Sullivan holds on despite late SJO rally for 59-55 road win

St. Joseph-Ogden dropped a 59-55 decision to visiting Sullivan on Jan. 5 after a late fourth-quarter push.


Hayden makes a pass during SJO's home game against Sullivan

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Hayden Dahl looks to make a pass in SJO's home game against Sullivan. Dahl finished the game with 8 points and 11 rebounds in the Spartans' non-conference loss last Monday. See more photos from St. Joseph-Ogden's home game against Sullivan.
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden led early and battled to the final minute, but a cold stretch and timely second-half scoring from Sullivan proved costly in a 59-55 loss to the visiting Redskins on Monday, Jan. 5.

The setback marked a third consecutive defeat for the Spartans, who slipped to 9-4 on the season. Sullivan improved to 10-6 with the road win.

St. Joseph-Ogden opened the game with energy, jumping out to a 6-0 lead on an early three-pointer from Katie Ericksen and maintaining control throughout the first quarter. The Spartans stretched the margin to seven points during the period, using crisp ball movement and patient shot selection to keep Sullivan on its heels.

Momentum shifted early in the second quarter. After nearly three and a half minutes of play, Sullivan grabbed a 19-18 lead and used the final 4 minutes and 38 seconds of the half to build an eight-point advantage. St. Joseph-Ogden struggled to find rhythm offensively during the stretch, managing just one field goal, a three-pointer from Addie Brooks, while turnovers added to the challenge.

"We didn't relly come out in the second quarter as a team," Brooks said. "It took us a little too long to come back together and pull through. We got to fix that in practice."

Kayla Osterbur fights for position in the paint
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Kayla Osterbur tries to get around a Sullivan player for another rebound. The senior finished the game with a double-double.
Sullivan carried that momentum into the third quarter, pushing its lead to double digits on three occasions. Freshman Elin Watkins began to assert herself offensively, attacking gaps and finishing in transition as the Redskins created separation. Still, the Spartans remained composed and methodically worked their way back into the game.

In the fourth quarter, St. Joseph-Ogden closed within 54-52 on a basket from Kayla Osterbur, bringing the crowd to its feet. Osterbur scored once more before fouling out with 1:05 remaining, with the Spartans trailing by three. After her exit, St. Joseph-Ogden managed just one additional free throw down the stretch.

"I was disappointed in our effort on both ends of the floor. We weren't very crisp," said head coach Brian Brooks. "I'm not taking anything away from them (Sullivan). They capitalized on it."

Brooks said the number of game over the past two weeks, coupled with weather-related cancellations hadn't given the team ample time to practice.

"We've played a lot of games lately. We haven't been practicing because it, not enough, and it is showing right now," he said. "We've lost three, one or two possession games in the last week. That can't happen."

Addie Brooks led the Spartans with 17 points, connecting on five three-pointers and going 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. Osterbur posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Hayden Dahl added eight points and 11 boards. Ericksen finished with nine points and eight assists, and Timera Blackburn-Kelley chipped in six.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartan head coach Brian Brooks make a strategy change in the fourth quarter that helped SJO get within two points of tying the game. St. Joseph-Ogden has suffered three consecutive losses by four or fewer points.

Watkins led all scorers with 20 points for Sullivan, 16 coming in the second half. Senior Aeralyn Thrasher added 18 as the Redskins secured their second win in three games.

The Spartans turned the ball over 16 times.

"We gave them a lot of possessions on both ends of the floor," Brooks said. "We just got to get back to what we do in practice. We had some great practice habits early in the season. We've got to get back to that."


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Spartans mark decade since historic 2016 basketball championship

The Spartans secured the 2016 Class 2A championship with decisive performances in the state semifinals and finals. St. Joseph-Ogden defeated Breese Central after a strong second half in the semifinal. The following day, the team topped Rockridge behind balanced scoring and a standout second quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Kohlten Johnson slashes to the paint in SJO's semifinal game against Breese Central. Johnson and the 13 members of the 2016 basketball team will be honored on Friday, February 13, in a 10-year anniversary celebration.


