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.

--

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.

---

Area wrestlers earn All-Conference recognition

St. Thomas More's Brody Cuppernell tries to avoid a takedown attempt by Unity's Hunter Eastin during the IHSA 190-pound championship match at State Farm Center on Saturday. Eastin prevailed to win the Class 1A title with 5-2 decision over Cuppernell. Both wrestlers made the cut for this year's Illini Prairie all-conference first team. See more championship match photos here ...

Photo: PhotoNews Media

---

URBANA - Eleven wrestlers from Unity and eight from St. Joseph-Ogden were selected by coaches and named to the Illini Prairie 2023-2024 all-conference teams.

Later today, the Rockets wrestle against the Shells of Roxana for a spot in tomorrow's semifinal round at Grossinger Motors Arena. The season also continues for Unity's Phoenix Molina, who is competing in the girls' IHSA wrestling championship, also at the arena.

---

2023-2024
Illini Prairie Conference
All-Conference Wrestling

* Unanimous choice

First Team:

Zeke Young, Monticello (Freshmen, 106)
Hunter Romano, Monticello (Junior, 175/190)
Aidan Scholwin, Pontiac (Senior, 106)*
Ayden Mackey, Prairie Central (Senior, 144)
Emmitt Holt, SJO (Senior, 113)*
Holden Brazelton, SJO (Junior, 132)*
Coy Hayes, SJO (Sophomore, 150)
August Christhilf, STM (Senior, 175)*
Robbie Vavrik, STM (Senior, 285)*
Brody Cuppernell, STM (Senior, 190/215)*
Hunter Shike, Unity (Sophomore, 126)*
Taylor Finley, Unity (Freshmen, 132)
Kaden Inman, Unity (Junior, 144)
Abram Davidson, Unity (Sophomore, 157)
Ryan Rink, Unity (Junior, 165)*
Thayden Root, Unity (Senior, 175)
Hunter Eastin, Unity (Junior, 190)*

Second Team:

Owen Moser, IVC (Sophomore, 165)
AJ Toliver, IVC (Freshmen, 150)
Gavin Ridings, Monticello (Senior, 157)
Wyatt Vaughan, Monticello (Senior, 175/190)
Brandon Peters, Monticello (Senior, 285)
John Traub, Prairie Central (Junior, 132)
Darius Williams, Rantoul (Junior, 150)
Jackson Walsh, SJO (Sophomore, 113)
Landen Butts, SJO (Junior, 138)
Devan Swisher, SJO (Sophomore, 165)
Maddie Wells, SJO (Sophomore, 126)
James Schmidt, STM (Junior, 215)
Philip Christhilf, STM (Junior, 157)
Keegan Germano, Unity (Freshmen, 138)
Josh Heath, Unity (Sophomore, 150)

Honorable Mention:

Marrissa Miller, Monticello (Senior, 113)
Luke Andruczyk, Monticello (Freshmen, 120)
Will Osborne, Monticello (Freshmen, 126)
Russ Brown, Monticello (Junior, 165)
Hunter Melvin, Pontiac (Senior, 215)
Drayden Ramsey, Pontiac (Sophomore, 126)
Noah Davis, Pontiac (Freshmen, 120)
Drew Owen, Rantoul (Junior, 215/285)
Quincy Jones, SJO (Junior, 215)
Travis McCarter, Unity (Sophomore, 113)
Hudson DeHart, Unity (Freshmen, 215)

---

Smith and Suding recognized at state football championships

NORMAL - On Friday, Unity's Brock Suding (left) and St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Smith were honored prior to the start of the Class 3A state championship football game between Byron and Mt. Carmel as All-Staters by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

---

SJO volleyball head coach inducted into Hall of Fame

Normal - St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball head coach Abby McDonald was honored this past Saturday during the year's IHSA Volleyball State Finals with her induction into the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

---

Having won more than 400 matches during her coaching career, St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Abby McDonald has become a member of the IVCA Hall of Fame. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

---

Under her leadership, the SJO volleyball program collects 20-win seasons like Halloween candy. Earlier this season McDonald earned her 400th career coach win. A mere 1,432 days earlier, the Spartans celebrated her 300th coaching victory in 2019.

