Area prep basketball scores for Tuesday

Here are recaps and scores from area girls and boys basketball games yesterday.

Boys Basketball

Maroons fall in conference tilt to the Generals

Cayden Love had 14 points and nine rebounds in Central's loss at home to Decatur MacArthur (21-1). Sophomore Elijah Young stepped up as the team's second leading scorer with 12 points. Love and the Maroons (7-12) drop to 2-4 in conference play and play Manual on the road in Peoria on Friday.

Heritage misses victory in thriller

In their second meeting on the hardwood, hands down, Heritage played a better game against Tri-County, closing out regulation time tied at 67-all. In their game two weeks earlier, the Titans dominated the Hawks, 71-58. This time Heritage fell short by two, 72-74.

Senior Rylan White dropped a team-high 27 points with James Dillon (13 points) and Clark Roland (11 points) contributing heavily in the effort. White finished with 11 rebounds and Dillon snagged 10 of his own.

Unity beats Central Catholic on the road

KeShaun Manney's 29-point romp, the Rockets held the Saints to 17 points in the second half for another Illini Praire Conference victory, improving to 20-2 on the season.

Dane Eisenmenger scored 11 points in the second quarter, giving the Rockets a one-point deficit at the half. He finished the road game with 19 points and Coleton Langendorf was good for 18. Tre Hoggard finished with 11 much needed points, nine in the second half to help the team stay undefeated in conference play.

ALAH turn one-point lead to 11 at conference tourney

Seven players contributed to the Knights win over Villa Grove in Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament action on Tuesday. Will Hilligoss led the way for ALAH with 10 points. Marcus Otto and Cruz Hale finished with eight points each.

Hoopeston Area takes down Cissna Park

Junior Nick Cardenas led the Cornjerkers with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. JJ Martinez chipped in eight points and two steals. Senior Cole Miller five points and six boards in the home conference game. Improving to 10-11 on the season, Hoopeston goes on the road Friday to take on Bismarck-Henning.


Boys' Area Scoreboard


Illinois Valley Central 64, St. Joseph-Ogden 49
Unity 66, Bloomington Central Catholic 52
Bismarck-Henning 72, Watseka 22
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 45, Villa Grove 34
St. Thomas More vs Prairie Central - not reported
Centennial vs Lanphier - not reported
MacArthur 65, Champaign Central 51
Tri-County 74, Heritage 72 (OT)
Oakwood 67, Georgetown-Ridge Farm 57
Pontiac 45, Rantoul 36
Mahomet-Seymour 65, Bloomington 55
Hoopeston Area 41, Cissna Park 38


Girls Basketball

Rantoul falls in lopsided affair to Pontiac

Josie Roseman scored 12 points and Erykah Baltimore added ten more in the Eagles loss to Pontiac. Rantou falls to 12-13 overall and 2-4 in Illini Prairie Conference.

Urbana suffers 8 consecutive loss

Lai'yonna Harper put 12 points on the scoreboard and collected five steals but it wasn't enough to help lift the Tigers over the visiting Trojans on Tuesday. After a nine-all first half, Charleston outscored Urbana 30-17 for a non-conference win.

Kaya Hill was credited with eight steals and finished with seven points in the Tigers' 12th consecutive loss this season.

Scoring drought sinks Spartans at IVC

A huge third-quarter rally by the Grey Ghosts dug a hole too deep for the Spartans climb out, resulting in a 64-43 loss.

Timera Blackburn-Kelley finished with nine points for SJO, while Atleigh Miller added another eight points in the conference loss. Seniors Katie Ericksen and Kayla Osterbur were held to just seven points each.

Rockets stunned by Saints

Bloomington Central Catholic held Unity scoreless in the fourth quarter of their conference game Tuesday on the way to a 64-18 win. Allison Emm led all scorers with 18 points. Emme Hurie finished with 16 points and pulled in 10 of the Saints 35 rebounds.

Girls' Area Scoreboard


Illinois Valley Central 64, St. Joseph-Ogden 43
Bloomington Central Catholic 64, Unity 18
Pontiac 67, Rantoul 39
Charleston 39, Urbana 26
Prairie Central 62, St. Thomas More 21


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Nationwide protests this weekend sparked by the deaths of Minnesota residents

This weekend's series of protests were inspired by demonstrations in the Minnesota and fueled by outrage over recent fatal shootings by federal agents.

