Photo of the Day |
St. Thomas More wins State Farm tournament consolation title

Alleman's Mallory Hillman and St. Thomas More's Lexi Wallen at the State Farm Holiday Classic
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

NORMAL - Alleman's Mallory Hillman goes up for a shot in front of St. Thomas More's Lexi Wallen in their Consolation bracket championshiop game on December 29, 2014. Down buy three at the end of the first quarter, STM went on a 37-10 run over the next periods to quietly roll to a 46-29 win at Normal Community High School over the Pioneers. Wallen led all scorers with 20 points with teamate Elizabeth Bristow, who finished with 14 points. Hillman and Kennedy Prince paced Alleman with six points each.


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TAGS: Alleman's Mallory Hillman goes up for a shot, St. Thomas More's Lexi Wallen defends the basket, State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, Illinois High School basketball, State Farm basketball tournament
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Photo of the day |
First Ho-Ho-Ho 5k

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Red shirts and beards, runners start their run during the Ho Ho Ho 5k back in December of 2018. Now called the St. Joe Santa 5k Run/Walk, over 300 runners took part in what has become an annual holiday event for the village just east Urbana. Read more about the inaugural holiday 5K in St. Joseph here.


Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: St. Joseph mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges, St. Joseph 5K, Athletic fundraiser in St. Joseph, Santa run Illinois, Holiday event.
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Photo of the Day |
Smith unable to light a fire under SJO

St. Joseph-Ogden three-sports standout Logan Smith goes up for a shot
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith goes up for a shot past Pinckneyville's Ty Laur and Lucas Lietz during St. Joseph-Ogden's Christie Clinic Shootout game against Pinckneyville on January 6, 2024. The Spartans lost to the Panther, 73-57. SJO went on to sweep the Illini Prairie Conference 9-0 competition and finished 27-7 after losing their sectional title game to Teutopolis.

Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: SJO loses at Christie Clinic Shootout, Pinckneyville Panthers defeat St. Joseph-Ogden,High School basketball, Photo of the Day from 2024
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Photo of the Day |
Bracket tough, Wells first to represent SJO at girls state wrestling tournament

Maddie Wells’ state tournament run included two matches against highly ranked senior opponents. After an opening-round loss, Wells battled Morton’s Karen Canchola in the wrestleback.
SJO wrestler Madeline Wells competing at state tournament for the Spartans
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden’s Maddie Wells wrestles Morton’s Karen Canchola during their 140-pound first-round wrestleback match at the 2025 IHSA Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals on Feb. 28. Wells, a junior who entered the two-day tournament with an 18-8 record, faced a challenging path in her weight class.

In her opening match, Wells drew Mother McAuley senior Maggie Zuber (33-6), who went on to finish second. After being pinned at the six-minute mark, Wells moved into the wrestleback round to face Canchola, another senior. Canchola (36-4) was relentless, pinning Wells at 4:17 on her way to a third-place finish.

Wells, the first wrestler to represent St. Joseph-Ogden at the girls wrestling state finals, looks to return to Bloomington at the end of February for another shot at a state title.


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TAGS: SJO's Maddie Wells falls a state tournament, First SJO girls wrestler competes at state, IHSA girls wrestling, Morton's Karen Canchola finishes 3rd at state tournament, Sentinel Photo of the Day
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Photo of the Day |
Urbana's Rickasia Ivy makes strong showing at state

Urbana sophomre Rickasia Ivy finished 2-2 at the 2025 IHSA Girls Individual State Wrestling Tournament back in February. She is back on the roster on the prowl for another chance at a state title with the 5th-ranked Tigers. Here is a look back at her first state match.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Urbana's Rickasia Ivy (right) looks to get head control on New Trier's Jillian Giller during their 140-pound match on at the Illinois High School Association's Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals in Bloomington on Friday, February 28, 2025. Ivy, a sophomore, lost the match by fall at 5:04. She finished the state tourament 2-2 after a 3-1 loss to Karen Canchola in the wrestleback. Giller, a senior, ended her high school career with pin to finish 5th.

