State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament put on hold

Just hours ago, the organizers for the annual State Farm Holiday Classic announced this year's basketball tournament, which was scheduled to run from December 28-31, has been cancelled in a post to Facebook. It is the first break in the event's 42-year run.

Riley Baker looks to pass
SJO's Riley Baker looks to pass the ball while playing during the 2016 State Farm Holiday Classic. The annual tournament was cancelled for the 2020 season amid health concerns for athletes, spectators and officials. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
With the possibility of a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic during the winter months and the restrictions on the number of spectators allowed by the Illinois Public Health Department at sporting events, it was a decision makes financial sense for the long term viability of the tournament.

"Please know this is not a decision we made lightly, but in order to ensure the safety of all participants (players, coaches, administrators, fans, officials, volunteers, tournament staff and sponsors), we find it best to not organize a tournament this year," the statement read. "Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time! We wish all of our schools and their athletic programs nothing but the best this year, and we hope everyone remains safe and healthy!"

Making its debut in 1975, the tournament was originally named the Illinois State Classic. Since then the tournament has grown to be one of the largest coed holiday basketball tournaments in the country. Through out its history there have been dozens high school athletes who went on to become not only professional basketball players, but also NFLers and Olympic athletes.

Each year the games are played at four venues in Bloomington-Normal: Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shirk Center, Bloomington High School, Normal Community High School and Normal West High School. This would have also been the 24th installment of the girls tournament and the 19th of the Ron Knisley Memorial Special Olympics Shootout, which is also hosted by organizers.

Last December, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys squad was the #6 seed and finished in 6th place. The Spartans opened their 2019 tournament appearance with a 47-42 win over #11 Annawan on their way to a 2-2 finish.

On the ladies side, SJO brought home a 5th place trophy after a 3-1 run logging wins over Bishop Mac, Annawan and Illini Prairie Conference rival Bloomington Central. The team's only loss was to eventual small school champion Normal University.

Tournament organizers vows the tournament will return in 2021. Dates for the event are scheduled December 27-30.


In order to adhere to the guidelines set forth by both the Illinois High School Association and the State of Illinois,...

Posted by State Farm Holiday Classic on Tuesday, August 18, 2020

UIUC confers degrees to 27 area residents

Despite a global pandemic, 9,261 students from the Urbana-Champaign campus of the University of Illinois finished their degree programs to officially graduate. Among the recipients were 27 residents from The Sentinel's area of coverage.

Two students, Jocelyn Harmon and Nicholas Shapland, completed their education as double majors. Harmon, who graduated from the Gies College of Business, earned a second degree in Marketing. Meanwhile, Shapland completed the requirements his additional degree in Political Science.

Shapland graduated with High Distinction from his department in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Two other Unit 7 alumni in addition to Harmon, Madeline Wilson and Sierra Benson, were awarded High Honors distinction for their academic performance. High honor students finish their college degree with at least a 3.80 grade point average. Students with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.75 graduate with Honors.

Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher are recognized with Highest Honors. Two undergraduates, Tolono resident Dawson Dodds and Ogden native Carly Frerichs, earned the academic titles upon graduation last May.

Highest honors are awarded to students upon recommendation by his or her department at the University through outstanding performance in course work and in supplementary activities of an academic or professional nature along with an undergraduate thesis or a special project of superior quality.

This year's degree recipients include:

Raghida Abdallah Yassine, St. Joseph
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership

Mary Adams, St. Joseph
Master of Social Work

Nicolette Baccadutre, St. Joseph
Master of Education in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership

Cole Berry, St. Joseph
Master of Accounting Science

Ty Brown, St. Joseph
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Carly Delzell, St. Joseph
Master of Social Work

Kinze Ehmen, St. Joseph
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications

Alexander Izard, St. Joseph
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Michael Rajlich, St. Joseph
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Erin Smith, St. Joseph
Master of Education in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership

Patricia Stevens, St. Joseph
Master of Education in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership

Carly Frerichs, Ogden
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

Max Daly, Sidney
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Consumer Economics

Susan Mantell, Sidney
Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences

Nicholas Shapland, Sidney
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Jesse Kiser, Philo
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Gracie Schweighart, Philo
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Sierra Benson, Tolono
Bachelor of Fine Arts in New Media

Dawson Dodds, Tolono
Bachelor of Science in Finance

Dawson Dodds, Tolono
Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management

Jocelyn Harmon, Tolono
Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management and in Marketing

Tatum Hawkins, Tolono
Master of Science in Information Management

Keegan Payne, Tolono
Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences

Younis Ramahi, Tolono
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Lucas Stark, Tolono
Bachelor of Science in Technical Systems Management

Katrina Widholm, Tolono
Master of Education

Madeline Wilson, Tolono
Bachelor of Science in Journalism

The list above is provided by the university and based on the address supplied by students. This list may not include individual graduates conferred after July 15. If you suspect a problem with this list, contact the University of Illinois at (217)333-1085 or them at News Bureau. Did you, your son/daughter or a grandchild graduate from a public or private university back in May or this month? Let us know by sending their 2020 college graduation information.

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