ST. JOSEPH - On Friday, Feb. 13, St. Joseph-Ogden will hold a 10-year anniversary recognition ceremony for the school’s first and only state championship basketball team. The celebration will be held between the JV and varsity home games against Bloomington Central Catholic.

The Spartans won the Class 2A title on the strength of a 10-game winning streak to close the season. After a rough start against Breese Central in the first half of the state semifinal, the Spartans gelled into a dominant force at Carver Arena, overpowering the Cougars in the second half offensively and defensively for a 60-48 finish.

A day later, SJO faced Rockridge for the title and put on a dazzling shooting display in the second quarter that matched the Rockets’ entire first-half 22-point output. Behind a game-high 20 points from Brandon Trimble and 14 from Jake Pence, St. Joseph-Ogden secured the state title in another dominant display, 61-43.

       
Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

RIGHT: Jake Pence unloads a shot against Breese Central in Friday's semifinal game. LEFT: Brandon Trimble takes a shot over a Rockridge player in the Class 2A title game. Trimble led all scorers with 20 points. BELOW: St. Joseph-Ogden fans cheer for their team on Friday in the team's game against the Cougars.

St. Joseph-Ogden baskeball fans cheer for their team

“We had high expectations coming into the year. The guys set a goal of coming to Peoria,” SJO head coach Brian Brooks told reporters in the postgame presser. “We started slow but football went deep, which was great. Those experiences, I believe, bled over into basketball and being able to handle those.”

Prior to the 2016 title run, St. Joseph-Ogden had made two previous state appearances, once in 2007 and again in 2013. All three state finalist teams were under the leadership of Brooks, now the superintendent and currently coaching the Spartan girls' basketball team for one year due to the head coach on deployment with the National Guard.

The JV game against the Saints tips off at 5:30 p.m.


2015-16 St. Joseph-Ogden Boys Basketball Roster

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
1 Ty Brown G 6-0 165 Sr.
3 Brandon Trimble G 6-2 170 Jr.
4 Brandon Dable F 6-2 190 Jr.
10 Drayke Lannert G 5-10 150 Jr.
11 Kolten Taylor G 5-11 160 Jr.
12 Garrett Grimsley G 5-9 140 Sr.
15 Aaron Schluter F 6-2 210 Sr.
21 Tegan Poole F 5-9 175 Jr.
22 Jake Pence G 6-0 160 Sr.
23 Kohlten Johnson F 6-3 185 Sr.
30 Jordan Brooks G 5-10 145 So.
32 Brody Trimble F 6-3 190 Sr.
33 Eli Oltean F 6-2 190 Sr.
35 Ryan Ferriman F 5-11 195 So.

Assistant Coaches: Kiel Duval, Mike Bialeschki, Isaiah Olson
Managers: Bryce Kelly, Kenzie Pence, Madi Smith, Emma Melchior

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO student fans show their enthusiasum before the start 2016 title game.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Jordan Brooks gives his dad and coach Brian Brooks a hug during the awards ceremony.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Garrett Grimsley holds SJO's Class 2A championship trophy during the postgame awards ceremony.

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Graduation Day: The photo gallery

Last month on May 19, 118 seniors became SJO alums. While we wanted to publish this page and memorable photos sooner, we haven't quite acquired all the resource we need yet. Without further adieu, here are l2 photos from that milestone day.

Jack Ward and Jack Cook
John Ward and Jack Cook enter the main runway during the processional at the St. Joseph-Ogden 2019 Commencement Exercise on Sunday. Photo by Clark Brooks

Principal Gary Page III
Principal Gary Page III makes his opening remarks at the beginning of St. Joseph-Ogden's 2019 Commencement Exercise. Photo by Clark Brooks


Friends and Family
Parents, siblings, family and friends packed the St. Joseph-Ogden gymnasium to watch the Class of 2019 commencement exercise. The audience listens as Principal Gary Page III extols on the academic achievement displayed by this year's senior class. Photo by Clark Brooks

