SJO dominates Watseka in pool game, Parker Fitch leads Spartan scoring effort
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden’s basketball team continued its strong start in the Toyota of Danville Tournament, cruising to a commanding 60-27 victory over Watseka on Tuesday night. The Spartans showcased their depth and efficiency, with nearly every player contributing to the team’s second win in as many days.
The Spartans set the tone early, building a 20-point lead midway through the second quarter behind junior Parker Fitch, who poured in 12 of his game-high 14 points in the first half. Senior Tanner Siems followed up Monday’s strong performance with another double-digit outing, adding 10 points, while Collin Thomey chipped in nine.
By halftime, St. Joseph-Ogden (2-0) had all but secured the outcome, taking advantage of Watseka’s cold shooting and stifling defense. The Warriors struggled to find offensive rhythm, with most of their shots rimming out despite numerous opportunities.
Watseka managed only five points in the third quarter, as SJO reserves entered the game and extended the lead. The Spartans went on a 15-point unanswered run, cementing their dominance. Aaron Greene provided a rare highlight for Watseka with a late three-pointer in the fourth quarter, but the Warriors’ offensive struggles defined the evening.
Payton Schaumburg led Watseka with three three-pointers, and Quinn Starkey contributed eight points, but the Warriors had no answer for SJO’s relentless defense and relentless quick tempo.
The Spartans look ready for showdown on Friday against Charleston (1-1), who defeated Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond earlier in the day. The winner will likely represent the B Pool in Saturday's championship game. Meanwhile, Watseka will attempt to rebound against Charleston in their matchup today at 5 p.m.
St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball squad secures first win of the season
TUSCOLA - The St. Joseph-Ogden girls' basketball team notched its first win of the season Tuesday night, defeating Tuscola 38-30 in a hard-fought road game. The Spartans used a strong second-half surge to seize control after a tightly contested opening.
The Spartans (1-3) were paced by standout Kayla Osterbur, who delivered a game-high 17 points, including nine in a decisive fourth-quarter performance. Timera Blackburn-Kelley added nine points, while Hayden Dahl provided a crucial spark off the bench, sinking four of six free throws en route to seven points. Contributions from Addie Brooks and Katie Ericksen rounded out the Spartans’ balanced attack.
Tuscola (2-3) held a slim 7-5 lead at the end of the first quarter and remained in front by a point at halftime, 16-15. Ava Boyer led the Warriors with 15 points, while Reese Davis added six. However, Tuscola struggled to maintain momentum as St. Joseph-Ogden turned up the defensive intensity in the second half.
The third quarter saw the Spartans shift gears, holding the Warriors to just five points while gaining a 24-21 lead. Key three-pointers from Osterbur and Dahl, combined with Blackburn-Kelley’s field goal and plus one free throw, fueled the rally. In the final period, the Spartans found their offensive rhythm, tallying their highest-scoring quarter with 14 points to seal the win.
Looking ahead, and still on the road, St. Joseph-Ogden faces Oakwood (2-5) on Wednesday before hosting their first home game of the season Thursday against Danville.
Haas and Meharry lead Unity in tough loss at Clinton
CLINTON - In their first game following the Thanksgiving holiday, the Unity girls basketball team struggled to gel on offense, falling 54-30 on the road to Clinton on Monday night. The Rockets were unable to contain the balanced attack from Clinton's offense while facing difficulty generating scoring opportunities.
After trailing 19-7 after the first quarter, the Unity was unable to generate enough momentum to close the initial gap on the Maroons. The loss drops the Rockets to 4-2 on the season, ending a three-game win streak. Meanwhile, Clinton improved to an identical 4-2 record. The victory marks the second straight win for the Maroons after a pair of tough losses to Deer Creek-Mackinaw and Decatur MacArthur.
The deficit was engineered by Clinton's Clara Dempsey, who poured in a game-high 16 points. Teammates Regan Filkin and Avery Smith added nine points each, while Lilah Cluver contributed eight to round out the team's scoring effort. The victory marks Clinton’s second consecutive win after two earlier losses against Deer Creek-Mackinaw and Decatur MacArthur.
For Unity, seniors Lauren Haas and Clair Meharry each scored nine points, providing much of the Rockets' offensive output. However, the team couldn’t find consistent scoring support, with McKinley Weller and Mackenzie Pound adding three points each. Josie Cler, Grace Bickers, and Emily Decker scored two points apiece.
