SJO Hosts Toyota of Danville Classic, McNamara returns to defend title

The Toyota of Danville Classic returns to St. Joseph-Ogden next week where basketball fans can enjoy the mix of high-energy basketball, strategy, and fast breaks.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ryker Lockhart fights to snag a rebound with McNamara's Callaghan O'Connor under the rim during the Toyota of Danville Classic championship match in 2024. The Fightin' Irish defeated the 2023 champion Spartans in a fierce battle 57-48. O'Conner finished with seven points, while Lockhart led SJO with 12 points. The two juniors and their teams are projected to square off again in the title game on December 6.

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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden High School will welcome some of the region’s top teams next week for the annual Toyota of Danville Classic, an early-season basketball tournament that promises five days of fast-paced action and intense competition. Known as The Leader Classic for nearly three decades before being renamed in 2018, this year’s tournament runs Tuesday, Dec. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 6.

Last year’s champion, Bishop McNamara, who edged St. Joseph-Ogden 57-48 in the title game, returns along with all seven teams from the previous field. Pool A features Cissna Park, Charleston, PBL, and Bishop McNamara, while Pool B includes Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, Oakwood, host St. Joseph-Ogden, and Watseka.

Fans can look forward to 16 games over the course of the tournament, highlighted by the 35-second shot clock and the usual mix of high-energy play and early-season matchups. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students per night, covering all three games scheduled each evening. Tournament play opens Tuesday at 5 p.m., kicking off what promises to be another memorable edition of the Classic.

2025 Toyota of Danville Classic Schedule

Pool A:
Cissna Park
Charleston
PBL
Kankakee Bishop McNamara

Pool B:
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond
Oakwood
St. Joseph-Ogden
Watseka

Tuesday, 12/2/25:

5:00 PM: Kankakee Bishop McNamara vs. Charleston
6:30 PM: ALAH vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
8:00 PM: Cissna Park vs. PBL

Wednesday, 12/3/25:

5:00 PM: Watseka vs. Oakwood
6:30 PM: PBL vs. Kankakee Bishop McNamara
8:00 PM: Charleston vs. Cissna Park

Thursday, 12/4/25:

5:00 PM: Oakwood vs. ALAH
6:30 PM: Watseka vs. St. Joseph-Ogden
8:00 PM: Charleston vs. PBL

Friday, 12/5/25:

5:00 PM: Cissna Park vs. Kankakee Bishop McNamara
6:30 PM: ALAH vs. Watseka
8:00 PM: Oakwood vs. St. Joseph-Ogden

Saturday, 12/6/25:

1:00 PM: 7th Place Game
2:30 PM: 5th Place Game
4:00 PM: 3rd Place Game
5:30 PM: 1st Place Game

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TAGS: Toyota of Danville Classic 2025, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball tournament schedule, Bishop McNamara high school basketball, IHSA early-season basketball games, high school basketball 35-second shot clock, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball tickets, Charleston vs Cissna Park game, Oakwood vs ALAH matchup, Watseka vs St. Joseph-Ogden, PBL vs Bishop McNamara

Budget-Friendly ways to create a cozy, joyful holiday in your home

Small decorating changes can make your home feel more cheerful during the holidays. Cozy lighting, blankets and seasonal media invite relaxation. Personal projects and heirloom pieces bring emotional warmth. Scents, textures and outdoor decorations round out the festive experience.

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StatePoint Media - As the holidays creep closer and the to-do lists grow longer, many women find themselves craving something simple—a space that feels comforting, festive and entirely their own. With just a handful of affordable, creative tweaks, you can transform your home into a place that sparks joy the moment you walk through the door.

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Pile on personal touches

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Research shows that everyday surroundings can make an impact on your overall mood - and when is a better time to foster some happiness than the holiday season? From warming up your space with cozy details to mastering the art of a quick room refresh, the right décor sets the tone for making magical, mood-boosting memories during the holidays.

Follow these simple, budget-friendly tips from Duck brand to create a warm, festive space that brings the spirit of the season to life.

Tip #1: Lay a cozy foundation. Make small, intentional swaps in your living space to create coziness in cold weather. Rather than harsh overhead lighting, drape glowing strand lights from the ceiling, and line tables and counters with battery-powered tapered candles. Play soft, seasonal music anywhere by using removable, double-sided tape to mount mini speakers; toss a couple extra blankets over the sofa to promote snuggling (bonus points if they’re in red or green!); and leave a stack of seasonal books or movies in sight to encourage unwinding in the living room.