McDonald, a second-grade teacher by trade, took over the head coaching position at St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 2008. Since then, the Spartans have won nine IHSA regional titles, two sectional, and two supersectional titles. In 2016, finished as runner-up in the IHSA Class 2A state tournament and she led the program back again in 2019, when the finish third in the state.

The veteran coach has amassed 417 wins against just 95 losses and looks to continue to build on her coaching legacy.

McDonald knows volleyball.

She graduated from Hoopeston Area High School in 2001. She was a three-sport athlete earning ten varsity levels. After a two-year stint at Danville Community College where she was team captain, All-Conference, and the team's MVP, she also ranked in the top 10 in the nation for assists per game. After two years, McDonald transfered to University of Illinois-Springfield where she quickly found herself back in her leadership role as a team captain and starter for the Prairie Stars.

Photo of the Day | January 5, 2023

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Pence slams Annawan with 36

NORMAL - St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence slams a first-quarter dunk during the SJO's first-round game at the State Farm Holiday Classic. Using the senior's explosive 36-point performance, SJO cruised to a 78-28 victory over the Braves. Two days later, Pence and the Spartans went on to win this year's small school title. The Illinois State University commit also earned his second-consecutive All-Tournament Team nomination in the small school division.

---

Search the PhotoNews Media archives for more photos:

Search by athlete's name, team, school and more

---

Top basketball players at St. Joseph Turkey Tournament earn recognition

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Nominees from the four-team Toyota of Danville Turkey Tournament All-Tournament Team pose with their awards on Thursday, November 17. Pictured with their awards are Josie Armstrong (Tri-County), Kenzie Hales (Tri-County), Thaylee Barry (Tri-County), Durbin Thomas (M-S), Chloe Pruitt (M-S), Addison Frick (SJO), and Mahomet-Seymour's Savannah Orgeron, who was the tournament's Most-Valuable-Player. Champaign Centennial's Heaven Day, the 8th player of the group, was not present at the award ceremony.

Unity, SJO players recognized as All-Staters

PEORIA -- The names of four area players found a place on this year's Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A All-State Football Team.

Announced earlier today, Unity running back Matt Brown and offensive lineman Hunter Duncan will be recognized as two of the state's top football players. St. Joseph-Ogden's wide receiver, Ty Pence, who is an Illinois State University basketball recruit, also earned an All-State nod.

Junior Logan Smith, starting quarterback for SJO, pocketed a Honorable Mention recognition this season.

All-State team members will be recognized during halftime of the Class 3A state championship football game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on November 26.

Sentinel 2021-22 All-Area girls basketball team

Welcome to the Sentinel's 2022 All-Area Girls' Basketball Team. Our list is a compilation of the best players from three of the four area high school programs we cover.

Among the top 15 players selected for the first and second teams, four are from the Class of 2023, and three are sophomores who we expect to rise to prominence this fall.

The performances of our first-team members were the cornerstones to each of their team's success this season. These player's leadership, commitment, and contributions on offensive or defensive was key to earning a spot on this year's Sentinel All-Area Girls Basketball Team.

Sentinel All-Area First Team

       

       

       

First Team

Ella Armstrong, Senior
St. Joseph-Ogden

Taylor Henry, Senior
Unity

Payton Jacob, Senior
St. Joseph-Ogden

Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta, Junior
Urbana

Lauren Miller, Junior
Unity

Maddie Reed, Senior
Unity

Taylor Wells, Senior
St. Joseph-Ogden

Second Team

Destiny Barber, Junior
Urbana

Zineria Edwards, Senior
Urbana

Addison Frick, Sophomore
St. Joseph-Ogden

Peyton Jones, Junior
St. Joseph-Ogden

Ashlyn Lannert, Senior
St. Joseph-Ogden

Katey Moore, Sophomore
Unity

Raegan Stringer, Sophomore
Unity

Erika Steinman, Senior
Unity

Honorable Mention

St. Joseph-Ogden:
Alyssa Hamilton (Sr), Alison Kearney (Sr), Kaytlyn Baker (Jr)

Unity:
Hailey Flesch (Sr), Gracie Renfrow (Sr), Savannah Alagna (Sr), Calli Chandler (Sr), Bridget Henry (Sr), Addison Ray (So)

Urbana:
Amarah Howard (Sr), McKenzie Sprague (Jr), Teri Hall (So), Savannah Blanden (So)

---

Editor's Note:

A Certificate of Recognition is available for each of the players listed above. Players, coaches, or parents/guardians can email us at sports@oursentinel.com to receive their 2021-22 certificate.