Dwight Colvin
Dwight Colvin, a three-sport athlete who while continue both his education and athletic career at McKendree College, receives his diploma and warm handshake from St. Joseph-Ogden Board of Education president James Rein. Photo by Clark Brooks

Keely McCorkle walks at graduation
All smiles with diploma in hand as walks across the stage, Keely McCorkle prepares to shake hands with superintendent Brian Brooks. Photo by Clark Brooks

Mortar board message
One of many messages displayed on mortar boards at the 2019 St. Joseph-Ogden Commencement Exercise. Photo by Clark Brooks

Joel Orcutt smiles with his diploma in hand
Freshly minted SJO grad and two-sport athlete Joel Orcutt grins for a photo after receiving his diploma at graduation. Photo by Clark Brooks

Parents taking pictures
A couple of parents eagerly photographs as students walk down the steps to the stage at graduation. Photo by Clark Brooks

Sully Alwes, Gage Atwood and Cassidy Bagby
Seniors Sully Alwes, Gage Atwood and Cassidy Bagby mug for the camera during their commencement ceremony at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. In the final quarter of their high careeer, Atwood and Bagby earned a 3.75 GPA to be named to the High Honor Roll list. Alwes also earned honor roll recognition with a GPA greater than 3.25. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

SJO alumni celebrate
In a storm of confetti, St. Joseph-Ogden students celebrate the end of their high school career. Photo by Clark Brooks

Kassandra Kelso poses for a quick smartphoto photo
Flanked by her cousins Lindsey and Sydney Kelso, Kassandra Kelso poses for a quick smartphoto photo after returning her robe. Photo by Clark Brooks

Sally Manalo and parents
Sally Manalo poses for a photo with her parents, Nelson and Jamie, in the auxiliary gym after Sunday's graduation ceremony. Photo by Clark Brooks

Photos displayed on this page are available for order here.
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Brian E. Smith captures 400m state title, cements sprint legacy for North Shore Country Day

Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day. Senior medaled in three events at Saturday's state track finals.

Brian E. Smith acknowledges the roar of the crowd after winning the 400m Dash at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

North Shore Country Day's Brian E. Smith turns to acknowledge the roar of the crowd after winning the Class 1A 400m Dash title on Saturday at the IHSA Boys Track & Field State Finals in Charleston.

CHARLESTON - North Shore Country Day senior Brian E. Smith II closed out his high school track career with a historic finish at the IHSA Track and Field State Finals, held May 29–31 at Eastern Illinois University. Smith claimed the Class 1A state championship in the 400-meter dash, turning in a winning time of 48.47 seconds, good for the third-fastest 400m time across all three IHSA classes.

With the title, Smith became just the third individual state champion in school history for North Shore Country Day, a private school of just over 500 students in Winnetka. His performance came during what proved to be one of the driest and mildest weather weekends the state finals have seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith advanced to the 400m finals after posting his personal-best time of 48.12 seconds in Thursday’s qualifying round. In the championship race, he outran Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley’s Evan Landers-Kristensen, who placed second at 49.06 seconds, and Casey-Westfield’s Hayden Parcel, who took third in 49.36.

Brian E. Smith runs in heat 2 of the 100m dash at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Running past Cumberland's Reid Carlen, Smith runs to a second place finish in heat 2 of the 100m Dash prelims on Thursday. He qualified for the championship race with the sixth fastest time at 10.89 after running a 11.10 at sectionals. Read more 2025 Sentinel state track coverage here.

Smith also competed in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, placing in both to cap a rare triple-threat showing. In the 100m final, he finished fifth with a time of 10.99 seconds. Morrison junior Brady Anderson won the event in 10.74, followed by Lena-Winslow’s Alec Schlichting (10.78), Morrison’s Levi Milder (10.92), and Red Bud’s Gavin Baldwin (10.96).

Later in the day, Smith took on the 200m dash and finished seventh with a time of 22.19. Milder secured his second gold medal of the meet with a personal-best 21.44 in the event.