No Kings protest in Urbana

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Demonstrators elicited honks from drivers passing them on Vine Street during last October's No Kings protest in Urbana. No local demonstrations are planned for this weekend's two protest over the recent deaths of Alex Pretti, Renée Good, Silverio Villegas González and Keith Porter Jr. perpetrated by ICE agents.

URBANA - A wave of coordinated protests will sweep across the country this week as organizers push for a nationwide shutdown Friday, followed by demonstrations at federal facilities Saturday. The twin actions, organized by a coalition of immigrant rights groups, labor organizations and student associations is calling for a nationwide protest this week, aim to challenge immigration enforcement practices following the fatal shootings of four people by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Urging people to walk out of work and school and halt consumer spending as part of a coordinated challenge to federal immigration enforcement, a “National Shutdown,” is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, and calls for “no school, no work and no shopping,” according to organizers. A second day of demonstrations is planned for Saturday, Jan. 31, when protesters are expected to gather outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, ICE field offices, congressional offices and businesses connected to immigration enforcement under the banner “ICE Out of Everywhere.”

Organizers say the protests were inspired by demonstrations in the Twin Cities and fueled by outrage over recent fatal shootings involving federal agents, including the deaths of Alex Pretti, Renée Good, Silverio Villegas González and Keith Porter Jr. Protest leaders argue those incidents highlight what they describe as increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and a broader erosion of civil liberties.

“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country,” organizers wrote on the NationalShutdown.us website. “To stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to shut it down.”

Organizers framed the moment as a turning point. Calls for participation have spread across social media and online forums, including local subreddits promoting solidarity actions and encouraging residents to refrain from work, school and shopping on Friday. In one post shared on a California-based forum, participants cited Pretti as a “union brother” and described the planned shutdown as a response to what they called government overreach.

Nearly two dozen organizations have formally endorsed the National Shutdown, including the Somali Student Association, Ethiopian Student Association and Black Student Union at the University of Minnesota, the Graduate Labor Union at the University of Minnesota, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, IFCO Pastors for Peace and the ANSWER Coalition. Organizers say hundreds of additional groups, including state and local chapters of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, student organizations and faith-based groups, have expressed support.

The people of Minneapolis "have shown the way for the whole country," according to the NationalShutdown.us website, adding that to halt what they describe as "ICE's reign of terror," Americans must "shut it down."

On Saturday, the advocacy group 50501 is coordinating the “ICE Out of Everywhere” national day of action, which aims to pressure lawmakers to block Department of Homeland Security funding and pursue legislation to dismantle ICE and DHS. The group is also urging local businesses, hotels and service providers to refuse service to ICE, Customs and Border Protection and DHS agents, and is calling for boycotts of hotels that house federal immigration personnel during enforcement operations.

“Elected officials need to publicly take a stand,” 50501 said in a statement, calling for legislation that would permanently remove ICE from communities and reduce federal funding for immigration enforcement agencies.

Organizers say details about local demonstrations and participation opportunities are available at NationalShutdown.us, with additional resources for Saturday’s actions provided through the “ICE Out of Everywhere” campaign.


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AI innovation causes inequity concerns for Illinois' Black residents

Affordable access to education is critical for ensuring Black workers can participate in the AI-driven workforce. While the full scope of AI-related job displacement remains unclear, the environmental and health effects of data centers are already evident.

Photo: Emiliano Vittoriosi/Unsplash


by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service


As the nation prepares to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., concerns about the growth of artificial intelligence and its impact on communities of color is increasing.

Experts say AI will disproportionately affect Black workers through displacement and the environmental burden of data centers, which are more likely to be located in marginalized communities.

Keisha Bross, director of the NAACP's Center for Opportunity, Race and Justice, said Black workers are overrepresented in entry-level jobs, as well as manufacturing and logistics work.

"The best thing that these companies can do is really provide educational tools and resources because we don't want people displaced from the workforce," she said. "We want people to be back in the workforce but also earning a wage that's livable."

Bross underscored that it's still unclear exactly where and how AI will displace workers. However, the impact of data centers is more clear; they've already been linked to health impacts for people in communities near them. Illinois is a top destination for data centers, estimated to have nearly 200 across the state.

Bross said Black communities already face higher unemployment rates. Black unemployment was at 7.5% in December, compared with about 4.5% for the overall population. To ensure Black workers have a place in the new AI economy, she said, workers need affordable access to education.

"We have to embrace technology and we have embrace artificial intelligence, but we also have to have oversight," she said, "and we have to have governance in order to make sure that it's not discriminatory, and that we're not implementing technologies that are going to hurt populations of people."

Bross said the Trump administration's fight against diversity, equity and inclusion has hurt people of color, but added that it's important for companies to commit to diverse hiring practices because representation matters and a diverse workforce will make their companies more successful in the long run.


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The rise of U.S. authoritarianism a midwest professor issues warning about popular tactics

Konstantin Zhukov says that an FBI raid of a journalist’s home last week is not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing escalation since President Donald Trump took office.


by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service


A Midwest professor is sounding the alarm on what he called the Trump administration’s authoritarian tactics to quell the press, free speech and other constitutional rights, stressing everyone should be paying attention.

Konstantin Zhukov, assistant professor of economics at Indiana University-Kokomo, argued the FBI raid of a journalist’s home last week is not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing escalation since President Donald Trump took office a year ago. He emphasized as someone originally from Russia, he recognized it as a familiar autocratic move.

"It's the story that you usually hear in Russia," Zhukov explained. "It's a common instrument that the Russian authorities use in order to scare the journalists, to signal to them that they shouldn't do their work essentially, that they shouldn't keep the government accountable."

Zhukov pointed to recent volatile policing and immigration protest dynamics in states like Illinois and Minnesota as another big concern. Last week, Chicago officials joined an Illinois lawsuit challenging allegedly unlawful and unconstitutional immigration enforcement. The Trump administration called the lawsuit “baseless” and defends its immigration actions as enforcing federal law.

Zhukov links current trends to broader free speech risks, asserting after the murder of Charlie Kirk last year, an administration-issued memorandum sets a dangerous precedent by enabling a broad classification of domestic terrorism. He argued it could potentially include anyone who disagrees with the administration’s agenda.

While he believes American institutions are strong enough to withstand the current administration, Zhukov stressed how much they are being weakened and how future administrations could undermine them more severely.

"The precedent that I think it sets is that the administration will just keep pushing the boundaries of what is accepted of the executive power to do," Zhukov projected.

Zhukov recommended countermeasures like voting in the midterm elections and continuing to speak out peacefully to normalize dissent and widen public discourse. He emphasized recognizing autocratic tactics is essential to combating them.

"What is happening right now is very dangerous and it's a classic playbook of the autocrats," Zhukov underscored. "The more people understand that these are the steps toward autocracy, the better."


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Changes to SNAP benefits will affect nearly 2 million in Illinois

Starting Feb. 1, SNAP recipients ages 18-64 without dependents will be required to work for at least 80 hours a month. If work/volunteer requirements aren't met in any month, it will count against the SNAP recipient.


by Judith Ruiz-Branch
Public News Service


New work-reporting requirements for SNAP recipients in Illinois take effect next month and groups fighting hunger said they are working hard to ensure the nearly 2 million Illinois residents who rely on SNAP food assistance are prepared for the changes.

Starting Feb. 1, SNAP recipients ages 18-64 without dependents will be required to work, volunteer or participate in a qualified education or training program for at least 80 hours a month to maintain their benefits. There's widespread concern the stringent reporting requirements will cause some to be denied benefits or go without.

Camerin Mattson, communications manager for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, explained those who fail to meet the requirements will be limited to three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period, which could begin as early as May 1.

"Ostensibly, if they're unable to meet those requirements in February, in March and in April, as of May 1st, they would lose their benefits," Mattson pointed out.

She noted it does not have to be consecutive. If work requirements aren't met in any month, it will count against the SNAP recipient but there are exemptions, and she urged anyone who may qualify for them to alert the Illinois Department of Human Services immediately to avoid losing benefits, which can be done online.

Mattson emphasized the critical role SNAP plays in food security, noting for every meal provided by food banks, SNAP benefits provide nine meals. She cautioned the November government shutdown was a sobering preview of the effects of benefit disruption. Her organization served a record high of more than 240,000 households across Cook County. She anticipates they will see another increase as new work requirements take effect.

