Leo 54, Hyde Park 33
Kaneland 49, Morton 47
Deerfield 51, 7St Francis 36
East St Louis 51, MacArthur 49
4A Scores from around the state
York 58, St Ignatius 56
Benet 69, Rockford Auburn 42
DePaul 57, Hersey 45
Marist 56, Richwoods 53
More area basketball stories
TAGS: Unity beats McNamara in supersectional finale, QND heads to state tournament, East St. Louis beats McArthur for berth to state, York beat St. Ignatius for a shot at state title
St. Joseph-Ogden and Unity dominated Illini Prairie Conference wrestling honors, combining for eight of 15 first-team spots as 22 area athletes earned all-conference recognition.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Cam Wagner wrestles Murphysboro's Julien Tanner durin their first-round 285-pound match at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals in February. Wagner, who fell 4-1 in his first-ever state appearance, was named to the Illini Prairie All-Conference Wrestling First Team
ST. JOSEPH - Area wrestling programs made a strong showing on the Illini Prairie Conference postseason honors list this season, with 22 athletes earning all-conference recognition.
St. Joseph-Ogden and Unity led the area contingent, combining for eight of the 15 spots on the all-conference first team.
SJO placed four wrestlers on the top squad, including sophomore Ben Wells at 113 pounds, junior Cam Wagner at heavyweight and senior standouts Coy Hayes at 165 pounds and Vance McComas at 175 pounds.
Unity matched the Spartans with four first-team selections. Seniors Hunter Shike at 144/150 pounds, Abram Davidson at 165 and Chason Daly at 215 earned the recognition, while freshman Hayden Smith rounded out the Rockets’ first-team honorees.
Two additional area wrestlers also earned first-team recognition. St. Thomas More freshman Jamir Woods was honored at 126 pounds, while Rantoul Township senior Brandon Almanza was selected at 165/175 pounds.
Unity added five wrestlers to the second team, highlighting the depth of the Rockets’ lineup this season. Vince Abon, A.J. Daly, Ben Mullins, Devin Glik and Bradley Smith were each recognized for their performances on the mat.
Spartans’ Cam Getty and Nathan Daly also received second-team honors, while Rantoul senior Michael Anthony completed the area’s list of second-team selections.
Several of the conference honorees also competed on the state stage this season. St. Joseph-Ogden’s Wagner and Wells, along with Unity wrestlers Davidson and Daly, qualified for the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals. Unity’s Josh Heath was also a state qualifier and received honorable mention recognition from conference coaches.
Illini Prairie Conference All-Conference Wrestling Team
1st team:
Nick Litchfield, 132-pounds Senior, Monticello
Will Osborne, 144-pounds Junior, Monticello
Lucas Maier, 175-pounds Sophomore, Pontiac
Brayden Quas, 157-pounds Sophomore, Pontiac
Jack Voigts, 126-pounds Freshman, Pontiac
Brandon Almanza, 165/175-pounds Senior, Rantoul
Ben Wells, 113-pounds Sophomore, St. Joseph-Ogden
Coy Hayes, 165-pounds Senior, St. Joseph-Ogden
Vance McComas, 175-pounds Senior, St. Joseph-Ogden
Cam Wagner, 285-pounds Junior, St. Joseph-Ogden
Jamir Woods, 126-pounds Freshman, St. Thomas More
Hunter Shike, 144/150-pounds Senior, Unity
Hayden Smith, 144/150-pounds Freshman, Unity
Abram Davidson, 165-pounds Senior, Unity
Chason Daly, 215-pounds Senior, Unity
Maison Toliver, 165-pounds Junior, IVC
Hunter Toliver, 126-pounds Junior, IVC
Malikai Bremer, 215-pounds Senior, IVC
Weston Hicks, 138-pounds Freshman, Monticello
Luke Andruczyk, 144-pounds Junior, Monticello
Zach Perry, 157-pounds Sophomore, Monticello
Noah Davis, 138-pounds Junior, Pontiac
Braden Opperman, 150-pounds Freshman, Pontiac
Trey Zimmerman, 106-pounds Freshman, Prairie Central
Elijah Mowery, 190-pounds Sophomore, Prairie Central
Harley Schultz, 175/190-pounds Senior, Rantoul
Tyler Seals, 165/175-pounds Junior, Rantoul
Alex Nutter, 215/285-pounds Senior, Rantoul
Alex Mager, 190/215-pounds Sophomore, Rantoul
Aiden Hundley, 138-pounds Junior, St. Joseph-Ogden
Yashua Walker, 132-pounds Freshman, St. Thomas More
Lane Sexton, 157-pounds Junior, St. Thomas More
Josh Heath, 175-pounds Senior, Unity
More Sentinel wrestling articles
Illini Prairie Conference wrestling all-conference 2026, St. Joseph-Ogden Unity wrestling honors, area high school wrestling awards Illinois, IHSA state wrestling qualifiers all-conference
An unusual season: Coaches describe basketball challenges and success
St. Joseph-Ogden's Nolan Grindley tries to reel in a loose ball in the Spartans' home game against Teutopolis on March 5.
