Recipe |Make your St. Patrick’s Day spread green with envy

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Culinary.net - Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family.

Layered with a smooth cream cheese and mozzarella mixture then topped with crisp cucumber and a stem of green bell pepper, these St. Patrick’s Day Sandwiches are easy and cute, which makes them a fan favorite at nearly any green gathering. They’re also sprinkled with lemon juice to add a little acidity and create a nice, light bite.

Plus, this recipe is quick to make. When you’re in a rush to get everything on the table for the party, it’s easy to throw together and get on the platter in next to no time.

The sandwiches pop off the plate with their bright, seasonal garnishes. While sure to attract attention and have your loved ones asking “Where did you get this idea?” they’re also an easy way to sneak a few vegetables into your kids’ diets.

For more festive recipes and ideas at Culinary.net.

St. Patrick’s Day Sandwiches
Yield: 8 sandwiches

8 ounces plain cream cheese spread, softened
1 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
salt
4 English muffins
24 slices cucumber
8 thin slices green pepper
fresh cilantro leaves
lemon juice
lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

In bowl, mix cream cheese spread, mozzarella cheese and salt well.

Split English muffins in half. Cut each muffin half into shamrock shape.

Spread cheese mixture over each muffin half.

Place three cucumbers on each “shamrock,” one on each “leaf.” Use green pepper slice as stem. Place cilantro leaf on top of each sandwich.

Sprinkle sandwiches with lemon juice and add lemon slices, for garnish, if desired.

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Illinois' Class 2A girls' basketball All-Staters named

URBANA - The roster of players for the 2024 Illinois All-State girls basketball team for Class 2A was made public on Wednesday. The Sentinel area did not have one area player make this year's cut.

The team was picked via votes by Illinois Media, a group made up of sportswriters and broadcasters from different parts of the state. They selected five players for the first team and five players for the second team in each class. The players have received five points for a first-team vote and three points for a second-team vote.

The media members voting for this year's team include: Derek Bayne, WREX-TV Rockford; Josh Brown, Robinson Daily News; Jeremy Chawgo, Breese Journal; Kevin Chlum, LaSalle News-Tribune; Michael Clark, Chicago Sun-Times/Lansing News/SBLive; Jimmy Dean, WGGH radio Marion; Adam Duvall, Peoria Journal Star; Kevin Hieronymus, Bureau County Republican; Paul Hines, Mount Vernon Sentinel; John Homan, Southerm Illinoisan; Brian Hoxsey, Ottawa Times; Fred Kroner, Mahomet Daily; Randy List, Centralia Morning Sentinel; Jim Mattson, WEEK-TV Peoria/Bloomington; Dennis Mathes, Jacksonville Journal-Courier; Erich Murphy, Pontiac Daily Leader; Zach Piatt, Champaign News-Gazette; Randy Reinhardt, Bloomington Pantagraph; Matt Trowbridge, Rockford Register-Star; Matt Schuckman, Muddy River Sports; Mason Schweizer, Kankakee Daily Journal; Greg Shashack, Alton Telegraph; Steve Tappa, MC22-TV Quad Cities/QCSportsNet/Illinois Media All-State chair; Alex Wallner, Effingham Daily News; Bill Welt, Springfield State Journal-Register; Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie; and Matt Wilson, Carlyle Union Banner.

Below are the all-staters for Class 2A. Class 3A and 4A teams will be announced later today.

CLASS 2A FIRST TEAM

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Amayah Doyle, Carterville (5-10, Sr., F/G) 121
Mya Wardle, Peoria Notre Dame (5-7, Sr., PG) 88
Taylor Davidson, Stillman Valley (5-10, Jr., PG) 78
Madi Schroeder, Peotone (5-11, Sr., SF) 70
*-Alyssa Koerkenmeier, Breese Mater Dei (6-6, Jr., C) 69
*-Camryn Veltrop, Morrison (6-2, Jr., C) 69

CLASS 2A SECOND TEAM

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Lauren Miller, Central Southeastern (5-10, Jr., F) 49
Marisa Zane, Robinson (5-6, Sr., G) 49
Emma Behrmann, Nashville (5-10, Soph., G/F) 47
Lakeeyah Barnes, Chicago Phillips (5-6, Sr., PG) 40
*-Trinity Davis, Kankakee Bishop McNamara (5-8, Jr., SG) 34
*-Clair Hulke, Rock Island Alleman (6-0, Sr., G/F) 34

CLASS 2A HONORABLE MENTION
(25 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS)

