Village Crier: Youth summer sport programs open for registration

---

Summer softball registration in St. Joseph closes soon

St. Joseph Summer Softball is now underway. This year's registration fee will include the $5 village fee. Parents will to register online with a credit card.

The program will not have a separate age division for girls four years-old or in kindergarten this year. The organization is encouraging parents with kids in the age group to play Bitty Ball or T-Ball through the St. Joseph Youth Baseball program.

Questions can be sent by email to stjosephsummersoftball@gmail.com. Registration closes on February 21.

---

Unity FFA pork chop lunch next week

The Unity FFA is celebrating FFA Week next week with their annual pork chop lunch. The drive through service will take place on the UHS east drive on Wednesday, February 24 from 11:00am - 12:45pm. Pork chop sandwiches are $5 each with proceeds going toward supporting the FFA program. Customers can get a meal deal for an additional $2, which will include chips, drink, and cookies.

---

Sidney summer ball sign up this weekend

Sidney Baseball/Softball/Tball signups will be held this Saturday from 10am to 12pm at the new Sidney Community Building located at 211 E Main Street in Sidney. An additional sign up day is scheduled for February 22 from 5:30-7:30pm. Ages groups are ages five and six for T-Ball and ages 7-15 for baseball and softball athletes. Registration cost is $55.

Questions or if parents are unable to make it to the in-person registration dates, they are encouraged to send a message to (217)649-7450.

---

Annual Chili Dinner in Sidney next week

The Sidney Fire Protection District will host its annual chili dinner on February 27 at the new community building, located at 211 East Main, from 4-7pm. The dinner will be available only through drive-through service. Toppings, hotdogs and drinks will be provided with the meal.

Sidney Fire Department cancer awareness shirts will also be available for purchase. Donations help support the local district's firefighter association.

---

Spots still available in Tolono virtual raffle

The Tolono Firefighters Association is doing a virtual raffle for a $500 Allen Meats Gift Card. Tickets for the drawing are $10 a piece and limited to the first 100 sold. Tickets can be purchased through Venmo or PayPal.

As of yesterday there were 34 tickets still available for the drawing. For more information visit the Tolono Firefighters Association page on Facebook.

---

Area COVID cases dips to 3-month low

Yesterday there were just 46 active Coronavirus cases across the six villages The Sentinel covers. The last time there fewer than 50 active cases in our area was back on November 13 of last year. A day later, that number surged to 60 and continued to rise from there to a peak of 142 active cases on several days.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reported the number of cases rose by five today.

The agency's dashboard now includes mortality data for Champaign County. Out of the 1,427 cases identified in our area, eight individuals lost their lives to the virus. Two individuals from Ogden, four from Tolono along with one resident from Sidney and St. Joseph succumbed after being infected. As of today, 123 county residents have died from the viral infection since March of 2020.

---

Put it On The Market

Do you have a home for sale in one of our six communities? The Sentinel would like to highlight it in the upcoming new local real estate feature called On The Market.

Each calendar week our online paper will pick a residential property from those submitted for consideration to promote to our audience. With over 700 readers daily, The Sentinel hopes the new section will direct more potential buyers and competitive offers to sellers in our area. For more submission information, sellers and agents can contact us at editor@oursentinel.com.

---

Show us your art

We know there are more artists in our area. We just haven't met you yet but would enjoy seeing fruits of your creativity. If you paint, draw, sculpt or do metal work, The Sentinel would love to feature your work and share your artistic talent. Do you spend hours at the potter's wheel, dabble in mixed-media, do glass-work or design jewelry pieces? We would like to hear from you.

If you are interested in having your work featured in a story, please send a brief bio in an email with a link to your website or a online gallery featuring your work to editor@oursentinel.com. We very much look forward to sharing your passion and vision with our readers.

---

As time and space allows we will publish details for upcoming community events. Please send your business, social or community organization's press release or event information at least four days in advance to The Sentinel at editor@oursentinel.com.

Photo of the Day - February 17, 2021

Rockets wins shootout by 11

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity's Nate Cain fights for a rebound with Cissna Park-Crescent-Iroquois' Quinn Steffen (right) at the Shootout at the Hall in Champaign on December 16, 2007. The Rockets beat the Timberwolves, 46-35.

---

Past Photos of the Day

SJO basketball faces Oakwood tonight at home, catch the game online

Bundled up in front of the fireplace and want to catch a local sports team in action? Too sore to move off the couch after shoveling the 10+ inches of snow? Below are the links to each of tonight's available streams.

After weather forced yesterday's home game against Central Catholic to be postponed until later in the season, St. Joseph-Ogden made a last minute addition to their schedule about 16 hours ago. SJO will play host to the Oakwood Comets boys junior varsity and varsity squads tonight. Like all SJO home games this season, the contest will be broadcasted via live stream on the NFHS website.

A day earlier, the Spartan boys' program added a non-conference game on Saturday, February 20 with Robinson High School. The JV game is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM and the Varsity game after that at 2:30 PM on the road. Both games will be available via live stream.

If you are not already a subscriber, follow this link sign up for a monthly or annual subscription to watch SJO or Unity sports via live stream or archived by the NFHS Network. Monthly passes are just $10.99 each or save 47% and purchase an annual subscription at $69.99.

Sentinel area sports tonight

St. Joseph-Ogden Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs Oakwood | 5:25 PM Central

St. Joseph-Ogden Boys Freshman Basketball @ Central Catholic | 5:55 PM Central

Unity Girls Middle School Volleyball vs Argenta-Oreana | 6:00 PM Central

St. Joseph-Ogden Boys Varsity Basketball vs Oakwood | 6:55 PM Central

SJO & Unity basketball streaming schedule tonight on NFHS

---

Games on hold

Update: At 1:16 PM, the St. Joseph-Ogden athletic department announced all games for tonight have been canceled due to weather conditions. New date TBA. At 1:42 PM, Unity games were also been postponed. JV and varsity contests will be played at Prairie Central on February 25.

---

Catch the Unity boys basketball team or both the boys and girls St. Joseph-Ogden basketball squads in action tonight via the NFHS streaming services.

