster; Mylie Loftsgaard; Claire Meharry; Deakin Moore; Isaac Neverman; Brody Osterbur; Harry Polonus; Dallas Porter; Mackenzie Pound; Katie Ruggieri; Vanna Schriefer; Hunter Shike; Annalise Shunk; Shelby Smith; Caden Stierwalt; Ginna Stierwalt; Madelyn Stierwalt; Emma Swisher; Carter Tiemann; Bailey Tompkins; Evan Vlahovich; and Lucille Wiesbrook.
Honor: Ryan Akers; Maddix Buchanan; Savanna Cruz; Natalia Cunningham; Abram Davidson; Shyenne Eaton; Crewe Eckstein; Olivia Egelston; Dane Eisenmenger; Tanner Gallivan; Collin Graven; Brayden Henry; Tyler Henry; Sophia Hewerdine; Logan Jeurissen; Anna Kuhns; Johanna Langley; Maxwell McCabe; Phoenix Molina; Mason ONeill; Analea Popovics; Andrew Ray; Ty Rodems; Jillian Schlittler; Kamden Schuckman; Liana Sheets-Cowan; Anna Vasey; Alexander Wells; Paula Wilson; Shelby Zoch; and Claire Zorns.
Sophomores ~
High Honor: Dominic Baxley; Alex Bromley; Clare Bryant; Caleb Coy; Braedyn Dalton; Lillian Daly, Addison Davis; Danika Eisenmenger; Allison Fenter; Reese Frye; Journey Gabbard; Bailee Gadeken; Olivia Hall; Colton Harmon; Avery Kamradt; Kathryn Knoll; Cash McCann; Landrey Mohr; Emily Osterbur; Adam Reedy; Ethan Schaefer; Allyson Shaw; Isaac Siegwald; Evalyn Skibbe; Piper Staley; Grace Tempel; Leah Watson; Elizabeth Wayne; Grace Wherley; Rylan Wolf; Addison Wyatt; and Kendal Zerrusen.
Honor: Juan Acosta Toro; Grace Bickers; Wyatt Blanchard; Paige Bradley; Emma Carrington; Cadence Chandler; Noah Conde; Hudson DeHart; Austin Drewes; Aidan Ellis; Elizabeth Farney; Natalie Haas; Walker Hall; Everest Harper; Dustin Harris; Broderick Irwin; Hailey Keck; Rush Little; Audrey McDaniel; Nicholas Montgomery; Brooklyn Mumm; Miles Owens; Sadie Polonus; Evan Puckett; Max Rossi; Gabrielle Spanglo; Jacob Ward; and Maggie Weckle.
Freshmen ~
High Honor: Patrick Baxley; Beckam Brown; Sadie Carpenter; Jackson Cheely; Soren Davis; Andrew Donovan; Tessa Durham; Tyson Durham; Cecelia Easter; Dillon Ellars; Kaylee Estes; Carson Fairbanks; Reagan Fisher; Jordan Harmon; Roman Hastings; Noah Hettinger; Tessa Horn; Karleigh Jamison; Lincoln Johnson; Joseph Kamradt; Khison Kern; Tatum Kirby; Bryan Kleiss; Izabella Mallast; Nolan Meharry; Dalton Moose; Rhianna Ocasio; Caleb Saxon; Carter Schmid; Caleb Siegwald; Kole VanSickle; Gavin Warren; Sawyer Weller; Logan Wells; Haley White; John White; Austin Wiersema; Elsie Wiesbrook; Adilynn Wilson; Olivia Witheft; and Cole Zorns.
Honor: Cameron Barnes; Cooper Beckett; Beckham Brink; Brilynn Cain; Madison Castor; Skyler Chilton; Danika Dhom; Kinzey Duitsman; Haley Ennis; Cohen Fincham; Shae Lin Fournier; Makayla Goff; Hallie Handal; Brady Harris; Joel Hoewing; Kane Knudsen; Clint McCormick; Payten Niles; Kandace Reed; Mia Reifsteck; Caden Rogers; Sophia Seidlitz; Ian Skibbe; Ava Sommer; and Olivia Williams.
Unity's Claire Meharry drives to the paint in Unity's Country Financial Shootout game against Watseka. Meharry finished the game with 12 points. Combined with Lauren Haas' 12-point output, it was enough to stave off a late fourth-quarter surge of five unanswered scores by the Warriors, who went on to win the non-conference game 52-46 on Saturday. See more game photos here ...
BISMARCK - Unity girls' basketball team ended 2024 with a win, defeating Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin (BHRA) 33-26 at the 2024 Blue Devil Classic on Saturday. The victory broke a three-game losing streak after the Rockets' last successful outing in a 36-27 win over Armstrong.
Claire Meharry led all scorers with 16 points and went 2-for-2 from the free throw line to secure Unity's eighth win. Teammate Lauren Haas finished the game strong with eight fourth-quarter points on her way to ten points. Selected to the All-Tournament team, like Meharry, Haas shot 100% from the charity stripe.
