An unusual season: Coaches describe basketball challenges and success
St. Joseph-Ogden's Nolan Grindley tries to reel in a loose ball in the Spartans' home game against Teutopolis on March 5.
As teams head into the final week of prep basketball, The Sentinel contacted our four area coaches to get their thoughts on probably the shortest high school basketball season in the history of Illinois as it winds down to a close this weekend. Restricted fan access, wearing masks while playing and other health mandates is likely a season student-athletes and coaches won't forget.
CHAMPAIGN - Homewood-Flossmoor student fans cheer for their basketball team during the awards ceremony for their newly crowned state champion team. The Vikings won this year's Class 4A championship after defeating Normal Community 60-48 at the IHSA Boys' Basketball State Finals on Saturday. The victory is the first state title for the Southwest Suburban Conference school that has made eight previous state tournament appearances.
TAGS: West Central places second in the state, Unity soccer loses opening game, Phillips' boys basketball team take home the title, getting your home ready to put on the market, St. Patrick's Day cupcake recipe that's easy make
St. Patrick's Day isn't complete without lucky cupcakes for the family.
Feature Impact - Going green for St. Patrick’s Day can stretch beyond beer, clothes and decor – it can even make its way to the dessert table.
Photo: Darlene Alderson/PEXELS
The O’Reilly family had just finished their St. Patrick’s Day dinner of hearty Irish stew, creamy colcannon, and slices of warm Irish soda bread. Sean and Krystal pushed their bowls aside, still full from the meal but already glancing toward the kitchen counter.
While the kids were at junior high earlier that day, their mum, Maureen, had baked Irish cupcakes and topped them with bright green frosting. Setting the tray on the table as everyone leaned forward a little, suddenly finding room for dessert.
With a classic recipe and a dash of green food coloring, these Luck O’ the Irish Cupcakes offer a sweet-tooth-satisfying bite that you, too, can share with your family.
To make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 F and arrange rack in center of oven. Line 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Add egg whites and vanilla; beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add sour cream and beat until combined.
Add half of dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Beat on low until incorporated. Add milk and beat to combine. Add remaining dry ingredients and beat until combined.
Add batter to liners until three-quarters full. Bake 19-22 minutes, until slightly golden on top.
Remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely.
To make frosting: In large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat until combined. Add heavy cream, vanilla and salt; beat until combined. Mix in green food coloring.
Transfer frosting to piping bag and pipe frosting onto cupcakes.
More awesome Sentinel recipes
TAGS: St. Patrick's Day dessert, Sentinel reciepes, easy holiday desserts, celebrate St. Patty's Day with a lucky dessert
Simple improvements often change how buyers view an entire property, making early preparation essential for maximizing sale price. Here are some things you should know.
Selling a home starts long before the listing goes live. Careful preparation affects buyer interest and final sale price. Sellers who plan early gain control over repairs, cleaning, and organization. This approach reduces stress during the moving process.
Many homeowners underestimate how much work comes before listing. Buyers notice small issues quickly during showings. As a matter of fact, simple improvements often change how buyers view the entire property. Homes that feel organized and well-maintained attract stronger offers. When you prepare your home for sale early, the property enters the market in its best condition.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/PEXELS
Inspection reports are a must when selling your home. A pre-listing inspection gives you an ideal of the work you will need to do or the concessions you will have to make with an interested buyer.
Start With a Pre-Listing Home Inspection
A pre-listing inspection gives sellers useful information before buyers appear. Inspectors review systems, structure, and visible components across the property. Early findings help owners address problems before negotiations begin.
As an illustration, inspectors often uncover small plumbing leaks or roof wear. These issues may seem minor yet raise concern for buyers. Fixing them before listing prevents price reductions later. Sellers also gain time to choose contractors carefully.
Inspection reports also support honest communication with buyers. Another key point, transparency builds trust during negotiations. Buyers often feel more comfortable making offers when they understand the home's condition, or when they know they will be moving in a ready home.
Declutter With a Strategic Selling Mindset
Decluttering before listing helps buyers focus on the home itself. Personal items often distract from the property’s features. Removing extra belongings and storing your electronics creates a calmer environment during showings.
Closets and storage spaces deserve special attention. Similarly, buyers always check storage areas carefully. Overfilled closets suggest limited space. Removing many items helps those spaces appear larger and organized.
Packing early also helps the moving process later. Of course, sellers already know many items will travel to the next home. Packing them early reduces clutter throughout the house. Labeled boxes keep everything organized during the move.
