Brayden Henry lifts Rockets past Teutopolis 59-58

Unity overcame early-season losses to Teutopolis, winning the sectional final 59-58 on a buzzer-beater. Unity moves one step from a state tournament berth, facing Kankakee McNamara on Monday.

Photo: Lori Garrret for the Sentinel

Brayden Henry holds up the net while celebrating with teamates and fans after the Rockets' epic victory over Teutopolis on Friday.

MONTICELLO - Unity had already seen Teutopolis twice this season, and both times the Wooden Shoes walked away with the win. Friday night in the Monticello Class 2A sectional championship, the Rockets finally got their revenge and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Brayden Henry drove to the basket and delivered a layup at the buzzer, lifting Unity to a dramatic 59-58 victory and sending the Rockets to the Pontiac Supersectional.

The win sends Unity (32-2) one step from the state tournament, marking the program’s deepest postseason run since 2002. The Rockets will face Kankakee McNamara on Monday in Pontiac with a trip to the IHSA state finals on the line.

Friday’s matchup carried the intensity of a rivalry built over the course of the season. Teutopolis had claimed the first two meetings, defeating Unity 56-50 in the season opener and edging the Rockets again 37-36 on Dec. 31. With a sectional title at stake in the third meeting, the Rockets delivered when it mattered most.

Unity started quickly, building a 16-11 lead in the opening quarter behind seven combined points from the Henry twins and four points from senior Tre Hoggard. Teutopolis rallied in the second quarter and carried a 25-23 lead into halftime.

The Rockets reclaimed the momentum in the third quarter and opened the fourth with a 41-36 advantage, setting the stage for a tense finish.

Teutopolis mounted a late charge behind Isaac McWhorter, who finished with a game-high 23 points. McWhorter sparked the Wooden Shoes in the fourth quarter with three 3-pointers and two field goals, while also converting both of his free-throw attempts. Gavin Addis added 13 points, including two field goals and a perfect 3-for-3 performance from the free-throw line in the final quarter. Layndyn Thoele contributed nine points, all in the first half.

Unity answered with balanced scoring. Henry led the Rockets with 20 points, scoring in every quarter before delivering the game-winning basket. Dane Eisenmenger and Tyler Henry each finished with 10 points, while Mason O’Neill added two free throws. Eisenmenger was perfect from the line at 3-for-3, and O’Neill went 2-for-2.

The victory extends Unity’s winning streak to 23 games and moves the Rockets within one win of the state tournament.

Kankakee McNamara (25-5) awaits Monday in the Pontiac Supersectional after defeating Yorkville Christian 69-56 in overtime at the Seneca Sectional. The Fightin’ Irish enter the matchup averaging 61 points per game while allowing opponents about 45 points per contest.

TAGS: Unity Rockets Teutopolis Class 2A sectional recap, Brayden Henry buzzer-beater Unity vs Teutopolis, Monticello Class 2A basketball sectional results, Unity Rockets supersectional 2026 preview, IHSA Class 2A boys basketball playoff coverage

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Spartans beat Rockets in Week 2 thriller at Dick Duval Field

Tanner Siems bursts through the Spartan banner followed by the rest of the team during the pregrame introduction on Friday at Dick Duval Field. Hours later St. Joseph-Ogden would emerge victorious in the home game against Unity, 24-21.

An SJO student fan cheers during first-quarter action against the visiting Rockets. It took a little under eight minutes for the Spartans to light up the scoreboard on their way to their second conference win.

Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden Maroon Platoon cheer for the Spartans during the first half of the game. SJO led the Illini Prairie Conferenc game at the half, 21-14 .

Unity running back Garrett Richardson finds plenty of running room against the Spartans in the first half.

Unity running back Garrett Richardson is brought down an 11 yard run.

Kaden Wedig hangs on to pass during first half action against the Rockets.

Virtually untouched, Rocket running back Garrett Richardson slides into the end zone on a six-yard run for a third-quarter touchdown to tie up the score at 21-all.

Unity's Tyler Henry shoves St. Joseph-Ogden's Tim Blackburn-Kelley out of bounds. Blackburn-Kelley finished Friday's game with seven yards rushing on four carries and two catches for 23 yards. He also tallied a 32-yard run on a kick return and two more on a punt return.

Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden's Class of 1994 are recognized between quarters. The alumni enjoy their reunion weekend with a Spartan football victory.

Drummer for the March Spartans pounds out beat during a break in the action on the field.

A Spartan cheerleader keeps an eye on the action on the field. This year's 20-member squad kept fans and the student section cheering all four quarters of the home game.

St. Joseph-Ogden linebacker Brayden Waller block Unity's Coleton Langendorf.

Wyatt Wertz scampers past a Unity lineman. Wertz delivered 19 of SJO's 159 yards on the ground.

Unity's Tyler Henry avoids St. Joseph-Ogden's Tayton Gerdes while returning a kickoff. His only return on special teams, Henry took the ball 49 yard before being stopped by the Spartans.

SJO's Carson Sarnecki and Quincy Jones wrap up Unity running back Garrett Richardson during third quarter action.

Covered by Unity's Ryan Rink, Spartan receiver Kaden Wedig snags the ball for a fourth-quarter catch.

Brennan Oleynichak lifts teammate Coy Taylor into the air after his 26-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Taylor tallied a game-high 105 yards with nine catches.

Kaden Wedig hauls in a pass despite in-his-face coverage from Unity's Graydin Cler during the fourth quarter. Wedig, who finished with three catches for 42 yards, fell out of bounds in what could have been the go-ahead touchdown for the Spartans.

Waiting to go back in, Spartan quarterback Kodey McKinney gazes at the scoreboard at Dick Duval Field during the fourth quarter. The junior signal caller scored St. Joseph-Ogden's first TD on a one-yard run in the first quarter. He finished his second varsity game with 43 rushing yards and threw for 268 yards against the Rockets.

Spartan manager Cameron Kuchenbrod heads back to the sidelines after giving water to players during a timeout.

Brayden Henry breaks up a pass to Tanner Siems

Rockets' Brayden Henry breaks up a pass play to Spartans' Tanner Siems early in the fourth quarter. Siems finished the regular season contest with a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter and 110 yards.

Unity's Dane Eisenmenger looks to make a throw in the fourth quarter. The junior quarterback completed seven of his 12 passes for 110 yards and tacked on 15 rushing yards in the loss to the Spartans.

Rockets' Garrett Richardson stiff arms Tim Blackburn-Kelley on a carry during the fourth quarter. Richardson had 22 carries for 90 yards and a 19-yard catch in Unity's second game of the season.

Surrounded by teammates Wyatt Wertz, Cameron Wagner, and Gabe Mata, SJO kicker Charlie Schmitz enjoys the moment after kicking the game-winning field goal from 31 yards out with 1.2 seconds left on the clock to seal a 24-21 victory.

Spartan lineman Josh Courter celebrates with this team after SJO's second-straight regular season win over Unity.

Boys' sectional championship basketball scores from March 6

The Unity Rockets defeat Teutopolis, advancing to the Pontiac supersectional on Monday. Here are the results from Friday's high school sectional championships from around the state.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Brayden Henry blocks a pass attempt by Warrensburg-Latham's Alex Hardin during the Christie Clinic Shootout game in January. Henry saved the day in the Rockets' sectional title game, taking the ball down the court for a successful layup as time expired for a 59-58 win over Teutopolis and the sectional title at Monticello earlier this evening.

Local team results

Tolono Unity 59, Teutopolis 58

1A Scores from around the state

Indian Creek 46, Ottawa Marquette 44
Goreville 47, Waltonville 44
LeRoy 62, Decatur Unity 58
Lawrenceville 59, Altamont 45
Chicago Marshall 55, Fenger 48
Tremont 47, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 45
Routt 49, Brown County 45
Eastland 48, Pecatonica 41

2A Scores from around the state

Crane Medical 57, Hope Academy 55
Farragut 64, IIT Math & Science 53
Manual 57, Warsaw 41
Johnsburg 68, Rockford Lutheran 50
Tolono Unity 59, Teutopolis 58
Benton 58, Carterville 43
Quincy Notre Dame 72, Rochester 64
McNamara 69, Yorkville Christian 56