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Ayva Rush, Vienna (5-7, Jr., G) 33 Dalia Dejesus, Deer Creek-Mackinaw (5-11, Soph., F) 31; Kaitlin White, Minonk Fieldcrest (5-6, Sr., PG/G) 26; Anna Weber, Pleasant Plains (5-11, Soph., F/C) 19; Sophia Hoffmann, Carlyle (5-6, Jr., G) 18; Madison Kenyon, Woodstock Marian Central Catholic (5-9, Sr., F) 16; Taylor Trame, Breese Central (5-11, Soph., SG) 16; Brooklyn Burnett, Metropolis Massac County (5-11, Sr., C) 13; Allie Geiger, Elmhurst IC Catholic Prep (5-11, Sr., PF) 13; Jayce Privia, Petersburg PORTA-A/C Central (5-9, Sr., G) 13; Carmyn Huston, Monmouth-Roseville (5-8, Sr., F) 12; Mia Brawner, Gillespie (5-9, Jr., F) 11; Maycee Randall, Mt. Carmel (6-3, Soph., C) 11; Carsyn Clark, Johnston City (6-1, Sr., C) 9; Emma Meyer, Carlyle (5-11, Sr., F/C) 9; Kallie Oestreicher, DuQuoin (5-6, Sr., G) 9; Chloe Probst, Teutopolis (5-8, Jr., G) 9; Sariah Allen, Chicago Crane (5-5, Fr., G) 8; Karlie Hoke, Petersburg PORTA-A/C Central (6-0, Sr., G/F) 8; Jillian DeFranza, Wilmette Regina Dominican (5-7, Soph., G) 6; Audrey Erickson, Alleman (5-9, Sr., PG) 6; Macy Groharing, Byron (5-8, Soph., G/F) 6; Mya Janssen, Stillman Valley (6-0, Sr., F) 6; Katelyn Jones, Robinson (5-9, Sr., G/F) 6; Adalynn Voss, Rock Island Alleman (5-9, Soph., SG) 6.

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NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): Carson Arthalony, Petersburg PORTA-A/C Central (6-1, Jr., C) 3; Summer Brinkmann, Nashville (5-11, Fr., G/F) 3; Claire Seal, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond (5-10, Sr., F) 3; Allison Wheeler, Canton (6-0, Jr., F/SG) 3.

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2024 Illinois Media Class 1A All-State girls basketball team

Urbana - The roster of players for the 2024 Illinois All-State girls basketball team for Class 1A was released yesterday. Alexa Jamison, a 5-6 junior from Salt Fork, and Tuscola's 5-10 junior Sydney Moss earn votes to receive an honorable mention.

The Illinois Media is a group consisting of sportswriters and broadcasters from different parts of the state. They selected five players for the first team and five players for the second team in each class. The players have received five points for a first-team vote and three points for a second-team vote.

Below are the all-staters from Class 1A.

CLASS 1A FIRST TEAM

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Amiah Hargrove, Christopher (6-2, Sr., F) 130
Grace Nelson, Altamont (5-11, Sr., PG) 118
Alayna Kraus, Okawville (5-8, Sr., SG/PG) 110
Gracie Furlong, Galena (5-10, Jr., SG) 102
Shelby Bowman, Biggsville West Central (5-6, Sr., PG/SG) 95

CLASS 1A SECOND TEAM

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Whitney Sullivan, Orangeville (6-4, Sr., G/F) 66
Stacie Vonderheide, Effingham St. Anthony (5-5, Sr., G) 61
Abby Compton, Goreville (6-1, Sr., F) 51
Paityn London, Freeport Aquin (5-9, Fr., PG/SG) 46
*-Lily Luczkowiak, Glasford Illini Bluffs (5-10, Sr., G/F) 38
*-Elaina Rager, Pecatonica (5-7, Jr., SG) 38

CLASS 1A HONORABLE MENTION
(19 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS)

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Addison Fair, Gardner-South Wilmington (5-5, Sr., G) 34; Ilana Schwartz, Skokie Ida Crown Jewish (5-5, Sr., PG) 20; Lauren Flowers, Carrollton (5-9, Jr., G) 16; Jase Burkett, Woodlawn (5-6, Sr., PG) 15; Addie Hefel, Galena (5-9, Sr., PG) 15; Ali Bosnich, Peru St. Bede (6-0, Sr., C) 14; Kennedy Quinn, Abingdon-Avon (5-6, Fr., PG) 12; Kacie Sisk, Arcola (5-8, Jr., G) 9; Grace Groezinger, Lena-Winslow (6-1, Sr., F) 8; Alexa Jamison, Catlin Salt Fork (5-6, Jr., G) 8; Kennady Anderson, Kewanee Wethersfield (5-8, Sr., G) 6; Josie Armstrong, Tri-County (5-7, Sr., G) 6; Grace Bishop, Albion Edwards County (5-8, Soph., G/F) 6; Brianna Brodie, Princeville (5-9, Sr., F) 6; Audrey Gilman, Hardin Calhoun/Brussels (6-0, Jr., G) 6; Sydney Moss, Tuscola (5-10, Sr., F/C) 6; Soraya Parker, Rockford Lutheran (5-9, Soph., G) 6; Nancy Ruholl, Effingham St. Anthony (5-6, Soph., G) 6; Kate Zipprich, Hardin Calhoun/Brussels (6-1, Jr., C) 6.

