Unity, St. Joseph-Ogden headline IPC All-Conference basketball selections

Area standouts from Unity, St. Joseph-Ogden, St. Thomas More, and Rantoul earn recognition on IPC all-conference basketball teams.

Unity's Brayden Henry takes a shot at state tournament.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Brayden Henry goes up for a shot during the Rockets' state third-place game on March 12. Henry was one of nine area players who earn all-conference recognition.

URBANA - The Illini Prairie Conference released its boys basketball All-Conference teams last week, recognizing nine area athletes for their performance during the 2025-26 season.

Unity, which finished third in Class 2A this winter, led all conference programs with five selections, all seniors. Brayden Henry and Coleton Langendorf earned First Team honors after anchoring the Rockets’ postseason run, while Dane Eisenmenger was named to the Second Team. Tyler Henry and Tre Hoggard also received recognition from league coaches, both landing on the Honorable Mention list.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

LEFT: Central Catholic's Keshaun Manney goes up for a rebound during the Saints' road game at St. Joseph-Ogden. He was is one of two BCC players who earned all-conference recognition this season. RIGHT: SJO's Parker Fitch goes up for a shot in the Spartans' home conference game. Fitch was the Spartans' only first-teamer this season.

St. Joseph-Ogden placed two players on the all-conference roster. Senior Parker Fitch secured a spot on the First Team, and junior Nolan Franzen was named to the Second Team following a strong campaign for the Spartans.

Rounding out the area honorees were St. Thomas More senior Owen Yeager and Rantoul junior Iysean Autman, who each received Honorable Mention recognition.

The annual selections reflect the vote of conference coaches and highlight the depth of talent across the Illini Prairie Conference this season.

2025-26 Illini Prairie All-Conference Basketball Team

1st Team

Keshaun Manney, Jr, Central Catholic
Grady Read, Sr, IVC
Amazin King, Jr, Pontiac
Parker Fitch, Sr, St. Joseph-Ogden
Coleton Langendorf, Sr, Unity
Brayden Henry, Sr, Unity

2nd Team

Crayton Schnierle, Jr, Central Catholic
Brady Ward, Sr, IVC
Tyler Cole, Sr, PBL
Cayden Masching, Sr, Pontiac
Nolan Franzen, Jr, St. Joseph-Ogden
Dane Eisenmenger, Sr, Unity

Honorable Mention

Nolan Buehnerkemper, Sr, Monticello
Matthias Rudolph, Jr, Monticello
Evan Wolf, Jr, Pontiac
Bryson Gadberry, Sr, Prairie Central
Easton Friedman, Sr, Prairie Central
Iysean Autman, Jr, Rantoul
Owen Yeager, Sr, St. Thomas More
Tre Hoggard, Sr, Unity
Tyler Henry, Sr, Unity

TAGS: Illini Prairie Conference all conference basketball 2026, Unity Rockets basketball all conference players, St Joseph Ogden basketball all conference selections, Illinois high school basketball conference honors IPC, area high school basketball players all conference Illinois

Guest Commentary |
A public health perspective on Iran: They are more like us than we think

A global health expert's research revealed unexpected similarities between Iran and the United States—comparable life expectancy, higher literacy rates, and superior childhood immunization coverage—before U.S. and Israeli strikes began destroying hospitals, killing 160 schoolgirls, and creating food shortages. The data suggests Iranians lived lives not so different from Americans just weeks ago.

by Mary Anne Mercer, MPH, DrPH

My work in global health always nudges me to learn about places and people I read about in the news. Right now: Iran, of course. Though I’ve never been there, I knew it was an incredibly old civilization, dating back several millennia with a vibrant culture and elegant, stunning architecture from the past. In recent decades it’s been led by a dictatorial, hard-line Muslim, the Supreme Leader.

I investigated a few facts about the country because understanding how the health of people in other settings compares with ours is often enlightening. Iran is poorer economically than the U.S., so the population probably would have lower living standards, life expectancy, and literacy rates than we do. I’ve worked in public health in a number of low-income countries, so I also expected that use of important services like immunizations for children and family planning for women would be limited.

A quick web search revealed that, indeed, our population is much wealthier than Iran’s. That country has a median income of $4300, compared to the U.S. with around $19,300.