Unity also received contributions from Grace Bickers and McKinley Weller, who had four and three points, respectively.
Alivia Reifsteck was responsible for nearly half of BHRA's scoring effort with 12 points. Draycee Nelson added another nine for the Blue Devils. Sophomore Gentry Elson supplied three points, and Sophia Stines rounded out their point production with two.
After taking a much needed rest and get in the gym for quality practice sessions, Unity returns to action on Monday, January 6, with a road game at Arcola. Meharry and the team will play two more contests on the road before taking their home court against St. Thomas More on January 13 for an Illini Prairie Conference matchup.
TOLONO - The Unity Rockets girls basketball team fell short in a 36-25 loss to the visiting Cissna Park Timberwolves on Tuesday night, as offensive struggles and strong defensive pressure from the Timberwolves denied the team a home win in the non-conference contest at the Rocket Center.
Unity started strong, leading 9-8 after the first quarter, thanks to early contributions from Lauren Haas and Claire Meharry. Haas tallied four points in the opening period, while Meharry added five. However, Cissna Park adjusted in the second quarter, taking a 17-12 halftime lead behind the steady play of Lauryn Hamrick and Addison Lucht.
The Timberwolves maintained control in the second half, outscoring Unity 19-13 over the final two quarters. Hamrick led all scorers with 11 points, going 5-for-8 from the free-throw line. Lucht chipped in nine points, including an efficient 5-for-6 performance at the stripe.
Meharry finished with a team-high nine points for Unity, while Haas added seven, converting 33% of her attempts. The Rockets struggled offensively, shooting just 25% (10-for-40) from the field and 50% from the free-throw line.
The loss drops Unity to 4-3 on the season, marking their second consecutive defeat. The Rockets will look to rebound Wednesday night when they host Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond (ALAH) at the Rocket Center. Cissna Park improves to 5-1 with the win, continuing their strong start.
The students named below earned recognition for their academic performance and attention to excellence at Unity High School. Congratulations to each on their exceptional scholastic effort last semester.
Seniors
High Honors: Evelyn Albaugh; Connor Cahill; Analyse Carter; Rebecca Carter; Brenlee Dalton; Taylor Drennan; Natalie Ellars; Bailey Grob; Brooklyn Haas; Madison Henry; Shelby Hoel; Margaret Ingleman; Caroline Jamison; Eden Johnson; Cassidy Keller; Caelyn Kleparski; Jocelyn LeFaivre; Reagan Little; Tatum Meyer; Eric Miebach; Lauren Neverman; Dean Niswonger; Anna Polonus; Aiden Porter; Meredith Reed; Maci Richmond; Briana Ritchie; Aubrey Sanders; Tsihon Shotton; Logan Siuts; Carsyn Smith; Piper Steele; Lily Steffens; Brock Suding; Ruby Tarr; Andrew Thomas; Darren Weckle; Erica Woodard; Abigail Woolcott; Emberly Yeazel; Ava Price; Erin Sanders; Bayleigh Jones; Isaac Ruggieri; Jeremy Wells; Madysen York; Brooke Hewing; Kendra Cromwell; Emma Plackett; Alexis Ritchie; Lynndsay Talbott; and Henry Thomas.
Honor Roll: Emma Fish; Trevor McCarter; Keaton Roether; Bailey Wayne; Caedmon Cazares; Zachary Lorbiecki; Carly Scroggins; Elianna Duo; Matthew Short; Santiago Sanchez; Rylee Richardson; Bryson Weaver; Isabel Sellers; Dalton ONeill; Aubrey Schaefer; Bridget Vazquez; Kolten Wells; Nicholas Brown; Desire De Los Santos; Ava Holladay; Raegen Stringer; Hector Jimenez Gil; Aileen Vasquez Munoz; Tanner Chilton; Kamryn Edenburn; Gabriel Pound; Jay Saunders; McKayla Schendel; Breanna Weller; Addison Ray; Aidan Ward; Sophia Wozencraft; Anna Wood; Olivia Hosley; Gillian Rice; Kate Thomas; Riley FitzGerald; Tyler Gumm; Grant Siuts; Nathan Bleecher; Kaylin Owen; and Thayden Root.
Juniors
High Honors: Avery Alagna; Noah Bryant; Elle Cheely; Madelyn Darnall; Ashlyn Denney; Kade Dubson; Chloey Duitsman; Ava Fenter; Catharine Ford; Kadence Goff; Sophia Hartke; Dallas Hollingsworth; Wyatt Huffstutler; Alex Mowrer; Camryn Reedy; Rylee Reifsteck; Lydia Rossi; Savannah Rubin; Lauren Shaw; Daniel Stein; Avery Watson; Ashely Rennels; Jenna Adkins; Lindy Bates; Paige Brewer; Faith Hall; Lauren Hellmer; Ryan Rink; Josephine Cler; Emily Decker; Maegan Rothe; Estella Dodd; and Molly Baxley.