Four area soccer players earn all-conference recognition

St. Joseph-Ogden forward Logan Ingram dribbles the ball down the field during the Spartans' home soccer match against St. Thomas More on April 13. Ingram and three other are seniors earned all-conference recognition from the Illini Prairie Conference. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

---

Four area seniors earned all-conference soccer team recognition from the Illini Prairie Conference coaches last week.

Logan Ingram and Mason Behrens from St. Joseph-Ogden along with Unity's Zach Ohlsson were named to the conference's 2nd team selections.

Unity midfielder Andrew Miller earned an Honorable Mention for his performance this season.

Below is a complete list of this season's honorees.

2021 IPC All-Conference Soccer Teams

First Team

Seniors:
Jake Edmonson, Monticello (unanimous)
Justin Siebert, Olympia (unanimous)
Jonah Bergman, IVC

Juniors:
Blake Staab, St. Thomas More (unanimous)
Dylan Ginalick, Monticello (unanimous)
Alexandro Gonzalez, Rantoul (unanimous)

Sophomores:
Biniam Lienhart, Monticello (unanimous)
Martin Mondala, St. Thomas More (unanimous)
Jaylen Bischoff, Central Catholic

Freshmen:
Jacob Jongky, Central Catholic
Gavin Young, Central Catholic
Joe Carter, Central Catholic

Second Team

Seniors:
David Broadbear, Central Catholic
Ethan Brakke, Monticello
Mason Behrens, St. Joseph-Ogden
Logan Ingram, St. Joseph-Ogden
Zach Ohlsson, Unity
Cole Smith, Monticello
Noah While, Olympia

Juniors:
Malachi Manuel, Monticello
Tristan Baker, IVC

Sophomores:
Dane Taylor, St. Thomas More
Cabott Craft, St. Thomas More
Eliud Echeverria, Rantoul

Freshmen:
Boyden Chaon, Central Catholic

Honorable Mention

Seniors:
Joshua Jongky, Central Catholic
Payton Carroll, Olympia
Jake Mitchell, Olympia
Dylan Smith, Olympia
Johan Guerrero, Rantoul
Andrew Miller, Unity

Sophomores:
Austin Koch, Central Catholic
Jarrett Wieduwilt, Central Catholic
Ben Williamson, Monticello Gannon Wille, Olympia
Cooper Hannagan, St. Thomas More
Anthony Hoffman, St. Thomas More
Adam Price, St. Thomas More

Freshmen:
Jack Tanner, Monticello
Warren Tomczak, Central Catholic

3 earn all-conference girls basketball honors

SJO's Taylor Wells shoots a jumper against IVC in 2020. A year later, after doing her best to stay competitive during the pandemic, she reaps the fruits of her effort by making All-IPC First Team in 2021.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Three area players garnered all-conference basketball recognition last week from the Illini Prairie Conference last week.

St. Joseph-Ogden's Taylor Wells was named to the conference's First Team list. Known for her strong defensive play, the junior finished the last three games of the pandemic shortened season averaging eight points per game.

Joining Wells on the the list was teammate Ella Armstrong, also a junior. Armstrong led St. Joseph-Ogden's offense averaging 10 ppg in her last three outings this season.

A well-deserved nod also went to Unity's lone senior Chloee Reed. Reed, who was a strong contributor for Rockets, scored 23 points in her team's 57-20 rout against Rantoul.

Below is the complete list of players who made an impression on coaches throughout the conference.