Plan Your Moving Day to Avoid Last-Minute Stress
Many sellers focus only on listing preparation. However, moving logistics deserve equal attention. A clear moving plan keeps the transition smooth after you prepare your home for sale. Early planning prevents rushed packing and scheduling problems.
Some homeowners attempt doing everything in one day. This plan often creates stress and delays. Packing, cleaning, and moving rarely fit into a single day without problems. Others face the challenge of moving while closing on both houses on the same day. This situation demands precise timing and organization. Even small delays during closing can disrupt the entire moving schedule.
Temporary storage can also simplify the process. Besides, stored items reduce clutter during showings. A lighter home also supports better staging during the selling process.
Planning ahead keeps both tasks connected. Sellers who prepare your home for sale while organizing the move handle the transition with fewer surprises.
Photo: Blue Bird/PEXELS
When prepping your home for sale, take care of all the obvious marks on the walls and doors. Paint, fill cracks and holes, and repair doors to give potential buyers a good impression.
Minor Repairs That Increase Buyer Confidence
Small problems often signal poor maintenance to buyers. A dripping faucet or chipped paint may seem harmless. Yet buyers may assume larger problems exist behind the walls.
Fixing these issues improves buyer confidence immediately. Hence, minor repairs can support stronger offers. Simple fixes require little time yet improve the home's appearance.
Start with highly visible repairs throughout the property. Door handles, cabinet hinges, and wall marks deserve attention. Not to mention, squeaky doors often leave negative impressions during tours.
Improve Curb Appeal Before Buyers Arrive
Buyers form opinions before stepping inside the home. The exterior sets expectations for everything that follows. A clean and attractive entrance encourages buyers to explore further.
Start with basic outdoor maintenance tasks. Pressure washing removes dirt from siding and walkways. Fresh mulch improves the appearance of garden beds. Also, take care of your yard, trimmed bushes and trees create a tidy look.
Besides, the front door often becomes a focal point. A new coat of paint refreshes the entrance quickly. Updated house numbers and a clean mailbox add subtle improvements.
How to Stage Rooms for Maximum Impact
Staging helps buyers imagine daily life in the home. Furniture placement plays a large role in that process. Rooms should highlight space, natural light, and functionality.
Start by simplifying each room’s layout. Remove oversized furniture that crowds the space. Whereas large pieces dominate small rooms, smaller arrangements allow movement and flow.
Neutral colors support staging goals as well. Bedding, curtains, and rugs should stay simple. Similarly, neutral tones appeal to many buyers. Strong colors often distract from the room itself.
Deep Cleaning That Makes Homes Feel New
Deep cleaning transforms how buyers experience a home. Dust, stains, and odors influence perception immediately. Clean homes feel better maintained
and move-in ready.
Focus on details buyers often notice first. Windows, baseboards, and door frames collect dust over time. Not to mention, clean windows increase natural light inside the home.
Bathrooms and kitchens deserve extra effort during cleaning. Tile grout, sinks, and appliances should appear spotless. Nevertheless, strong chemical smells should be avoided.
Organize Important Documents for Buyers
Organizing home documents supports smooth negotiations later. Buyers often request detailed information about the property. Having documents ready prevents delays during closing.
Start by collecting appliance manuals and warranties. Buyers appreciate knowing how systems operate. Hence, these details help them feel comfortable with the purchase.
Renovation records also hold value. Receipts and contractor notes prove that upgrades happened properly. Besides, documented improvements support the home’s value.
Photo: Kindel Media/PEXELS
Buyers celebrate the purchase of their new home. Your home will sell faster if it is in move-in ready condition.
Pricing Preparation Before Listing
Pricing strategy plays a central role in selling a home. Sellers should research comparable properties in the neighborhood. Recent sales offer helpful guidance for setting expectations.
Market demand also affects pricing decisions. Similarly, high demand often supports stronger listing prices. Low demand may require more competitive pricing strategies.
Home improvements also influence price positioning. Updated kitchens, bathrooms, and roofing add measurable value. In contrast, outdated features may reduce buyer interest.
Final Steps Before Listing Your Property
Preparing a home for sale requires careful attention across many areas. Inspections, repairs, cleaning, and staging each support a strong first impression. Buyers often respond quickly to homes that feel organized and well-maintained.
Early preparation also reduces pressure during the moving process. Tasks become manageable when spread across several weeks. As a matter of fact, sellers gain more control over decisions and timelines.
