Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden basketball, Pleasant Plains basketball, girls basketball season opener, Spartans game recap, Anna Webber performance, high school basketball news.
Blackburn-Kelley leads SJO in road loss
Pleasant Plains – St. Joseph-Ogden opened the season on the road with one of the toughest foes on their 2024-25 schedule, falling to the Pleasant Plains Cardinals 54-19 on Thursday night. The defeat marks a challenging start for the Spartans, who finished last season with a commendable 16-12 record and a second-place finish in the Illini Prairie Conference.
Timera Blackburn-Kelley led St. Joseph-Ogden with 10 points, demonstrating persistence despite the team's struggles. Blackburn-Kelley also went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line. Addie Brooks finished with 5 points. Kara Osterbur and Atleight Moller each added 2 points to the Spartan tally.
On the opposing side, Pleasant Plains showcased a dominant performance, with Anna Webber leading all scorers with 23 points. Webber's scoring barrage included a remarkable stretch during the second and third quarters, where she scored all but five of her points. Bailey Leach also reached double figures, contributing 18 points and successfully converting 6 of 7 free-throw attempts.
Looking ahead, the Spartans have a challenging road ahead as they prepare for their next three games away from home. St. Joseph-Ogden will travel to Paris (1-0) next week, followed by matches at Tuscola on December 2 and Oakwood on December 4. The Spartans' first home game is scheduled for December 5, where they will host the Danville Vikings.
This season's Spartan team includes Katie Ericksen, Mia Jones, Sara Kearney, Timera Blackburn-Kelley, Abby Crider, Addison Brooks, Mackenzie Loschen, Hayden Dahl, Ashlyn Miller, Kenzie Atwood, Atleigh Miller, Kayla Osterburm, Lexi Lackey, and Kaitlyn Beyers.
Letter to the Editor |Should Illinois legalize assisted-suicide?
Dear Editor,
Should Illinois legalize assisted-suicide? Some state senators think so. If allowed, vulnerable people who are sick, elderly, disabled, and those with mental illness and dementia will become targets.
As the father of a Downs Syndrome toddler, I am extremely alarmed by this proposal.
No one should be comfortable with promoting a cheaper, easier alternative to life’s struggles in order to ignore their responsibilities to people who need their help.
Canada’s law, with 79% support, was promoted as a last resort for the terminally ill. Support has plummeted to 30% because of the disregard toward vulnerable citizens such as anyone with an illness and those who are disabled.
Canadians facing homelessness and poverty are feeling compelled to end their lives rather than be a “burden” to society.
In 2023, 76.2% of Belgium euthanasia was administered to people with physical and psychological issues, including personality disorders, depression, and Alzheimer’s.
A Netherland law that took effect on February 1, 2024, allows parents to euthanize their children even if the child doesn’t want to be killed.
Proponents can call it “dignity,” but it is cruel and heartless to disregard human life.
If you agree, please let your state senator know.
David E. Smith, Executive Director
Illinois Family Institute
David E. Smith, Executive Director
Illinois Family Institute
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