"Food pantries and food banks like ours are meant to supplement," Mattson underscored. "We were not designed to fill the gap of this big federal program that has been around for decades, that has been operating so successfully in helping people not experience food insecurity."

She stressed the broader economic implications: Every dollar in SNAP benefits generates $1.50 in local economic activity at grocery stores through job creation and tax revenue generation. She thinks the effects could especially be felt in areas where grocery stores are already scarce, potentially leading to store closures and fewer community resources.


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Viewpoint |
When history is denied, democracy is put on trial

Sentinel logo
President Trump claimed these violent felons did not attack anyone after issuing a blanket pardon to Daniel Rodriguez and others after the attack of Michael Fanone.

by Terry Hansen
      Guest Commentary


Jack Smith, the former special counsel who oversaw the investigation into President Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, recently testified publicly for the first time before the House Judiciary Committee.

Committee member Joe Neguse (D-CO) warned: "Mr. Smith...Republicans are trying to rewrite history. ... Perhaps the Chairman could muster the courage to call the four witnesses who I see...standing behind you, Mr. Smith. The four police officers who risked everything, life and limb...to protect the Republican members on the dais."

Former D.C. police officer Michael Fanone was one of those protectors present in the hearing room. On January 6, 2021, Daniel Rodriguez repeatedly drove a stun gun into Fanone's skull, causing him to lose consciousness and suffer a heart attack. Rodriguez was sentenced to over 12 years in prison. The judge called him “a one-man army of hate."

After issuing his blanket pardon of Rodriguez and his fellow cop-beaters, President Trump claimed these violent felons did not attack anyone, and that, in fact, they were the ones who had been attacked. He further stated that pardoning them was "a great thing for humanity."

Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny, argues that democracy cannot exist without history because it depends on citizens who can recognize patterns from the past, accept responsibility for what their nation has done, and choose better paths for the future.

Today, we are watching the Trump administration distort the facts surrounding the fatal shootings of Minneapolis residents Renée Good and Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents. This revisionism isn’t just cynical—it’s dangerous. When politicians deny what happened in plain sight, they erode the public’s ability to tell truth from propaganda.

And when the truth is lost, so is our capacity to hold power to account.


Terry Hansen is a retired educator from Grafton, WI, who writes frequently about climate change and on human rights. He lives in Grafton, WIsconsin.

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Illinois to receive $193M annually for rural health care, but providers warn of Medicaid impact

Illinois will receive $193 million a year for the next five years to expand health care access in rural areas. The funding comes from a new federal program created to offset Medicaid cuts included in H.R. 1.


by Nikoel Hytrek
Capitol News Illinois


SPRINGFIELD - Illinois will receive $193 million for each of the next five years to expand health care access for the approximately 1.9 million people in rural areas — or about $101 annually for every rural Illinoisan.

The money comes from the $50 billion federal Rural Healthcare Transformation Program fund, which Congress created to offset federal Medicaid spending cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or H.R. 1, that passed last summer.

But health care organizations said the money will not be enough to compensate for Medicaid cuts.

Photo by PEXELS/RDNE Stock Project

Illinois has 85 small and rural hospitals that serve as hubs for access to healthcare. Hospitals could be forced to reduce services like obstetrics, cut staff, or close entirely if government funding isn't sufficient.

“These funds are good, and we're going to put them to good use, but it's not a solution,” said Jordan Powell, senior vice president of health policy and finance for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association. “It's not going to mitigate the impact of the significant Medicaid cuts that are coming our way.”

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services said between 190,000 to 360,000 Medicaid recipients are at risk of losing coverage in Illinois because of new work requirements.

H.R. 1 also imposes a tighter cap on how much money states can raise for their Medicaid programs through provider taxes. The new limits will be phased in, starting in fiscal year 2028, and could reduce total Medicaid funding in Illinois by $4.5 billion a year by fiscal year 2031.

“Long term, we know a number of HR 1 provisions will have a devastating impact on healthcare in our state and present significant challenges with respect to maintaining equitable access to high-quality healthcare coverage for all Illinois residents,” the department said in a statement.

Illinois has 85 small and rural hospitals that serve as hubs for access to care for people who can’t travel long distances. Nearly 30% operate at a deficit, though, and most of the patients they serve are on Medicare or Medicaid, according to the Health and Hospital Association.

Photo: Anna Shvets/PEXELS

Increasing the workforce at rural hospitals is a priority that needs to be addressed.