Honor Roll: Joseph Tempel; Oscar Boldt; Gracie Meharry; Gavin Weaver; Sophia Beckett; Paige Garretson; McKenzie Hart; Nolan Wishall; Jordan Daugherty; Logan Church; Hunter Eastin; Tessah Williams; Austin Mikeworth; Logan Zumbahlen; Bentten Cain; Franke Davis; Sophia Frye; Andrew King; Brady Parr; McKinley Weller; Lindsey Johnson; Sydney Jackson; and Nathaniel DeNeal.
Sophomores
High Honors: Anna Amias; Mylie Castle; Eli Crowe; Ella Darnall; Crewe Eckstein; Callie Ellars; Camden Fairbanks; Margaret Garcier; Collin Graven; Isabel Grob; Faith Lampe; Kallista Lancaster; Mylie Loftsgaard; Claire Meharry; Harry Polonus; Dallas Porter; Mackenzie Pound; Ty Rodems; Katie Ruggieri; Vanna Schriefer; Hunter Shike; Annalise Shunk; Caden Stierwalt; Ginna Stierwalt; Madelyn Stierwalt; Emma Swisher; Carter Tiemann; Anna Vasey; Lucille Wiesbrook; Paula Wilson; Lucas Hood; Deakin Moore; Isaac Neverman; Olivia Egelston; Olivia Rawdin; Claire Zorns; Kaylee Cooke; Caden Hensch; Logan Jeurissen; Bailey Tompkins; Savanna Cruz; Chason Daly; and Kenley Harris.
Honor Roll: Chloe Cousins; Samantha Gumbel; Ian Taber; Phoenix Molina; Mason ONeill; Shelby Smith; Aria Battaglia; Maddix Buchanan; Jillian Schlittler; Andrew Ray; Dane Eisenmenger; Anna Kuhns; Analea Popovics; Shelby Zoch; Brayden Henry; Tyler Henry; Desmond Winfrey; Johanna Langley, Ethan Mohr; Heath Stringer; Cameron Kaiser; Brody Osterbur; Kyla Reed; Kamden Schuckman; Olivia Tempel; Bryan Crosby; Abram Davidson; Tanner Gallivan; and Joshua Heath.
Freshmen
High Honors: Dominic Baxley; Clare Bryant; Caleb Coy; Lillian Daly; Hudson DeHart; Danika Eisenmenger; Allison Fenter; Journey Gabbard; Bailee Gadeken; Colton Harmon; Avery Kamradt; Kathryn Knoll; Audrey McDaniel; Emily Osterbur; Adam Reedy; Allyson Shaw; Evalyn Skibbe; Piper Staley; Grace Tempel; Jacob Ward; Leah Watson; Maggie Weckle; Grace Wherley; Rylan Wolf; Broderick Irwin; Cash McCann; Elizabeth Wayne; Grace Bickers; Max Rossi; Alex Bromley; Berkley Cloud; Lucy Kleiss; Cadence Chandler; Reese Frye, Brooklyn Mumm; Kendal Zerrusen; and Aidan Ellis.
Honor Roll: Addison Davis; Olivia Hall; Madison Spohn; Paige Bradley; Braedyn Dalton; Taylor Finley; Landrey Mohr; Addison Wyatt; Alyssa Shields; Isaac Siegwald; Ethan Schaefer; Nicole Paeth; Evan Puckett; Juan Acosta Toro; Noah Conde; Sadie Polonus; Ava Wolf Rice; Natalie Haas; Nicholas Montgomery; Elizabeth Farney; and Rush Little.
Seventy-nine students at Unity Junior High School earned High Honor Roll recognition for their academic performance during the second quarter of the 2020-21 school year. Meanwhile, the school administration announced another 108 students across the same three grade levels to achieve Honor Roll status.
