St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence tries to dribble past Normal University High School's Mason Funk during the 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic Small School championship game on December 30. Pence and the Spartans went on to capture the title for the first time in school history via a 58-49 win over the Pioneers. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
ST. JOSEPH - Tomorrow, the state-ranked SJO basketball squad will host 16-1 Prairie Central, who is in a two-way tie for first with Pontiac in the Illini Prairie Conference, for a battle with major conference implications. After dropping their third loss this season to the Pontiac Indians on Friday by way of a 14-point deficit, the Spartans (14-3) quickly turned around and defeated Maroa-Forsyth on the road by an even wider margin, 76-54. The Hawks, whose one loss was to Morton a week ago, are ranked second in the latest Associated Press Class 2A poll. Meanwhile, the Spartans are ranked sixth in Class 2A and look to move up the ladder from 8th place with a win over visiting Prairie Central. Pence and the Spartans have not lost a contest on their home floor this season.
TOLONO - Unity Junior High School announced the 8th grade recipients achieving Honor Roll and High Honor Roll status for their academic performance during the second quarter two weeks ago. Congratulations to all the students who earned the requisite grade point average to celebrate the honor.