3A Scores from around the state

Hyde Park 43, De La Salle 40
Leo 72, Hillcrest 64
St Francis 69, Wheaton Academy 62
Deerfield 46, Lake Forest 35
MacArthur 66, Normal University 42
Morton 61, Kankakee 48
East St Louis 69, Centralia 51
Kaneland 51, Crystal Lake South 41

4A Scores from around the state

York 37, Glenbard East 36
Benet 51, Bolingbrook 44
St Ignatius 71, Curie 65
Marist 76, Homewood-Flossmoor 64
Hersey 73, Fremd 66
Richwoods 59, Edwardsville 58
Rockford Auburn 74, Guilford 68
DePaul 55, Evanston 42

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Unity falls just short in thriller vs Bloomington Central Catholic

Rockets and Saints traded punches all night, but BCC had the last word. Unity drops tough 34-27 decision.

Unity's Crewe Eckstein scores a touchdown

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Crewe Eckstein drags Central Catholic's Greyer Pirtz into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter. Eckstein finished the team's first conference loss with 151 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns.

by Clark Brooks
The Sentinel

TOLONO — It was a beautiful evening at Hicks Field. The temperature at game time started in the low 80s and gradually dipped into the lower 70s as the sun set across Central Illinois. With more than 800 fans in the stands, two unbeaten Illini Prairie Conference heavyweights went toe to toe. From the opening kick to the final horn, momentum swung wildly, but in the end visiting Bloomington Central Catholic caught the last wave to victory, defeating Unity 34-27 in a high-quality high school football clash.

"We knew that it was going to be a heavy weight fight with two very good teams," said Saints head coach Kevin Braucht. "In a game like that, there are many swings in momentum and our ability to stay calm and focused on our jobs say much about out mental toughness and resiliency. We preach every day about looking at every moment as an opportunity vs. a burden regardless of the outcome."

BCC's Valshun Powe looks to turn the corner

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Bloomington Central Catholic's Valshun Powe looks at Unity's Brayden Henry as he tries to scamper down the sidelines for a first down.

Central Catholic found that opportunity when Unity’s first possession ended prematurely after a completed pass was fumbled near midfield. Central Catholic recovered and drove for a one-yard touchdown run. The Saints missed the extra point but struck again before the first quarter ended on a nine-yard run, extending their lead to 13-0.

The Rockets roared back in the second quarter. Dane Eisenmenger powered up the middle for Unity’s first score, followed by Crewe Eckstein’s four-yard burst that tied the game. Ty Rodems’ second extra point gave Unity a 14-13 edge. Minutes later, Brayden Henry’s interception set up Eisenmenger’s touchdown pass to Tre Hoggard, sending the Rockets into halftime with a 20-13 lead.

Central Catholic regrouped after the break, scoring on runs of nine and 26 yards to reclaim a 27-20 advantage.

"Coming out of halftime we wanted to limit their offensive snaps and wanted to control the clock better," Braucht said. A sound plan given how explosive the Unity offense had proven itself in the first two weeks of the season.

Eckstein punctuated that thought when responded with his second touchdown run of the night, dragging a defender across the goal line to even the score at 27 in third quarter.

"Our kids battled there to the end. I'm pretty proud of them," said Tony Reetz, now 2-1 as Unity's head coach. "They (BCC) were able to control the clock, control the ball, and kept our offense on the sideline. They kind of wore our defense down a little, so credit to them."

Unity players talk strategy on the bench

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Keegan Germano, Desmond Winfrey, and Coleton Langendorf defensive tactic to contain Central Catholic's run gam while taking a breather on the bench in the first half.

The decisive drive came late in the fourth quarter. Facing 4th-and-1, Valshun Powe slipped away from Unity’s Adam Reedy to keep the Saints alive. Moments later, a leaping catch in double coverage put BCC on the Unity 12. Matthew Brady finished the drive with the go-ahead touchdown at the 2:50 mark.

Unity mounted one final push, reaching the Saints’ four-yard line. On the last play, Eisenmenger rolled left under pressure and lofted a pass toward Hoggard in the corner of the end zone. The ball glanced off his fingertips as time expired, sealing Central Catholic’s win.