Sixth Grade
High Honor Roll
Dominic Russell Baxley Alex Martin Bromley Berkley Jane Cloud Caleb Benjamin Coy Hudson Lee DeHart Danika Ann Eisenmenger Allison Renee Fenter Bailee Mae Gadeken Colton Ray Harmon Kathryn Clara Knoll Carson Wesley McCune Landrey Michelle Mohr Brooklyn Marie Mumm Adam Lucas Reedy Max Warren Rossi Allyson Lynn Shaw Isaac Benjamin Siegwald Evalyn Alexandra Skibbe Piper Estelle Staley Grace Lynne Tempel Jacob Michael Ward Leah Marianne Watson Elizabeth Johnna Wayne Rylan Kade Wolf Kendal Lea Zerrusen
Honor Roll
Andrew David Berkey Grace Michele Bickers Paige Nicole Bradley Clare Faustina Bryant Brody Ray Butler Cadence Marie Chandler Addison Tyler Davis Aidan Dean Ellis Reese Bella Frye Journey Maddison Gabbard Keegan Patrick Germano Olivia Ashlyn Hall Walker Dale Hall Dustin Rose Harris Broderick Wayne Irwin Avery Nicole Kamradt Rush Matthew Little Cash Cohen McCann Audrey Claire McDaniel Sadie Jane Polonus Evan Alexander Puckett Skylar Osheania Sanders Ethan Daniel Schaefer Lane Edward Sexton Alyssa Renae Shields Jackson Leo Smith Madison Amanda Spohn Baileigh Marie Thomas Grace Ann Wherley Kendall Grace Wysong Joel Mitchell Yergler
Seventh Grade
High Honor Roll
Anna Carolyn Amias Cameryn Dayle Cobb Eli Samson Crowe Ella Jean Darnall Callie Marie Ellars Camden Michael Fairbanks Margaret Rose Garcier Isabel Grace Grob Caden Maddox Hensch Miles Kennedy Johnson Mylie Emily Margaret Loftsgaard Claire Lynn Meharry Mason Robert ONeill Harry Matthew Polonus Ty Steven Rodems Theda Marva Roether Katie Marie Ruggieri Vanna Lee Schriefer Hunter James Shike Annalise Rose Shunk Caden Alexander Stierwalt Ginna Mae Stierwalt Madelyn Rose Stierwalt Emma Marie Swisher Paula Louise Wilson
Honor Roll
Aria Eve Battaglia Crewe William Gene Eckstein Olivia Breann Egelston Dane Robert Eisenmenger Collin William Graven Kenley Jo Harris Brooke Autumn Hartman Joshua Todd Heath Brayden Jonathon Henry Tyler Jason Henry Sophia Katherine Hewerdine Lucas Alexander Hood Logan Phillip Jeurissen Faith Lyn Lampe Johanna Ilene Langley Isabelle Joy Levingston Maxwell Cort McCabe Deakin Frederick Moore Isaac Julian Neverman Dallas Jordan Porter Mackenzie Rose Pound Olivia Grace Rawdin Kyla Lanae Reed Jillian Brooke Schlittler Liana Grace Sheets Shelby Lynn Smith Lauren Patricia Stratton Ian John Taber Sophia Louise Jean Toney Alexander Lane Wells Claire Morgan Zorns
Eighth Grade
High Honor Roll
Jenna Blair Adams Avery Jean Alagna Lindy Marie Bates Molly Kay Baxley Paige Leeanne Brewer Noah Michael Bryant Elle Makenna Cheely Josephine Rose Cler Madelyn Rae Darnall Jordan Kathryn Daugherty Ashlyn Brielle Denney Kade Ryan Dubson Ava Maureen Fenter Catharine Elizabeth Ford Sophia Safrona Frye Sophia Ruth Hartke Lauren Mellissa Hellmer Dallas Anthony Hollingsworth Alex Nathaniel Mowrer Brady James Parr Camryn Elizabeth Reedy Ashley Lynn Rennels Lydia Claire Rossi Maegan Denise Rothe Savannah Renee Rubin Lauren Anne Shaw Joseph Robert Tempel Avery Elise Watson McKinley Mae Weller
Honor Roll
Elizabeth Marie Anderson Emmerson Matthew Bailey Sophia Cathryn Beckett Kolton Andrew Black Michael Allan Bromley Dakota Michael Brown-McClain Bentten Matthew Cain Logan Reid Church Jacob Ivan Davidson Ava Jane Davis Ezekiel De Los Santos Nathaniel Gojam DeNeal Chloey Ryanne Duitsman Piper Ann Farney Paige Ann Garretson Kadence Lynn Goff Faith Marianne Hall Caleb James Hoewing Wyatt Matthew Huffstutler Sydney Marie Jackson Andrew Jason King Elias Anthony Eugene Lawlyes Kaitlynn Christine McEvoy Avery Jarrod McGraw Gracie Marie Meharry Maliyah Marie Ortiz Reigna Jolie Price Taylor Aiyana Marie Prough Oliver Mason Hyeok Joon Rawlings Korben Dale Ray Nolan Scott Remole Garrett Francis Richardson Ryan Benjamin Rink Ryan James Robinson Braden Allen Roderick Brock Jacob Schlittler Abigail Ruth Smith Daniel Christopher Stein Grant James Steinman Owen Michael Taylor Jacob Howell Thomas Gavin Henry David Weaver Jordan Jeanne Whittington Tessah Rae Williams Lauren Anne Williams-Scroggins Nolan Allen Wishall
TOLONO - Almost two weeks ago, Unity High School announced the names of the first semester honor students. Students who achived a grade point average of 3.75 or better at the high school earn High Honor Roll recognition. Students earning a GPA of 3.20 to 3.74 are recognized as Honor students below. Congratulations to all the students listed below on the academic performance.
