Prep Sports Notebook: 3 Spartans commit, Urbana volleyball loses non-conference match at home

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Three Spartan basketball players commit

Back in August, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball standout Taylor Wells announced her plans to continue her academic and athletic career at Mount Mercy University. The senior, who is making waves with the Spartan volleyball team this fall, joined the basketball program at the private institution of about 1,488 students.

The Mustangs are members of the Heart of America Athletic Conference and have made NAIA national tournament appearances six times since 1991. In the previous season from November through February during the Coronavirus pandemic, the program played 20 games and finished 7-13 overall.

On September 12, teammate Payton Jacobs announced on Twitter that she will pursue her dream to play college basketball at Illinois Wesleyan University. She is no stranger to the Shirk Center or the Bloomington-Normal area where she has played basketball at the State Farm Holiday Classic.

Late last week, a third Spartan announced a verbal commitment continue their basketball career. Senior Ella Armstrong join the Truman State University program in 2022. Located in Kirksville, Mo.. The Bulldogs finished the 2020-2021 season with a record of 17 wins and 5 losses. The Bulldogs are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

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Ben Brown delivers hat trick

Ben Brown scored three times in Hoopeston Area's home match against Unity. The senior was also credited with a pair of assists in the 8-0 shutout.

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Spartans defeat Tigers, 2-0

The St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team rolled past Urbana High School on the road in two sets, 25-11, 25-12.

Senior Kennedi Burnett led the offense with nine kills. Shayne Immke delivered another six while Ashley Eldridge contributed another five kills. Becca Steinbach was credited with 24 assist, seven digs and a pair of aces.

The Spartans host the Unity Rockets in what is expected to be a dramatic match between the two conference frontrunners.

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SJO's Armstrong commits

St. Joseph-Ogden shooting guard Ella Armstrong announced her verbal commitment continue her basketball career at Truman State University located in Kirksville, Mo..

The Bulldogs finished their previous season 17-5 and are members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

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Photo Gallery: Big numbers on the board, SJO beats IVC at home

Griffin Roesch celebrates an SJO touchdown in the first quarter. The Spartan, looking for their first win of the season, went on to defeat visiting Illinois Valley Central, 48-7. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Spartan quarterback Evan Ingram tosses a pass during the first quarter. The senior signal caller completed five of his seven pass attempts for 105 yards. Two passes, one for 24 and another for 36 yards, resulted in touchdowns for St. Joseph-Ogden. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Angie Chahine gives a thumb up while cheering with the Maroon Platoon. Chahine, a member of the St. Joseph-Ogden tennis team, watched the home team rack up more touchdowns in four quarters on Friday night than their last three games of the pandemic-delayed spring season back in April of this year. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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With Griffin Roesch holding, sophomore kicker Joe Frasca puts the ball between the uprights on an extra point attempt. Frasca made six of his seven PATs for the Spartans. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Surrounded by cheerleaders from the St. Joseph-Ogden youth football program, high school cheerleader JoLeena Reynolds lead them and fans in a cheer during the first quarter of the home football game. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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After coming up with a big play for the Spartans, Tyler Burch celebrates after picking off a Grey Ghost pass. The play help build the Spartans' dominant momentum early in the game. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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IVC's Will Bundren stops SJO's Isaiah Moore's forward progress during the second quarter. Moore scored twice for the Spartans, once on a 1-yard run and on intercepted Grey Ghost pass. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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IHSA official Marv Dampeer watches a play develop in the first half of the game. Dampeer and the officials crew he works with are regulars work football games throughout east central Illinois. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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SJO junior Tyler Burch breaks up an Illinois Valley Central pass intended for wide receiver Gave Ross. The Spartans defensive secondary gave up just 81 passing yards to the Grey Ghost. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Griffen Roesch celebrates a one-yard plunge by teammate Isaiah Moore two and half minutes into the second half. Moore, who also had a pick-6 during the home game, increased the Spartans lead and started the running clock with the score at 42-0. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Spartan running back Justice Wertz is wrapped up by Grey Ghosts Brooklyn Clifford and Jayden Turner in the fourth quarter. Wertz finished the game with 48 yards and one touchdown on eight carries. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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Publisher's Note: Check later for more photos from this game. Looking for photos of a specific player? Email us at photos@oursentinel.com with the athlete's name and jersey number for details.