Unity’s offense posted strong numbers despite the loss. Eckstein finished with 151 yards rushing on 17 carries, including a 56-yard breakaway. Eisenmenger added 40 yards on the ground while throwing for 196 yards. Henry led Rocket receivers with four catches for 92 yards, while Hoggard hauled in five for 87.

Overall, Unity ran 52 plays for 382 yards, while the Saints executed 70 plays for 405 yards and held a 31–22 edge in first downs. The Rockets lost the turnover battle 3-1.

"They played us in a little bit different coverage than we were anticipating, so it took us a while to get the passing game going," Reetz said. "I was happy with the way we executed when we figured out what we could take from them."

Crayton Schnierle comes up with a big catch for BCC

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Central Catholic receiver Crayton Schnierle makes a reception on a huge play between Unity defenders Brayden Henry and Graydin Cler. The catch set up the game-winning touchdown from Saints' Matthew Brady.

Braucht praised his team’s balance and once again highlighted their overall resiliency. "When you have three players of their abilities, you need to make sure they are getting most of the calls," he said, pointing to Powe, Brady and Crayton Schnierle as difference-makers. "Those three are very good players, but the real difference in that game was our offensive and defensive lines and how we controlled the line of scrimmage in the second half."

Reetz said the Saints exposed a few weaknesses that the team will work on. The luxury of having a tough game early in the season is that it gives you plenty of time to turn those shortcomings into strengths.

"It is just week three of the season. We're in this for the long haul. We're not trying to be ready with everything Week 3," he said. "This will be a good case study to look at."

The loss drops Unity to 2-1 heading into a road trip to unbeaten St. Joseph-Ogden (3-0) next Friday at Dick Duval Field. The Spartans dominated Illinois Valley Central 51-16. Central Catholic improves to 3-0 and will host Rantoul.

TAGGED: Unity Rockets football 2025, Bloomington Central Catholic Saints football recap, Unity vs Central Catholic Hicks Field 2025, Illini Prairie Conference week 3 football results, Illinois high school football Unity vs St. Joseph-Ogden preview

Unity, St. Joseph-Ogden highlight loaded Christie Clinic Shootout today

Unity and Warrensburg-Latham clash in a top-10 Class 2A matchup at the Christie Clinic Shootout. St. Joseph-Ogden will close the Shootout by facing Tremont in just the second meeting between the programs.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Warrensburg-Latham's Drew Czaijkowski tries to secure a rebound battling for possession with St. Joseph-Ogden's Tim Blackburn-Kelley during the 2025 Christie Clinic Shootout game. The Spartans defeated the Cardinals by ten, 59-49. This year, Warrensburg-Latham is off to an impressive #3 AP ranking, thanks to a 16-1 record so far this season.

ST. JOSEPH — The calendar may have flipped to a new year, but the tone of the high school basketball season is already set. Just 10 days into 2026, the Christie Clinic Shootout returns to St. Joseph-Ogden High School on Saturday, offering a full day of competitive hoops and a midseason checkpoint for some of central Illinois’ top programs.

What began as a single-day showcase has grown into a winter staple, a place where teams can measure themselves against unfamiliar opponents while fans settle in for a day of quality basketball. Six varsity games will tip off in the main gym beginning at noon, while a full slate of junior varsity contests starts at 10 a.m. in the practice gym.

Monticello's Carter Foran tries to dribble around Seneca's Paxton Giertz

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Monticello's Carter Foran tries to dribble down the baseline, but is cutoff by Seneca's Paxton Giertz. The Sages defeated the Fighting Irish for one of three Illini Prairie Conference victories last year, 62-56. Monticello will face El Paso-Gridley in this season's installment. Seneca is not in this year's studded lineup.

“It is going to be great matchups all day,” St. Joseph-Ogden athletic director Justin Franzen said. “We are really excited to be hosting this event.”

Three Illini Prairie Conference programs — St. Joseph-Ogden (10-3), Unity (11-2) and Monticello (7-2) — will again represent the league. All three swept their games a year ago, and each enters Saturday with postseason aspirations and plenty to prove.

The nightcap figures to draw the most attention. Unity will square off with Warrensburg-Latham at 6 p.m. in a marquee Class 2A matchup featuring two Associated Press top-10 teams. The Rockets, ranked eighth, face a Warrensburg-Latham squad sitting third in the state with a 16-1 record.