The loss marked a temporary setback for the Rockets, who now turn their focus to a four-game home stand starting tonight against Cissna Park. The Rockets look to rebound by capitalizing on their home-court advantage, facing Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on Thursday before hosting Urbana next Monday and Watseka the following Saturday.
Collin Thomey leads Spartans in win over ALAH at Toyota of Danville Classic
St. Joseph-Ogden's Ryker Lockhart and Tim Blackburn-Kelley try to grab a loose ball during their team's season opener at the Toyota of Danville Classic on Monday.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden opened their season in commanding fashion Monday, defeating Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 77-33 in the Toyota of Danville Classic. Led by senior Collin Thomey’s 20-point performance, SJO utilized decisive scoring runs to overpower the Knights and showcase their explosive offensive сapabilities.
With ALAH's Kendall Schrock guarding him, Spartan Collin Thomey slashes to the basket. The senior led all scorers with 20 points.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
SJO's Tanner Siems swats a shot attempt by ALAH's Will Hilligoss during the second half. The senior finished with 13 points in the team's first game of the season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
McNamara Overpowers Oakwood in Toyota of Danville Classic opener
Oakwood's Brandt Hobick tries dribble into the paint past McNamara's Teddy Fogel during their first game in Toyota of Danville Classic at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Hobick delivered a game-high 11 points for the Comets.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
ST. JOSEPH — In a battle of unbeaten teams, Bishop McNamara stormed past the Oakwood, 74-31, in the opening round of the Toyota of Danville Classic on Monday. McNamara's dominant performance highlighted their offensive depth and resilience on defense, while Oakwood’s struggles tarnished their previously unbeaten record. The Fightin’ Irish (4-0) set the tone early, racing to a 20-point first quarter and maintaining pressure with 23 and 21 points in the second and third quarters, respectively. Willie Felton led the charge with 17 points, delivering all his scoring by the end of the third quarter. Trey Provost added 12 points, while Coen Demack and Callaghan O’Connor contributed eight apiece. McNamara’s 34 baskets, all but two from inside the arc, showcased efficient ball movement and consistent finishes at the rim.
Bishop McNamara's Teddy Fogel tries to block a fourth-quarter shot by Oakwood's Jaethan Perez.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
State Football |Monticello's dream season shattered, Montini clinches Class 3A title
Members of the Monticello football team celebrate with their runner-up trophy after Friday's Class 3A state championship game against Montini.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
NORMAL - On a frigid November afternoon at Hancock Stadium, Montini Catholic (12-2) showcased its championship pedigree with a dominant 49-8 victory over Monticello (11-3) to claim its first Class 3A football state championship. The Broncos, who previously captured six state titles in higher classifications, overwhelmed the Sages in a game that underscored their experience and depth. Montini’s victory added another chapter to its storied history. The Broncos won the Class 4A title in 2004, Class 5A titles in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, and the Class 6A championship in 2015. This was Montini’s first state title since moving to Class 3A last year, following a waiver granted by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to compete in the smaller classification. Their last title-game appearance was in 2018, a narrow 35-27 loss to Joliet Catholic in the Class 5A final. "This group of kids worked so hard, especially the seniors. We've had a couple of rough years," said Bronco head coach Mike Bukovsky. "They felt the pressure of living up to some of the past achievements of Montini teams. I don't know if I've had a tighter knit group than this group."
They seemed like a team of destiny. Secretly, I was very fearful of that.
Friday’s triumph marked Montini’s seventh state title overall, continuing the DuPage County private school’s reputation as an Illinois football powerhouse. The Broncos wasted no time asserting their dominance. The offense opened with a 70-yard drive capped by Jeremiah Peterson’s 5-yard touchdown run just 1:42 into the contest. The onslaught continued with a 53-yard touchdown strike to CJ Harkins and a 49-yard scoring dash by Peterson in the first quarter, giving Montini a commanding 21-0 lead. Bukovsky said Monticello looked impressive on-film. He dug deep into his bag of team motivational strategies to make sure his team did not enter the game overly confident, overlooking what he thought was a solid opponent. "They had something. They won a couple of games in the playoff that maybe the shouldn't have won. We respected that," he said. "They have some playmakers. They seemed like a team of destiny. Secretly, I was very fearful of that."