But the other assumptions didn’t fit what I expected. A surprising 100% of the population has access to electricity. Much lower life expectancy? No, they are not dying at young ages: the average Iranian man in 2024 would live to be 76 years old, not far behind the American man at 77 years. I also didn’t expect that most of the main causes of death were the same as ours – heart disease, stroke, hypertension and injuries. Adult literacy, an important social determinant of health, was even more perplexing: only 11% of Iranians were nonliterate in 2023, compared to 21% of Americans around that time.

Maternal and child health practices are important monitors of a population’s well-being. So, another surprise: over 99% of Iranian children have the full set of immunizations by age five--while in the U.S. that rate is only 94% and said to be dropping. For women, childbearing patterns hint at their roles in family decision-making. How does that work in this solidly Muslim country? Another puzzler: at today’s birth rates, both Iranian and American women will have, on average, fewer than two children over their lifetimes.

Pondering these numbers, I couldn’t escape the feeling that Iranians were, put simply, very much like us. They have strong families, send their children off to school every day, have basic conveniences and an efficient public health system.

Or at least they did, until the current military onslaught by the U.S. and Israel began. Since then, the devastation of the country has been relentless: bombing of military targets with unknown numbers of civilian deaths— including the well-documented strike that killed some 160 schoolgirls. Over a dozen hospitals have been bombed, a pall of toxic “black rain” has fallen on Tehran as a result of the destruction of oil facilities, and food shortages in the cities are under way. It appears, however, that to date the death, destruction and massive displacement inflicted on their country has only strengthened the determination of the Iranian leadership, and also perhaps its people, to endure.

At some point this war will end. Until then the people of Iran, whose everyday lives had not been so very different from ours just a few weeks ago, will continue to go to bed every night wondering what hell the Americans and Israelis will inflict their country the next day.

About the author ~
Dr. Mary Anne Mercer is a University of Washington public health faculty member and author whose four-decade career has focused on maternal and child health in developing nations. Beginning with her transformative year providing immunizations in rural Nepal in 1978, she has developed health projects in 14 countries and authored books including Beyond the Next Village (2022) and Sickness and Wealth: The Corporate Assault on Global Health. Her recent work strengthening midwifery care through mobile technology in Timor-Leste has been adopted as a national program.

What do you think?
Whether you agree, disagree, or want to build on the ideas in this piece, we’d love to hear your voice. If you have an opinion you’d like to share — on this topic or any other — you can find our submission guidelines here: Sentinel submission guideline.

We welcome a wide range of viewpoints and would be glad to consider your perspective for publication on OurSentinel.com. . Send your letter or commentary to editor@oursentinel.com and help keep the community conversation moving forward.

TAGS: Iran United States health comparison literacy immunization, Iran childhood vaccination rates 99 percent, U.S. Iran war civilian casualties hospitals bombed, global health perspective Middle East conflict

Wayback Wednesday |
Rodgers lands two spots in state title races

Lockport's Derrius Rodgers and Sandburg's Ayo Abiona run in the 100-meter dash

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

CHARLESTON — Lockport's Derrius Rodgers flies alongside Sandburg's Ayo Abiona during their Class 3A 100-meter dash prelim at the IHSA Boys Track and Field State Finals on Friday, May 29, 2015. The Porter sprinter successfully advanced to Saturday's championship race after turning in a time of 10.68 seconds. He also later qualified in the 200-meter dash. Rodgers, a junior, also ran with the Porters' 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter relay squads. Both relay teams did not qualify to advance. Meanwhile, Abiona, a sophomore, also ran in the 200-meter dash. Neither his 10.80 time in the 100 nor his 22.33 in the 200 qualified him for a spot in the final on Saturday.

TAGS: IHSA track and field meet, 2015 state track meet, Sandburg sprinter Ayo Abiona runs at state, state track photo history, sprinter Derrius Rodgers qualifies for two spots at state

Trippin' Tuesday |
Chargers faced Generals in conference pitch battle

Photo:PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - On a chilly, overcast April 1, 2006, the Centennial Chargers and Decatur MacArthur Generals met on the pitch for an early season Big Twelve conference match in Champaign. The athletes in these PhotoNews photos are 20 years older now — maybe coaching youth teams of their own, or watching their kids chase a ball on a Saturday morning.

While the photos survived, the rosters and final score didn't make it with them through time to today. Recognize a player, played in this game, or remember the final score? Drop us a note at photos@oursentinel.com.

Here's a look back nearly 20 years ago at the athletes who represented one of Champaign County's best soccer programs.