FIRST TEAM

Katie Steinman, SR
CENTRAL CATHOLIC
(unanimous selection)

Abbey Davis, SR
CENTRAL CATHOLIC

Taylor Nowaskie, JR
OLYMPIA

Chloe Sisco, SO
PRAIRIE CENTRAL

Taylor Wells, JR
ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN

Addie Masching, SR
PONTIAC

SECOND TEAM

Kennedy Ramshaw, SO
SAINT THOMAS MORE

Ella Armstrong, JR
ST. JOSEPH-OGDEN

Madison Kinkade, SR
PRAIRIE CENTRAL

Renni Fultz, JR
MONTICELLO

Abbi Bode, SR
OLYMPIA

Abby Cox, SR
CENTRAL CATHOLIC

Honorable
Mention:

Ella Larson, SR
CENTRAL CATHOLIC

Marley Williamson, JR
ILLINOIS VALLEY CENTRAL

Tristina Einhouse, SR
PONTIAC

Kianna Berlatsky, SR
RANTOUL

Chloee Reed, SR
UNITY

Pence honored as All-Stater

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence was named to the 2020-21 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Class 2A All-State Team. The organization recognized Pence, SJO's leading scorer, along with 30 other players from Class 2A programs around the state with a selection to their 2021 First-Team. Twenty-nine additional players were earned special mention.

Players were selected by the IBCA representatives at the All-State Selection Meeting on April 9. Three other players from the Illini Prairie Conference were also named on this year's list. See the complete list below.

First Team

Evan Wermert
Senior, Teutopolis High School

Kaleb Applebey
Senior, Mount Carmel

Beau Stipp
Senior, Mount Carmel

Sean Flood
Senior, Niles (Northridge Prep)

Ty Pence
Sophomore, St. Joe Ogden (SJO)

Jalen Quinn
Junior, Tuscola

Josh Harris
Senior, Timothy Christian

Ben Vander Wal
Junior, Timothy Christian

Johnny Dieck
Senior, Chicago Christian

Tanner Wilson
Senior, North Mac

Dre Scott
Senior, Pinckneyville

Landon Zurliene
Senior, Fairfield

Eli Downen
Senior, Carterville

Zach Derus
Senior, Rockford Lutheran

Walt Hill
Sophomore, Rockford Lutheran

Nate Henry
Junior, Rockridge

Marcus Williams
Junior, Sterling Newman

Holt Geltmaker
Senior, IVC

Jaxon Cusac-McKay
Senior, Fieldcrest

Trey Bazzell
Senior, Prairie Central

JT Welch
Senior, Bloomington Central Catholic

Isaac Turner
Junior, Nashville High School

DJ Starr
Junior, Normal UHigh

Justin Guernsey
Senior, Pleasant Plains

Reece Johnson
Senior, Benton

Joshua Caleb Slawinski
Senior, Corliss

Freddie Cooper
Senior, Corliss

Enari Thomas
Senior, Chicago Marshall

Jerrell Edwards
Junior, Chicago Dunbar

Darrius Perryman
Junior, Chicago Clark

Jake Hamilton
Sophomore, Sacred Heart Griffin

Special Mention

Grant Hyer
Senior, Quincy Notre Dame

Jacob Shoven
Senior, Clifton Central

Elijah Tidwell
Senior, Bismarck-Henning Rossville Alvin

Zach Tucker
Senior, Byron

Noah McElravy
Senior, Fairfield

Caden Bee
Junior, Salem

Nikko Powe
Junior, Kewanee

Andrew Ambrose
Senior, Pana

Drake Vogel
Junior, Hillsboro

Colin Brueggemann
Senior, Freeburg

Jackson Holmes
Senior, Columbia

Trevor Heffren
Junior, Eureka

Mac Parmalee
Senior, IVC

Asa Smith
Junior, El Paso-Gridley

Jensen Whiteman
Senior, Rockridge

Brady Moore
Junior, Breese Central

Cade Privia
Senior, PORTA (Petersburg)

Michael Godsey
Junior, Harrisburg

Qati Dalipi
Senior, Westmont

Dovantae Richardson
Junior, Dunbar

Kevin Gentry
Senior, Chicago Austin

Norvell Meadows
Senior, Orr

Malik Williams
Senior, Chicago Farragut

Duane Doss
Junior, Beecher

John Blumeyer
Senior, Dee-Mack

Daniel Tingley
Senior, Marshall High School

Nicholas Warnecke
Senior, Breese Central

Anthony Zepeda
Junior, Chicago Academy

Sam Antonacci
Senior, Sacred Heart Griffin

Andrew Stokes
Junior, Montini

Former Unity player earns 6th volleyball conference award

Rockets' Abby Maxwell flashes a huge smile during the Unity volleyball team's home match against Rantoul on September 29, 2016. Now a setter at Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, GA, the collegiate standout earned her sixth conference recognition award this week. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

2017 Unity graduate Abby Maxwell was named Appalachian Athletic Conference Setter of the Week for the sixth time this season.

