State Basketball |
Robinson defeats Regina Dominican in 3rd place game

Regina Dominican's Payton Olszewski and Robinson's Katelyn Jones go after a loose ball during the third quarter. The Lady Maroons defeated the Panthers 51-44 to win the Class 2A third-place game on Thursday. Olszewski finished the game with six rebounds and four assists. Jones, who made all six of her free-throw attempts, scored 12 points.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Robinson vs Regina Doninican

Class 2A Third-Place Game

State Basketball |
Panthers finish 4th at 2A state basketball

Regina Dominican players with state trophy

Regina Dominican's Maddie Witchger, Payton Olszewski, and the rest of the team celebrate with the program's fourth-place trophy at the IHSA Girls' Basketball State Finals Thursday evening. The Panthers fell 51-44 to the Lady Maroons in the Class 2A third-place game on Thursday at CEFCU Arena. Witchger finished the contest with seven points and two rebounds, while Olszewki hauled in six boards and four assists in addition to her lone trey.

PhotoNews Media

Peak season for sore throats lingers on, here are the causes

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

Temperatures may be warming, but Awad Alyami, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says we’re still in the peak season for sore throats. Many cases have time-tested treatments, but some can have serious complications.

Dr. Awad Alyami

Dr. Alyami says a sore throat is an infection that causes inflammation in your throat. They’re annoying and painful, bringing symptoms like difficulty swallowing or talking and swelling of glands and tonsils. Causes can include tonsil stones, heartburn and allergies. But most commonly, causes break down into two groups: viral and bacterial.

Viral infections

Dr. Alyami says many viruses can cause sore throats – the common cold, influenza, coronavirus and others. Dr. Alyami says if your sore throat comes with coughing or a runny nose, that’s a sign it’s a viral infection. You can start treatment at home with over-the-counter medicine like Tylenol and ibuprofen. You can also gargle salt water and, generally, stay hydrated. Water is good for all ages, and Pedialyte can help hydrate kids.

If your symptoms include fever and neck swelling, it’s a more serious situation. You should see a health care provider.

Bacterial infections

The main bacterial infection that causes sore throats is group A streptococcus (commonly known as strep or strep throat). Strep throat may bring the hallmark sore throat symptoms, but you should also watch for fever and white patches toward the back of your mouth.

“This is a bacterial infection that’s common in kids,” Dr. Alyami says of strep throat. “About 30% of sore throats are strep, and about 70% are viral. It’s a big deal. We need to treat to prevent complications.”

The most common complication is dehydration, Dr. Alyami says.

“The sore throat is so bad, the child doesn’t want to eat or drink,” he explains.

Other times, untreated strep throat can lead to abscesses, or pus pockets.

“If that abscess gets big enough, it can go toward other structures in the body that are very important. That infection can spread and progress very quickly,” Dr. Alyami says. Life-threatening conditions like difficulty breathing can result.

Dr. Alyami says providers can diagnose strep throat with a throat swab. They treat strep throat with 10 days of antibiotic medication, either injected or taken orally. He says most kids will take the medicine orally unless that’s troublesome. For example, some kids have a tough time swallowing pills due to throat pain.

Prevention

It’s advice you’ve heard before, but it’s worth repeating. Dr. Alyami says good hand hygiene goes a long way to preventing sore throats. Wash your hands thoroughly, and keep them away from your face.

Early detection is also key.

“If the child is sick, especially with symptoms that could be strep, it’s better to get them to a health care professional early,” Dr. Alyami implores. “They can get checked and isolated for 12 to 24 hours before they start antibiotics.

“If you’re sure about what they have, it’s better to just bring them in and get them checked,” he adds.

Show host Wendy Williams diagnosed with FTD, aphasia

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

PEORIA - Roughly in one year's time, two major names in Hollywood received a similar diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia.

In February 2024, actor Bruce Willis’ family announced his aphasia diagnosis had progressed into FTD. In February 2024, former talk show host Wendy Williams' care team announced the same.

“In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy's life,” her care team released in a statement.

Williams is most well-known for “The Wendy Williams Show." Before that, she was a radio host in Philadelphia and New York City.

FTD affects between 50,000-60,000 Americans. Most patients are between 45-65 years old, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dr. Deepak Nair

The disease is progressive, meaning symptoms get worse over time. Dr. Deepak Nair, a neurologist with OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute, says while someone might not die as a result of FTD, it can lead to other health problems that do cause death. He calls the brain and nervous system the “master control” over every other organ system.

"It's sort of like what happened in the COVID era. People are talking about 'are the people dying from COVID or with COVID?' Same problem. When people die with dementia, there's a lot of other things that can lead to their death. But the processes of dementia, over time, will start to affect other organ systems. In that sense, any of the known dementias will ultimately lead to death from another reason, though,” Dr. Nair says.

Dr. Nair says his team works with speech language pathologists to help detect subtle cognitive impairment or to confirm the presence of aphasia.

Are they able to name objects? Can they repeat phrases or sentences? He says Bruce Willis’ family opening up about his diagnosis could help other families.

