Senior Jake Pence (left) attacks the paint darting by a Breese Central player during St. Joseph-Ogden's Class 2A state semifinal basketball game on March 11, 2016 in Peoria. Thanks to outscoring the Cougars 33-15 in the second half, the Spartans advanced to Saturday's game on the wings of a 60-48 victory. Playing guard, Pence finished the night with eight points and a rebound for the eventual state champions from downstate Illinois.
After his first loss, Gavel drops the hammer at state
Unity's Ben Gavel celebrates his victory after defeating Winnebago's Carlos Sanchez in the 126-pound third-place medal at the IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals last February. Gavel, a junior, entered the 2020 state finals with a 50-4 record. After losing his first round match to Ridgeview's Coby Windle, 8-4, he then plowed his way through the consolation bracket rolling off five consecutive pins to take home the bronze medal.