It is a rivalry that has quietly become a measuring stick for both team. Since 2008, the two programs have met 13 times, with Unity holding a narrow 8-5 edge. Their most recent meeting came in February 2024, when the Rockets pulled away for a decisive 65-46 win.

Unity's Brayden Henry dribbles the ball during the Christie Clinic Shootout

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

For teams looking for a long postseason run and fans eager for wall-to-wall basketball, the Christie Clinic Shootout will deliver an exciting matchup. Brayden Henry and the Rockets will bring their A-game, proving their current state ranking is an underestimation.

Saturday’s version brings added weight, with both teams using the game as a measuring stick heading into the second half of the season. Unity’s balanced scoring and pace will be tested by a Cardinals team that has been rolling through its schedule and arrives in St. Joseph with momentum and expectations.

Immediately following that contest, St. Joseph-Ogden will take the floor against Tremont in just the second meeting between the programs. The only previous matchup came in January 2008, when Tremont controlled the game from start to finish in a 66-47 win.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Kiel Duval calmly watches his team work their magic against the Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals in their 2025 shootout game. Duval and the Spartans will face Tremont at 7:30 p.m.

Spartans coach Kiel Duval knows the challenge ahead.

“They got three or four guys who can score with the basketball,” Duval said after Tuesday’s win over Williamsville. “They got a couple of really good guards who can shoot. They are going to be extremely physical.”

Duval said preparation this week has been more about sharpening focus than overloading his players.

“After Tuesday, we’ll have a laid-back practice and some film sessions, then work game strategy,” he said. “It’s one of those games where if we’re not ready to play, we are going to get beat.”

For Duval, a former three-sport Spartan, the shootout carries a different feel than a typical regular-season game.

“It is one of those days you look forward to as a player,” he said. “You have two of the state’s top-10 teams playing right before us. There are not a lot of teams around here that get the opportunity to play in a shootout.”

Beyond the featured matchups, the day’s schedule is built for basketball purists. Mt. Zion returns after a narrow 65-60 loss to Moline last year, while Bismarck-Henning is back following a gritty 68-62 win over Normal University earlier this season. The mix of Class 2A, 3A and 4A programs promises contrasting styles, physical play and plenty of energy from tip to final buzzer.

All varsity and JV games will be played with eight-minute quarters, with approximately 12 minutes between games for warmups.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students with valid IDs, with one ticket granting access to the entire day.

2026 Christie Clinic Shootout Schedule

Varsity (SJO HS Main Gym)

12:00 PM: (SW Locker Room) Eureka vs. BHRA (NE Locker Room)
1:30 PM: (SE Locker Room) Metamora vs. Mahomet-Seymour (NW Locker Room)
3:00 PM: (SW Locker Room) Peoria vs. Mt. Zion (NE Locker Room)
4:30 PM: (SE Locker Room) El Paso-Gridley vs. Monticello (NW Locker Room)
6:00 PM: (SW Locker Room) Warrensburg-Latham vs. Unity (NE Locker Room)
7:30 PM: (SE Locker Room) Tremont vs. St. Joseph-Ogden (NW Locker Room)

Junior Varsity (SJO PRACTICE GYM)

10:00 AM: (SE Locker Room) Eureka vs. BHRA (NW Locker Room)
11:30 AM: (SW Locker Room) Metamora vs. Mahomet-Seymour (NE Locker Room)
1:00 PM: (B103) Peoria vs. Mt. Zion (B106)
2:30 PM: (B102) El Paso-Gridley vs. Monticello (B105)
4:00 PM: (B103) Warrensburg-Latham vs. Unity (B106)
5:30 PM: (B102) Tremont vs. St. Joseph-Ogden (B105)

TAGS: Christie Clinic basketball shootout at St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity basketball takes on Warrensburg-Latham, Illini Prairie Conference basketball, Monticello basketball team plays in shootout, Top-ranked Class 2A boys basketball teams play in St. Joe

Brayden Henry lifts Rockets past Teutopolis 59-58

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Spartans beat Rockets in Week 2 thriller at Dick Duval Field