Powell described the new federal money as a bandage, not a permanent solution for the cuts Illinois hospitals will face. As Medicaid reimbursement decreases, he said, hospitals could be forced to reduce services like obstetrics, cut staff, or close entirely.

Rural population is only a small part of grant consideration

The amount each state received ranged from $147 million for New Jersey to $281 million for Texas, and rural population appeared to be only a small factor in the equation.

That means states like Texas, with the largest rural population in the country, got far less per rural resident than states like Rhode Island, which has the smallest. Texas received $66 per rural resident and Rhode Island, with a total award of $156 million, received $6,305 per rural resident.

Half of the total $50 billion was awarded to states equally, but the other half was awarded based on specific factors such as a state’s current or planned policies for rural health care and proposed ideas that align with federal Make America Healthy Again priorities.

Among its neighbors, Illinois has the second-lowest award amount. Michigan, with its $173 million award, is the only state with less.

In the Midwest, Michigan’s rural population is slightly larger than Illinois’, but it received only $83 per person compared to Illinois’ $101. Iowa, with fewer rural residents than Illinois, got $139 per rural person.

Illinois’ Priorities

When filling out the application to the federal government, Illinois’ HFS consulted provider associations, rural hospitals, community health centers, community mental health centers, universities and community colleges, legislators and vendors.

According to the department, the state’s application focused on:

  • Increasing the number of health care workers in rural areas with education, scholarships, training and incentive programs.

  • Removing the barriers that rural residents face to getting health care by investing in mobile and telehealth services.

  • Changing the way rural health care systems run by creating regional partnerships.

The federal government indicated a preference for “transforming systems,” not just supporting ongoing operating expenses.

HFS said the hospital transformation grants will be a good tool for expanding its existing Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives to rural areas. The state launched the collaborative effort in 2021 to improve health care outcomes and reduce disparities across the state. It involves providers sharing resources to meet the health needs of multiple communities and expand access to services like preventative and specialty care.

“Team-based care, in partnership with hospitals and primary care practices, looks to improve access to care for rural residents by building out infrastructure and technology in order to increase access to specialty services, transform healthcare delivery, and overcome known geographic barriers for these communities,” the agency said in an emailed statement.

Powell said increasing the workforce and cybersecurity at hospitals are some of the top priorities. After that, he said, expanding rural broadband internet and upgrading electronic health records are important.

“Workforce and technology were two of the main things that we heard from our members,” he said. “I think the state wants to emphasize better partnerships and collaboration between providers.”

‘Not a long-term fix’

Despite allowing rural hospitals and health systems to make needed improvements, Powell said he still doesn’t think the money will be enough to make up for losing Medicaid payments.

“It’s kind of like supplemental funding that’s going to help them survive just a little bit longer,” he said. “I would actually say a significant portion of them are facing slim to negative margins, as is. And so this is funding that, again, will maintain some stability and viability for these organizations. But it's not a long-term fix.”


Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.


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TAGS: Illinois rural health care funding, Medicaid cuts impact Illinois hospitals, rural hospitals Illinois federal grants, Illinois Medicaid work requirements health care, Rural Healthcare Transformation Program Illinois
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Democrats denounce Trump agenda as GOP slams Illinois House session as political theater

The Illinois House met Wednesday, passing several Democrat-introduced symbolic resolutions against the current administration's federal policies. House Republicans opposed the measures, characterizing them as unproductive.


by Georgia Epiphaniou & Erika Tulfo
Capitol News Illinois


SPRINGFIELD - Illinois House Democrats kicked off their spring session this week in a mostly symbolic fashion, denouncing President Donald Trump’s policies in a series of resolutions criticizing immigration raids and cuts to health care and child care programs.

“The session was an opportunity for us to emphasize how these policies in the federal government impact Illinois,” House Rep. Lillian Jiménez, D-Chicago, said.

The Democrat-led symbolic resolutions targeted Trump’s tariffs, excessive use of force by federal immigration agents, the freezing of affordable child care funds and the expiry of Affordable Care Act subsidies. They even denounced the administration’s push to acquire territory overseas while Illinoisans face affordability challenges at home.

Rep. Lilian Jimenez from Illinois
Photo: Capitol News Illinois/Jerry Nowicki

Rep. Lilian Jiménez speaks on the House floor during the October 2025 veto session.