Now a senior at Truett McConnell University, she is the first TMU athlete has received an AAC weekly award six times in a single season.

Maxwell ranks first in total assists (485), which ranks 15th nationally, and second in most assists per set (9.9), which ranks 12th nationally. She also ranks ninth in total digs in the AAC with 197 and now holds the AAC single game high for most assists and digs in a match, 57 and 40, respectively. She has made over 1,000 digs during her collegiate career. Of the 14 matches played this season, Maxwell has recorded a double-double in all but three.

She also is 32 assists shy of reaching the 3,000th career assists mark.

In high school, Maxwell earned all-conference honors in both volleyball and basketball.

Seven Spartans make all-conference football list

Seven St. Joseph-Ogden football players garnered special recognition from the Illini Prairie conference football coaches this fall. The group, five Spartan seniors and two juniors, received well-deserved all-conference notoriety for their performance during the 2019 season.

Blake Dable (right) blocks a Williamsville lineman during SJO's first-round Class 3A playoff game back on November 2. Dable, a senior, was named all-Illini Prairie offensive lineman for his efforts this fall. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

    .:: Buy this photo ::.

---

Seniors Brayden Weaver (Linebacker), Payton Cain (Defensive Back) and Blake Dable (Offensive Line) each received first-team accolades.

Attempting to become a three-sport athlete in his final year as a Spartan, Drew Coursey, who never played a down of varsity football until last August, received second-team recognition at the linebacker position.

Three players received Honorable Mentions. Crayton Burnett, who also started at quarterback, received noticed for his kick ability at punter with an HM. Senior Jaden Miller was given a nod as a defensive lineman while Brady Buss, who will be back next fall, earned a salute at the wide receiver position.

The Spartans finished the 2019 season with a record of five wins and five loses. Earning a second consecutive Class 3A playoff bid, SJO dropped their first-round postseason game to the Williamsville Bullets, who rolled through the bracket to take home this year's championship trophy.

Cain and Izard make Toyota of Danville Classic all-tournament team

St. Joseph-Ogden guard Chance Izard was selected as this year's Most-Valuable-Player by participating coaches at the Toyota of Danville Classic.

Izard, who had a season high 24 points in his team's final tournament game against Watseka, was also responsible for five of the team's 11 steals in that game. Over the first five games this season, the senior has tallied 93 points for an average of 18.6 per game. He put up a career-high 25 points in SJO's 74-39 win over Schlarman Academy.

From the free throw line Izard drained 10 of 16 attempts. After a lukewarm 4-and-9 start over the first three games this season, he has not missed a free throw in his last two outings, making all six attempts.

Payton Cain also received well-deserved recognition from coaches.

The senior guard finished the tournament with 42 point over four days. Not a frequent visitor to the charity stripe, Cain was 2-for-4 on free throws.

Members of this year's Toyota of Danville all-tournament team are listed below.

2019 All-Tournament Team:
Emmanuel Garcia Camilo, Notre Dame de La Salette
Jamal Taylor, Schlarman Academy
Conner Curry, Watseka
Cale Steinbaugh, Georgetown-Ridge Farm
Ian Rogers, Cissna Park
Payton Cain, St. Joseph-Ogden

All-Tournament Team MVP:
Chance Izard, St. Joseph-Ogden

30 players receive SJO varsity football letters

Nineteen seniors earned varsity football letters this fall. Six juniors, four sophomores and one freshmen player were also recognized for their contributions during the 2019 season.

Brayden Weaver received this year's Most-Valuable-Player award.

Weaver appeared in varsity games during his football career with the Spartans. During that time he carried the ball 94 times for 540 yards. His longest run was a 52 yard jaunt in SJO's 38-14 win over Unity.

Brayden carries the ball for the Spartans during their home game against Bloomington Central Catholic. This year's MVP, the senior ran for 104 yards against the Saints. On defense he was credited with three tackles in the 18-7 conference win. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

---

Suffering a season-ending injury in the eight game of the season, his offensive stats boast 266 yards on 49 carries and four touchdowns.