Senior High Honor Roll
Emily Anderlik Roger Holben Jr. Kiersten Reasor Lillian Montgomery Sona Khasikyan Jayci
McGraw Kayla Nelson Luke Williamson Madison Loftsgaard Kara Young Ellen Ping Matthew Brown Rachel
Aders Caleb Amias Aidan Anderson Emmalee Atkins Calvin Baxley Bettie Branson Mary Bryant Annah
Cloin Jared Cross Jordan Cross Easton Cunningham Brendan Graven Asa Kuhns Fenley Lopez Andrew
Manrique Jacob Maxwell Jolie Meyer Lauren Miller Dylan Moore Abigail Pieczynski Julia Ping Sarah Rink
Kaitlyn Schweighart Tsihon Shotton, Raena Stierwalt Sophia Stierwalt Emma Stratton Ava Vasey
Senior Honor Roll
Garrett Wingler Maddisen McConaha Brandon Goyne Lauren Cooke Joshua Davidson Myles Good
Mason Haas Matea Cunningham Hayleigh Clemmons Tyler Liffick Worrell Avery White Hunter Duncan
Mason Perry Emmillia Tiemann Kayle Deck Ian White Brynn Clem Reece Sarver Natalie Weller Kayla
Daugherty Anthony Chaney Cale Rawdin Annabelle Steg Maria Buffo Nicholas Nosler Haley Carrington
Anna Clark Paige Farney Emily Hollett Zoey Sorensen Taylor Warfel Eden Markstahler Cole Marheine
Logan Allen Jayden Clem Anna Hamilton Audrey Remole David Baker Jr. Alivia Renfroe Andrew Mowrer
Haylen Handal
Junior High Honor Roll
Brenlee Dalton Taylor Drennan Tatum Meyer Carson Parker Briana Ritchie Brooke Hewing
Lauren Neverman Rylee Richardson Analyse Carter Cassidy Keller Caelyn Kleparski Dalton ONeill Piper
Steele Bridget Vazquez Breanna Weller Abigail Woolcott Keaton Roether Carsyn Smith Bailey Wayne
Santiago Sanchez Madysen York Rebecca Carter Emma Fish Brooklyn Haas Caroline Jamison Eden Johnson
Bayleigh Jones Jocelyn LeFaivre Reagan Little Eric Miebach Anna Polonus Ava Price Rosalia Requena
Menchon Isaac Ruggieri Aubrey Sanders Olivia Shike Logan Siuts Lily Steffens Brock Suding Ruby Tarr
Andrew Thomas Jeremy Wells Erica Woodard
Junior Honor Roll
Dominick Durso Bryson Weaver Kolten Wells, Anna Wood Thayden Root Lynndsay Talbott Addison
Ray Kamryn Edenburn Zachary Lorbiecki Henry Thomas Dean Niswonger Gabriel Pound McKayla Schendel
Sophia Wozencraft Trevor McCarter August Niehaus Nicholas Brown Natalie Ellars Emma Plackett Aubrey
Schaefer Carly Scroggins Trevor OBryan Connor Cahill Bailey Grob Shelby Hoel Luna Thomson Gabriel
Carter Kendra Cromwell Margaret Ingleman Meredith Reed Alexia Vandiver Emberly Yeazel Desire De Los
Santos Madison Henry Aiden Porter Evelyn Albaugh Kate Thomas
Sophomore High Honor Roll
Kolton Black Bentten Cain McKenzie Hart Brady Parr Jordan Daugherty Ava Davis Reigna
Price Ryan Rink Ashley Rennels Catharine Ford Jenna Adkins Lindy Bates Molly Baxley Sophia Beckett
Paige Brewer Elle Cheely Josephine Cler Madelyn Darnall Emily Decker Ashlyn Denney Estella Dodd Kade
Dubson Chloey Duitsman Hunter Eastin Ava Fenter Kadence Goff Faith Hall Sophia Hartke Lauren Hellmer
Dallas Hollingsworth Wyatt Huffstutler Lindsey Johnson Lindsey Lewis Gracie Meharry Alex Mowrer
Camryn Reedy Rylee Reifsteck Lydia Rossi Meagan Rothe Savannah Rubin Lauren Shaw Joseph Tempel
Avery Watson Gavin Weaver
Sophomore Honor Roll
Avery Alagna Noah Bryant Caleb Hoewing Jamessa Reinhart-Pelmore Cohl Boatright Dakota Brown-
McClain Nolan Remole Braden Roderick Teaguen Williams Nathaniel DeNeal Makayla Nonman Emmerson
Bailey Jacob Davidson Taylor Prough Grant Steinman Owen Taylor Tessah Williams Nolan Wishall Austin
Mikeworth McKinley Weller, Brianna Blakley Michael Bromley Paige Garretson Andrew King Ryan
Robinson Daniel Stein Logan Zumbahlen Ezekiel De Los Santos Ewa Klos
Freshmen High Honor Roll
Cameryn Cobb Anna Vasey Chason Daly Tanner Gallivan Logan Jeurissen Bailey Tompkins
Samantha Gumbel Isaac Neverman Alexander Wells Claire Zorns Analea Popovics Anna Amias Aria
Battaglia Mylie Castle Kaylee Cooke Chloe Cousins Eli Crowe Ella Darnall Crewe Eckstein Olivia Egelston
Dane Eisenmenger Callie Ellars Camden Fairbanks Margaret Garcier Collin Graven Isabel Grob Caden
