Prep Sports Notebook: Unity drops conference game, SJO hammers Monticello


Rockets suffer first loss of the season
The Unity baseball team (2-1) scored four runs but it wasn't enough to slide by Illinois Valley Central (7-1) in their road conference game on Saturday. The Grey Ghost handed the Rockets their first loss of the season, 7-4.

On the hill, Damin Knoll, who went 1-for-3 at the plate, surrendered 4 hits and 3 walks in the pair of innings to suffer the loss. The junior was responsible for one-quarter of the Rockets' runs. Blake Kimball batted .500 on the day and turned in one as well.

Tyler Hensch pounded a double and pushed one RBI across the plate.



Spartan baseball team burn Sages on the road
The bats were smoking hot for St. Joseph-Ogden on Saturday morning during their 11th game of the season. Putting runs on the board in every inning, the Spartans burned their Illini Prairie Conference rival, 17-9.

Down 5-3 at the top of the third, the Spartans'ignited a huge 13 run rally scoring five runs, then four and another four across the middle three frames.

Zach Martinie earned the win throwing 62 pitches during his four-inning appearance after relieving junior Hayden Brazelton on the mound.

Coby Miller and Tyler Altenbaumer paired up to drive in nine of the Spartans' 17 runs. Miller had all three of the Sages' pitchers numbers going 3-for-3 with a 2-run homer in the top of the fifth and double in the earlier frame.

Meanwhile, Alterbaumer's two hits yielded 5 RBIs.

Box Score

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
SJO 1 1 5 4 4 1 1 - 17 13 3
Monticello 2 3 0 3 0 0 1 - 9 11 6

Pitching
Hayden Brazelton 3.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R , 5 K, 5 BB
Zach Martinie 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R , 3 K, 1 BB

Batting
2B: Andrew Beyers, Zach Martinie, Coby Miller 2, Ty Pence; 3B: Tyler Altenbaumer; HR: Coby Miller

Baserunning
Stolen bases: Tyler Altenbaumer, Andrew Beyers 2, Hayden Brazelton 2, Isaiah Immke 2



Four area soccer players earn all-conference recognition

SJO's Logan Ingram dribbles the ball
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

Stress-free Thanksgiving tips for those short on time this holiday season

While gathering for Thanksgiving is intended to be a joyous occasion, everyone who has hosted the feast knows it can also come with a lot of stress, and expenses.

The good news is that whether you’re a Gen Z-er hosting your first Friendsgiving on a budget or you’re a busy family preparing for guests, there is a lot to be thankful for this year.


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