As teams head into the final week of prep basketball, The Sentinel contacted our four area coaches to get their thoughts on probably the shortest high school basketball season in the history of Illinois as it winds down to a close this weekend. Restricted fan access, wearing masks while playing and other health mandates is likely a season student-athletes and coaches won't forget.
CHAMPAIGN - Homewood-Flossmoor student fans cheer for their basketball team during the awards ceremony for their newly crowned state champion team. The Vikings won this year's Class 4A championship after defeating Normal Community 60-48 at the IHSA Boys' Basketball State Finals on Saturday. The victory is the first state title for the Southwest Suburban Conference school that has made eight previous state tournament appearances.
TAGS: West Central places second in the state, Unity soccer loses opening game, Phillips' boys basketball team take home the title, getting your home ready to put on the market, St. Patrick's Day cupcake recipe that's easy make
St. Patrick's Day isn't complete without lucky cupcakes for the family.
Feature Impact - Going green for St. Patrick’s Day can stretch beyond beer, clothes and decor – it can even make its way to the dessert table.
Photo: Darlene Alderson/PEXELS
The O’Reilly family had just finished their St. Patrick’s Day dinner of hearty Irish stew, creamy colcannon, and slices of warm Irish soda bread. Sean and Krystal pushed their bowls aside, still full from the meal but already glancing toward the kitchen counter.
While the kids were at junior high earlier that day, their mum, Maureen, had baked Irish cupcakes and topped them with bright green frosting. Setting the tray on the table as everyone leaned forward a little, suddenly finding room for dessert.
With a classic recipe and a dash of green food coloring, these Luck O’ the Irish Cupcakes offer a sweet-tooth-satisfying bite that you, too, can share with your family.
To make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 F and arrange rack in center of oven. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add egg whites and vanilla; beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add sour cream and beat until combined.
Add half of dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Beat on low until incorporated. Add milk and beat to combine. Add remaining dry ingredients and beat until combined.
Add batter to liners until three-quarters full. Bake 19-22 minutes, until slightly golden on top.
Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely.
To make frosting: In large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined. Add heavy cream, vanilla and salt; beat until combined. Mix in green food coloring.
Transfer frosting to piping bag and pipe frosting onto cupcakes.
More awesome Sentinel recipes
TAGS: St. Patrick's Day dessert, Sentinel reciepes, easy holiday desserts, celebrate St. Patty's Day with a lucky dessert
Simple improvements often change how buyers view an entire property, making early preparation essential for maximizing sale price. Here are some things you should know.
Selling a home starts long before the listing goes live. Careful preparation affects buyer interest and final sale price. Sellers who plan early gain control over repairs, cleaning, and organization. This approach reduces stress during the moving process.
Many homeowners underestimate how much work comes before listing. Buyers notice small issues quickly during showings. As a matter of fact, simple improvements often change how buyers view the entire property. Homes that feel organized and well-maintained attract stronger offers. When you prepare your home for sale early, the property enters the market in its best condition.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/PEXELS
Inspection reports are a must when selling your home. A pre-listing inspection gives you an ideal of the work you will need to do or the concessions you will have to make with an interested buyer.