PHOTO GALLERY

Click thumbnails to see a larger view

TAGS: Champaign Centennial girls soccer, Trippin' Tuesday photo page, Centennial Charger sports team, Champaign County sport history

The Sentinel On This Day |
March 17

Editor's Choice ~

Scrumptious side dish, it sounds nutty good .::. March 17, 2021

Photo provided

NAPSI — Imagine this: A few small bites a day can help you manage your weight and reduce your risk of diabetes, gallstones, heart disease and cancer. It’s not some new miracle drug, it’s that long-time favorite of kids and adults alike — the peanut. You may want to try this simple, scrumptious side dish for your next Sunday dinner.

Read the story ...

Sentinel Archive Photos ~

Spartan softball team wins first game of the season

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Over one hundred St. Joseph-Ogden softball fans filled the stands and the fence line at Randy Wolken Field to watch the Spartans win their first game at the newly renovated softball facility. Follow link for more story and photos.

Sentinel Article Archive for March 17

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TAGS: Two Illinois veterans honored with songs, looking back on Trump's 2020 Covid guidelines, Sunday Sports Rewind from the Sentinel

Two veterans, two wars, one album |
Freedom Sings USA releases Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1

Freedom Sings USA released Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1 on March 14, featuring songs from Illinois veterans. The album includes World War II veteran Paul Petri and Vietnam pilot Capt. David E. Henard. Each track is based on personal stories turned into music. The project preserves decades of military history through song.

Photo: Alan Look Photography

Paul Petri (right) and David Henard (left) are honored at their album release party at the Heyworth American Legion Hall. Petri, who is 99 years old, is a veteran of WWII. Henard was Huey pilot in the Vietnam War.

by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

HEYWORTH - The newest Freedom Sings USA album, Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1, released March 14, 2026, brings together the voices of Illinois veterans whose stories span more than eight decades of American military history. Among them are two men whose service could not be more different in era or battlefield, yet whose songs now stand side by side: World War II veteran Paul Petri and Vietnam War helicopter pilot Capt. David E. Henard.

Freedom Sings USA is a national nonprofit that pairs veterans with professional songwriters to turn their life stories into original music. Each track on the album is written with the veteran, drawn directly from their spoken memories and performed by either the veteran or a collaborating artist.

At 99 years old, Paul Petri is one of the last living members of the generation that fought in World War II. His song, Since the Beginning, appears as Track 2 on the album and was recorded in Waynesville, Illinois, where Petri both sang and performed the piece himself.

The song reflects Petri’s Army service beginning in 1944, the year he entered military life as a young man during the final phase of the global conflict. While the specific details of his wartime assignments are not publicly archived, the themes of the song follow the Freedom Sings USA tradition: a veteran recounting his own journey, in his own words, shaped into music that preserves his story for future generations.

Petri’s presence on the album represents not only his personal history but also the rapidly disappearing voices of the World War II era. His contribution stands as a living bridge between the past and the present, reminding listeners that the stories of 1944 still echo today.

Track 3, Angels on Assignment, comes from Capt. David E. Henard, a Vietnam War veteran whose service is well documented through museum archives, oral history interviews and his own published memoir.

Henard served as a UH-1 Huey helicopter pilot with Diamondhead 10, Company B, 25th Aviation Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. His combat missions included support during the Tet Offensive, one of the most intense periods of the Vietnam War. His experiences are detailed in his 2008 book, Victory Stolen: The Perspectives of a Helicopter Pilot on the TET Offensive and Its Aftermath, published under the name Earl Henard David.

Angels on Assignment reflects Henard’s time flying dangerous missions in Vietnam, where helicopter crews often served as the lifeline for soldiers on the ground. The song follows the Freedom Sings USA model: a narrative built from the veteran’s own memories, shaped into a musical tribute to the men he served with and the missions that defined his year in combat.

Though Petri and Henard served in different wars, in different eras, under vastly different circumstances, their songs share a common thread: each is a firsthand account of service, sacrifice and survival. Freedom Sings USA’s Heyworth sessions brought these stories together, preserving them in a format that reaches far beyond military archives or personal recollection.

The album includes 13 tracks written with Illinois veterans, each one a collaboration between the storyteller and the songwriter. The result is a collection that documents lived history through music — a record of voices that might otherwise fade with time.

The Heyworth sessions are part of Freedom Sings USA’s ongoing work in central Illinois, where veterans have participated in songwriting retreats, concerts and recording sessions over the past several years. The organization’s mission is simple: to help veterans tell their stories and to ensure those stories are heard.