A two-way player, Weaver was credited with 76 tackles, 49 of which were solo, at middle linebacker this season. He was also awarded the program's Defensive Award.

Drew Coursey and Jordan Kelly shared the team's Most-Improved-Player award.

Wearing #2 this season, Kelly, a 5-foot-10 wide receiver and strong safety, finished his only season of varsity football with 18 tackles and one interception.

Jordan Kelly, one of this year's two Most-Improved-Players, runs a pass route against visiting St. Thomas More. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Coursey, who earned his stripes in his first season of varsity football this year, led SJO in sacks with three. The outside linebacker had 26 stops, including four solo tackles and seven total in the Spartans' 33-13 road loss to the Hawks of Prairie Central.

The Special Teams Award went to senior Payton Cain. Like Coursey and Kelly, this was his first and only varsity football season. The senior returned 16 kickoffs. Averaging 31.1 yards per return, he amassed 498 yards this season.

In SJO's home game against Pontiac on September 27, he ran one of his two punt returns back 66 yards - a career best - and another one for 19 yards.

Towering 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Blake Dable bagged the SJO Lineman Award.

In the five games he played on defense, Dable was credited with 15 tackles and two sacks, one against Unity and the other against Rantoul in week 2. On offense, Dable was key to opening up holes for the backfield and a solid wall protecting quarterback Crayton Burnett this season.

Sophomore Hayden Brazelton received the Scout Team Award.

Senior varsity lettermen: Ross Booker, Payton Cain, Trevon Carr, Max Chatterton, Brendan Cooperider, Drew Coursey, Blake Dable, Tristan Fuqua, Conner Hodge, Chance Izard, Jordan Kelly, Chayce Livingston, Jaden Miller, Blake Primmer, Luke Renfrew, Jarrett Stevenson, Brodie Sullivan, Brayden Weaver, and Sam Wesley.

Junior varsity lettermen: Crayton Burnett, Brady Buss, John Michael Ehmen, Zach Martinie, Xander Rieches and Max Shonkwiler.

Sophomore varsity lettermen: Coby Miller, Jett Morris, Keaton Nolan, and Ethan Vanliew.

Freshman varsity lettermen: Ty Pence

Wolfersberger, Sarnecki earn cross country Most-Improved recognition

Twenty-eight St. Joseph-Ogden High School student-athletes earned varsity letters in cross country this fall. With the leadership of this year's six seniors, both the girls and boys programs competed at this year's Illinois High School Association state finals in Peoria.

Senior Eric Poe races to the finish line at the 2019 IHSA state cross country meet at Detweiller Park on November 9. In addition to a varsityl letter, Poe was honored with the Rick Walden Most Consistent Award. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

The boys squad finished in 18th place with a score of 421 points. The top five scoring runners were Brandon Mattsey, Eric Poe, Charlie Mabry, Elijah Mock and Luke Stegall.

Earlier in the day at the state finals on November 9, senior Jillian Plotner led the SJO girls' to the program's fifth consecutive top ten team performance since 2014.

Nine members of both running programs received special team recognition at the end of the season.

Brandon Mattsey and Hannah Rajlich earned Most-Valuable-Player for their respective squads. Logan Wolfersberger was named the boys' Most-Improved Player and Malorie Sarnecki earned the same recognition for her efforts on the girls' squad.

Charlie Mabry received the Tim Mies Effort Award. Addie Allen won the Ashley Wright Effort Award. Eric Poe was the recipient of the Rick Walden Most Consistent Award and the Chelsea Blaase Most Consistent Award was given to sophomores Ava Knap & Ashlyn Lannert.

This year's varsity letter winners are seniors Ally Monk, Taddy Pettit, Jillian Plotner, Eric Poe, Hannah Rajlich and Josh Sexton.

Juniors: Hanna Eastin, Lukas Hutcherson, Brandon Mattsey, and Logan Wolfersberger.

Sophomores: Addie Allen, Braden Clampitt, Sidney Davis, Kailyn Ingram, Ava Knap, Ashlyn Lannert, Charlie Mabry, Elijah Mock, Hope Rajlich, Kendra Riddle, Malorie, Sarnecki, Taryn Sexton and Luke Stegall.

Freshmen: Kaytlyn Baker, Ethan Blackburn, Mary Hinrichs, Teagan Miller and Izzy Sexton.