The Sentinel

Prep Sports Notebook | Hoopeston drops close game at Watseka tourney, SJO picks up win

Cornjerkers suffer heartbreaking loss

WATSEKA - The Hoopeston Area basketball team dropped their first conference game of the season to Milford at the Watseka Christmas Tournament on Thursday. Despite seven players contributing to the final outcome, the Cornjerkers (4-6, 1-1) came up short, 70-67.

Anthony Zamora led Hoopeston's scoring effort with 19 points. Preston VanDeVeer finished the night with a 13-point effort. Kendrick Sigrill, who hauled down 12 rebounds, and Wyatt Eisenman chipped in 12 points apiece. Owen Root added another 8 points, Mason Rush finished with 2 points, and Ethan Steiner added one more in the conference loss.

Cornjerkers continue their quest at the Watseka tournament facing St. Anne tomorrow.

Hug drains 5 treys

BISMARCK - St. Joseph-Ogden Taylor Hug led all scorers with a game-high 19 points in her team's 50-31 win over Bismarck-Henning. The senior was also a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line. She swished a three-pointer in every quarter except for the third, where she drained an extra.

Teammate Addison Frick hit three shots from behind the arc on her way to a 12-point finish for the Spartans. Addie Martinie contributed 12 points, and Addie Seggebruch rounded out the team's scoring effort with nine points.

The road win improves SJO's season record to 4-6. The Spartans travel to Pleasant Plains on Saturday for another non-conference contest.

Uni-High falls to Salt Fork at home

URBANA - The Illineks scored 10 points in all four quarters but came up short in their non-conference home game against the visiting Storm from Salt Fork 74-40 on Wednesday. U-High is 1-11 on the season after the loss.

** This page will be updated as results are reported oursentinel.com **

Recipe | Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Family Features - Memories made and recipes shared are the trademarks of a successful holiday gathering, and this year, you can host your way to a practically perfect party with delicious dishes that resonate with the flavors of the season.

If you and your family enjoy mushrooms dishes or you are looking for a cozy meatless meal to impress holiday guests, then this recipe is for you.

This could be a family-favorite in your house. Start your meal with a main course that looks and smells as good as it tastes. Creamy Mushroom Pasta Nests deliver that festive flavor with a robust blend of breadcrumbs, earthy mushrooms and a homemade sauce crafted with Violife Just Like Cream Cheese. Developed to capture the taste of dairy cream cheese, it’s designed to be enjoyed by everyone at the table this holiday season as a non-GMO solution free from dairy, soy, nuts, gluten, preservatives and lactose.

Serve with a fresh tossed salad and warm bread for a memorable meal.

Visit ViolifeFoods.com to find more holiday-worthy recipes.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta Nests

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Marinade:

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/2 ounces hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon garlic chili paste
2 tablespoons black and white sesame seeds
1 teaspoon harissa paste

Breadcrumbs:

1 tablespoon Violife Plant Butter
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon dried garlic

Pasta:

17 1/2 ounces mushrooms, roughly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
10 1/2 ounces fresh spinach
1 package Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original
17 1/2 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 1/2 ounces Violife Just Like Parmesan Wedge, grated

To make marinade: Whisk olive oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic chili paste, sesame seeds and harissa paste. Set aside.
To make breadcrumbs: In frying pan, heat plant butter. Add breadcrumbs, rosemary and garlic; saute 3-5 minutes until golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
To make pasta: Saute mushrooms in olive oil 5-7 minutes until golden. Add spinach, 2-3 minutes, and pour over marinade. Add cream cheese and whisk until creamy.
Boil pasta according to package instructions. Sieve and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, adding to pasta sauce. Whisk constantly until combined.
Using tongs, make small nests in pasta, place on plates and pour creamy mushroom sauce on top.
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan.