Throwback Thursday |
Geneseo's Pitra places third at state


Geneseo's Ryan Pitra celebrates his 3-1 overtime victory over Springfield's Harrison Williams.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Geneseo's Ryan Pitra celebrates his 3-1 overtime victory over Springfield's Harrison Williams in their 3rd place match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday afternoon, February 22, 2014. Williams had defeated Pitra earlier in their second-round 182 pound by pin, and he wasn't about to let it happen again, earning 3-1 decision in overtime. The junior went 5-1 for the weekend with wins also over St. Laurence's Kyle Tetlow, Anton Krocko from Hampshire, Christopher Malone and Montini's Derrick Curry.



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Throwback Thursday |
Annawan ladies fall In tough battle at State Farm Classic


Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

NORMAL - Annawan's Morgan Van Hyfte battles for a loose ball with two Central Catholic players during their State Farm Holiday Classic game on Tuesday, December 29, 2015. The Bravettes led at the half by two and went on to fall in a thriller 61-56 to the Lady Saints.


Check back every Thursday for the latest edition to The Sentinel's Throwback Thursday series

Exterior home makeover, make a statement with stone veneer


Homeowners and professionals can create regionally authentic, contemporary designs with flexibility, durability, and affordability with manufactured stone veneer.


Family Features - Manufactured stone veneer (MSV) brings timeless design to any space, but it’s far from “one size fits all.” Styles, colors and texture preferences often vary by geography, climate and architectural tradition.

Today, homeowners, builders and designers alike are increasingly drawn to regionally inspired looks that complement local landscapes and home styles. As trends evolve, MSV has risen in popularity for its versatility and ability to reliably embody authentic regional materials. The styles that dominated a few years ago have shifted, giving way to fresh combinations of palettes and textures.

Selecting the right stone allows projects to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, enhancing both curb appeal and resale value. Regional architecture can serve as a helpful guide, whether your inspiration comes from coastal cottages, Southwestern adobes, New England farmhouses or Midwest craftsman homes.

While some homeowners use quarried natural stone to achieve the look they desire, MSV offers a cost-effective alternative with serious durability and minimal maintenance.

With consistent quality, easy installation and a wide range of options, Westlake Royal Stone Solutions’ multiple product lines make it simple to achieve authentic, regionally inspired designs. The Eldorado Stone collection, for instance, features everything from coral stone and rustic fieldstone to meticulously handcrafted brick, wood-look textures and more.

Whether you’re looking to embrace styles from your own region or draw inspiration from another part of the country, these insights can help you craft a design aesthetic that feels both current and connected.

Northeast: Aesthetics tend toward warmth with neutral colors and natural materials that reflect the coastal geography and design elements that echo the local environment. Natural materials like wood and stone are common, as are distressed or weathered looks that lend an antique or vintage feel. When it comes to stonework, in this region you can expect to find an array of cool grays, ledgestone profiles and rugged textures echoing historic masonry.

Southeast: The timeless charm of a Southern home blends numerous elements to create a look that is inviting but still traditional. Symmetrical facades, architectural details like porches or columns and rich wood accents are popular choices, as are earthy tones, brick and wood accents. Stone aesthetics lean toward warmer earth tones and tumbled looks that complement brick blends and traditional styles.

Midwest: Look for simple designs with clean edges, neutral tones and natural materials. Decor leans toward rustic or country with touches that elicit a feeling of comfort and relaxation. Neutral or mixed-tone fieldstones and contemporary stacked stone profiles are particularly popular for both interior and exterior elements of craftsman or transitional homes.

Southwest: Contrary to the perception of a drab brown desert, local geography lends character to design with vibrant earthy palettes. Natural woodwork textures that contrast with rustic features like metals create a distinctive aesthetic. Lighter, sandy hues of stonework and smooth or elongated profiles that reflect desert landscapes and Spanish-influenced architecture are common among Southwest homes.

West Coast: Further west, you’ll see a transition from warm, desert-inspired neutrals to cooler, ocean-like tones. Architecture leans toward modernism with a casual, relaxed vibe. Designs that promote a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living are common. Complementing organic wood and natural textile selections are often modern, linear styles with cooler neutrals and greige palettes for clean, coastal or urban designs.

Practical Tips for Choosing Stone Veneer

MSV can add eye-catching ambiance to your home, whether you’re using it inside or out, for a big statement or subtle accent. It’s a popular choice due to its durability and affordability. MSV also comes in a range of options, making it easy to find a match for your home’s design.
  • Look at nearby historic and new builds to guide your palette and profile selection.
  • Consider how your selection will integrate with your home’s complementary materials, such as brick, siding, exposed wood or trim, and colors.
  • Work with local dealers or design professionals to help you pinpoint region-specific recommendations.