TAGS: Urbana sophomore wrestler Rickasia Ivy, New Trier wrestler finishes 5th at state, Trevian senior Jillian Giller
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Photo of the Day |
Rockets set to return to girls' shootout at SJO

Unity will be without last year's senior standout Lauren Haas this Saturday at the 2025 Country Financial Shootout at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. The Rockets take the court at 5:30 p.m. hoping to beat 8-1 Tri-Valley.

Unity senior Lauren Haas looks for an open teammate under the basket

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Lauren Haas looks for an open teammate to pass the ball during the Unity's 2024 Country Financial Shootout game against Watseka. Scoring consistently across all four quarters, Haas led the Rockets' offense with 12 points in the team 52-46 loss to the Warriors. Both teams return to this year's installment with Watseka (8-1) facing shootout host St. Joseph-Ogden (5-1) at 4 p.m. Unity (4-5) will take on the 8-1 Tri-Valley Vikings in the nightcap starting at around 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: Unity girls basketball, Country Financial shootout at St. Joseph-Ogden High School, Unity Rockets fall to Watseka, Lauren Haas leads Rockets with 12 points
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Photo of the Day |
Going fishin'

Under the dome of the State Farm Center in Champaign, Yahya Thomas and Baylor Fernandes wrestler for third place at the 2017 IHSA state wrestling meet.

2017 wrestling match between Yahya Thomas and Baylor Fernandes

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Lockport Township sophomore Baylor Fernandes wrestles Mt. Carmel's Yahya Thomas during their third place match at the IHSA Individual State Wrestling Tournament on February 18, 2017 at the State Farm Center in Champaign. After scoring on two first-period takedowns, Thomas, a senior, went on to win the match by way of a 7-2 decision over Fernandes.

Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: Photo of the Day, Mt. Carmel wrestler Yahya Thomas, Caravan wrestler medals at state, Lockport wrestling, Baylor Fernandes finishes fourth at state wrestling tournament, Lockport sophomore Baylor Fernandes, IHSA state wrestling
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Photo of the Day |
Turn the other cheek

Mercer County's Justin Carey wrestles Illiana Christian's Isaac Lyzenga at the 2017 IHSA State Wrestling tournament in Champaign.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGN - Mercer County senior Justin Carey (43-4) wrestles Illiana Christian junior Isaac Lyzenga (29-9) during their 182-pound Class 1A championship quarterfinal match at the IHSA Individual State Wrestling Finals. Up in points in the second period, Carey suffered a match-ending injury giving Lyzenga the win on Friday, February 17, 2017. Lyzenga, on the right, went on to finish sixth in the weight class. See more photo of the day features from The Sentinel weekly.


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TAGS: PhotoNews photo, 2017 IHSA state wrestling tournament, Sentinel photo of the day, Mercer County Eagles wrestling, Illiana Christian Vikings
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Photo of the Day |
The Keegan krush, Germano delivering the hits

Keegan Germano lays a big hit on Monticello's Maddox Utley
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Unity's Keegan Germano lays out Monticello's Maddox Utley in a play in the first quarter during their IHSA second-round playoff game on November 8, 2025. The Rockets defeated the Sages at Hicks Field in an exciting matchup between two Illini Prairie teams 21-20. Advancing to the quarterfinals, Unity went on the road to face Williams and cruised to victory in the first half, setting up a semifinal showdown with St. Joseph-Ogden. Germano's defensive effort all season has been the cornerstone to the Rockets' 11-1 season.

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TAGS: Unity Rockets defeat Monticello, IHSA Second-Round Football game, Illini Prairie Conference rivals Monticello and Unity, Monticello football, Unity Rockets football team.
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Photo of the Day |
Aggressive rebound, SJO falls in first trip to state

Ashley [Runck] Krisman playing basketball for St. Joseph-Ogden
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Normal - St. Joseph-Ogden's Ashley Runck snatches a loose ball away from Breese Central's Lauren Budde during their Class 1A state quarterfinal game at Redbird Arena on January 23, 2007. In the final year of the girls' two-class system, the Spartans fell to the eventual state champion Cougars 56-39 in the state quarterfinals. It was deepest post season run for SJO since the start of the girls' basketball program in 1973. Runck led the Spartans (29-4) in the loss with 12 points. Twelve years later, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls' basketball program returned to Redbird, finishing third in Class 2A.


Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: Photo of the Day, St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team, SJO girls' basketball at state, Breese Central Cougars,IHSA basketball state finals
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Photo of the Day |
Takedown season underway

Loyola junior Kai Calcutt
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CHAMPAIGH - Loyola Academy's Kai Calcutt tries to avoid a takedown on a shot by Joliet Central's Charles Walker during their 215-pound Class 3A title match at the IHSA Boys Wrestling State Final back in February. Calcutt, a junior and the defending champion, lost the match by a 7-5 decision. Heading into the title match, Calcutt rolled through the bracket, spending just five minutes on the mat total against his first three opponents. The IHSA wrestling season started a week ago Monday. Look for him back in title contention after finishing with a 40-2 record last year. The match season for IHSA wrestling starts this Monday around the state.

Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: Photo of the Day, Riverdale sophomore James Moorhusen, Snowstorm cancels IHSA golf, IHSA golf tournament postponed, Port Byron Riverdale golfer at state tournament
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Photo of the Day |
Spartans turn Vandals playoff hope upside down

SJO's Kodey McKinney breaks up a key Vandalia pass play
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Vandalia receiver Kohnor Depew is turned upside down after a hit by St. Joseph-Ogden's Kodey McKinney on a pass play late in the fourth quarter. The catch would have put the Vandals in a short field situation where they had been successful in scoring earlier in the Class 3A quarterfinal playoff game. The Spartans rallied back from a 21-17 first half deficit to defeat Vandalia and extend their playoff run. Next Saturday, the SJO hosts Unity, who beat Williamsville 42-7. The two programs last met in a semifinal game a decade ago.

Past Photo of the Day

TAGS: Kodey McKinney breaks up pass play, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans advance to 3A semifinals, SJO wins home playoff game against Vandalia
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Photo of the Day |
Not par for an October round of state golf

Riverdale's James Moorhusen and dad walk to the club house during a snow storm at state golf in 2018
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Riverdale's James Moorhusen (left) and his dad, Mike, head to the club house at the Prairie Vista Golf Course after IHSA officials put first-round action on hold during a brief snowstorm on October 12, 2018, at the IHSA Boys Golf State Finals. The tournament was paused just past the midway point for many golfers due to heavy snow flurries in the Bloomington-Normal area. The tournament resumes on Saturday morning. Moorhusen, a sophomore who helped the Rams win the St. Regional and Freeport Sectional, went on to finish tied for 91st place, shooting a 96 on the second day. Partial scores from the first day were not included in the final tabulation.

Past Photos of the Day

TAGS: Photo of the Day, Riverdale sophomore James Moorhusen, Snowstorm cancels IHSA golf, IHSA golf tournament postponed, Port Byron Riverdale golfer at state tournament
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Photo of the Day | January 25, 2023

Ellie Ward dives after a loose ball

Spartans dive in to pull off hardcourt upset

ST. JOSEPH - Spartans' Ellie Ward goes after a loose ball with Mattoon's Xylia Greeson during their non-conference game Monday. St. Joseph-Ogden rallied back from a 19-point second-quarter deficit to beat the Green Wave 52-49. With five more contests left in the season, the win extends the team's current win streak to three games.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Photo of the Day | January 22, 2023


Cheering for Jones

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden wrestlers Karleigh Spain and Camden Getty cheer for teammate Quincy Jones after his second-period pin over Hoopeston Area's Nick Brown. Up 7-2 in their 285-pound match, Jones stuck Brown at 2:34 to give the Spartans a 30-6 margin heading into the lighter weight class matches at Saturday's multi-quad meet. SJO went 3-0 on the day to finished their regular season with 18 wins against 16 losses.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Photo of the Day | January 17, 2023


Pinned him to win it

ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden's Jordan Hartman sticks Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley's Jeremy Smolek in their 220-pound match on November 27, 2012. Except for the three forfeits, every match between the two schools ended in a pin. Hartman, who also played football, was a two-sport athlete for the Spartans. He took the SJO senior just 40 seconds to produce the win in his weight class.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
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Photo of the Day | January 14, 2023