Hensch Lucas Hood Miles Johnson Faith Lampe Kallista Lancaster Mylie Loftsgaard Claire Meharry Ethan
Mohr Pheonix Molina Deakin Moore Mason ONeill Harry Polonus Dallas Porter Mackenzie Pound Ty
Rodems Katie Ruggieri Jillian Schlittler Hunter Shike Annalise Shunk Shelby Smith Caden Stierwalt Ginna
Stierwalt Madelyn Stierwalt Emma Swisher Ian Taber Carter Tiemann Lucille Wiesbrook Paula Wilson
Freshman Honor Roll
Shyenne Eaton Brody Osterbur Jaiden Wilson Taylor Daly Kenley Harris Brayden Henry Tyler
Huntington Johanna Langley Olivia Tempel Athea Baird Phoenix Navarre Travis McCarter Vanna Schriefer
Kamden Schuckman Savanna Cruz Joshua Heath Anna Kuhns Tyler Henry Liana Sheets-Cowan Shelby Zoch
After impressive first half Tigers fall to Trojans
Urbana - Kaya Hill turned a season-best performance on Thursday in Urbana's home basketball game against Charleston. The sophomore opened the non-conference contest with a pair of treys and shot 50% from the free throw line in the Tigers' 57-38 loss. Freshmen Lai'yonna Harper and Zion Reid added seven points each in the loss.
The Lady Trojans were led by Ally Langston's game-high 24 points. After scoring just one field goal in the first half, Langston exploded in the third quarter with 16 of Charleston's 24 points in the frame.
Addy-ing it up
DANVILLE - St. Joseph-Ogden forward Addisyn Martinie scored ten points in the first quarter on her way to a game-high 18 points on Thursday in the Spartans' road game in Danville. Addison Frick nearly matched her performance with 17 points in SJO's 57-32 victory over the Vikings. Sophomore Addison Brooks, who drained three treys, rounded out the top scores for the team with nine points.
The Spartans improve to 2-2 on the season, enjoying a two-game win streak. St. Joseph-Ogden are back in action on the road Monday evening against Maroa-Forsyth.
Unity knocks off ALAH by 14
ARTHUR - After a quiet first quarter, senior Raegen Stringer lit up the scoreboard with 24 points in Unity's 49-35 road win against Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. In addition to leading all scorers, Stringer grabbed five steals for the 5-3 Rockets.
Addison Ray and Claire Meharry collected four rebounds apiece, and Reagen Little, who finished eight points, snatched three. Ray connected three times from beyond the arc to finish the night with 11 points, and Meharry chipped in a field goal.
SJO basketball team improves 2-0
ST. JOSEPH - Tanner Jacob paced St. Joseph-Ogden (2-0) with a dazzling 20-point display on his home court against Watseka at the Toyota of Danville Classic. He was one of three that help put away the Warriors early on Thursday night in SJO's 74-38 win.
Tanner Siems notched his first double-double of the season with 13 points and ten rebounds. Sporting a new aerodynamic haircut, Coy Taylor finished the game with ten points to round out the top three scorers. Luke Landrus was credit eight boards. Meanwhile, senior Logan Smith collected 1/3 of the team's 15 steals.
Tonight, the Spartans face Charleston in the final pool play game of the tournament. Tipoff this evening is scheduled for 8pm.
Spartans wrestlers post six pins in victory over BHRA
BISMARCK - Emmit Holt, Camden Getty Holden Brazelton, Brandon Goodwin, Nathan Daly, and Quincy Jones won their matches by fall on Tuesday in a dual meet against Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin.
The St. Joseph-Ogden wrestling program won the first match of 2024, dominating the Blue Devils, 60-18.
Corbin Smith, a junior, picked a forfeit at 175-lbs. Sophomores Coy Hayes and Devan Swisher also earn wins via forfeits. Maddie Wells, also a sophomore, was awarded a forfeit at 132-lbs.
Rockets double-trouble for visiting Panthers
TOLONO - Going 5-for-7 from the free-throw line, Reagan Little scored a game-high 15 points in the Rockets' first home basketball game of the year. Paxton-Buckley-Loda (1-16) was no match for Unity, falling, 56-26.