"Having this discussed publicly is a powerful thing. People are now going to pay attention to this,” Dr. Nair says. “I'm sure there are a lot of Google searches about FTD and aphasia. Some increase in public awareness is a huge benefit to all of us."

Dr. Nair says there hasn’t been any conclusive research showing a direct correlation between prior injuries causing FTD.

In March 2022, Willis announced his retirement from acting due to aphasia, which impacted his ability to speak and understand language. His family says his condition progressed, leading to the recent diagnosis of FTD.

FTD causes progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This leads to a loss of function in these brain regions, impacting someone’s behavior, personality and language function.

"That timeframe from when they first recognized the aphasia to now, making this diagnosis, is not surprising,” Dr. Nair says. “Because what that probably suggests is they've seen changes over time in Mr. Willis' function. Not just his language function, but other functions. It was enough to show he now meets the criteria for dementia."

Dr. Nair says many times there are underlying health issues before someone is diagnosed with FTD.

“For aphasia to arise suddenly and spontaneously without some acute injury, then you start often thinking about if there is some underlying degenerative process," he adds.

Dr. Nair says early intervention and being attentive to our loved ones is extremely important.

State Basketball |
Okawville wins semifinal, Lady Rockets head to title game

NORMAL - Alayna Kraus delivered a double-double performance to propel the Lady Rockets into the Class 1A title game at the Illinois High School Association Girls' State Basketball Finals on Thursday. The senior, named to the Illinois Media's All-State first team earlier in the week, scored 25 points and snagged ten rebounds in the 44-30 win over St. Bede.

Kraus collected seven of her rebounds and scored 13 points in the first half.

St. Bede's offensive effort was led by Ali Bosnich, who finished with 11 points and 13 ports. The 6-foot senior padded the stats with one block and three steals.

Also assisting in the Lady Bruins' scoring effort was Ashlyn Ehm and Savannah Bray. Ehm, who was 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, finished with eight points, three steals, and six boards. Bray scored six points in her seven minutes of action.

St. Bede advanced to the third place game against Altamont, who suffered a 60-48 overtime loss to Illini Bluffs in the first game of the state tournament series hours earlier.

Okawville sights are now set on becoming back-to-back state champions.

At last year's tournament, the Lady Rockets took home the Class 1A title after rolling over Christopher, 55-35. Kraus, a starter in that contest, scored a game-high 21 points.

Kraus & Co. take the floor at 11 a.m. on Saturday to face Illini Bluffs in the title game at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus in Normal.

State Basketball |
Altamont falls in OT to Illini Bluffs

NORMAL - Grace Nelson drained 32 points in Altamont's state semifinal game against Illini Bluffs Thursday. Unfortunately, the All-Stater and Lady Indians came up short in the Class 1A opener and overtime thriller, 60-48.

Nelson missed her first three-pointer but connected on her second shot in the game, cutting the Lady Indians' scoreboard deficit to two at 5-3.

Later in the first period, Tigers' Annabelle Fortin, Marissa Robertson, and Lilly Luczkowiak drop treys on successive possessions to go up 14-7.

Luczkowiak led Illini Bluff's scoring effort with a double-double, scoring 27 points and snagging eleven rebounds. Fortin finished with 12 points. Robertson's first quarter three was her only output of the game.

Altamont was on top most of the fourth quarter, leading by as many as six points, until Tigers' Chloe Eeten made a go-ahead basket on a pass from teammate Brenna Davis with 1:03 left on the clock.

Seven seconds later, Nelson was on the free-throw line. She made her first shot to tie the score at 46-all but missed the second that would have given Altamont a one-point lead with 55 seconds to go.

Bluffs called timeout with ten seconds left on the clock. Fortin attempted a three-pointer as time expired and missed, putting the game into overtime.

It was the Tigers' free-throw prowess in OT that saved the day. The team missed one shot out of ten from the charity stripe.

For Eeten, who finished the game with 11 points, it was her time to shine. The sophomore led all scorers in the frame with seven points, going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, punching Illini Bluff's ticket into the Class 1A title game.

Recipe |
Make your St. Patrick’s Day spread green with envy

Culinary.net - Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family.

Layered with a smooth cream cheese and mozzarella mixture then topped with crisp cucumber and a stem of green bell pepper, these St. Patrick’s Day Sandwiches are easy and cute, which makes them a fan favorite at nearly any green gathering. They’re also sprinkled with lemon juice to add a little acidity and create a nice, light bite.

Plus, this recipe is quick to make. When you’re in a rush to get everything on the table for the party, it’s easy to throw together and get on the platter in next to no time.

The sandwiches pop off the plate with their bright, seasonal garnishes. While sure to attract attention and have your loved ones asking “Where did you get this idea?” they’re also an easy way to sneak a few vegetables into your kids’ diets.

For more festive recipes and ideas at Culinary.net.

St. Patrick’s Day Sandwiches
Yield: 8 sandwiches

8 ounces plain cream cheese spread, softened
1 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
salt
4 English muffins
24 slices cucumber
8 thin slices green pepper
fresh cilantro leaves
lemon juice
lemon slices, for garnish (optional)

In bowl, mix cream cheese spread, mozzarella cheese and salt well.