Taking time to prepare your home for sale creates clear advantages. Sellers present the property at its best. The result often includes faster sales, better offers, and less stress during the move.
Other articles that you might like
how to prepare home for sale checklist, pre-listing home inspection benefits sellers, staging tips to sell house faster, minor repairs increase home value before listing
Rare John Deere tractors and vintage Mack trucks headline a massive two-day farm auction in Rantoul on March 20-21, with hundreds of pallets of parts attracting collectors and restorers. Online bidding is already open for the Albert Warner estate sale, with preview day scheduled for March 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RANTOUL - Polk Auction Company will conduct a massive two-day farm auction March 20-21 featuring collector tractors, vintage implements and hundreds of pallets of parts from the Albert Warner estate.
The living estate sale will take place at the Warner property at 1269 CR 3200 N in Rantoul, with online bidding already open through Polk Auction Live, Proxibid and Equipment Facts platforms. With the items located at four different locations, the auction will also take place via a live video feed from a heated location on the farm.
Photo courtesy Polk Auction
Lot #4251 includes (2) 13.6-36 FIRESTONE TIRES ON 9-BOLT RIMS
Among the standout items drawing collector interest are several rare John Deere tractors, including a 6030, a 5020 Row Crop and multiple 720 and 730 diesel models. The sale also features vintage Mack B-85 and B-61 diesel trucks, a 1986 John Deere 4850 MFWD, and antique Farmall and International models. A vintage visible gas pump and multiple sets of Firestone tires round out the premium offerings.
The auction includes extensive tractor, John Deere and implement parts, farm toys and construction equipment components spread across hundreds of pallets—a treasure trove for mechanics, restorers and resellers.
Screen shots courtesy Polk Auction
Online bidders can register at any time, while on-site registration will be available March 19 and on auction mornings. A preview day is scheduled for March 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., when all four locations will be open for inspection. Complete catalog photos are available at polkauction.com.
Buyer's premiums apply: 5% on-site and 10% online for tractors, while all other items carry a 10% on-site and 15% online premium. Payment options include cash, check, credit card (with 4% processing fee) and wire transfer. The sale is tax-exempt.
Photos courtesy Polk Auction
LEFT: A John Deere 820 tractor is one of many early sought out items in the Warner Farm auction. The bid is currently at $1,050 at the time of this article. RIGHT: A John Deere825 three-point field cultivator from lot #4248 has a starting bid of $5.
All items must be removed by the buyer. Loadout will be available on auction days, Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and March 23-28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
For more information, contact Polk Auction Company at (877) 915-4440 or visit polkauction.com.
John Deere tractor auction Rantoul Illinois March 2026, Warner family farm estate sale Polk Auction, vintage Mack truck auction Illinois, collector tractor auction online bidding
Illinois defeated Maryland to finish the regular season 24-7 and earn a quarterfinal berth in the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center.
COLLEGE PARK, MD -Illinois closed the regular season Sunday with another step in what has become one of the most successful stretches in recent program history.
Photo: Courtney Bay/Illinois Athletics
Maryland's Collin Metcalf contests a shot by Illinois' David Mirkovic. Mirkovic led the Illini with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the conference road win on Sunday. He became the 10th Illinois freshman in program history to score over 400 points in their first season.
Behind a double-double from David Mirkovic and a strong second half from Keaton Wagler, Illinois defeated Maryland to finish the regular season 24-7 overall and 15-5 in the Big Ten. The victory secures the Illini a triple bye into Friday’s quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament at the United Center in Chicago.
Mentally, Brad Underwood says the team is prepared for what comes next.
"You have a 20-game gauntlet in this league. We had some tough losses. We are 15-5 and we'll see where that puts us," he said. "We did a lot of good things. We won a lot of big games."
The 24 regular-season wins are the program’s most in two decades, since the 2006 team finished the regular season with 25 victories. Illinois’ 15 conference wins also tie for the second-most in school history.
Underwood has now led the Illini to three of the program’s five seasons with at least 15 Big Ten wins, including a 15-5 league mark in 2022 and a 16-win season in 2021. Underwood owns the top three — and five of the top nine — winningest Big Ten seasons in Illinois history.
Despite a flat start, Underwood said he was proud of the way the team performed on the road.
"We started slow in terms of the enthusiasium," he recounted. "Our energy level was quite what it need to be. We just hung in there and kept delivering body blows."