They all passed overwhelmingly over Republican objections.

“We basically did nothing but allow Democrats in the General Assembly to grandstand on things that are happening in D.C, that we have zero impact on,” House Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, told Capitol News Illinois.

House Rep. Jaime M. Andrade Jr., D-Chicago, kicked off the Wednesday session by calling out aggressive actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, citing the killing of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park in September last year and Renee Good in Minnesota early this month.

Andrade filed House Resolution 622 which condemned the use of “excessive and deadly force” by ICE agents, and called for an independent investigation into the Department of Homeland Security for killings and deaths of detainees in custody. Democrats also called for the resignation of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over her handling of immigration enforcement.

Democrats then focused on the impact of federal funding cuts.

Jiménez filed House Resolution 621, which called for the immediate unfreezing of federal child care funds, saying the session was a way to signal to constituents what their priorities are.

House Resolution 620 called on Congress to reinstate health care subsidies that expired on Dec. 31, 2025, and end what they called the “Trump healthcare affordability crisis.”

Democrats voted to approve House Resolution 624, filed by Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, condemning “Trump’s efforts to acquire territories and titles overseas, while leaving working families at home to pay the bill.”

She told Capitol News Illinois that taxpayer money was being used to fund operations that could be used to prioritize the needs of Americans. It came just hours after President Trump spoke to global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. He made the case earlier that day for why the U.S. should own Greenland, a self-governing territory under NATO ally Denmark.

But the resolutions met fierce pushback from House Republicans, who slammed the proposals as symbolic rather than productive and characterized them as theatrics.

Only one actionable joint resolution passed, which confirmed the House and Senate will convene in a joint session on Feb. 18 for Gov. JB Pritzker’s budget address.


Georgia Epiphaniou and Erika Tulfo are graduate students in journalism with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, and fellows in its Medill Illinois News Bureau working in partnership with Capitol News Illinois.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.


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TAGS: Illinois House symbolic resolutions, Illinois Democrats Trump criticism, Illinois General Assembly spring session, GOP response Illinois House resolutions, Trump policies Illinois legislature
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Curtain call set, Maroons dance team looks to climb Class 2A standings

Central Maroons Dance Team
The Maroons are back at state for the second straight season as they take the floor in Bloomington on Friday afternoon in the hunt for a state title.
Central Maroons Dance Team
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Members of the 2025 Central Dance Team perform during the preliminary round at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals. The Maroons will compete against 29 of the best Class 2A squads from around the state this weekend.

CHAMPAIGN - Champaign Central’s competitive dance program returns to the state stage Friday with both experience and opportunity on its side. With more experience and nearly 12 months of practice under their belts, the Maroons' dance squad hopes to establish themselves as the new kids on the block.

The Maroons will compete in the preliminary round of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, looking to advance to Saturday’s Class 2A championship round after qualifying for state for the second consecutive season. Central finished 30th overall a year ago and enters this weekend aiming to break into the top 12 teams from a field of 30 qualifiers.

The Class 2A landscape remains formidable, with seven of last year’s top 10 teams back in the mix. Defending champion Geneva, runner-up Burlington Central and third-place finisher Lake Zurich all return and are widely viewed as favorites to again occupy the podium. However, the absence of past contenders Benet Academy, St. Charles North and Libertyville has opened the door for programs like Champaign Central to climb higher in the standings.

Central is scheduled to take the floor at 1:17 p.m., following the Unity Rockettes of Tolono, who are making their ninth state appearance in Class 1A. Later in the session, St. Joseph-Ogden will perform at 1:45 p.m. as the third Champaign County school competing Friday, also seeking a spot in the 1A finals after finishing 16th last season.

After all 60 performances across Classes 1A and 2A are completed, the IHSA will announce the 12 finalists in each division who will advance to Saturday’s championship rounds.

Returning for the Maroons this season are Aurelie Gerini, Azaria Lewis, TyShauna Leinhart, Summer Aker, Kai’mere Beard, Tesla Burack and Leyla Allison. The roster also features four newcomers in Mekhi Gray, Ayden Hepler, Charlotte Hartsock and Aisha Emniser, adding depth to a program continuing to establish itself on the state level.

Admission to the state finals is $17, with tickets available in advance through Ticketmaster. Live coverage will also be available on the NFHS Network.