SJO senior Payton Vallee looks for an open teammate in SJO's home game against Monticello last year on January 20, 2021. Vallee and this year's undefeated Spartans are on the road tonight against Central Catholic tonight. Fans can enjoy the game from the warmth of their homes via a streaming services.

The Rockets varsity squad (0-4), in search of their first win of the season, take on Prairie Central tonight. In the team's best performance this season, Blake Kimball and Brady Porter led Unity with 21 and 20 points respectively in Unity's 10-point loss to Pontiac on Friday. The pair along with Damian Knoll and Dillon Rutledge are set to come away with a hard-fought win tonight.

Meanwhile, the undefeated St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team, 2-0 in Illini Prairie Conference play and 3-0 overall, travel to Bloomington to take on Central Catholic. The road game was originally scheduled for last night, but Mother Nature had other ideas forcing the Illini Prairie Conference game to be rescheduled for tonight. The Lady Saints are 4-2 after posting wins over Pontiac, Prairie Central and Normal University. The team's two losses were at the hands of larger programs, Redbirds of Metamora and Galesburg's Silver Streaks.

While the SJO girls squad plays to keep their perfect season record intact, the Spartan varsity squad looks to pick up win number 2 after a late start to the 2021 season due to COVID-19 protocols that had to be observed during the first week of play. All eyes will be on Ty Pence who led all scorers in the season opener against Rantoul with an impressive double-double. The sophomore D-I prospect drained 24 points and snag 20 rebounds in the victory.

SJO fans shouldn't let BCC's 2-4 record fool them. The Saints losses have come against Class 3A Normal Community, Moline, Rock Island and Morton leading up to tonight's IPC game in St. Joseph.

Here are the links to each of tonight's streams. If you are not already a subscriber, follow this link sign up for a monthly or annual subscription. Monthly passes are just $10.99 each or save 47% and purchase an annual subscription at $69.99.

Sentinel area sports tonight

SJO Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs Central Catholic | 5:25 PM Central

Unity Boys Sophomore Basketball @ Prairie Central | 5:30 PM Central

SJO Girls Junior Varsity Basketball @ Central Catholic | 5:25 PM Central

SJO Girls Varsity Basketball @ Central Catholic | 6:55 PM Central

SJO Boys Varsity Basketball vs Central Catholic | 6:57 PM Central

Unity Boys Varsity Basketball @ Prairie Central | 7:00 PM Central

Citizen-Initiative proposal could give more power to special interest groups

---

---

by Lily Bohlke
Public News Service

---

---

Republican lawmakers will propose a series of constitutional amendments they say would give residents a more direct voice in Illinois government, but which critics counter could give more political power to special interests.

The three resolutions would open up the use of citizen initiatives, allow residents to hold referendums on legislation and expand the existing governor recall process to apply to all public officials.

Alisa Kaplan, executive director of Reform for Illinois, said regulating campaign spending on ballot questions is nearly impossible, so the amendments could give wealthy special interests an outsized impact.

"It's hard to find that balance between empowering citizens and preventing special interests from hijacking the process," Kaplan acknowledged. "But we think it's a worthwhile discussion to be having right now."

She pointed to the example of an initiative in California in which companies such as Lyft, Uber and DoorDash spent $200 million to effectively overturn a state law requiring those companies to classify workers as employees rather than independent contractors.

Kaplan pointed out other efforts in various states have brought about important change.

Michigan established an independent commission for redistricting by a ballot question in 2018. That same year, New Mexico voters passed an initiative to create an independent state ethics commission to keep lawmakers in check.

"We really are missing out in Illinois on the opportunity to use citizen initiatives to enact meaningful reforms," Kaplan contended. "That's particularly true of areas where politicians might be particularly invested in the status quo and unwilling to act themselves."

She noted the legislative inspector general's office in Illinois has often been seen as ineffective in providing oversight over lawmakers. She hopes democracy reform, without the influence of big money, will help in the future.

Guest Commentary | We need to all stop biting each other

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

---

---

Democrats have proven once again that they can find fault in President Donald Trump.

Faults and flaws were found in him before the election. Many years before politics there were never any rave reviews about him being perfect.

During the recent impeachment trial, Democrats and Republicans hammered home their perspectives and interpretation of Trump's speech given on January 6th to those who came to Washington to protest. Once again, Americans either agreed or disagreed with the outcome of the impeachment trial.

Surely most Americans will agree there is no such thing as a perfect President.

Was John F. Kennedy perfect? Was Richard Nixon perfect? Bush Sr. or Jr? Obama? Go back through history and you can't find a perfect person sitting in the oval office. President Joe Biden is no exception.

You may remember what the Bible says, "All have sinned." Another verse says, "No one is righteous. No not one." There will never be a perfect President. Some will be better than others. Some will be much better and some will be much worse.

There are no perfect politicians.

Almost any politician will disappoint you...

Do you think Nancy Pelosi is perfect? I don't. Is Mitch McConnell perfect. He is not, nor are any of the other members of the House or the Senate. Some are better than others. Some try harder, work harder, try to live disciplined lives more than others. Some try to work harder for their districts better than others. Some are good moral people and excellent parents. Some may not be so great. Almost any politician will disappoint you, eventually. It's bound to happen; they are imperfect people.

We have to come to grips with the fact that perfect people are not to be found.

I thought my mom was pretty perfect but I'm very prejudiced when it comes to my mother. My heart would never allow me to see anything wrong with her. Love is like that. Love often sees no wrongs. Sometimes we are like this toward a child, grandchildren, a spouse, our minister, or priest. There are people that we often hold in such regard that even if they are doing something wrong and we know it's wrong, our hearts have a hard time seeing that it's wrong. Too often love is blind.

Americans want someone to love and respect. We want to be loved. We like holding people in high regard.

The people we direct it to enjoy the feeling when we make them feel special. It's all good to some extent. Truthfully though whoever you are enamored with will eventually disappoint you if you look and listen long enough. Human beings, all of us are capable, and often say the wrong thing.