Rockets jinx unlucky Panthers

TOLONO - Members of the Unity student cheering section react to a moment on the court during fourth-quarter action of their basketball team's home game against Paxton-Buckley-Loda. Fans from both teams watched the Rockets decimate the visiting Panthers, who mustered just six points in the first half, en route to a 58-22 victory on Friday, January 13. With the Illini Prairie Conference win, Unity boasts a 10-7 record and moves to third place in the league behind Pontiac and Prairie Central.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Photo of the Day | January 9, 2023

McGwire Atwood plays hard-nosed basketball
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Atwood and the Spartans slide by last year's state champs
ST. JOSEPH - McGwire Atwood slides across the floor on his backwhile going for a loose ball in front of Newton's bench during first-half action in St. Joseph-Ogden's Christie Clinic Shootout game on Saturday. Improving to 12-2 on the season, SJO rolled over the Eagles, last year's Class 2A state champions, 59-35 on their home court.


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Photo Gallery | SJO wins prelude to the State Farm title

Ty Pence and Logan Smith go after a loose ball

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence and Logan Smith go after a loose ball with Rockford Lutheran's Vontesz Dent during first quarter action at the 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic. The Spartans went on to defeat the Crusaders 72-69 to advance the tournament's small school bracket title game. Pence and Smith each scored 25 points to secure SJO's victory.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Maddux Carter dribbles the ball

Maddux Carter dribbles the ball away from a Crusader Marquise Haynes during first quarter action. Carter was held scoreless but was an essential part of the SJO's defensive effort.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith starts to accelerate

Spartan Logan Smith starts to accelerate past Crusaders' Marquise Haynes on a slash to the paint. The junior guard hit 11 shots from the field and knocked down three of his four free throw attempts to rack up 25 points.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Coy Taylor goes up for a shot

SJO's Coy Taylor goes up for a shot on a fastbreak play in the second quarter. The sophomore quietly contributed 10 points in the Spartans' victory.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith prepares to shoot

Guarded by two Rockford Lutheran players, Logan Smith hesitate before putting the ball up under the St. Joseph-Ogden basket.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Tanner Jacob takes a shot

Tanner Jacob puts the ball up as Crusaders' Keaton Peifer defends on the shot. Jacob missed the shot but would later make amends with a three-pointer in the second half of the contest.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence finds an open teammate under the basket

Ty Pence finds an open teammate under the basket during the second half. The Spartans led by six points at the break, 41-35.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith attacks the paint

Logan Smith attacks the paint. His relentless forays inside caused repeated headaches for the Crusaders, who were unable to match the 5-foot-9 guard's tenacity.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence scores 25

After being fouled on a shot, Ty Pence takes a moment recollect himself before heading the free throw line. Pence finished the game 5-for-7 from the line to share team-high scoring honors with teammate Logan Smith. Both players dropped 25 points for SJO.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Logan Smith jets past Rockford Lutheran's Marquise Haynes

Logan Smith jets past Rockford Lutheran's Marquise Haynes in the fourth quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence leaps for a shot over a Rockford Lutheran player in the fourth quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Ty Pence guarded by Marquise Haynes

SJO's Ty Pence lines up a run to the rim while being guarded by Crusaders' Marquise Haynes.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Another photo of Logan Smith

Logan Smith looks for an open teammate after his approach to the basket was blocked.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Kyle Duval takes a moment to pass along instructions to Logan Smith

Head coach Kyle Duval takes a moment to pass along instructions to Logan Smith during a lull between free throw attempts. A day later, Duval would become the first SJO basketball coach to win a State Farm Holiday Classic title. A staple in the field of competition, the Spartans have played in the tournament for the past 17 years.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

McGwire Atwood lets out an emotional burst celebrating

McGwire Atwood lets out an emotional burst celebrating SJO's semifinal win. The senior, who scored six points for the team, wrapped a loose ball after a steal attempt by the Spartans to seal the win.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Illinois State basketball commit Ty Pence celebrates the Spartans semifinal win as the team heads back to the bench. After the team's four games at the holiday tournament, Pence earned his second SFHC All-Tournament Team award.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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