Claire Meharry added 11 points, and Addison Ray contributed eight points in Unity's 30-point conference win over the visiting Panthers.
Meharry led the Rockets (11-7) in the paint with five rebounds. Little collected four boards and three assists against PBL, and Raegen Stringer padded her stats with five assists, four rebounds, and a pair of steals.
The Paxton-Buckley-Loda was paced by junior Tanner Grahm's ten points, all delivered in the second half.
SJO girls squeak by Pontiac, 59-57
Pontiac - Pontiac starter Bailey Masching may have put on a clinic with her 28 points, but it was nowhere near enough to keep the Spartans from picking up a close 59-57 win over the Indians. Thanks to double-digit contributions from Katie Ericksen, Addison Frick, and Addiysn Martinie, St. Joseph-Ogden improves to 8-8 on the season with the first conference victory.
Ericksen had another big game, draining 19 points across all four frames. Martinie did the same, closing out the game with 17 points, and the pair tallied seven of SJO's nine treys. Frick finished 12 points through a strong performance in the fourth quarter.
The Spartans host Prairie Central on Monday and play the next two games on the road at Illinois Valley Central on Monday and St. Thomas More on January 15.
Unity Junior High School announced the names of 95 students who achieved high honor roll status during the third quarter. Congratulations to all 186 students who earned the requisite grade point to qualify for honor roll recognition during this period. Honor Roll students that did not qualify for high honors can be found here.
6th Grade High Honor Roll
Dominic Russell Baxley
Grace Michele Bickers
Alex Martin Bromley
Berkley Jane Cloud
Caleb Benjamin Coy
Hudson Lee DeHart
Danika Ann Eisenmenger
Allison Renee Fenter
Bailee Mae Gadeken
Colton Ray Harmon
Broderick Wayne Irwin
Avery Nicole Kamradt
Cash Cohen McCann
Adam Lucas Reedy
Ethan Daniel Schaefer
Allyson Lynn Shaw
Evalyn Alexandra Skibbe
Piper Estelle Staley
Grace Lynne Tempel
Leah Marianne Watson
Elizabeth Johnna Wayne
Rylan Kade Wolf
7th Grade High Honor Roll
Anna Carolyn Amias
Mylie Lynn Castle
Eli Samson Crowe
Ella Jean Darnall
Callie Marie Ellars
Camden Michael Fairbanks
Tanner Elizabeth Gallivan
Isabel Grace Grob
Logan Phillip Jeurissen
Miles Kennedy Johnson
Johanna Ilene Langley
Isabelle Joy Levingston
Mylie Emily Margaret Loftsgaard
Claire Lynn Meharry
Phoenix Sky Molina
Isaac Julian Neverman
Mason Robert ONeill
Harry Matthew Polonus
Mackenzie Rose Pound
Ty Steven Rodems
Katie Marie Ruggieri
Vanna Lee Schriefer
Hunter James Shike
Annalise Rose Shunk
Shelby Lynn Smith
Caden Alexander Stierwalt
Ginna Mae Stierwalt
Madelyn Rose Stierwalt
Emma Marie Swisher
Alexander Lane Wells
Paula Louise Wilson
Claire Morgan Zorns
8th Grade High Honor Roll
Jenna Blair Adams
Lindy Marie Bates
Molly Kay Baxley
Sophia Cathryn Beckett
Kolton Andrew Black
Paige Leeanne Brewer
Noah Michael Bryant
Elle Makenna Cheely
Madelyn Rae Darnall
Jordan Kathryn Daugherty
Ava Jane Davis
Ashlyn Brielle Denney
Kade Ryan Dubson
Chloey Ryanne Duitsman
Ava Maureen Fenter
Catharine Elizabeth Ford
Sophia Safrona Frye
Paige Ann Garretson
Kadence Lynn Goff
Sophia Ruth Hartke
Lauren Mellissa Hellmer
Dallas Anthony Hollingsworth
Wyatt Matthew Huffstutler
Lindsey Michelle Johnson
Gracie Marie Meharry
Alex Nathaniel Mowrer
Brady James Parr
Reigna Jolie Price
Camryn Elizabeth Reedy
Ashley Lynn Rennels
Ryan Benjamin Rink
Lydia Claire Rossi
Maegan Denise Rothe
Savannah Renee Rubin
Lauren Anne Shaw
Abigail Ruth Smith
Joseph Robert Tempel
Avery Elise Watson
McKinley Mae Weller
Nolan Allen Wishall
Unity Junior High School announced the names of students who achieved high honor roll status during the final quarter of the 2020-21 academic year. Congratulations to all the students who earned the requisite grade point to qualify for high honor roll recognition during this period.
Urbana 20, Normal Community 57: The Tigers didn't hit a shot from the field in the second quarter of their road game against the Lady Ironmen on Saturday. Junior Aziyaha Davis led all Urbana scorers with six points. Jasmine McCullough and Destiny Barber rounded out the top three scorers with five and four points, respectively.