Use the wrong language. Get angry. Say hurtful things. Do things that are often regretted. We make mistakes in words we use and things we do. All of us.

As 2021 moves forward, so must we.

Joe Biden is President of the United States. It is likely Donald Trump will run again. In the meantime, we need to all stop biting each other and get this country healthy, back to work, back in the restaurants, churches and kids back in school.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

-----------------------------------------------------------

This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers.

-----------------------------------------------------------

College Notebook | Former SJO player knocks one out the park

Micah Downs finishes sixth at CCIW meet

Last February Micah Downs went 4-1 at the IHSA state wrestling meet at the State Farm Center to bring home a bronze medal for the Rockets. This February, a freshman wrestling at 184 pounds for Millikan University, Downs finished sixth at the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin conference meet in Rock Island on Saturday.

---

Dowling hits first college homer

Well, that didn't take long.

Former St. Joseph-Ogden softball player Bailey Dowling cranked the first home run of her college career this weekend. A starting shortstop for the University of Alabama, the true freshman when yard for a two-run shot to put her team up 3-0 on Valentine's Day against Louisville (0-2). The Crimson Tide went on to win 4-0, which was the exact result of their three-day, four-game schedule this past weekend.

Here is the video of Dowling hitting the ball out of the park on Sunday.

🚨 Outta Here! 🥎🚀 https://t.co/C9GEPs3cx8 pic.twitter.com/U8lAe2qtvA

— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) February 14, 2021

After four contests Dowling has tallied 4 hits in ten appearances at the plate, scored three runs and delivered three RBI for one of the country's top softball programs.

---

Kaiser notches 6 kills for Parkland

Katie Kaiser contributed 4 blocks and 6 kills in match two of Parkland College's doubleheader against the JV squad from Lincoln College. Ella Godsell, a freshman with the Cobras, had 11 of the team's 49 team digs. The former Rocket volleyball players helped undefeated Parkland (7-0) sweep the visiting Lynx in both matches, 3-0.

Kaiser, a sophomore, and Godsell travel to Quincy, Ill., for an M-WAC match against John Wood CC on Wednesday, February 17, at 6:00 pm.

---

Former Spartans keep Parkland team undefeated

The Parkland women's basketball team improved to 6-0 on Sunday after rolling over John Wood Community College, 62-41.

Peyton Crowe scored 12 and Bree Trimble added another 11 points in the Cobra's home win. Crowe the team's top rebounder with nine boards. She was also credited with four assist and two steals.

---

Trimble lights out against Maryville

When he was in high school Brandon Trimble dropped 44 points in St. Joseph-Ogden's Class 2A semifinal against Breese Central. Now a junior at Lindenwood College in St. Louis, the sports management major scored 24 points and collected six rebounds in the Lions 83-69 win over Maryville College on Thursday.

After 15 games in his first season, he is averaging 11.5 points per game. Since the start of his college basketball career starting in 2019, Trimble had scored 20 or more points in eight games.

---

Baker 2nd at the Grand Valley Big Meet

Eastern Illinois University sprinter Riley Baker is just a half second off the qualifying for the NCAA Division II track & field national championships. The junior turned in a 48.99, good for a second place finish, in the 400-meter run to assist the EIU men's track team effort at the Grand Valley Big Meet on Saturday in Allendale, Michigan.

Baker and the Panthers host the Friday Night Special at the Lantz Indoor Fieldhouse this weekend.

---

Coursey posts strong start for Redbirds

Last Thursday, Andrea Coursey started her senior season with the Illinois State University softball team on fire. The St. Joseph-Ogden product padded her stats with a pair of hits in ISU's road game against North Florida. One of three hit by the opposing pitcher during the game, she was left on base on all three times in the 4-0 shutout and season opener.

---

Lincoln Land streak ends, Taylor leads team in assists

The Lincoln Land Loggers drop a heartbreaker to rival Illinois Central College 85-62 on Sunday. Sophomore Maclayne Taylor, who competed in volleyball, cross Country, track and basketball at St. Joseph-Ogden, lead the team with six assists and contributed seven points in the loss. The loss ends a 5-game win streak for the now 6-2 Loggers.

---

Know a Unity or St. Joseph-Ogden graduate playing at the collegiate level? Let us know their name, sport(s) and where they are playing. An email or a link to their social media account for interviews is a big help, too. Send The Sentinel a message to us at sports@oursentinel.com.

---

Cast your bucket where you are

---

---

by Rick Jones
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

---

---

The Co-Moderators of the 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) say churches need to step out of their comfort zones to bridge the divide in race relations across the country. Ruling Elder Elona Street-Stewart and the Rev. Gregory Bentley participated in a Zoom webinar initiated and co-sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia but attended by many more congregations. Participants represented 33 different churches, many Presbyterian, but also Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic.

There’s an inverse relationship between charity and justice.

Ruling Elder Kenna Payne and member Noah Morgan moderated the online event reading questions from participating members on the role of the church in their communities and how to build community relationships. The Co-Moderators say it’s hard work, but churches don’t always have to start from scratch.

"Cast your bucket where you are. If you look around your community, you will find an organization or an institution that is livng into the Matthew 25 vision," said Bentley. "We don’t have to re-invent; just look at what’s already going on and move alongside and make it all it can be."

Street-Stewart says Westminster is in a community steeped in history and she suggests the congregation consider that as they seek equity.

"You are in a place where you can lead conversations about memorials or street names," she said. "You can bring honor to persons buried in cemeteries that are segregated or don’t have headstones. These conversations can touch your community in deep ways."

The Co-Moderators told Westminster members that the needs are all around them.

"There’s an inverse relationship between charity and justice. If you need a lot of charity, there’s a lot of injustice. At some point, you’ve got to deal with the cause," said Bentley. "That’s when we put our hands to the work of justice. We have to ask the tough questions. Why do we have so many hungry people when we live in a land of plenty?"

One Westminster member asked how churches and individuals can get connected with other groups without stepping on toes.

"You have people that are part of charter organizations that have been around for generations. Start talking with members of those organizations,” Street-Stewart said. “Find out wha the opportunities are to learn or participate.”