Start With a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
A pre-listing inspection gives sellers useful information before buyers appear. Inspectors review systems, structure, and visible components across the property. Early findings help owners address problems before negotiations begin.
As an illustration, inspectors often uncover small plumbing leaks or roof wear. These issues may seem minor yet raise concern for buyers. Fixing them before listing prevents price reductions later. Sellers also gain time to choose contractors carefully.
Inspection reports also support honest communication with buyers. Another key point, transparency builds trust during negotiations. Buyers often feel more comfortable making offers when they understand the home's condition, or when they know they will be moving in a ready home.
Declutter With a Strategic Selling Mindset
Decluttering before listing helps buyers focus on the home itself. Personal items often distract from the property’s features. Removing extra belongings and storing your electronics creates a calmer environment during showings.
Closets and storage spaces deserve special attention. Similarly, buyers always check storage areas carefully. Overfilled closets suggest limited space. Removing many items helps those spaces appear larger and organized.
Packing early also helps the moving process later. Of course, sellers already know many items will travel to the next home. Packing them early reduces clutter throughout the house. Labeled boxes keep everything organized during the move.
Plan Your Moving Day to Avoid Last-Minute Stress
Many sellers focus only on listing preparation. However, moving logistics deserve equal attention. A clear moving plan keeps the transition smooth after you prepare your home for sale. Early planning prevents rushed packing and scheduling problems.
Some homeowners attempt doing everything in one day. This plan often creates stress and delays. Packing, cleaning, and moving rarely fit into a single day without problems. Others face the challenge of moving while closing on both houses on the same day. This situation demands precise timing and organization. Even small delays during closing can disrupt the entire moving schedule.
Temporary storage can also simplify the process. Besides, stored items reduce clutter during showings. A lighter home also supports better staging during the selling process.
Planning ahead keeps both tasks connected. Sellers who prepare your home for sale while organizing the move handle the transition with fewer surprises.
Photo: Blue Bird/PEXELS
When prepping your home for sale, take care of all the obvious marks on the walls and doors. Paint, fill cracks and holes, and repair doors to give potential buyers a good impression.
Minor Repairs That Increase Buyer Confidence
Small problems often signal poor maintenance to buyers. A dripping faucet or chipped paint may seem harmless. Yet buyers may assume larger problems exist behind the walls.
Fixing these issues improves buyer confidence immediately. Hence, minor repairs can support stronger offers. Simple fixes require little time yet improve the home's appearance.
Start with highly visible repairs throughout the property. Door handles, cabinet hinges, and wall marks deserve attention. Not to mention, squeaky doors often leave negative impressions during tours.
Improve Curb Appeal Before Buyers Arrive
Buyers form opinions before stepping inside the home. The exterior sets expectations for everything that follows. A clean and attractive entrance encourages buyers to explore further.
Start with basic outdoor maintenance tasks. Pressure washing removes dirt from siding and walkways. Fresh mulch improves the appearance of garden beds. Also, take care of your yard, trimmed bushes and trees create a tidy look.
Besides, the front door often becomes a focal point. A new coat of paint refreshes the entrance quickly. Updated house numbers and a clean mailbox add subtle improvements.
How to Stage Rooms for Maximum Impact
Staging helps buyers imagine daily life in the home. Furniture placement plays a large role in that process. Rooms should highlight space, natural light, and functionality.
Start by simplifying each room’s layout. Remove oversized furniture that crowds the space. Whereas large pieces dominate small rooms, smaller arrangements allow movement and flow.
Neutral colors support staging goals as well. Bedding, curtains, and rugs should stay simple. Similarly, neutral tones appeal to many buyers. Strong colors often distract from the room itself.
Deep Cleaning That Makes Homes Feel New
Deep cleaning transforms how buyers experience a home. Dust, stains, and odors influence perception immediately. Clean homes feel better maintained
and move-in ready.
Focus on details buyers often notice first. Windows, baseboards, and door frames collect dust over time. Not to mention, clean windows increase natural light inside the home.
Bathrooms and kitchens deserve extra effort during cleaning. Tile grout, sinks, and appliances should appear spotless. Nevertheless, strong chemical smells should be avoided.