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NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): Mae Herman, Elmwood (5-8, Sr., G) 5; Kaylee Celus, Annawan (6-0, Sr., G/F) 3; Bryleigh Fox, Winchester/Bluffs West Central (5-9, Sr., G) 3; Josie Hughes, Havana (5-5, Jr., PG) 3; Sami Oller, Glen Carbon Father McGivney (6-0, Sr., F) 3; Paisley Twait, Serena (5-9, Sr., G/F) 3.

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Area Boy Scouts to learn welding with local iron workers

Saturday’s Merit Badge Day to include hands-on training as Scouts gain skills.

Photo: Bryce Carithers/PEXELS

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URBANA - Dozens of area Boy Scouts from across Central Illinois will earn merit badges on Saturday as they learn welding techniques from expert tradesmen who’ve helped build some of the largest and most iconic buildings in the area.

Scouts from the Champaign Holy Cross Boy Scout Troop 9 will learn to weld from 8am to 12pm on Saturday. Another group will do the same from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Iron Workers Local 380, located 1602 Butzow Drive in Urbana.

Scouts will spend about an hour learning welding safety measures, before they put on gloves and goggles and prepare to fuse objects with a welding machine.

Certified welders from Iron Workers Local 380, the area labor union representing nearly 250 local residents, will instruct the scouts on proper techniques and safety.

Local 380, founded in 1923, serves 17 counties in East Central Illinois and West Central Indiana, providing services that include erecting and connecting the skeletons of bridges, stadiums and large structures.

Local 380 is currently accepting applications for their 2024 apprentice class. Those who turn 18 before September are welcome to apply for positions with starting wages of at least $23.45 an hour, guaranteed to climb to $36.08 an hour after four years of on-the-job training.

Applications and more information can be found at www.ironworkers380.org.

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Rockets' basketball season abruptly ended after sectional semifinal

SHELBYVILLE - Seven members of the Unity basketball roster delivered some sort of scoring in their semifinal game against Teutopolis in the Shelbyville sectional semifinal game. While beating the Wooden Shoes by 12 in early December last year, the Rockets were unable to repeat the feat, losing 48-39 on Wednesday.

Henry Thomas led Unity's scoring effort with eight points. Sophomore Coleton Langendorf came off the bench to match senior Dalton O'Neill's output of seven points. Another sophomore, Dane Eisenmenger and Andrew Thomas' matched at five points apiece in the season finale.

Unity fell behind early and tied the score four times, the last at 17-all in the second quarter. The Rockets trailed within striking distance to overtake Teutopolis until the last two minutes of play. It was T-town's free-throw shooting down the stretch that propelled the program into the title game.

The Wooden Shoes made fourteen trips to the line in the final quarter and only missed converting on three attempts, despite the Rockets limiting them to only two field goals in the fourth quarter.

Austin Bloemer and Joey Niebrugge paced the Shoes with ten points each. Tyler Pruemer had eight points, while Garrett Gaddis and Alex Kremer finished with eight points apiece.

Teutopolis advanced to Friday's sectional title game in a rematch against St. Joseph-Ogden (27-6), who is enjoying a nine-game win streak. The Wooden Shoes prevailed in the January 9 game, 53-40.

The Rockets finished an impressive 2023-24 campaign with 26 wins against five losses.

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Spartan basketball team takes on Teutopolis for sectional title tomorrow

ST. JOSEPH - The bracket is set. St. Joseph-Ogden (27-6) will face Teutopolis (21-10) for the Shelbyville sectional championship game tomorrow at 7 p.m.

The boys' basketball team needs all the support they can get in their second meeting of the two teams this season. The Wooden Shoes prevailed at home in early January with a 13-point victory, 53-40, over the SJO.

"We want to try to get as many people as we can to this game to support our team," St. Joseph-Ogden athletic director Justin Franzen told The Sentinel earlier this week.