Some of the discussion centered on how the church can be more connected to the community. Bentley said, "You gotta just do it."

"I’m more concerned about being hospitable than being welcoming and polite. Hospitality is inviting someone into your life, creating a safe space to work and build together," he said. "That means you have to risk discomfort, risk going outside where you may feel you have some type of expertise. It means taking the risk of being misunderstood, ridiculed or even severing relationships we’ve had in the past that have been holding us back from where God wants us to be."

Street-Stewart adds that it means more than just opening the doors of the church to the community.

"The need is to be there to participate in community activities, such as supporting someone else’s child in a sports program or arts project," she said. "What does the artwork or pictures in your building represent? Are they white or do they represent the full diversity in your community? What type of music is played at church? Do the books in your church library represent you community?"

Street-Stewart adds that churches need to provide multiple language support and ensure that their building is accessible with numerous ways to participate.

Both Street-Stewart and Bentley told the church members that starting this kind of work can be scary and overwhelming, giving members a sense of vulnerability.

"It’s like starting an exercise program. Everything hurts. You must change what you’re doing in order to change your thinking. If you do it long enough, your thinking will change," said Bentley. "You have to work through all of the resistance or excuses like ‘We’ve never done that before.’ Change your behavior and do it because it’s right."

To change thinking regarding white supremacy, Bentley suggested the six Rs: Remembrance, Remorse, Repentance, Repair, Reconciliation and Resurrection.

"There is a lot of mythology about ourselves that suggests we are the greatest and well-intentioned," he said. "We have to look at ourselves as we are. We don’t have to lie about America in order to love America. For it to become all it can be, we have to tell the truth, even if it makes us uncomfortable."

Prep Hoops | Not holding back, SJO keeps perfect record intact

The St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team put their collective feet on the gas and didn't let up for four quarters in last week's home game against Rantoul. Rallying behind Peyton Jacob, Ella Armstrong and with double digit scoring all four quarters, SJO posted a 64-32 rout over the visiting Eagles.

Jacob notched the first two buckets for the Spartans sandwiched around a pair of free throws from Armstrong in the first four minutes for a 6-2 lead. Despite points after a SJO turnover and subsequent score by Eagles' Tanaya Young, SJO never had look over their shoulder to pick up their third victory and second conference win of the season.

Armstrong then widened the scoring gap to 11-4 with a jumper and trey. From here on, point production became a team effort for St. Joseph-Ogden. Payton Jones started bucketfest after putting a shot through the rim for a nine point advantage with 44 seconds left in the first quarter.

Rantoul's Young, determined not to let the game get away from her team, hit a three making it a 13-7 game.

SJO responded with basket from 6-foot-3 junior Taylor Wells to close out the first quarter.

Rantoul, thanks to a strong defensive effort by the Spartans, was held scoreless during the first 4 minutes and 49 seconds of the second half. By the time Kianna Berlasky's sank a free throw for her Eagles for their first point of the quarter, the Spartans had built a 17-point advantage.

Berlasky went on to finish the loss with 12 points for RTHS behind Young's team-high 14.

Once again, the Spartan offensive effort was a team collaboration. Armstrong led nine other scorers from her team with 16 points and she was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

When Rantoul's defensive effort transitioned to clamping down on Armstrong and Payton Vallee, Jacob doubled her first half output with eight points in the third quarter point to secure the conference win with 12 points. Wells rounded out SJO's top three scorers with seven points.

Wells and the Spartans travel to Bloomington tomorrow night to face Central Catholic. Fans can catch the Illini Prairie Conference game on the NFHS Network starting with the junior varsity game at 5:30pm.

Box Score

St. Joseph-Ogden	15	15	18	16	- 64
Rantoul	7	3	13	9	- 32

St. Joseph-Ogden
Ashlyn Lannert 2 (0) 0-0 -- 4, Taylor Campbell 2 (0) 0-0 -- 4, Payton Jacob 6 (0) 0-0 -- 12, Taylor Wells 3 (0) 1-2 -- 7, Atleigh Hamilton 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Taylor Hug 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Abby Behrens 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Isabell Smith 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Peyton Jones 3 (0) 0-0 -- 6, Alyssa Hamilton 1 (1) 0-0 -- 5, Payton Vallee 3 (0) 0-3 -- 6, Ella Armstrong 2 (2) 6-6 -- 16.

Rantoul
McClyde 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Walton 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Berlatsky 3 (0) 4-8 -- 10, Emery 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Jackson-Romper 2 (0) 0-0 -- 4, Sutherland 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Dixon 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Young 4 (2) 0-1 -- 14, Vermillon 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Photo of the Day - February 14, 2021

Downs finishes 3rd at state!

Blood trickes down the face of Unity's Micah Downs during his third place match against Dakota's Evan Riggles at the 2020 Illinois High School Association Individual Wrestling State Finals. Downs, a senior, won the bout by major decision, 11-3. The 182-pounder finished the state tournament with four wins, including a 58 second pin in one match, and one loss for a 46-6 record in last season of prep wrestling.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Prep Hoops | Porter delivers 15 points in Unity's third loss

Brady Porter and Dillon Rutledge drilled three treys apiece in Unity's home game against Illinois Valley Central (2-1) this past Tuesday. Their combine effort was not enough in the Rockets' eventual 59-43 loss.

A three-pointer from both players and another from Will Cowan left UHS with mere six-point deficit after a competitive 17-11 first quarter. Once again, the Rockets' were crippled by second quarter shooting woes, delivering just two field goals and a free throw to fall behind at the half, 32-18.

The period might have been more manageable if it wasn't for the plethora of foul calls against the Rockets. IVC took advantage of all six trips to the foul line, missing just two of the nine attempts offered. It more of the same in the second half. After the final buzzer, the Grey Ghost capitalized on 22 of their 32 shots from line.

Meanwhile, on the side of the scorer's table, the Rockets drew just six foul calls from the guys in stripes. Austin Langendorf made one of his four attempts while William Jokish finished the game 2-for-2.