With the release of Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1, the voices of Paul Petri and Capt. David E. Henard now join that growing archive — two men separated by decades, united by service and preserved in song. The album is now found on Apple Music, YouTube, and Spotify.

TAGS: Freedom Sings USA Heyworth IL Sessions Vol 1 album, Illinois veterans music storytelling project, Paul Petri WWII veteran song Since the Beginning, David Henard Vietnam helicopter pilot song, veteran storytelling through music Illinois

Advisory vote tests support for federal school choice program in Illinois

Illinois voters are considering a March 17 advisory referendum on a federal school choice tax credit program. The initiative could provide scholarships of up to $1,700 for eligible students.

Student doing homework

Photo: Annie Spratt/Unsplash

Supporters of the federal school choice tax credit program says it expands educational access across private, public and homeschool settings. Opponents warn it may disproportionately benefit wealthier families while straining public school resources.

by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service

CHICAGO - Millions of Illinois voters are weighing in March 17 on whether the state should opt in to the federal school choice tax credit initiative.

Supporters are hoping poll results show statewide support for the tax credit scholarship program, which could benefit private, public and homeschooled students in Illinois with scholarships of up to $1,700.

Dick Simpson, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois-Chicago and a former Chicago alderman, called it a political pressure campaign meant to influence Governor JB Pritzker. He suggested overwhelming support could potentially sway him but noted a critical limitation.

"Because it's not being held in the most important Democratic areas of the state, and it's primarily in counties that are Republican, that has less power," Simpson pointed out.

The advisory question will appear on ballots in more than 30 Illinois counties. It will be included in only some communities throughout Cook, Lake and Winnebago counties. States must choose to opt in by Jan. 1, 2027.

Opponents of the program said it would divert funds from public education and disproportionately benefit the wealthy. Simpson stressed any increase in funding for education is good. However, he noted establishing a dichotomy between supporting students in private education versus supporting better public education is a cause for tension. He said ultimately, today’s vote will be based on the priorities of voters.

"I think they have to weigh: Do they support scholarships for all students coming from federal funds, or do they prefer to support public education, which is under threat and needs more students in the system and more money in the system," Simpson explained.

Simpson added using referendums to show public support or opposition for an issue is a useful tool for citizens to communicate their opinions to public officials. However, recently proposed legislation would prohibit Illinois from adopting the program.

TAGS: Illinois school choice referendum March 17, federal tax credit scholarship Illinois vote, Illinois education funding debate 2026, JB Pritzker school choice policy Illinois, Illinois ballot question school scholarships

The Sentinel On This Day |
March 16

Editor's Choice ~

Secretary of State offices are now closed until March 31 .::. March 16, 2020

All Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facilities statewide are now closed as per recommendation by public health experts. Offices will not be open tomorrow and are expected to reopen on April 1.

Because of the closure, expiration dates for driver’s licenses, identification (ID) cards, vehicle registrations and other transactions as well as document filings will be extended by 30 days through an emergency rule.

Read the story ...

Sentinel Archive Photos ~

Determination and destiny fulfilled

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Jaemel Shipp and Ladon Carter celebrate their team's win. Carter, a junior, didn't see any playing time in the title game, while Shipp went 2-for-2 from the field and nabbed to two steals in his 20 minutes on Lou Henson Court. Want to see more photos from this game? Click here.

Sentinel Article Archive for March 16

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TAGS: Covid closes Illinois Secretary of State offices, Peoria Manual wins state basketball title, Manual Rams state basketball photo gallery, states look to block voter intimidation, Glenn Mollette's advice is enjoy life

Manual 60 - QND 55 |
Determination and destiny fulfilled

All photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Top left: Manual's Joshua Humbles guards Quincy Notre Dame's Jace Allensworth as he attacks the basket during first half action in their Class 2A championship game on Saturday. Allensworth, a senior, led the Raiders with 21 points, four steals, and two blocks. Humbles, the Rams' second leading scorer, finished with 14 points, three steals and four boards. See more photos of Allensworth or Humbles.

Top middle: Rams' Reginald Postlewaite passes the ball during the second half.

Bottom left: QND's Robbie Reed and teammates celebrate a big play in the fourth quarter as the Raiders close the scoring gap late in the game. Reed scored seven points in his 28 minutes, providing his team with three of their 21 rebounds and two of nine steals in the 60-55 loss.

Right: Raiders' TJ Togarepi reaches around Manual's Postlewaite who takes the ball to basket for two points with less than five minutes left in the game. Postlewaite scored on the play extending the Ram's lead by seven, 46-39.

All photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

(Left to right) Reginald Postlewaite, Dyerekiss Shumate, Johnny Ray Sims-Rickmon, and Jaemel Shipp celebrate with fans before the Rams received their championship medals and the first IHSA state title trophy since 1997.

All photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Left: Raiders' Beau Eftink fires a shot in the first half. The senior finished the game with seven points and went 3-for-3 from the free throw line.

Top right: QND's Jace Allensworth tries to block a shot from Manual's Tahj Tolliver in the second half. Tolliver chipped in eight points and distributed eight assists in the Rams' title victory. Allensworth delivered 21 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

Middle: Jaemel Shipp and Ladon Carter celebrate their team's win. Carter, a junior, didn't see any playing time in the title game, while Shipp went 2-for-2 from the field and nabbed to two steals in his 20 minutes on Lou Henson Court. Want to see more photos from this game? Click here.

Bottom right: Sharing the moment, Manual student fans cheer for their team after the trophy presentation.

TAGS: Manual High School wins state basketball title, Rams are state champions, Manual defeats QND at state, QND falls to relentless offense from the Rams

Guest Commentary |
Seasonal change and golden window of freedom

"Life begins when the last child leaves home and the dog dies."

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Glenn Mollette

There aren’t that many seasons of freedom in life. If you are in one, enjoy the season.

When you are a child, you do as your parents say and go where they allow you to go. You are also tied to many, many years of school. You are free, free to go to school, study most of the time and do as your parents say. This season passes quicker than a person can imagine at the time. I remember being a freshman in high school and thinking that four years would take forever. I felt the same way about college, but the years rolled by quickly.

When we graduate from high school or college we breathe a sigh of relief momentarily and think, “Thank God we are free.” Yes, we are free. Free to go to work. Free to marry. Free to have children. But wait, how much freedom is there when we are working and providing for a family and taking care of babies? We are free, but with many responsibilities

A man once asked a Rabbi, a Priest and a Baptist minister this question, “When does life begin?” The Rabbi, said he believed life began at conception, the Priest said he believed life began at birth. The Baptist minister said, “Life begins when the last child leaves home and the dog dies.”

A friend of mine said the great thing about retirement was that he could do whatever he wanted to do. The problem was that he couldn’t afford to do much.

Maybe you felt more freedom after your children were raised and were on their own. Unfortunately, some people never ever see their children totally raised as many stay dependent on the parent until the parent dies.

Let’s say that your adult children are doing well and taking care of their kids. This is hopeful as too many grandparents end up raising their grandchildren.

Your retirement years are now staring you in the face. You may be 45 to 55 years old. Th word retirement is a bit scary because you are thinking, “How is this financially possible?” It’s taking a fortune to retire. Thus, between the ages of 45 and 65 you are working hard to try to invest in a 401k, pay into Social Security and any other savings plan that you can.

Try to start doing this in your very early twenties and it will alleviate a lot of pressure in your late fifties. Back again to your freedom. How much freedom do you have in this stage of life? You may take a vacation or two. Play some golf on the weekend, fish or pursue other hobbies but your life is very regimented.

The day comes when you decide to retire. You retire. Now what?. A friend of mine said the great thing about retirement was that he could do whatever he wanted to do. The problem was that he couldn’t afford to do much. Another friend once said when he retired, “I have all the money I need for the rest of my life, unless I buy something.”

Retirement is not necessarily the golden window of freedom. Maybe for a while, but things happen.

Your spouse may become sick and even debilitated. This changes the scenario. You may become a caregiver to your mother or father. They have no one else but you, so what are you going to do? Just dump them? An elderly parent may become like your child. You may be responsible for their total care. This could be the same for a spouse or even a child or other family members. In most cases this almost completely closes the window of doing much for yourself. Vacations and recreational outings of almost any kind become nearly impossible. Of course, any of us can become sick and debilitated at any moment.

The point of all this is not to make anyone feel bad. The point is, don’t take anything for granted. Enjoy everything. Enjoy your day trips, any outings and any vacations. Enjoy your day going to Walmart. Enjoy going to church. Enjoy it all, because seasons change. There is a time to weep and a time to dance. A time to mourn and a time to laugh. Enjoy it all, because seasons change.

About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

TAGS: Raising grandchildren, when you retire you can do whatever you want, as a freshman you think four years will take forever to pass, when does life begin?, enjoy your day shopping at Walmart.

Unity, St. Joseph-Ogden headline IPC All-Conference basketball selections