Bronco quarterback Gaetano Carbonara looks for running room during second half action against Monticello. The senior moved the ball eight yards down the field. He also saw action on the other side of the ball, recording a solo tackle.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
By halftime, Montini had built an insurmountable 35-0 lead, adding two more scores in the second quarter. The Broncos’ balanced attack proved unstoppable, utilizing just 35 plays to generate seven scoring drives. Peterson finished with 183 all-purpose yards, Harkins added 123 receiving yards, and Santino Florio tallied 91 rushing yards and 100 total yards. Monticello head coach Cully Welter said adjusting to Montini's size and quickness was difficult. "Obviously, we saw them on film, and thought they were very good," he explained. "But, I thought they took it to another level today." Bukovsky concurred with Welter's observation. "Today, our guys just hit another level," he said, stating the rise in performance started two weeks earlier after the Broncos defeated Byron, avenging last year's 26-20 loss to last year's eventual Class 3A champions. "Since the Byron game, we've hit another level." Monticello entered the championship game riding the momentum of three thrilling playoff wins, including a nail-biter against Unity. However, their hopes were quickly dashed by Montini’s suffocating defense and explosive offense. The Sages managed just 267 total yards, a stark contrast to Montini’s 545-yard effort, which included 320 rushing yards. Adding to Monticello’s woes was the early exit of star quarterback Ike Young, who left the game in the second half due to injury. Young, who had amassed over 4,000 total yards this season, was visibly affected even before leaving the field. Without their leader, the Sages struggled to find rhythm. A late fourth-quarter touchdown by Carter Foran prevented a shutout. Foran hauled in a 29-yard pass from Nolan Buehnerkemper with just 30 seconds left. "On the last drive they were trying to get me in the end zone," Foran said. "That one throw hung up in the air a little bit. I was like, if these guys bobble it, I'll be in the back of it. That's what happen and I was able to get in [the end zone]." Quan Nguyen’s two-point conversion capped a six-play, better late than never 77-yard drive that was one of the few bright spots for Monticello.
Montini's Payton Nelson breaks up a pass play to Monticello's Carter Foran in the fourth quarter.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Buehnerkemper led the Sages with 46 rushing yards and threw for 85 and one TD. Koyie Williams and teammate Quan Nguyen finished the game with 21 yards rushing each. Senior Carter Foran hauled in a team-high nine passes for 110 yards. His longest catch resulted in Monticello's only touchdown. Before moving to quarterback, Buehnerkemper had four catches for 33 yards.
We gave it our best shot.
Montini’s defense played a pivotal role in the victory, limiting Monticello’s explosive offense. Douglas Mateo led the Broncos with 10 tackles, including six solo stops. Jaxon Lane and Nick Irion combined for 12 tackles, while Brody Boyer recorded a crucial sack for a 10-yard loss. In total, the Broncos recorded 54 tackles, showcasing their physicality and discipline.
Montini defensive back Max Bell tries to shed Sages' Hunter Romano after intercepting a Monticello pass. Bell, a senior who recorded one tackle, got the pick and ran the ball back 19 yards.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
On the other side, Monticello’s defense was led by Buehnerkemper, who tallied 12 tackles. Koyie Williams and Hunter Romano added five tackles each, while Carter Foran and Jack Helms contributed four apiece. Despite their best efforts, the Sages defense struggled to contain Montini’s multifaceted attack. Monticello, a boundary school with a student enrollment of 485, was making its second title-game appearance. The Sages previously won the Class 3A championship in 2018. Welter was proud of this year's squad. "We gave it our best shot. All I can say is what a remarkable year for these kids. I'm extremely proud of what they accomplished this year."
Keywords: Montini Catholic football championship Monticello vs Montini Class 3A final Montini state football champions 2024 Class 3A football state finals
Illini Prairie Conference
State Football |Chicago Christian overpowers Maroa-Forsyth to claim Class 2A Football trophy
NORMAL - In a game dominated by uncompromising defense and a powerful running attack, Chicago Christian rolled over Maroa-Forsyth, 47-0, to claim its first Class 2A football state championship Friday at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium on a cold Friday afternoon after Thanksgiving. The Knights (13-1) were relentless on both sides of the ball, leaving no doubt in their decisive victory over the perennial downstate powerhouse Trojans (12-2).
The championship clash, which lasted just two hours and 17 minutes, saw Chicago Christian impose its will early and often. Behind a ground game that churned out 314 yards, the Knights moved the chains 22 times, with 17 of those coming on rushing plays.