Unity's effort was led by Porter who finished the night with 15 points. Rutledge chipped in three first half long range shots for nine points and Damian Knoll added eight points to the cause, all tacked on in the second half to round out the Rockets' top three shooters.

Mac Parmelee spearheaded the Illinois Valley Central offensive. The 6-foot-3 senior buried seven field goals and was 6-for-8 from the line good for 20 points in IVC's second win of the season. Stepping back to a supporting role, Holt Geltmaker was 7-for-8 from the free throw line and finished with 15 points.

Still in search of their first victory of the season, the 0-3 Rockets are on the road at Olympia on Tuesday.

Box Score

Unity	11	7	15	10	- 43
Illinois Valley Central	17	15	18	9	- 59

Unity

Kimball () - -- , Cowan 0 (2) 0-0 -- 6, Hensch 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Rawdin 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Rutledge 0 (3) 0-0 -- 9, Knoll 1 (2) 0-0 -- 8, Porter 3 (3) 0-0 -- 15, Drennan () - -- , Page 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Langendorf 0 (0) 1-4 -- 1, Alt 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Jokisch 0 (0) 2-2 -- 2.

Illinois Valley Central

Hulson 0 (1) 2-2 -- 5, Parmelee 7 (0) 6-8 -- 20, Brooks 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Hulett 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Harms 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Rainey 1 (0) 1-4 -- 3, Mercer 2 (0) 4-8 -- 8, Sawyer 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Wollard 3 (0) 0-0 -- 6, Geltmaker 4 (0) 7-8 -- 15, McNaught 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, McCoy 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Edlman 0 (0) 2-2 -- 2.

<

Reed leads Rocket ladies in road loss at Pontiac

Last night, Unity's lone senior scored 11 second half points against Pontiac. Despite Chloee Reed's best effort and that of the entire team to pull off a come from behind victory, the Rockets' girls basketball team dropped their conference road game against the Indians, 43-34.

Pontiac was paced by Addison Masding, who scored her 1,000th career point two days earlier against Bloomington Central Catholic. The senior started the game with 12 first half points, six in each quarter, forcing Unity to claw their way back from an early deficit. Combined with Tristina Henry's 12-point contribution, the pair was responsible for 29 of their team's 43 points after the final buzzer.

"We outscored them in the 2nd half," said Unity head coach Dave Ellars. He plans to focus on shooting in upcoming practices and is confident his team will continue to improve with practice. The additional focus on shooting will be beneficial moving forward. "With Covid, kids weren’t allow to shoot as much during the summer or our normal contact days."

Reed went on to finish the Illini Prairie Conference contest with a 14 point effort thanks to her four three pointers.

"Chloee is a good leader," said Ellars, who counts on her experience to guide less experienced players. "She has been involved in close games and learned last year what it takes to win."

While she only contributed three points in the loss, Taylor Henry was huge in the paint for Unity on Thursday. The junior forward hauled in a team-high nine rebounds.

"Taylor is a winner, does all the things that aren’t in the scorebook," Ellars explained. "Most of the time the girl she guards is 4-5 inches taller, she has a big heart and is always up for the challenge."

Unity also received point contributions from Katy Moore with six points along with Lauren Miller and Erika Steinman, who provided four points apiece. Maddie Reed and Taylor Henry rounded out the Rockets' effort with 3 points each as the Rockets drop to 1-2 on the season.

Unity will host Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, better known as ALAH on Saturday morning. The JV game is scheduled to start at 9:30am followed by varsity getting underway at 10:30am.

All things considered, Ellars said his program is excited with the opportunity to play right now. With the constant uncertainities as Illinois athletics navigate the pandemic. "We treat every day as it could be our last game."

Box Score

Unity	7	7	10	10	- 34
Pontiac	12	17	9	5	- 42

Unity
C. Reed 1 (4) 0-0 -- 14, England 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Renfrow 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Miller 2 (0) 0-0 -- 4, Stringer 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Steinman 2 (0) 0-0 -- 4, B. Henry 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, M. Reed 0 (1) 0-0 -- 3, Moore 2 (0) 2-2 -- 6, Alagna 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, T. Henry 2 (0) 1-2 -- 3, Flesch 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Pontiac
T. Einhaus 2 (2) 2-4 -- 12, J. Einhaus 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Fisher 1 (0) 2-3 -- 5, Hartfield 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Collins 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Fox 0 (1) 1-2 -- 4, B. Masding 1 (0) 1-2 -- 3, Coates 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, A. Masding 6 (1) 2-5 -- 17, Fletcher 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Hillary 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Pickett 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Johns 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Porter, Armstrong earn The Sentinel's first Basketball Player of the Week

February 1 - 6, 2021

~ Boys ~ Brady Porter Unity Brady Porter finished the first week of the IHSA season with 18 points, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks. The senior led the team scored six points by way of a pair treys against Maroa-Forsyth and 13 points against Paris for the 0-2 Rockets. Honorable Mention: Austin Langendorf, Unity Dillon Rutledge, Unity

~ Girls ~ Ella Armstrong St. Joseph-Ogden Ella Armstrong collected 19 points, 15 from a team-high performance against Villa Grove, after the first two games of the season. Making eight trips to the free throw line, she finished the first week of play sinking 62% of them to help the Spartans go 2-0 during week one. Honorable Mention: Payton Jacob, SJO Abby Behrens, SJO

Looking for their voice, young Spartans ready for forging

St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Kiel Duval watches the Spartans during first half action in their home game against Williamsville in 2019. After undergoing COVID-19 protocols resulting in the cancellation of one contest and rescheduling of another last week, he and the SJO squad are ready start playing basketball tonight.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

---

Game day.

With barely a month left in an already shortened basketball season season due the pandemic, tonight the St. Joseph-Ogden boys basketball team will finally be able to run the floor, drill three-point shots, haul in rebounds and foul a couple of players.

Are they ready to play? You bet.

"It's exciting. I'm excited for the kids," said head coach Kiel Duval. "They have been waiting for this for a long time. It has been a roller coaster year for them to say the least. I told them tonight - there will be nerves. We are going to make mistakes."

The delay from the typical November start, COVID protocols, wearing masks and a canceled week of competition will be unforgettable in the lives of tonight's players.