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Photo: Dragon White Munthe/Unsplash

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Tip #2: Pile on personal touches. Science says that decorating with handcrafted pieces can evoke a sense of both accomplishment and connection. Display beloved childhood holiday crafts and family heirlooms, like ornaments or glassware. Then, carve out time to make your own unique focal point. With a little imagination and duct tape, you can DIY your own Instagram-worthy decor. Consider cutting red and green Color Duck Tape into letter shapes to personalize a festive banner for your fireplace, then use duct tape to make holiday-themed frames to display family photos from over the years.

Tip #3: Refresh your hosting hotspot. For family and friends who are visiting over the holidays, cement your kitchen as a go-to gathering space with a quick makeover. Cheer up countertops with a display of holiday mugs, hang festive towels and spruce up cabinet shelves and other surfaces with removeable, patterned shelf liner like EasyLiner Removeable Adhesive Shelf Liner. For a non-committal DIY that lasts only as long as you want it to, use the weathered wood pattern on a backsplash or kitchen island to add charming texture.

Photo: Ara/Unsplash

Tip #4: Engage the senses. Select seasonal scents to infuse into your surroundings. For a DIY alternative to candles, boil water with aromatic ingredients, like cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange slices and vanilla, in a simmer pot for a nostalgic scent, or place bags of dried pinecones in bathroom and coat closets. And of course – baking cookies will create a fantastic aroma in your home, too.

Tip #5: Bring the spirit outside. As you make your holiday updates, don't forget about the exterior. Try adding simple touches to high-traffic areas, like placing decorative trees or poinsettias on the porch, hanging a wreath on the front door, tying garlands to beams or hanging lights on the patio or garage.

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TAGS: cozy holiday home decorating ideas on a budget, simple DIY Christmas décor projects for families, how to create a warm festive atmosphere at home, affordable seasonal kitchen and living room refresh tips, ensory holiday décor ideas for a welcoming home

Guest Commentary |Thanksgiving: Don't wait to say 'thank you'

One family discovers Thanksgiving far beyond the holiday table. Together, they reveal how gratitude can unfold long before Thursday arrives.

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by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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Glenn Mollette

We can and should celebrate Thanksgiving every day. Jesus told the story about the man cleansed of leprosy who returned to give thanks. He pointed out there were nine who experienced the same healing of their physical problem, but did not return to give thanks.

The Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving. They gave thanks for the rain, their harvest, health and the kindness of the local native Americans. They also gave thanks to God for their new life in America.

We know the difference between a thankful person and someone who complains all the time about anything and everything. It’s more fun to be around a grateful person than someone who can find something bad to say about anything and everything that is good.

There is a painting I love that displays a man with a bowed head, hands clasped and before him what appears to be a bowl of soup. In the painting he is giving thanks.

Our children and grandchildren all have a lot to learn in life and so do all of us adults. Two words that seem to be absent from many vocabularies are “thank you.”

We should say “thank you,” a lot. Say thank you to God and to all those who do even the smallest things for us and around us. It doesn’t hurt to say thank you two or three times.

Where did you learn to say thank you? Did your parents teach you? Did you learn it in school? Did you learn it from hearing someone else say it often? Or, have you yet to learn the importance of those two special and sacred words.

Thank you goes a long way. Saying thank you builds bridges, tears down walls and overcomes a lot of sin, evil and bad feelings. Thank people for being your friends, for their kindnesses, for their service, their faithfulness, their patriotism and all the big and small things from A to Z.

Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to say “thank you.” Give thanks to God, our public servants, your family, co-workers and more today and as often as possible.

I’ve already had several days of Thanksgiving. Last week we sat in my sister’s family room and spent time talking to one of our own who survived an aortic aneurism. We talked about the miracle of the many people who were involved in saving his life. We gave thanks and have many times.

We spent time eating chili soup and sloppy joe sandwiches and casually hanging out as family. They were precious hours of Thanksgiving. My wife and I spent an hour or so another day with my sister, her husband and son eating some early turkey, dressing mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. You don’t have to wait until Thursday to have turkey and family fellowship. One evening we sat with my brother and his son and family just talking around the table while they were having hamburgers. It was a nice time of fellowship. On another day we got to volunteer with others to distribute Thanksgiving food to over 800 people and again we experienced a blessed time of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving can be any day, with any meal and a variety people. Whatever the day, meal or occasion, see the blessing of the moment and give thanks.

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About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

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The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.