Illinois also matched another program mark with its eighth conference road win of the season, tying the record set in the 2020-21 campaign. Over the past seven seasons, the Illini have compiled 42 Big Ten road victories, the most in the conference during that span.
Mirkovic powered the Illini on Sunday with 22 points and 11 rebounds while adding three assists and a steal. The freshman recorded his team-leading seventh double-double of the season and his second 20-point performance, following his 27-point, 21-rebound effort against Colgate on Nov. 14.
Mirkovic also continued a productive scoring stretch, reaching double figures for the 24th time this season and for the third straight game. His performance pushed him past 400 points on the year, making him the 10th freshman in Illinois history to reach that milestone. With 409 points, he now ranks 10th on the program’s freshman scoring list. Mirkovic led the Illini in scoring for the fourth time this season and paced the team in rebounds for the 14th time.
"We won the battle in the paint 42-20," Underwood said. "We figured that coming in. It was the game plan."
Wagler added 11 points, all in the second half, along with three rebounds, three assists, one block and a career-high three steals. The freshman guard recorded his team-leading 28th double-digit scoring performance and extended his streak to 23 consecutive games with at least 10 points.
Wagler closed the regular season with 554 total points, extending his Illinois freshman scoring record. His season average of 17.9 points per game sits two points above the previous freshman record of 15.9 set by Kiwane Garris during the 1993-94 season. Wagler also finished the regular season with 155 made free throws, the most by a freshman in program history.
Kylan Boswell contributed 11 points and tied for the team lead with three assists. It marked his 40th career double-figure scoring game at Illinois, the most among active players, and his 16th of the season.
TAGS: Illinois vs Maryland basketball recap, Illinois Fighting Illini Big Ten Tournament preview, David Mirkovic Illinois double-double Maryland, Illinois basketball regular season record 2026, Brad Underwood Illinois Big Ten wins history
The Roadrunners dominated the paint, outscoring the Lancers 38-20 in Friday's Class 4A semifinal at the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
NORMAL - Nazareth Academy's Stella Sakalas fires a shot during first-quarter action of the Roadrunners' semifinal game against Belleville East. Sakalas led all scorers with 30 points, five rebounds, and six steals to advance her team into Saturday's championship game against Loyola Academy.
BELOW: Sakalas tries to hold the ball after quick scramble to keep it away from Belleville East's Vanessa Stacy. Nazareth Academy took an early lead and maintained their momentum to beat Belleville East, 54-36. The Lancers would regroup quickly after the loss with the third-place game hours later to beat Rolling Meadows, 43-30.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
More Basketball Stories
TAGS:
IHSA Class 4A state basketball results, Nazareth Academy basketball player Stella Salakas, Belleville East's Denaya Bartelheim and Vanessa Stacy foundation for success for Lancers, IHSA Class 4A girls basketball playoff coverage, girls' high school state basketball
Unity overcame early-season losses to Teutopolis, winning the sectional final 59-58 on a buzzer-beater. Unity moves one step from a state tournament berth, facing Kankakee McNamara on Monday.
Photo: Lori Garrret for the Sentinel
Brayden Henry holds up the net while celebrating with teamates and fans after the Rockets' epic victory over Teutopolis on Friday.
MONTICELLO - Unity had already seen Teutopolis twice this season, and both times the Wooden Shoes walked away with the win. Friday night in the Monticello Class 2A sectional championship, the Rockets finally got their revenge and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Brayden Henry drove to the basket and delivered a layup at the buzzer, lifting Unity to a dramatic 59-58 victory and sending the Rockets to the Pontiac Supersectional.
The win sends Unity (32-2) one step from the state tournament, marking the program’s deepest postseason run since 2002. The Rockets will face Kankakee McNamara on Monday in Pontiac with a trip to the IHSA state finals on the line.
Friday’s matchup carried the intensity of a rivalry built over the course of the season. Teutopolis had claimed the first two meetings, defeating Unity 56-50 in the season opener and edging the Rockets again 37-36 on Dec. 31. With a sectional title at stake in the third meeting, the Rockets delivered when it mattered most.
Unity started quickly, building a 16-11 lead in the opening quarter behind seven combined points from the Henry twins and four points from senior Tre Hoggard. Teutopolis rallied in the second quarter and carried a 25-23 lead into halftime.
The Rockets reclaimed the momentum in the third quarter and opened the fourth with a 41-36 advantage, setting the stage for a tense finish.