The lads from SJO open their season against Rantoul at home tonight. The Eagles with two games under their belt, both resulting in losses, dropped their first game 64-42 to Champaign Central and suffered a 68-37 loss to Prairie Central last night.

"I do think this will be a game they remember for a long time because of the road it took to get here," Duval said. A math teacher at the school, he was a three-sport athlete for the Spartans.

Is there a reason to be a little nervous at this point?

Sure. With hours to go until the opening pass - there are not tipoffs under COVID rules, a positive test from one or more player on either team between now and then could jeapordize tonight's conference game between the two schools. Fingers are cross tightly, for whatever good it will do, there are fans, players and coaches hoping that it doesn't happen.

The first interview of the season, I asked Coach Duval what I should be writing about or looking at that no one else is talking about. Here is what he said:

Ty Pence is going to draw a lot of attention every night. The guys that are out there with him are starting to understand that his attention he draws will give them opportunities. What will be interesting to me is what guys step up to be "Robin" each night.

Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. There are multiple guys that can score, but which one it will be on a given night - I have no clue. The next question that we have been asking ourselves is which guy is going to be our "lockdown" defender. We've always had one. Every team as far back as I can remember. It has been what has made this program special over the years. We are searching.

We have ideas of guys that have the ability. It comes down to if they want to do it for 32 minutes consistently. That part is tough. "How bad do you want to be really good?" is a question we ask them all the time.

The Spartans is a team full of youth. There's going to be some aches and pains as inexperienced varsity players and their cohort matures.

"We have a lot of guys that need to figure out how to play at a varsity level. It is very different going from freshman to jv to varsity," Duval explained. "The transition is huge. I think our goal should be to make strides and improve each day. For us to have a chance to be successful at all in the future our guys need to grow together now. This time together is critical."

Andrew Beyers see action for the Spartans during the team's 2019 home game against Paxton-Buckley-Loda, who will join the Illini Prairie Conference this fall. Duval expects down the road, opponents will be intimidated by his speed and quickness.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

---

The departure of the Class of 2020 took left ten openings for the 2020-21 season. Only two players, Ty Pence, whose play has already earned him an offer from Western Illinois University in Macomb, and Cameron Costa.

"We do not have a lot of varsity experience," Duval said. "In my mind, we have 7 starters."

The seven, who hope to become magnificent this season are Ty Pence, Andrew Beyers, Lukas Hutcherson, Jackson Rydell, Evan Ingram, Cameron Costa and Hayden Brazelton. Duval said the goal for him and his coaching staff is to help all seven "find their voice."

"There will be other guys that will have roles that will likely grow throughout the year, but these seven will likely play significant minutes early," Duval said highlighting the talent on the team. "They all have strengths individually, but they are figuring out in practice they are much better when they play together.

"When they communicate. When they pick each other up. Show leadership. I'm hoping by the end of the year they grow as leaders and develop toughness that will help them far past basketball."

If you like reading SJO sports stories on The Sentinel, click the coffee cup below to buy us a coffee. Every cup gives us the energy to bring you great coverage of Spartan athletics!

Support The Sentinel!
Buy us coffee

In addition to Pence, there are three players Duval is anxious to measure, mold and see mature.

"Hutcherson will handle the point guard spot for us most nights. He has really looked like a senior in practice," he said. "He is very easy to root for."

Then there is a "quiet and reserve", 6-2 junior forward to watch.

"Andrew Beyers is a kid that is very skilled, but you would never guess it. When he really gets his basketball legs under him, people will hate guarding him," Duval said about Beyers' future and the potential impact he will have on the program. "He has a refuse-to-quit mentality on the offensive glass."

Then, there is another junior, Evan Ingram, who "has the makings to be a very good high school basketball player".

Duval said, "We are still working on him everyday to understand all the aspects of the game to be great. He has grown. He has become more coachable each day."

A junior varsity game starting at 6:30p will precede tonight's 8pm varsity game. Both St. Joseph-Ogden and Rantoul fans can watch both Illini Prairie Conference games via live stream on the NFHS network.

---

This story originally reported St. Joseph-Ogden's opening game as a home game. An oversight on the editor's part, this game was originally scheduled and played as an away game. We regret this error.

College Notebook | Former area prep athletes shine in cross country

---

Plotner helps UT-M finish sevent

Jillian Plotner finished 67th overall out of a field of 90 long distance runners at the Florida State University Winter XC Classic in Tallahassee. A freshman with the University of Tennessee-Martin, the former St. Joseph-Ogden cross country specialist finished the women's 6000m event at 25:08.6 to help the Skyhawks to a seventh place finish on Friday, February 5.

Plotner and UT-M run again on February 19 at the Golden Eagle Invitational hosted by Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.

---

Brooks' season nears start at Eureka College

Jordan Brooks is just nine days away from hoping to see action as one of the newest members of the Red Devils of Eureka College. The program's first game of the season is a home game against Spalding College on February 20.

A junior college transfer from Lincoln Land College in Lincoln, IL, he started all 31 games for the Loggers. He averaged 10.5 points per game and was a proficient shooter delivering point on 40% of his attempts.

Brooks is currently one of St. Joseph-Ogden's top 25 career scorers with 786 points amassed during his three-year varsity career. The 2018 graduate is #4 in the Spartans career 3-pt shots made list after burying 176 of them.

---

Knudsen bestowed 2nd CCIW P-O-W

Philo native and Unity High School basketball product Elyce Knudsen collected College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin player of the week recognition for a second straight week. She earned the well-deserved honors after scoring 23 points and padding her stats during a 90-82 road win over Illinois Wesleyan on February 4. The rising Big Blue star had five rebounds, four assists and five steals in that game. Two days later in Millikan's 73-51 win at Carthage on February 6, tallied 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal to lift the team's record to 4-1.

---

Kylie Decker in Eastern's top 5 at cross country meet

Kylie Decker finished in ninth place overall at the Eastern Illinois Spring Meet last Saturday. The EIU freshman from Philo crossed the finish line at 19:32.4 to give the Panthers' cross country program the team trophy in the 5k race.