Hoopeston Area 69, Horizon Science Academy Southwest 48:Trenton Montez and Anthony Zamora led the Cornjerkers with 16 points apiece in pool play against the Huskies. Montez snagged four steals, while Zamora collected four of his own out of the team's total of 11. Preston VandeVeer added another eight points while Owen Root provided seven at the Watseka Christmas Tournament.
Kendrick Sigerill, who finished with six points, led the team on the boards with six rebounds. Root and fellow junior Wyatt Eisenmann hauled in four rebounds apiece. The Hoopeston boys will face VVC foe Westville in the 5th-place game at the tournament on Tuesday.
St. Joseph-Ogden 26, Pleasant Plains 55:Addisyn Martinie scored a team-high 10 points in the Spartans' road loss against the Cardinals in non-conference girls action on Saturday. Addie Brooks came off the bench to post two third-quarter treys for six points. Senior Taylor Hug was held to just five points for SJO. The St. Joseph-Ogden (4-7) varsity squad hosts the one-loss Cissna Park Timberwolves (10-1) tomorrow at 6pm.
6-foot-3 senior Austin Langendorf gets a hand slap from a young Unity basketball fan after his team's tough 45-43 overtime loss to Pleasant Plains on Saturday.
Unity 43, Pleasant Plains 45: Unity snagged 21 rebounds and tallied eight assists in the 2-point overtime loss to Pleasant Plains. Head coach Matt Reed said his 5-3 team will learn from the loss and improve, especially with a tough conference schedule in front of them. "The effort [and] the desire, that was definitely there. It was just a great high school basketball game. A really good basketball game."
The Rockets will attempt to shake the loss off and prep for an upcoming non-conference game against Paris at the Rocket Center on Tuesday.
Unity 36, Mt. Zion 51:Addison Ray led the Rockets with a team-high 14 points and had five boards in the program's third loss this season. Senior Abbie Piecaynski knocked down six fourth-quarter points, but it wasn't enough to close the gap with the generous Lady Braves' lead. Frosh Claire Meharry also produced her offense contribution in the final quarter with four points and grabbed eight rebounds for the now 9-4 Rockets. Lauren Miller contributed three points, three rebounds and four steals during the home stand.
SJO's Addison Brooks earned a spot on the IPC Second Team her junior year.URBANA - The Illini Prairie Conference presented its girls' basketball all-conference team this week. Teams members are selected by coaches from each of the ten teams. This year's IPC First Team is comprised of two outstanding freshman players. Two players from Central Catholic and two from IVC were named to the top team this season.
Bloomington Central Catholic won the league title, finishing with a perfect 9-0 record.
See the complete list below of this year's all-conference players.
Illini Prairie Conference Final Standings
1. Bloomington Central Catholic 9-0 / Overall: 24-9
2. Illinois Valley Central 8-1 / Overall: 20-11
3. Pontiac 6-3 / Overall: 15-17
4. Monticello 6-3 / Overall: 20-11
5. St. Joseph-Ogden 5-4 / Overall: 12-17
6. Tolono Unity 5-4 / Overall: 14-17
7. Prairie Central 3-6 / Overall: 12-21
8. Paxton-Buckley-Loda 2-7 / Overall: 4-27
9. Rantoul 1-8 / Overall: 4-26
10. St. Thomas More 0-9 / Overall: 5-24
First Team
Karissa Cook, Central Catholic, 9
Emme Hurie, Central Catholic, 11
Anna Foster, IVC, 10
Alayah Nelton, IVC, 9
Megan Allen, Monticello, 12
Trinity Miller, Pontiac, 11
PONTIAC - People everywhere are conquering their cabin fever and are enjoying the great outdoors after a long, bitter winter. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. Read more . . .
I’ve always known my Arab culture is worth celebrating.
I heard it in Syrian tenor Sabah Fakhri’s powerful voice reverberating in my mom’s car on the way to piano lessons and soccer practice during my youth. I smelled it in the za’atar, Aleppo pepper, allspice, and cumin permeating the air in the family kitchen. Read more . . .
CHAMPAIGN - In a show of solidarity against President Donald Trump's trade and immigration policies, which critics say are harming families and retirement savings, more than a thousand protesters gathered Saturday at West Park near downtown Champaign for the Hands-Off! Mobilization rally. Read more . . .
Photo Galleries
A couple of runners found themselves in the wrong race at this year's Illinois Marathon. Over 60 photos from the race that you should see.
The students named below earned recognition for their academic performance and attention to excellence at Unity High School. Congratulations to each on their exceptional scholastic effort in the first semester.
Seventy-nine students at Unity Junior High School earned High Honor Roll recognition for their academic performance during the second quarter of the 2020-21 school year. Meanwhile, the school administration announced another 108 students across the same three grade levels to achieve Honor Roll status.