Organize Important Documents for Buyers
Organizing home documents supports smooth negotiations later. Buyers often request detailed information about the property. Having documents ready prevents delays during closing.
Start by collecting appliance manuals and warranties. Buyers appreciate knowing how systems operate. Hence, these details help them feel comfortable with the purchase.
Renovation records also hold value. Receipts and contractor notes prove that upgrades happened properly. Besides, documented improvements support the home’s value.
Photo: Kindel Media/PEXELS
Buyers celebrate the purchase of their new home. Your home will sell faster if it is in move-in ready condition.
Pricing Preparation Before Listing
Pricing strategy plays a central role in selling a home. Sellers should research comparable properties in the neighborhood. Recent sales offer helpful guidance for setting expectations.
Market demand also affects pricing decisions. Similarly, high demand often supports stronger listing prices. Low demand may require more competitive pricing strategies.
Home improvements also influence price positioning. Updated kitchens, bathrooms, and roofing add measurable value. In contrast, outdated features may reduce buyer interest.
Final Steps Before Listing Your Property
Preparing a home for sale requires careful attention across many areas. Inspections, repairs, cleaning, and staging each support a strong first impression. Buyers often respond quickly to homes that feel organized and well-maintained.
Early preparation also reduces pressure during the moving process. Tasks become manageable when spread across several weeks. As a matter of fact, sellers gain more control over decisions and timelines.
Taking time to prepare your home for sale creates clear advantages. Sellers present the property at its best. The result often includes faster sales, better offers, and less stress during the move.
Other articles that you might like
how to prepare home for sale checklist, pre-listing home inspection benefits sellers, staging tips to sell house faster, minor repairs increase home value before listing
Rare John Deere tractors and vintage Mack trucks headline a massive two-day farm auction in Rantoul on March 20-21, with hundreds of pallets of parts attracting collectors and restorers. Online bidding is already open for the Albert Warner estate sale, with preview day scheduled for March 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RANTOUL - Polk Auction Company will conduct a massive two-day farm auction March 20-21 featuring collector tractors, vintage implements and hundreds of pallets of parts from the Albert Warner estate.
The living estate sale will take place at the Warner property at 1269 CR 3200 N in Rantoul, with online bidding already open through Polk Auction Live, Proxibid and Equipment Facts platforms. With the items located at four different locations, the auction will also take place via a live video feed from a heated location on the farm.
Photo courtesy Polk Auction
Lot #4251 includes (2) 13.6-36 FIRESTONE TIRES ON 9-BOLT RIMS
Among the standout items drawing collector interest are several rare John Deere tractors, including a 6030, a 5020 Row Crop and multiple 720 and 730 diesel models. The sale also features vintage Mack B-85 and B-61 diesel trucks, a 1986 John Deere 4850 MFWD, and antique Farmall and International models. A vintage visible gas pump and multiple sets of Firestone tires round out the premium offerings.
The auction includes extensive tractor, John Deere and implement parts, farm toys and construction equipment components spread across hundreds of pallets—a treasure trove for mechanics, restorers and resellers.
Screen shots courtesy Polk Auction
Online bidders can register at any time, while on-site registration will be available March 19 and on auction mornings. A preview day is scheduled for March 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when all four locations will be open for inspection. Complete catalog photos are available at polkauction.com.
Buyer's premiums apply: 5% on-site and 10% online for tractors, while all other items carry a 10% on-site and 15% online premium. Payment options include cash, check, credit card (with 4% processing fee) and wire transfer. The sale is tax-exempt.
Photos courtesy Polk Auction
LEFT: A John Deere 820 tractor is one of many early sought out items in the Warner Farm auction. The bid is currently at $1,050 at the time of this article. RIGHT: A John Deere825 three-point field cultivator from lot #4248 has a starting bid of $5.
All items must be removed by the buyer. Loadout will be available on auction days, Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and March 23-28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
For more information, contact Polk Auction Company at (877) 915-4440 or visit polkauction.com.
John Deere tractor auction Rantoul Illinois March 2026, Warner family farm estate sale Polk Auction, vintage Mack truck auction Illinois, collector tractor auction online bidding