Thanks to Decker, Eastern Illinois tallied with 26 points in the team standings. Southeast Missouri came in second with 47 points followed by DePaul in third and Saint Louis fourth in fourth place.

One other former Unity cross country runner was in the field of 41 runners at the event. Audrey Hancock, a sophomore in Pre-Nursing and Tolono native, finished in 28th place at 20:44.2.

---

Know a Unity or St. Joseph-Ogden graduate playing at the collegiate level? Let us know their name, sport(s) and where they are playing. An email or a link to their social media account for interviews is a big help, too. Send The Sentinel a message to us at sports@oursentinel.com.

Spartans knock off STM 67-33, Behrens and Vallee step up

On yet another frigid polar vortex evening in central Illinois, the St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team quickly caught fire outscoring host St. Thomas More 16-9 in the opening quarter of their Illini Prairie Conference game on Tuesday. The Spartan bench proved they can bring just as much heat as the team's five starters after defeating the Sabers on road, 67-33.

Junior Abby Behrens, who was not among the starting five, led all scorers with a game-high 14 points thanks to a three-pointer in the second quarter and two more after the break in the third. She, along with two other players, Peyton Jones and Alyssa Hamilton, combined for 24 bench points.

"Abby is sneaky," said head coach Kevin Taylor on Behrens' ability to deceive opposing players. "She has a laid back attitude but has been playing really good on the ball defense and knows how to score on the offensive side as well. She can drive or shoot the open shot."

Meanwhile, starter Payton Vallee scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half to help give SJO a nine-point lead at halftime. Taylor was happy to see the senior step up and take the opportunity to lead.

"Vallee helps this team with her experience and leadership. She has been very reliable over the years," he said. "But (she) is also a very smart competitor on the floor."

The Sabers were paced by Emma Dovocelle's 13 points. Kennedy Ramshaw added 10 point effort and Bridget Delorenza's five points rounded out the host's top three scorers.

Taylor pointed out improvement on his squad's defensive effort on Tuesday.

If you like reading SJO sports stories on The Sentinel, click the coffee cup below to buy us a coffee. Every cup gives us the energy to bring you great coverage of Spartan athletics!

Support The Sentinel!
Buy us coffee

"The girls played better overall defense last night," he said. The Sabers boasted several players with the speed and agility to pose a serious threat in the Illini Prairie Conference game. "We knew they would be quick and would look to drive the lane while still shooting some threes.

"I think we settled in after making some early fouls and kept them from driving or shooting over the top of us."

Two things that has impressed Taylor so far this season is how well players are fairing under the current pandemic protocols.

"I am impressed with how the girls are adapting to the new rules. Mainly wearing a mask while playing," Taylor said. "But, what impresses me the most so far is the depth of this team. (We have) several girls (that) are contributing."

The Spartans are back on the floor of the Main Gym at home Thursday night against the Rantoul Eagles with Behrens and Vallee hoping to extend the team's undefeated record on more game. The JV contest is slated to begin at 5:30pm, varsity tipoff is at 7pm. Both games can be watch via live stream on the NFHS Network.

Box Score

St. Joseph-Ogden	16	9	14	13	- 52
St. Thomas More	9	5	7	10	- 31

St. Joseph-Ogden
Taylor Campbell 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Payton Jacob 0 (1) 0-0 -- 3, Taylor Wells 2 (0) 0-0 -- 4, Atleigh Hamilton 2 (0) 1-1 -- 5, Taylor Hug 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Abby Behrens 2 (3) 1-2 -- 14, Isabell Smith 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Peyton Jones 2 (1) 1-2 -- 8, Alyssa Hamilton 1 (0) 0-1 -- 2, Payton Vallee 6 (0) 0-2 -- 12, Ella Armstrong 1 (0) 2-4 -- 4.

St. Joseph-Ogden
C. Leibach 0 (0) 0-1 -- 0, T. Devriese 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, A. Dickerson 0 (0) 1-2 -- 1, B. Delorenza 1 (1) 0-0 -- 5, E. Devocelle 2 (2) 3-4 -- 13, M. Swisher 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, S. Gileas 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, G. Kreps 0 (0) 0-2 -- 0, C. Monahan 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, K. Ramshaw 4 (0) 2-7 -- 10, E. Graham 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, C. Pembele 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Photo of the day - February 10, 2021

Blake Primmer takes a well-deserved drink during a break in the action at the 2019 Spartan Kickoff. The St. Joseph-Ogden football team ran a short scrimmage session for parents and fans to get a preview of the upcoming season on August 23, 2019. Practices for the 2020-21 season start March 3. It won't be nearly this balmy when SJO plays their first game since the November 2 playoff game at Williamsville on March 20 this year on the road against Illinois Valley Central.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

ViewPoint | African-American Children Are Brilliant in Mathematics

---

---

by Dr. Kirk Kirkwood, Ed.D.

---

---

African-American Children Are Brilliant in Mathematics: Why Don't the Numbers Agree?

Unfortunately, African-American K-12 students have become familiar with the achievement gap narrative, suggesting there are disparities in their ability to learn math compared to their non-African-American peers. Further, they are more likely to be taught by underprepared teachers who often struggle with Mathematics Common Core Standards, specifically how to teach the content in a relevant and engaging way.

Many African-American students arrive home from school seeking additional mathematics support. They often encounter parents/caregivers who have developed a phobia (and trauma) around mathematics due to similar classroom experiences. In some regards, African-American communities perceive an inherent deficiency in math abilities, specifically in the K-12 context—this is absolutely untrue.

Although a year-end mathematics assessment does not indicate a students' capacity to succeed in college or life, it provides some insight into how formalized K-12 classroom settings support them. Among all subgroups (e.g., Asian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, Two or More Races), African-American fourth and eighth-graders performed the lowest in mathematics National Assessment of Educational Progress (also known as the Nation's Report Card).

The overall score equates to below basic level of understanding of mathematical content. If these patterns continue, roughly 80% of African-American students attending public schools will require some form of intervention to succeed in entry-level college coursework after high school.