Brian E. Smith at the top of the podium for the 400m Dash
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Smith stands above the 400m Dash finalist during the awards
Smith was one of only two athletes in the state to place in all three sprint events—an accomplishment that underscored his consistency, versatility, and determination in a highly competitive field.

North Shore Country Day’s representation at the state meet wasn’t limited to Smith. Sophomore Kaeden Ackley advanced to compete in the triple jump, gaining valuable experience on the big stage. On the girls’ side, junior Reese Meyers earned a sixth-place finish in the Class 1A 400-meter dash a week earlier, clocking in at 57.94.

“We’re incredibly proud of all three student-athletes for representing North Shore on such a competitive level,” said Athletic Director and coach Patrick McHugh. “It was truly an amazing performance.”

Smith’s 400m state title marked a memorable conclusion to a spring season built on personal milestones, steady progress, and a strong sense of school pride.

Brian E. Smith races past the competition in the prelims at state
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Smith crosses the finish line the Class 1A 200m Dash prelims. The senior and one other runner ran in all three short-distance races in the 2025 state finals.
Tagged:North Shore Country Track & Field, State Track, Boys Track & Field, State Champion, Class 1A Sprinter
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Spartans shake off layoff, lock down LeRoy in a 19-point victory

After a nearly two-week layoff, St. Joseph-Ogden found its rhythm in the second half Friday night. Kayla Osterbur led the surge with strong post play. SJO pulled away for a 59-40 win.
St. Joseph-Ogden's Kayla Osterbur is all smiles after a 17-point game
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kayla Osterbur flashes a big smile as she heads to the locker room after dropping a game-high 19-point night in SJO's home win Friday night over LeRoy.


by Clark Brooks
The Sentinel


ST. JOSEPH - The rust showed early, but once it shook loose, St. Joseph-Ogden looked every bit like a team that had been waiting to play.

After nearly two weeks away from game action because of weather-related cancellations, the Spartans needed time to find their footing Friday night at LeRoy. Trailing by two at halftime, St. Joseph-Ogden flipped the switch in the third quarter, clamping down defensively and rolling to a 59-40 victory on their home court over the Panthers.

Timera Blackburn-Kelley takes a shot
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Timera Blackburn-Kelley takes a shot during the second half. The senior contributed 10 points in SJO's win.
LeRoy managed just four points in the third quarter as the Spartans seized control with back-to-back scoring runs, first a nine-point surge, then another eight-point burst that broke the game open.

“It was a good response,” SJO head coach Brian Brooks said. “We hadn’t played in a couple of weeks, and it probably showed in the first half. Our energy and effort just wasn’t very good, and we were fortunate to be only down two.”

Brooks made adjustments at halftime, leaning into opportunities inside with senior Kayla Osterbur. With the guards delivering the ball, Osterbur went to work in the paint, scoring eight points in the third quarter and closing the frame with a pair of free throws.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Hayden Dahl makes a second-half pass. The junior delivered four of SJO's 11 three-pointers.
Osterbur finished with a game-high 19 points, 17 coming in the second half.

While the post game opened the door, the perimeter slammed it shut. St. Joseph-Ogden buried 11 3-pointers, hitting three each in the first, second and fourth quarters. Hayden Dahl happily knocked down four from long range, and Katie Ericksen added three as both finished with 12 points.

Osterbur, Ashlyn Miller and Addie Brooks each connected from beyond the arc, while Timera Blackburn-Kelley chipped in a 3-pointer and finished with 10 points.

“I thought Katie was great tonight at the point, especially in the second half,” Brooks said. “She made some really good reads.”

Ericksen expected the slow start.

“I knew it was going to be a mind game for us being off for two weeks,” she said. “We knew we were going to have to put in a lot of effort to get back to where we were.”

Spartan guard Katie Ericksen
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartans' Katie Ericksen looks for an open teammate to pass the ball during first quarter action against the Panthers.

The Spartans (6-1) face a quick turnaround, traveling to Charleston for a 12:30 p.m. nonconference game before hosting Watseka on Monday ahead of the State Farm Classic.

LeRoy was led by Parker Mann with 15 points and Annie Coon with 11. The Panthers fell to 8-3 and play Saturday at El Paso-Gridley.


Box Score

SJO     12   15   19   13 - 59
LeRoy  9   20     4      7 - 40


More SJO Sports Articles

St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball win over LeRoy, SJO Spartans second-half comeback basketball, Kayla Osterbur scoring performance SJO, Illinois high school girls basketball road win, LeRoy vs St. Joseph-Ogden basketball recap
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Photo Gallery |
Area runners give all at state cross country meet

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden's Savanna Franzen runs in the Class 1A Cross Country State Finals on Saturday. Franzen, a freshman, finished in 6th place over all at 17:51.72 to help the Spartans to a fourth-place finish in the girls Class 1A division.
Unity's Malia Fairbanks runs her second lap around Detweiler Park during the Class 1A Cross Country State Finals on Saturday. The veteran senior harrier was the fifth runner from the Rockets to cross the finish line at 19:04.82 to secure the team title with 126 points. The victory secured Unity's sixth consecutive cross country state trophy in over the past six seasons.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


University High School junior Kate Ahmari heads to the finish line on her way to a second-place Class 1A finish on Saturday. The Illineks finished in ninth-place with at team score of 320 behind #7 IC Catholic (246pts) and Wheaton Academy in 8th place with 289 points. Ahmari crossed the finished line at 17:29.24.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


SJO's Ava Knap runs the last thirty yards to the finish line in her 3-mile race at Detweiller Park. The Spartans' top finisher clocked in 17:48.51 in fifth-place.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Incoming Storm

Salt Fork runner finishes in top 25

Oakwood-Salt Fork runner Macie Russell heads to the finish line in the Class 1A race. The sophomore earned All-State status after coming in 16th place. A student at Salt Fork High School, she ran the 3-mile course in 18 minutes and 21.94 seconds.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Urbana University's Stefania Dzhaman runs to the finish line behind Eureka's Meika Bender in the Class 1A Cross Country State Finals on Saturday. Dzhaman, a senior, finished her run at 19:42.85.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Pulling away from her nearest competitor, Unity's Harper Hancock closes in on the finish line. The Rockets have won the state title two other times since the 2015 season (2015, 2017). The program was runner up in 2016 and finished in third-place in 2018 and 2019 in Class 1A. Hancock, a senior, finished in 30th place with her time at 18:39.30. Follow link to view more photos of Unity cross country runners on Saturday.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


With a few more strides to go to finish his race, St. Joseph-Ogden's Luke Stegall leans forward in preparation to cross the finish line during the boys' Class 1A race. Stegall, a senior, finished the last cross country race of his prep career at 15:52.49. The Spartans finished in sixth-place in the boys team standings.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Pushing himself the last eight yards of his race, Urbana University's Henry Laufenberg runs to a 15:58.37, placing 46th place overall.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Champaign Central's Maaike Niekerk runs in the Class 2A girls' race. The senior clocked in at 19:05.30 in 86th place on Saturday.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Urbana's Celia Barbieri and Northside's Allison Feeney runs in the Class 2A Cross Country State Finals on Saturday. The solo runner representing the Tigers at state finished 111th overall at 19:19.22.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


With about 10 yards left in their race, Urbana's Brian Allison and Julio Angrave along with Champaign Central's Nick Bonn continue their final kick to the finish line during the Class 2A race.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Urbana's Hudson Coady and Champaign Central's Enrique Bueschlein run through a shaded area of the Detweiller Park course on their second lap in the Class 2A race. Coady finished 220th oveall at 17:28.15, while Bueshlein crossed over 13 seconds later for a time of 17:41.80 in 227th place.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Urbana's Sam Lambert closes in on the finish line in the Class 2A race. The senior harrier for the Tigers finished just one place away from making All-State status in 26th place at 15:25.63. Earlier in the season, Lambert won the Big12 Conference title for UHS. See more photos of Urbana's cross country athletes here.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


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