Hillsboro High Sports | The Journal-News

After 90 minutes of soccer that personified the intensity of the Hillsboro/Lincolnwood soccer rivalry, the two teams came together for a photo with the Herschelman family at the inaugural Grace Cup in Hillsboro on Monday, Sept. 18. Named after the late Grace Herschelman, who passed away from infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy in May 2021, the game raises awareness of INAD and helps continue Grace’s legacy. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, meaning that the traveling trophy will spend the next year with the Herschelman family.

A few hours before the Grace Cup on Monday, Lincolnwood boys basketball coach Matt Millburg texted me, “Enjoy your evening! Grace wins!” I don’t think either of us thought that … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/21/23

Hillsboro goalkeeper Delaney Adams dives to prevent a scoring chance for Pana during the Lady Hiltoppers' South Central Conference game on Thursday, April 4. Hillsboro picked up their second SCC win in a row, with Adams and her defense Addison Compagni (#32), Brynn Connor, Zoey Spinner and Milla Anderson securing a 3-0 shutout, the Toppers' fourth of the season.

Hillsboro Girls Get 2nd SCC Win

After back-to-back losses to conference foes in non-conference games, the Hillsboro girls soccer team rebounded to start South Central Conference play with a 2-0 record. After beating Southwestern on … more

4/8/24

With the O'Brien Field press box in the background, Hillsboro High School senior Tanner Clayton goes up for one of his attempts at clearing 3.8 meters in the pole vault at the IHSA Class 1A State Finals track meet in Charleston on Thursday, May 25.

Hard Work Pays Off For Toppers With Trip To State

Brayden Fowler, Tanner Clayton and Blaze Helton knew their track season was going to come to an end last week, but the question for the three Hillsboro High School seniors was whether it would be the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/30/23

Toppers Take Top Four Spots Against Pana

The Hillsboro boys golf team took the top four spots individually on Monday, Sept. 11, as the Toppers defeated Pana 175-228 at the Hillsboro Country Club. Tycen Thacker finished with a 5-over-par 41 … more

9/14/23

Litchfield senior Tug Schwab shot a 2-over-par 38 on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the Hillsboro Country Club to help the Panthers to a pair of close wins over Hillsboro and Carlinville.

Panthers Hold Off Cavies, Toppers

It was senior night for the Hillsboro High School golf program as the Toppers took a moment before their match on Sept. 19, to honor it’s three soon-to-be graduates. Austin Loskot, Carson … more

9/21/23

Hillsboro's Gaven Vollintine was in good position for most of his match against Althoff's Ryan Hogue, eventually getting the pin at the 4:54 mark of the 138-pound match. The victory was one of two for Vollintine on Friday, Dec. 1, as the Toppers defeated both Althoff and Carlyle on the night.

Toppers Pick Up Wins At Home Meet

Hillsboro wrestling has only three home meets this season, so the Toppers made sure to give their fans a show on Friday, Dec. 1, when they hosted Belleville Althoff and Carlyle. The Hiltoppers … more

12/4/23

2023 A Test For Hillsboro Baseball Team

When a team in any sport on any level wins only 10% of their games, multiple reasons come together, and all are hard to separate. The physical, statistical reasons are easier to sniff out than the … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/30/23

Hillsboro Girls Stymie Southwestern In Piasa

The Hillsboro girls basketball team held Southwestern to just five points in the second and third quarter as they beat the Piasa Birds 44-26 in the South Central Conference opener for both teams. The … more

12/4/23

Vandals Hand Hiltoppers First Loss In SCC Prequel

The Vandalia boys golf team handed Hillsboro their first loss of the season on Monday, Sept. 18, but the Toppers did manage to earn a share of medalist honors for the match. Shooting a 163, the … more

9/21/23

Hillsboro Seventh At Kaskaskian Classic

Perhaps because it was the earliest game on the last day of the Kaskaskian Classic in Carlyle on Saturday, Dec. 2, the crowd was more like a small gathering, but three firsts occured during the … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/4/23

It's Hillsboro, It's Litchfield, It's Week Five For Football

Questions abound before the Hillsboro at Litchfield varsity football game tomorrow, Sept. 22; known answers aren’t as obvious. The weatherman Wednesday afternoon said rain was probable … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/21/23

Lady Hiltoppers Score Victory Over Marquette

After a busy weekend at the Montgomery County Invitational Grace Tournament, the Hillsboro volleyball team was back at home on Monday, Sept. 11. Following their first loss of the season, the Toppers … more

9/14/23

Topper Fans Should Come Early

A word of advice to Topper football fans heading to Sawyer Field tomorrow night – Come early. The parking situation is the same as three weeks ago because of construction. Those with handicap … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/14/23

Comets Win First Meeting With Hillsboro

The Toppers Boys’ basketball 2023 version finished Pool B play in the Kaskaskian Classic with their third loss Wednesday evening, Nov. 28, when the Greenville Comets held them to three points … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/4/23

Hillsboro defender Kyle Holcomb (#6) and Litchfield forward Drake Gasperson battled throughout the match-up between the two rivals on Tuesday, Sept. 5, in Litchfield. Gasperson would score for the Panthers, but it was a defensive showcase throughout as the two teams were knotted at one after regulation and two overtime periods. The Panthers eventually handed Hillsboro their first South Central Conference loss since April 2021, winning in a penalty kick shootout 4-2.

Cardiac Cats Shoot Down Toppers

After 100 minutes of soccer against Hillsboro, Litchfield Head Coach Chris Bates was concerned that some of his regular co-workers might need to give him a hand. “They’re going to … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/7/23

Hillsboro's Jesse Balla returns a shot during her match with Ellie Schaufelberger of Greenville on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at the Hillsboro Sports Complex. The team has been putting in work on the court in both the tennis sense and in sprucing up the courts, with new score boards, court numbers, a repainted backboard and shade sails among the improvements.

New Year, New Improvements For Topper Girls Tennis Team

The Hillsboro High School girls tennis team started off their season on Aug. 28, with four matches in four days, two of which they won. Their opening match of the season was on Monday, Aug. 28, … more

9/7/23

Nico Clark (left) had a pair of goals in the Toppers' 2-1 win over Greenville on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Hillsboro Sports Complex. The win evened the Toppers' record to 1-1 in the South Central Conference.

Soccer Toppers Grind It Out Against Comets

With several members of the Hillsboro High School boys soccer team also members of the choir and, as a result key pieces of the Operetta each spring, the orange and black are no strangers to … more

9/14/23

Litchfield senior Kendall Stewart tries to tip a shot over the top over Hillsboro blockers Addison Lowe (#14) and Ellie Miller (#12) during the regional semifinal game in Vandalia on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Despite the best efforts of the Panthers, who won game one 27-25, Hillsboro held off their intracounty rival 25-14, 25-18 in games two and three to advance to Thursday's regional championship game against Shelbyville.

Hiltoppers Hold Off Panthers To Secure Title Shot

For seniors, this time of year isn’t life or death, but it is a half step below that. The postseason is in full swing in several fall sports, including volleyball, where 12 seniors (four … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 10/26/23

Toppers Welcome Rochester, Lutheran North To Town

After making a return to the football playoffs last year, the Hillsboro Hiltoppers got the opportunity to learn some lessons from two teams that know a thing or two about winning in the postseason on … more

7/13/23

Feeley Takes Medalist Honors

The Hillsboro girls golf team hosted Staunton, Carlinville and Mt. Olive on Tuesday, Sept. 5. None of the four teams had enough players for a full team score, which made the quad a race for medalist … more

9/7/23