It is essential to note implicit biases in curricula developed primarily by white males who have little to no connection with the students reading their textbooks. Year-end assessments (including how questions are framed), emphasizing individual knowledge rather than collective/collaborative efforts to engage the content, continue to baffle African-American students. Furthermore, instructional practices are often mundane and offer minimal enjoyable moments.

Collectively, we can shift the paradigm for African-American students.

Math classrooms have become hostile learning spaces. African-American K-12 learners resent their teachers, loathe the subject matter, and look forward to activities and courses to thrive and realize how the content can be beneficial for them both now and in the future. So, how do we revisit and begin to reconceptualize how African-American children perceived their mathematical abilities?

As African-American students experience math, parents/caregivers, communities, and schools must acknowledge (repeatedly) that African-American students are brilliant. They deserve constant encouragement and a reminder of their rich history with mathematics.

The first mathematicians were African. Northern Africans created the first innovative mathematical tool (the Ishango Bone), Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan (African-American women featured in the movie Hidden Figures) elevated NASA to innovative technological advancements unseen.

Parents/caregivers, communities, and schools must collaborate to empower students to realize their gifts. Robert Moses, the Algebra Project creator, adopted the 1960s political community organizing a framework to promote mathematics literacy for students. It involved a collective response to an emerging challenge; therefore, he offered a practical guide to mathematics, including manipulatives, games, and drumming to engage students in math learnings.

Games such as Dominoes, Spades, and Uno are favorites among African-American families, and they require advanced Number Sense. Why not have a game night to showcase how parents/caregivers have thrived in these activities. Additionally, fantasy leagues, e.g., points per game, rebounds per game, assist, and free throws, provide enjoyable opportunities to showcase the appreciation of numbers.

In collaboration with Drs. Ernest Black, Fred Uy, and Patrice Waller, the California State University system, and CalStateTEACH have developed a Math Literacy Project to support Elementary School teachers' efficacy and ability to offer students culturally rich learning opportunities. Currently, partnering with over 200 educators at ISANA Academies to enhance their math instructional practice. The outcome will lead to African-American students' greater affinity and appreciation of math.

Collectively, we can shift the paradigm for African-American students.

They are too gifted and precious to allow the disdain for math to continue. Let's take action, strengthen our resolve, and become active in our intent to support them. If we let them down, we face an uncertain future. However, if we lean in to ensure that they are empowered, the Hidden Figures of the past will rise again as conscientious contributors of a math affirming environment for African-American children.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Kirk Kirkwood is the Southern California Regional Director of CalStateTEACH, the California State University System's statewide credential program. He is also Executive Director at Village Life Education. He earned his PhD in P – 12 Educational Leadership from California State University, Fullerton.

---

Photo by Matthew Henry/Burst

---

-----------------------------------------------------------

This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. Follow this link to learn how to submit yours.

Prep Hoops | Scoring drought sinks Rockets in second game of the season

Unity's home game against Paris last Friday was a textbook case of a tale of every other quarter.

After a solid first quarter of play and leading on the scoreboard 12-10, missed second quarter scoring opportunities led to an eventual 67-33 loss in non-conference action with the visiting Tigers.

Damian Knoll tied the game at 7-all midway into the first quarter and Will Cowan scored the go-ahead tip in to give Unity a two-point advantage early in the game. A couple of exchanges later, Cowan drilled a trey from the southeast corner of the floor for a 12-7 Rocket lead.

With it much too early to roll over and lie, Paris' Zach Farnham answers with three pointer for his team to close out the quarter trailing, 12-10.

Paris quickly tied the game at twelves in the second quarter on a shot from Jude Sullivan and then the Rockets' shoot woes surfaced. The Tigers outscored Unity, who made just one of the 13 shots in the frame, 23-4. Paris, on the other hand, sunk eight of their 13 attempts in the same period.

After a respectable third quarter effort yielding 13 points, Unity mustered just four in the final quarter of the contest. 

Three players had seven opportunities from the free throw line, to their team's detriment went unconverted.

Despite the team's overall shooting deficiency, Brady Porter led Unity's scoring effort with 13 points. Cowan and Austin Langendorf chipped in another five points apiece.

Three seniors did the bulk of the heavy shooting for the Tigers. Sullivan, who scored the majority of his points in the second and third quarters of the game, finished the night with a game-high 17 points. Garrett King contributed 12 points and Mason Hutchings rounded out the top scorers on the visiting team with 8 points.

The Rockets play at home again on Friday night hosting Pontiac for another Illini Prairie Conference game this week. The varsity game is scheduled to start 7pm. Fans can catch the game on the NFHS Network.

Box Score

Unity	12	4	13	4	- 33
Paris	10	23	24	10	- 67

Unity
Cowan 1 (1) 0-0 -- 5, Hensch 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Rawdin 0 (0) 0-1 -- 0, Rutledge 0 (0) 0-1 -- 0, Knoll 1 (2) 0-0 -- 8, Porter 3 (2) 1-6 -- 13, Page 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Langendorf 1 (0) 3-6 -- 5, Alt 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Jokisch 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2.

Paris
Allen 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Hutchings 2 (1) 1-1 -- 8, Farnham 0 (3) 0-0 -- 9, King 1 (2) 4-4 -- 12, Porter 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Breneman 4 (0) 2-5 -- 10, Rhoads 2 (0) 1-2 -- 5, Mills 0 (1) 0-0 -- 3, Sullivan 5 (1) 4-4 -- 17, Nugent 0 (0) 1-2 -- 1, Brinkerhoff 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0.

Photo of the Day - February 9, 2021

Dashing to the finish

St. Joseph-Ogden's Rachael Graham pulls ahead of Monticello's MacKenzie Westwater and East Central's Alison Vogel in the prelims of the 100-meter dash at the 2008 Unity Girls Invitational Track Meet on April 11, 2008, in Tolono. Frigid temperatures along with strong gusts out of the west made for difficult running conditions for track athletes that Friday. The St. Joseph-Ogden girls' track team finished the annual meet in sixth-place. Graham later finished the finals in 8th-place.

(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)