Leading the charge was Kenny Jager, who carried the ball 38 times for 223 yards, battering through the Trojans' front line. Christian Flutman added a versatile performance, completing 12 of 16 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 86 yards and three scores on just eight attempts.
On defense, Chicago Christian was unyielding. The Knights held Maroa-Forsyth to a meager 23 yards of total offense—just seven on the ground and 16 through the air—a record low in the 50-year history of the Class 2A championship. Brock Sperling anchored the effort, recording a sack, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Nine of Chicago Christian’s 35 players contributed on both sides of the ball, underscoring their depth and versatility. In their first-ever championship appearance, the Knights showcased a balanced attack and a defense that smothered a typically high-powered Maroa-Forsyth offense. The game was a stark departure from the closely contested battle many had anticipated. Maroa-Forsyth, projected by some to edge Chicago Christian in a shootout, managed just two first downs across four quarters. Their leading rusher, Khanton Wilson, posted only 20 yards on five carries, while Aiden Williams and Zach Smith combined for 11 yards on five attempts. Despite the lopsided loss, Maroa-Forsyth’s defense displayed its signature grit, with Troy Pulliam amassing 10 tackles. Dilsharan Singh and Grant Smith each added nine stops, while Owen Smith contributed eight. For the Trojans, coming into the title game with only one loss, the defeat marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar season. Known for their consistency at the state level, Maroa-Forsyth has reached the Class 2A championship game four times in the last eight years, including three straight appearances from 2016 to 2018. The senior from Maroa-Forsyth depart with an impressive 44-7 record and multiple Sangamo conference titles, maintaining the program's legacy as a downstate small school powerhouse under Hall-of-Fame head coach Josh Jostes.
Keywords: Class 2A state championship Chicago Christian football
Maroa-Forsyth Trojans high school football playoffs
Maroa-Forsyth’s defense displayed its signature grit
On defense, Chicago Christian was unyielding. The Knights held Maroa-Forsyth to a meager 23 yards of total offense—just seven on the ground and 16 through the air—a record low in the 50-year history of the Class 2A championship. Brock Sperling anchored the effort, recording a sack, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Nine of Chicago Christian’s 35 players contributed on both sides of the ball, underscoring their depth and versatility. In their first-ever championship appearance, the Knights showcased a balanced attack and a defense that smothered a typically high-powered Maroa-Forsyth offense. The game was a stark departure from the closely contested battle many had anticipated. Maroa-Forsyth, projected by some to edge Chicago Christian in a shootout, managed just two first downs across four quarters. Their leading rusher, Khanton Wilson, posted only 20 yards on five carries, while Aiden Williams and Zach Smith combined for 11 yards on five attempts. Despite the lopsided loss, Maroa-Forsyth’s defense displayed its signature grit, with Troy Pulliam amassing 10 tackles. Dilsharan Singh and Grant Smith each added nine stops, while Owen Smith contributed eight. For the Trojans, coming into the title game with only one loss, the defeat marked a disappointing end to an otherwise stellar season. Known for their consistency at the state level, Maroa-Forsyth has reached the Class 2A championship game four times in the last eight years, including three straight appearances from 2016 to 2018. The senior from Maroa-Forsyth depart with an impressive 44-7 record and multiple Sangamo conference titles, maintaining the program's legacy as a downstate small school powerhouse under Hall-of-Fame head coach Josh Jostes.
Keywords: Class 2A state championship Chicago Christian football
Maroa-Forsyth Trojans high school football playoffs
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Illustrious - Showcases and the stories behind Illinois’ most iconic high school gyms
CHICAGO - On a quiet Saturday afternoon in January 2012, at the Oak Park-River Forest field house, a simple thought refused to leave Vincent Johnson alone.
Covering a girls basketball game for the Oak Leaves, Johnson found himself looking beyond the box score and into the bones of the building itself. The space was overwhelming in the best way. Big. Empty. Striking. The field house - massive, architectural, overwhelming in character - was alive with echoes. The gym itself demanded his attention.
Covering a girls basketball game for the Oak Leaves, Johnson found himself looking beyond the box score and into the bones of the building itself. The space was overwhelming in the best way. Big. Empty. Striking. The field house - massive, architectural, overwhelming in character - was alive with echoes. The gym itself demanded his attention.
