Memory Monday: Spartans shine over the Comets

Ella Armstrong plays varsity basketball as a freshman
A look back
St. Joseph-Ogden's Ella Armstrong tries to take the ball down the baseline on Oakwood's Aaliyah Denius in their non-conference home game on December 1, 2018. The Spartans keep their unbeaten varsity streak alive one more week with a 52-45 win over the visiting Comets. See more photos from this game . . .
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Prep Notebook | SJO get road win, Miller snags 9 rebounds for Unity

Spartans pick up conference win

St. Joseph-Ogden made 66% of their free throws in 65-41 win on the road against Monticello.

Ella Armstrong and Taylor Wells tied for team-high scoring honors for the Spartans with 13 points apiece. Payton Vallee added 8 points while Atleigh Hamilton and Nora Walden chipped in another six piece to help SJO improve to a 7-1 record in the Illini Prairie Conference.

The Sages (IPC 2-2) were led by Lizzie Stiverson's game-high 16 points. The junior was perfect from the free throw line hitting all seven attempts. Renni Fultz contributed 10 points in the team's second straight loss.


Rockets fall 54-36

Chloee Reed led the Unity's offensive attack with 15 points, but it wasn't enough to get past the visiting Lady Saints from Bloomington Central Catholic. The senior added one steal and five rebounds to her effort.

Meanwhile teammate Erika Steinman also reached double figures with 11 points. Lauren Miller led the team's defensive effort with nine boards and three steals.

BCC's senior Abby Davis delivered a 24 point performance after making eight long-range three-point field goals.

Photo of the Day - November 16, 2020


SJO's Luke Renfrew in his last prep football game

Spartan playoff advance blocked

Luke Renfrew (left) and Jaden Miller (right) try to plug a hole in their defensive line during their 2019 first round playoff game against Williamsville. Despite the St. Joseph-Ogden seniors' best effort, their season came to an end after a 54-26 loss to the eventual Class 3A state champion Bullets. The Spartans finished the season with a record of five wins against five losses.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Photo of the Day - October 2, 2020

Spartans blank Buffaloes

Cameron Harpst settles the ball during SJO's home soccer match against Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Chrisman in 2012. The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team pummeled the Buffalo net to carve out a 7-0 victory in the non-conference matchup.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Want to see more photos from the 2012 soccer season? Buy us a coffee!

Photo of the Day - September 16, 2020

SJO freshman Emily Elsbernd dribbles the ball down the field
Frosh defender sees minutes early in SJO season
Emily Elsbernd dribbles the ball down the field in St. Joseph-Ogden's home game against Urbana University High School in August of 2019. The freshman defensive player saw 14 minutes of playing time in the Spartans' 7-1 loss to the visiting Illineks.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO ready for a glorious football campaign


Crayton Burnett looks to make a pass during the St. Joseph-Ogden football team's scrimmage on Friday. Burnett, who saw varsity action toward the end of the season as sophomore last fall, will be the starting signal caller for SJO. The Spartans' passing game is a potential threat with Burnett's arm and this year's stable of receivers. Below: More than 60 or so parents and fans were on hand to watch the varsity squad and scout players run live plays against each other. (All photos on this page by PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

SJO fans and parents watch scrimmage game

"We don't have one or two leaders. We have a team of leaders right now."


St.Joseph-Ogden head coach Shawn Skinner pointed out while talking about the upcoming season before the team introduction later in the gym. The Spartans have 22 seniors on the roster ready to prove themselves and continue to build the program back to its former level of success. Here, Skinner gives instructions to players early on during the scrimmage session.

SJO head football coach Shawn Skinner

Primmer takes a drink
Ramsey Primmer takes a drink between plays. Skinner said the veteran cornerback has been instrumental in getting a lot of the "young guys" up to speed and ready to play nine weeks under Friday night lights. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

SJO cheerleaders perform at the Fall Kickoff
Above, left: Spartan cheerleaders perform on the sideline of the practice field. This year's scrimmage session could not be held under the newly installed lights on the field due to track resurfacing. Above, right: Chance Izard moves with the flow of the play while on defense. Izard may well be a strong catalyst for the program to improve on last year's 5-5 finish. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Chance Izard plays defense

Max Shonkwiler, Jesse Schluter and Tyler Jones
(Left to right) Max Shonkwiler, Jesse Schluter and Tyler Jones take a moment to smile while waiting for the next stage of the Spartan scrimmage to start. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)