The Sentinel

Shooting Stars | Area basketball athletes shined brightly last month

• Clifton Central 46 - Hoopeston Area 41

Preston VanDeVeer and Anthony Zamora finished with nine points each in Hoopeston Area's loss at home to the Comets. Kenddrick Sigerill led the Cornjerkers (2-3) on the boards with a season-high 11 rebounds finished with eight points. Hoopeston Area's Owen Root went 3-for-6 from the field putting eight points in the book.

Oakwood's Brody Taflinger shakes hands with St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Director Justin Franzen after recieving his recognition plaque for the Toyota of Danville All-Tournament team on December 3. Taflinger's efforts lead the Comets to a runner-up finish after falling to the hosts Spartans 66-31 in the championship game on Saturday. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

• St. Joseph-Ogden 66 - Oakwood 31

Ty Pence drained 33 points in SJO's title game against Oakwood at the Toyota of Danville Classic on December 3. The senior D1 recruit scored 15 points in the first quarter to put the host Spartans on cruise control to this year's tournament title.

Junior Brody Taflinger led the Comets, who entered the fray with an impressive 8-0 record, with a 13-point effort in the team's first loss of the season.

• Teutopolis 56 - Unity 40

Before boasting a four-game win streak, the Rockets suffered their second consecutive loss at the hands of the Wooden Shoes on December 3. Despite nine players contributing with two or more points, Unity fell 56-40.

The Rockets led at the halfway point by five and trailed by one, 38-37, at the end of the third quarter. Jay Saunders, who led the team in the loss with nine points, hit the team's only field goal during a fourth-quarter offensive collapse. Dalton O'Neill sank one of two free throw attempts to round out the scoring in the frame to just three points. O'Neill, Unity's second-leading scorer, finished with seven points. Henry Thomas tallied five points in the third quarter.

Joey Niebrugge, a junior, led all scorers with in the contest with 18 points.

• St. Joseph-Ogden 68 - Watseka 28

Junior Logan Smith and senior Ty Pence combined effort produced 48 of SJO's 68 points in the team's romp over the Warriors at the Toyota of Danville Classic.

Pence, an 2023 Illinois State basketball recruit, drained 28 points while Smith rained down 20 more. Six other Spartans including Maddux Carter and Brock Trimble contributed to the victory.

• Rochester 56 - Unity 46

Andrew and Henry Thomas sank 11 points apiece in the Rockets' second game of the season. Without home court advantage, Unity (1-1) came out of the locker room cold after the halftime break, scoring just six points to Rochester's 17.

• St. Joseph-Ogden 44 - Danville 14

Addisyn Martinie dropped a game-high 16 point in the Spartans' first game during the month of December that snapped a three-game early season slide. Addison Seggebruch supplied 13 points in the non-conference victory.

SJO's improves to 2-4 heading into their next contest against Maroa-Forsyth at home.

• URBANA 39 - Charleston 34

Senior Gabrielle Mboyo-Meta led the Tigers girls' basketball effort with 16 points in the team's first win of the season. Junior Jasmine McCullough also delivered a double-digit finish with 13 points. Urbana (1-3) enjoyed a team effort with six points from McKenzie Sprague and two points apiece from Savannah Blanden and Elizabeth Lange.

Trojans' Ally Logsdon all scorers with 19 points, 15 of those delivered in the fourth quarter of the non-conference game on December 1.

Are you stay true to your New Year's food related resolutions?

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

We have to make them realistic

ROCKFORD - It's that time of the year again when we turn our backs on past mistakes and pledge to do better. We're talking about News Year's resolutions.

Some people will promise to quit smoking, exercise more frequently or maybe plan to reunite with long lost friends or loved ones. But about this time every year one of the most talked-about resolutions is to improve our diets and perhaps lose weight.

Photo: Unsplash/Brooke Lark

While most people are more than ready to put 2022 in the rearview mirror, what are the best ways to go about making our food-related resolutions attainable now that 2023 is here?

"We have to make them realistic," says Adam Schafer, a clinical dietitian with OSF HealthCare. "A lot of times people say I want to eat healthier or be healthier. There are no specifics to that. We need to make sure resolutions are very specific and that you can measure it rather than throwing something out there that has no real meaning to it."

The keys to sticking with your food resolutions include setting specific goals, measuring those goals, and having a plan to meet those goals. Schafer recommends setting S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound). The best ways to change behaviors is to focus on small, achievable habits and activities that will help improve your health over time.

When it comes to eating habits, there are going to be good times and bad. No one is perfect. Schafer says the key is to not beat yourself up over a bad eating day here or there. If you do stumble occasionally, reflect on what you did wrong and move on without any regrets.

If one of your resolutions is to lose weight, Schafer recommends thinking about what did or didn't work in the past before setting your weight loss goal. Rather than concentrating on a certain number, think about things like your clothes fitting better, or your ability to do certain activities easier or better. These milestones will help you maintain a more positive mindset and keep you motivated to stay the course.