TAGS: Champaign Central competitive dance state finals, IHSA Competitive Dance Class 2A preliminaries, Champaign Central dance team Bloomington, Grossinger Motor Arena dance finals, Champaign Central second state appearance
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In the kitchen |
A convenient homecooked solution without a slow cooker

Family Features - Walking in the door to the smell of homemade chili is sure to warm you up from the inside-out, but if you forgot to set up the slow cooker before heading out the door in the morning, don’t fret – a hearty bowl of beans, beef and stewed goodness can still await.

For a quick and easy version of the comfort food classic, consider this Quick Homecooked Chili that’s made in a skillet and ready in half an hour. Just brown ground beef with a chopped onion, stir in beans, tomato sauce, cubed sweet potato and a few simple seasonings and you’re well on your way to a winter warmup.

Find more easy ways to feed your family by visiting Culinary.net.


Photo: Unsplash

Quick Homecooked Chili

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

  • 1          pound ground beef
  • 1          onion, chopped
  • 1          can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1          can (15 ounces) kidney beans
  • 1          can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
  • 1          can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1          sweet potato, cubed
  •             water (optional)
  • 1          teaspoon chili powder
  • 1          pinch garlic powder
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • sour cream (optional)
  • sliced avocado (optional)
  1. In large saucepan over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until meat is browned and onion is tender, 5-7 minutes.
  2. Stir in tomato sauce, kidney beans, stewed tomatoes with juices, diced tomatoes with green chilies and cubed sweet potato. Add water to reach desired consistency.
  3. Season with chili powder and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
  4. Bring to boil then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
  5. Serve with sour cream and sliced avocado, if desired.
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Unity Rockettes set to compete at state dance championships

The Rockettes are part of a crowded Class 1A field featuring several perennial power programs. Only the top 12 teams will advance after Friday’s preliminary round.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Members of the Unity competitive dance team performs during half of the football team's home playoff game against Monticello. Finishing third at the Champaign Sectional on Saturday, the Rockettes advance to Friday's preliminary round at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals in Bloomington.

TOLONO - For the eighth time in program history, the Unity dance team will perform under the lights of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals on Friday, taking the floor at Grossinger Motors Arena with a place in Saturday’s Class 1A championship round on the line.

The Rockettes are scheduled to perform at 1:13 p.m. Friday at at the arena in Bloomington as part of the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals. Unity will compete in the Class 1A preliminary round, where the top 12 teams advance to Saturday’s championship finals from a field of 30 qualifiers.

Unity’s routine will follow performances by Quincy Notre Dame at 12:57 p.m. and Fieldcrest at 1:05 p.m. Area fans remaining in the arena after the Rockettes take the floor will also have a chance to support Champaign Central next during its Class 2A performance, with St. Joseph-Ogden going under the lights in the afternoon at 1:45 p.m.

Advancing will not come easily. Class 1A is expected to be highly competitive, with nine of last year’s top 10 finishers returning to the state series. Established programs from Jacksonville, Morris and Highland headline a field where a single mistake could be the difference between advancing and an early exit.

After all 60 performances across both classes are completed, the IHSA will announce the 12 finalists in each division who will move on to Saturday’s title rounds.

Unity’s 2025 state roster includes Olivia Egelston, Ella Darnall, Vanna Schriefer, Taylor Daly, Faith Lampe, Katie Knoll, Madison Spohn, Jauniyah Lisanby, Skylar Savona, Za’Brya White, Jordan Hamilton, Mallory Tiemann, Lily Beailes and Makayla Goff. The Rockettes are coached by Maddy Wilson. She is assisted by Briget Hooker.

Friday’s appearance continues a long history of postseason success for the program. Unity has qualified for the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals eight times since the series began, with state trips in the 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The Rockettes also captured sectional championships in back-to-back years during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.

With experience, depth and a proven track record, Unity will look to put together a clean performance Friday afternoon and earn another spot among the state’s final 12 teams.

Admission is $17, with tickets available online through Ticketmaster. Live coverage of the event will also be available on the NFHS Network.


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TAGS: Unity Rockettes IHSA dance state finals preview, Unity High School competitive dance Class 1A, Grossinger Motor Arena dance state meet, IHSA Competitive Dance Class 1A preliminaries, Unity dance team state history
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