Split English muffins in half. Cut each muffin half into shamrock shape.

Spread cheese mixture over each muffin half.

Place three cucumbers on each “shamrock,” one on each “leaf.” Use green pepper slice as stem. Place cilantro leaf on top of each sandwich.

Sprinkle sandwiches with lemon juice and add lemon slices, for garnish, if desired.

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.

2024 Illinois Media Class 1A All-State girls basketball team

Urbana - The roster of players for the 2024 Illinois All-State girls basketball team for Class 1A was released yesterday. Alexa Jamison, a 5-6 junior from Salt Fork, and Tuscola's 5-10 junior Sydney Moss earn votes to receive an honorable mention.

The Illinois Media is a group consisting 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.

Below are the all-staters from Class 1A.

CLASS 1A FIRST TEAM

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Amiah Hargrove, Christopher (6-2, Sr., F) 130
Grace Nelson, Altamont (5-11, Sr., PG) 118
Alayna Kraus, Okawville (5-8, Sr., SG/PG) 110
Gracie Furlong, Galena (5-10, Jr., SG) 102
Shelby Bowman, Biggsville West Central (5-6, Sr., PG/SG) 95

CLASS 1A SECOND TEAM

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Whitney Sullivan, Orangeville (6-4, Sr., G/F) 66
Stacie Vonderheide, Effingham St. Anthony (5-5, Sr., G) 61
Abby Compton, Goreville (6-1, Sr., F) 51
Paityn London, Freeport Aquin (5-9, Fr., PG/SG) 46
*-Lily Luczkowiak, Glasford Illini Bluffs (5-10, Sr., G/F) 38
*-Elaina Rager, Pecatonica (5-7, Jr., SG) 38

CLASS 1A HONORABLE MENTION
(19 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS)

NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS
Addison Fair, Gardner-South Wilmington (5-5, Sr., G) 34; Ilana Schwartz, Skokie Ida Crown Jewish (5-5, Sr., PG) 20; Lauren Flowers, Carrollton (5-9, Jr., G) 16; Jase Burkett, Woodlawn (5-6, Sr., PG) 15; Addie Hefel, Galena (5-9, Sr., PG) 15; Ali Bosnich, Peru St. Bede (6-0, Sr., C) 14; Kennedy Quinn, Abingdon-Avon (5-6, Fr., PG) 12; Kacie Sisk, Arcola (5-8, Jr., G) 9; Grace Groezinger, Lena-Winslow (6-1, Sr., F) 8; Alexa Jamison, Catlin Salt Fork (5-6, Jr., G) 8; Kennady Anderson, Kewanee Wethersfield (5-8, Sr., G) 6; Josie Armstrong, Tri-County (5-7, Sr., G) 6; Grace Bishop, Albion Edwards County (5-8, Soph., G/F) 6; Brianna Brodie, Princeville (5-9, Sr., F) 6; Audrey Gilman, Hardin Calhoun/Brussels (6-0, Jr., G) 6; Sydney Moss, Tuscola (5-10, Sr., F/C) 6; Soraya Parker, Rockford Lutheran (5-9, Soph., G) 6; Nancy Ruholl, Effingham St. Anthony (5-6, Soph., G) 6; Kate Zipprich, Hardin Calhoun/Brussels (6-1, Jr., C) 6.

NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): Mae Herman, Elmwood (5-8, Sr., G) 5; Kaylee Celus, Annawan (6-0, Sr., G/F) 3; Bryleigh Fox, Winchester/Bluffs West Central (5-9, Sr., G) 3; Josie Hughes, Havana (5-5, Jr., PG) 3; Sami Oller, Glen Carbon Father McGivney (6-0, Sr., F) 3; Paisley Twait, Serena (5-9, Sr., G/F) 3.

Area Boy Scouts to learn welding with local iron workers

merit badges for scouts Saturday’s Merit Badge Day to include hands-on training as Scouts gain skills.

Photo: Bryce Carithers/PEXELS

URBANA - Dozens of area Boy Scouts from across Central Illinois will earn merit badges on Saturday as they learn welding techniques from expert tradesmen who’ve helped build some of the largest and most iconic buildings in the area.

Scouts from the Champaign Holy Cross Boy Scout Troop 9 will learn to weld from 8am to 12pm on Saturday. Another group will do the same from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Iron Workers Local 380, located 1602 Butzow Drive in Urbana.

Scouts will spend about an hour learning welding safety measures, before they put on gloves and goggles and prepare to fuse objects with a welding machine.

Certified welders from Iron Workers Local 380, the area labor union representing nearly 250 local residents, will instruct the scouts on proper techniques and safety.

Local 380, founded in 1923, serves 17 counties in East Central Illinois and West Central Indiana, providing services that include erecting and connecting the skeletons of bridges, stadiums and large structures.

Local 380 is currently accepting applications for their 2024 apprentice class. Those who turn 18 before September are welcome to apply for positions with starting wages of at least $23.45 an hour, guaranteed to climb to $36.08 an hour after four years of on-the-job training.

Applications and more information can be found at www.ironworkers380.org.