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The St. Joseph-Ogden basketball team hopes to have, as they enjoyed at Unity on February 9, hundreds of supportive fans on March 1 for their sectional title game against T-town. The Wooden Shoes will be well-represented for the game just 35 miles from their home. (Photo: PhotoNews Media)

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Ticket info:

Tickets for the game are available online now for just $7. Fans attending the game can order them at https://gofan.co/event/1410359?schoolId=IL15331. Spartan fans can also buy tickets at the door for $8 at Shelbyville High School.

Teutoplis advanced to the title game after defeating Unity last night in a close game, 48-39. The Rockets, who beat the Wooden Shoes back on December 2 by 12, closed their season with a 26-5 record.

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Postseason basketball: Landrus propels SJO to Friday's sectional title game

SHELBYVILLE - The St. Joseph-Ogden boys' basketball team took a step closer to becoming a Final Four team, defeating Flora in their sectional semifinal game last night, 50-40.

Senior Luke Landrus was on fire, converting 71% on his shot attempts, leading the Spartan scoring effort with 22 points.

Up 21-17 at the half, SJO scored another 29 to advance to Friday's title game against the winner of tonight's contest between Unity and Teutopolis.

Logan Smith, also a senior, finished the night with 16 points and had a pair of steals. Meanwhile, Coy Taylor led the team in rebounds with five and distributed six assists. He and Tanner Jacobs finished with four points each.

Tanner Siems and Collin Thomey rounded the Spartans' offensive effort with two points each in win number 27 of the season.

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Celebration of Black voices tonight at Champaign's Douglass Annex

CHAMPAIGN - As Black History Month comes to a close, a celebration of Black voices will be held at the Douglass Annex in Champaign tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

A celebration and commemoration of global Black literature, the program includes members of the community sharing a favorite speech, poem, novel, or comical musing from Black writers around the world with the audience.

The Douglass Annex is located at 804 North Fifth in Champaign.

"People should attend this program because it commemorates and celebrates global African(a) literature past and present," said event organizer Adéyínká Àlásadé Davis. "They can enjoy good company, good food, and good music."

"It is important to remember the voices that came before us," Davis added.

Headlining the event is Bourema Ouedraogo, a Sahelian/African Blues artist from Burkina Faso. Ouedraogo is a guitarist and lead vocalist who grew up in West Africa. A local performing artist, Ouedraogo is the UPTV Production Coordinator for the City of Urbana. In 2020, he was recognized at the 7th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards for leadership by the CU Immigration Forum. He regularly shares his music and culture in the Champaign-Urbana community.

Bourema Ouedraogo performs with Jason Finkelman at the 2022 CU Folk & Roots Festival in Urbana.

from YouTube

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No sweat; Moline's Maryam Ndiaye dominates all opposition to win state title

BLOOMINGTON - Moline wrestler Maryam Ndiaye celebrates her championship win at 155-pounds on Saturday at Grossinger Motor Arena. Last year's runner-up at the state tournament, she defeated Richwoods' Jaida Johnson by major decision, 14-5, to become the first female high school wrestler to win a state champion title in the Quad City area. The senior, who finished undefeated this season at 31-0, ended her prep career of two years with an impressive 47-4 record.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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BLOOMINGTON - Maryam Ndiaye effortlessly pinned her way into the 155-pound title bout on Saturday. Once there, she was also in complete control of the outcome, defeating Jaida Johnson 14-5. Here is a recap of the Moline High School senior's title run at the 2024 IHSA Girls' Individual Wrestling State Finals.

First Round:
Ndiaye opened her state tournament run with a quick pin, sticking New Trier's Nina Aceves (28-8) in 48 seconds for her 28th victory of the season.

Quarterfinal:
Up 5-0 in the second period, Ndiaye tied up Alton's Elanna Hickman (29-5) for the fall at 3:09.

Semifinal:
Facing Clifton Central's Payton Temple (8-4), Ndiaye ran the score up with two takedowns and near fall, going up 8-1 in the second period. At 2:54, the Maroon's star recorded her third state tournament pin, and secured her a spot in the 155 championship match.

Championship Match:
In her only six-minute match as she marched through the 155-pound bracket, Ndiaye, scoring with a pair of takedowns and nearfalls, racked up an 8-2 lead in the first period against Richwood's Jaida Johnson (25-4).

With 30 seconds into the second period, the Moline grappler earned points on another takedown. With 19 seconds left in the frame, Johnson was on her back again, giving up another takedown and nearfall to Ndiaye, who stretched her lead by 10.

There was a lot of action in the third and final period of the match but almost no scoring except for an escape from Johnson on a restart. At the final buzzer, Ndiaye took the bout by major decision 14-5 and became the first Quad City area female wrestler to win an individual state title on Saturday.

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Championship Match Gallery

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Maryam Ndiaye vs Jaida Johnson

155-pound ~ Championship Match

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