"Focus more than just on weight," says Schafer. "A lot of times we focus on a certain number when it comes to weight loss, but if you're exercising too you may be putting on muscle. It's not going to reflect well on the scale and you're going to assume you're not doing well and you're going to quit."

Other tips include:

Fill up on fruits and vegetables

Drink more water

Watch your sodium intake

Plan your meals

Keep a food log

And if you don't set goals early in 2023, don't sweat it. There's never a bad time to get started on making healthy lifestyle changes. Proper nutrition isn't a quick fix, Schafer says. It's a habit that we will work to develop for the rest of our lives.

"It's never too late to get started on one," he adds. "If you feel like you missed the New Year resolution time frame, there is always time to improve on yourself, whether it's related to diet and health or anything else in life."

Four signs you need a new roof over your head

Communication-76/Pixabay

SNS - A roof is one of the most important components of any home. It protects the structure and its inhabitants from harsh Illinois weather, debris, and even pests. However, over time, roofs can become damaged due to age or extreme conditions.

Knowing when it’s time to re-roof your house can save you money in the long run, as well as protect your home’s structural integrity. In this article, we will discuss the signs to look out for that indicate when you should consider re-roofing your home. Here are four signs when you need re-roof your home or rental property.

#1 Cracked or Missing Shingles

Shingles are thin strips of material that form the surface of your roof. It looks like overlapping triangular tiles. If you notice that your shingles are cracked, missing, or curling up on the edges, then it’s a sign that they need to be replaced. This can happen due to age or exposure to extreme weather conditions such as hail and wind. Missing shingles can also result from poor installation or poor maintenance.

While this can be an easy fix, you still need to consider hiring experienced roofing contractors like Mighty Dog Roofing to ensure that your shingle replacement is done correctly. If you don’t replace your missing or cracked shingles, then it can lead to more damage and cost more money in the long run.

#2 Sagging Roof

If you notice that your roof is sagging, it could be a sign of a structural issue with your roof decking, which supports the entire roof structure. If this is the case, it’s crucial to have a professional to inspect your roof right away, as sagging can lead to catastrophic damage and costly repairs.

It could also be due to poor ventilation or inadequate insulation, both of which can contribute to premature wear and tear on your roof. In any case, it’s best to have a professional inspect your roof and determine the cause of the sagging so that it can be addressed promptly.

#3 Sunlight Coming Through Your Roof

If you notice that sunlight is coming through your roof, then it’s time to re-roof. This could mean that there are gaps or holes in your roof that need to be patched. These gaps can allow moisture and pests into your home, as well as cause energy loss due to heat escaping from the house.

The good news is that patching these holes or gaps can usually be done relatively quickly and inexpensively. However, if there is extensive damage to the roof, then it may be time to consider re-roofing your home.

#4 Age of Roof

The age of your roof can also be a factor in determining whether or not you should re-roof. Most roofs are designed to last around 20 years, and after that, they can start to deteriorate due to age and weather conditions. If your roof is more than two decades old, it’s probably time to consider re-roofing your home.

Good thing is, modern roofs are made of much more durable materials than those used in the past and can last for up to 50 years with proper maintenance. So, when it’s time to re-roof, you can be sure that your new roof will last a long time.

How to Re-roof Your House

The first step to re-roofing your home is to contact a roofer for an inspection. A professional roofer will be able to assess the condition of your roof and advise you on the best course of action. This could mean anything from repairing small issues to completely replacing the roof.

If it’s determined that you need to re-roof, then the roofer will be able to recommend materials and products that are best suited for your home. It’s important to take their advice, as they have a lot of experience in this field and know what works best. Once you have decided on materials and products, the roofer will be able to provide you with an estimate for the cost of the project.

Common Cost for Re-roofing

The cost of re-roofing your home will largely depend on the size of your roof, the materials you choose, and any additional services like repairing existing damage. Generally speaking, re-roofing projects can range from a few thousand dollars to over $10,000 depending on the size and complexity of the job.

Re-roofing your home is not an easy job and it is very important if there is a need. By keeping an eye out for signs of damage and taking action to address any issues, you can help ensure that your roof lasts as long as possible and protect the value of your home.

If you suspect that your roof may need to be replaced, then don’t hesitate to contact a professional roofer for an inspection and advice. With the right materials, a good plan, and proper maintenance, you’ll be confident knowing that your new roof will protect your home for years to come.

Photo of the Day | January 12, 2023

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Rockets fight fall short at Christie Clinic Shootout

ST. JOSEPH - Unity's Henry Thomas drives to the paint into Normal University's Jacob Johnson in their Christie Clinic Shootout game last Saturday. After a nearly even first period of play, U-High outscored the Rockets 20-12 in the second frame and held the lead until the final buzzer. Thomas finished with a team-high 13 points, but it wasn't enough to get past the Pioneers, who won 56-48.

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