Teutopolis mounted a late charge behind Isaac McWhorter, who finished with a game-high 23 points. McWhorter sparked the Wooden Shoes in the fourth quarter with three 3-pointers and two field goals, while also converting both of his free-throw attempts. Gavin Addis added 13 points, including two field goals and a perfect 3-for-3 performance from the free-throw line in the final quarter. Layndyn Thoele contributed nine points, all in the first half.
Unity answered with balanced scoring. Henry led the Rockets with 20 points, scoring in every quarter before delivering the game-winning basket. Dane Eisenmenger and Tyler Henry each finished with 10 points, while Mason O’Neill added two free throws. Eisenmenger was perfect from the line at 3-for-3, and O’Neill went 2-for-2.
The victory extends Unity’s winning streak to 23 games and moves the Rockets within one win of the state tournament.
Kankakee McNamara (25-5) awaits Monday in the Pontiac Supersectional after defeating Yorkville Christian 69-56 in overtime at the Seneca Sectional. The Fightin’ Irish enter the matchup averaging 61 points per game while allowing opponents about 45 points per contest.
More Unity Sports
TAGS: Unity Rockets Teutopolis Class 2A sectional recap, Brayden Henry buzzer-beater Unity vs Teutopolis, Monticello Class 2A basketball sectional results, Unity Rockets supersectional 2026 preview, IHSA Class 2A boys basketball playoff coverage
NORMAL - The journey to the top of Illinois high school basketball reached its pinnacle Saturday at CEFCU Arena as the Washington girls basketball team captured the program’s first state championship.
Facing a resilient Glenwood squad in the IHSA Class 3A final, Washington used a balanced offensive attack and a disciplined defensive performance to secure a 60-45 victory. The win marks a historic milestone for the Panthers, who improved on last season’s third-place finish to claim the title in Normal.
Washington established control early, finishing the first quarter with a 14-10 lead and extending the margin to 34-22 by halftime. The Panthers’ shooting was particularly sharp in the second quarter, when they hit 75% of their field-goal attempts.
Avery Tibbs anchored the Washington offense, delivering a game-high 24 points. Her performance was bolstered by double-digit contributions from Rebecca McDougall, who added 10 points, and a nine-point effort from Danielle Guedet. Washington’s efficiency from the floor — finishing at 56.4% for the game — proved too much for the Titans to overcome.
Lady Panther Rebecca McDougall attempts a shot between Glenwood's Layne Matthew and Stella Lopp. McDougall led her team with five assists and four rebounds in addition to her ten-point finish.
Glenwood refused to go quietly, mounting a challenge in the third quarter. Led by Alexis Neumann, who finished with 16 points and six rebounds, and Ava Bobb, who added 13 points, the Titans cut the deficit to six points late in the period. Washington responded in the fourth quarter. Timely 3-pointers and a disciplined transition game allowed the Panthers to pull away, outscoring Glenwood 18-9 in the final eight minutes.
The statistics underscored Washington’s championship performance. The Panthers dominated the paint, outscoring Glenwood 30-24, and capitalized on turnovers for 16 points.
While the Titans controlled the boards with 28 rebounds to Washington’s 18, the Panthers’ ability to protect the ball and find open shooters in transition proved decisive. As the final buzzer sounded, the celebration began for a Washington team that has now cemented its place in Central Illinois high school basketball history.
Danielle Guedet takes a shot in front of Glenwood's leading scorer Alexis Neumann. Nuemann, who had 16 points, also pulled down a team-high six boards.
Alan Look is a Central Illinois photographer with more than two and a half decades of experience documenting sports, agriculture, automotive subjects, editorial assignments, and commercial projects across the Midwest. His work blends high‑impact action photography with long‑form documentary coverage, creating a visual record of regional sports history, rural life, and the people and industries that define Central Illinois.
To view the complete visual story from the DeeMak-Rockford Christian game, visit the game gallery from Alan Look Photography.
NORMAL - St. Viator's Kalin McCrea cuts into the lane for a shot between Washington's Kate McDougall and Danielle Guedet. McCrea, a starting guard who led the team with assists heading into the program's first state final appearance, finished the game with two points, 2 assists and solo rebound against the eventual state champions. The Lions lost the state final opener 55-34 on Friday at ISU's CEFCU Arena at the IHSA Girls Basketball State Finals.
Past Photos of the Day
TAGS: Sentinel Photo of the Day, IHSA wrestling, POTD, Sports, Girls state basketball finals, St. Viator Lions, Washington Panthers