TAGS: manufactured stone veneer regional home design ideas, benefits of manufactured stone veneer vs natural stone, best stone veneer styles for different climates, how to choose stone veneer for curb appeal, regionally inspired exterior design with MSV

Spartans mark decade since historic 2016 basketball championship


The Spartans secured the 2016 Class 2A championship with decisive performances in the state semifinals and finals. St. Joseph-Ogden defeated Breese Central after a strong second half in the semifinal. The following day, the team topped Rockridge behind balanced scoring and a standout second quarter.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Kohlten Johnson slashes to the paint in SJO's semifinal game against Breese Central. Johnson and the 13 members of the 2016 basketball team will be honored on Friday, February 13, in a 10-year anniversary celebration.


ST. JOSEPH - On Friday, Feb. 13, St. Joseph-Ogden will hold a 10-year anniversary recognition ceremony for the school’s first and only state championship basketball team. The celebration will be held between the JV and varsity home games against Bloomington Central Catholic.

The Spartans won the Class 2A title on the strength of a 10-game winning streak to close the season. After a rough start against Breese Central in the first half of the state semifinal, the Spartans gelled into a dominant force at Carver Arena, overpowering the Cougars in the second half offensively and defensively for a 60-48 finish.

A day later, SJO faced Rockridge for the title and put on a dazzling shooting display in the second quarter that matched the Rockets’ entire first-half 22-point output. Behind a game-high 20 points from Brandon Trimble and 14 from Jake Pence, St. Joseph-Ogden secured the state title in another dominant display, 61-43.


       
Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

RIGHT: Jake Pence unloads a shot against Breese Central in Friday's semifinal game. LEFT: Brandon Trimble takes a shot over a Rockridge player in the Class 2A title game. Trimble led all scorers with 20 points. BELOW: St. Joseph-Ogden fans cheer for their team on Friday in the team's game against the Cougars.

St. Joseph-Ogden baskeball fans cheer for their team


“We had high expectations coming into the year. The guys set a goal of coming to Peoria,” SJO head coach Brian Brooks told reporters in the postgame presser. “We started slow but football went deep, which was great. Those experiences, I believe, bled over into basketball and being able to handle those.”

Prior to the 2016 title run, St. Joseph-Ogden had made two previous state appearances, once in 2007 and again in 2013. All three state finalist teams were under the leadership of Brooks, now the superintendent and currently coaching the Spartan girls' basketball team for one year due to the head coach on deployment with the National Guard.

The JV game against the Saints tips off at 5:30 p.m.


2015-16 St. Joseph-Ogden Boys Basketball Roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
1 Ty Brown G 6-0 165 Sr.
3 Brandon Trimble G 6-2 170 Jr.
4 Brandon Dable F 6-2 190 Jr.
10 Drayke Lannert G 5-10 150 Jr.
11 Kolten Taylor G 5-11 160 Jr.
12 Garrett Grimsley G 5-9 140 Sr.
15 Aaron Schluter F 6-2 210 Sr.
21 Tegan Poole F 5-9 175 Jr.
22 Jake Pence G 6-0 160 Sr.
23 Kohlten Johnson F 6-3 185 Sr.
30 Jordan Brooks G 5-10 145 So.
32 Brody Trimble F 6-3 190 Sr.
33 Eli Oltean F 6-2 190 Sr.
35 Ryan Ferriman F 5-11 195 So.

Assistant Coaches: Kiel Duval, Mike Bialeschki, Isaiah Olson
Managers: Bryce Kelly, Kenzie Pence, Madi Smith, Emma Melchior


Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO student fans show their enthusiasum before the start 2016 title game.


Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Jordan Brooks gives his dad and coach Brian Brooks a hug during the awards ceremony.


Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Garrett Grimsley holds SJO's Class 2A championship trophy during the postgame awards ceremony.


Photo of the Day |
Anniversary year: Spartans win 2A championship title


St. Joseph-Ogden basketball hug before time runs out
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

PEORIA - With the game in hand, Ty Brown hugs teammate Kohlten Johnson as the final minute of St. Joseph-Ogden's 2016 Class 2A championship game against Rockridge. The Spartans defeated the Rockets 61-43 to win the school's first state basketball title in school history. This year is the tenth anniversary of the historic victory.



TAGS: Photo of the Day, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball state champions, IHSA basketball, SJO vs Rockridge


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