Spartan basketball schedule is out and players are ready

The first St. Joseph-Ogden basketball game of the season tips off next Thursday when the girls' team will square off in a rematch at home against Villa Grove on February 4. The Blue Devils, who were eliminated from the IHSA postseason by the Spartans a mere 51 weeks - give or take a few days - ago, will be seeking revenge for the 50-34 loss in 2020.

Payton Jacob drives to the paint during the St. Joseph-Ogden's girls last home game in 2020. The Lady Spartans debut in their first home game of year next Thursday against Villa Grove. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

The boys squad also opens at home next week. On Friday, the SJO boys squad will take the floor against Cissna Park in the main gym at the high school. The Spartans will have six more home games before closing out their season on the road at Monticello.

The Spartans' ultra shortened season for both the girls and boys will end on March 8 and 9 respectively with no postseason play as per the recently released IHSA schedule that is squeezing normally ten months of prep sports and activities into five. Both varsity and junior varsity squads on each side will play a 12-game schedule this season.

Despite the low number of contests, players are excited to finally be able to get out on the court and compete.

"I know my teammates are all just as excited as I am," said St. Joseph-Ogden junior Taylor Wells. "We have all been waiting for answers on whether or not our season would happen since November. My team and I are very excited to be back in the gym getting to work."

Ty Pence, whose skill set and work ethic on the hardwood is paying dividends as his stock rises as a top college prospect in Illinois, echoed Wells' enthusiasm.

"I was very excited when I heard the news," he said. "I’m glad that our seniors will have a chance to have their season and hopefully we can be the best we can be.

Below are this year's boys and girls junior varsity and varsity schedules.

St. Joseph-Ogden Junior Varsity Basketball Schedule

Boys

02/05/2021
Cissna Park High School
SJO Main Gym • 6:00 PM

02/09/2021
St. Thomas More High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

02/12/2021
Rantoul High School
Rantoul High School • 5:30 PM

02/16/2021
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

02/19/2021
Unity High School
Unity High School • 5:30 PM

02/23/2021
Pontiac High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

02/26/2021
Prairie Central High School
Prairie Central High School • 5:30 PM

03/02/2021
Illinois Valley Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

03/05/2021
Olympia High School
SJO Main Gym • 5:30 PM

03/06/2021
Teutopolis High School
SJO Main Gym • 1:00 PM

03/09/2021
Monticello High School
Monticello High School • 5:30 PM

Girls

02/04/21
Villa Grove High School
SJO Main Gym • 06:00 PM

02/08/21
St. Thomas More High School
St. Thomas More High School • 05:30 PM

02/11/21
Rantoul High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

02/15/21
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
Bloomington Central Catholic • 05:30 PM

02/18/21
Unity High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

02/22/21
Pontiac High School
Pontiac High School • 05:30 PM

02/25/21
Prairie Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

02/27/21
Paris High School
Paris High School • 11:00 AM

03/01/21
Illinois Valley Central High School
Illinois Valley Central High School • 05:30 PM

03/04/21
Olympia High School
Olympia High School • 05:30 PM

03/06/21
Teutopolis High School
Teutopolis High School • 01:00 PM

03/08/21
Monticello High School
SJO Main Gym • 05:30 PM

St. Joseph-Ogden Varsity Basketball Schedule

Boys

02/05/21
Cissna Park High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:30 PM

02/09/21
St. Thomas More High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/12/21
Rantoul High School
Rantoul High School • 07:00 PM

02/16/21
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/19/21
Unity High School
Unity High School • 07:00 PM

02/23/21
Pontiac High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/26/21
Prairie Central High School
Prairie Central High School • 07:00 PM

03/02/21
Illinois Valley Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

03/05/21
Olympia High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

03/06/21
Teutopolis High School
SJO Main Gym • 02:30 PM

03/09/21
Monticello High School
Monticello High School • 07:00 PM

Girls

02/04/21
Villa Grove High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:30 PM

02/08/21
St. Thomas More High School
St. Thomas More High School • 07:00 PM

02/11/21
Rantoul High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/15/21
Bloomington Central Catholic High School
Bloomington Central Catholic • 07:00 PM

02/18/21
Unity High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/22/21
Pontiac High School
Pontiac High School • 07:00 PM

02/25/21
Prairie Central High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM

02/27/21
Paris High School
Paris High School • 12:30 PM

03/01/21
Illinois Valley Central High School
Illinois Valley Central High School • 07:00 PM

03/04/21
Olympia High School
Olympia High School • 07:00 PM

03/06/21
Teutopolis High School
Teutopolis High School • 02:30 PM

03/08/21
Monticello High School
SJO Main Gym • 07:00 PM