Hillsboro High Sports | The Journal-News

Hillsboro Baseball Had Its Share Of Highlights In 2024

For those who feel victories are the only desired results of athletic contests, 2024 was not a happy time for the HHS fans. However, those were some highlights for me despite the 6-24 record. I … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/6/24

Six players from Montgomery County schools were named to this year's South Central Conference all-conference baseball teams. Those players were Nathan Matoush of Hillsboro and Matthew Bywater, Carson Saathoff, Drake Gasperson, Tate Dobrinich and Ethan Saathoff.

Six From County Make All-SCC List

Litchfield and Hillsboro took up eight of 42 spots on this year’s South Central Conference all-conference baseball team, which was voted on by the coaches of the SCC. Five of those eight … more

5/30/24

Three players from Montgomery County schools were named to this year's South Central Conference all-conference softball teams. Those players were Hillsboro's Aubrey Evans, Litchfield's Elise Walch and Hillsboro's Peyton Chappelear.

County Trio Earn All-SCC Accolades

Three first time all-conference selections from Montgomery County were among the 39 players honored with all-conference recognition by the coaches of the South Central Conference at the conclusion of … more

5/30/24

Pictured above, in front, from the left are Brady McBrain and the Redmans’ grandchildren, Oaklyn Spratt, Merritt Connor, Gunner Spratt, Vincent Connor and Garret Spratt. In back are Hillsboro High School Principal Patti Heyen, HHS head baseball coach Kyle McBrain, Action Powersports Operations Manager Nic Hahn and donors Nancy and Bruce Redman.

Redmans Donate Equipment To Topper Baseball, Softball

Hillsboro High School graduates Bruce and Nancy Redman of Hillsboro donated a variety of equipment to be used by the Hillsboro High School and Hillsboro Junior High School baseball and softball … more

5/30/24

From the left are Coach Brian Atkins, Nolan Adams, Caleb Patton, Joe Lanter, Josiah Atkins, Gabe Wells, Cody Payne, Davis Tomei, Hudson Wright, Roman Reed, Mia Wells, Mike Wells, Kaelin Cress, Bailey Chappelear, Aubrey Huber, Piper Walk, Leland Armbruster and Coach Tom Lunz. Not pictured are Alexa Compton, Jackson Cunningham and Rocco Romero.

Hillsboro Boys Reach New Heights At State

Since 1971, Hillsboro Junior High has scored points at an IESA boys state track meet 28 times. Only twice have they finished better in the team ranks than they did on Saturday, May 18. With five … more

5/23/24

The Hillsboro Junior High seventh grade girls 4x100 meter relay team took fourth place at the IESA State Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 18, running a school record time of 53.98 seconds. From the left are Alexa Compton, Aubrey Huber, Kaelin Cress, Coach Brian Atkins, Bailey Chappelear, Piper Walk and Mia Wells. In addition to the medal in the relay, Cress also finished fourth in the 100 meter hurdles, running a 17.18 in the finals.

Lady Dragons Go Fourth At State

The Hillsboro Junior High seventh grade girls track team may not have had the largest contingent at state, but the Lady Dragons made the most of their chances at the IESA Class 3A Track and Field … more

5/23/24

Hillsboro High School freshman Jaida Linn finished second at the IHSA Class 2A State Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 18, earning the school's 13th overall medal in girls track and fifth medal in the high jump since 1997.

Linn Takes 2nd At State

Coming into this year’s IHSA State Track and Field Championships, the Hillsboro girls track program had 12 state medals, four of which were from high jump. On Saturday, May 18, Jaida Linn … more

5/20/24

Hillsboro Falls To Miners In Regional Semifinal

Even the staunchest Hillsboro High School baseball fan knew the odds were stacked against their Toppers in the Gillespie Regional semi-final game Wednesday afternoon, May 15. The Miners were the host … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/20/24

Hillsboro's Austin Newingham had one of the Toppers' seven top ten finishes at the sectional in Rochester on Friday, May 17, taking eighth in the discus with a throw of 39.08 meters or 128'2".

Hiltoppers Wrap Up Season At Sectionals

The Hillsboro boys track team wrapped up their season on Friday, May 17, at the Rochester Sectional, setting five new personal records and posting seven finishes in the top ten at the loaded Class 2A … more

5/20/24

Mater Dei Knocks Off Lady Toppers In Semis

The Hillsboro High School softball season came to a close on Wednesday, May 15, as the Lady Hiltoppers fell to eventual regional champion Breese Mater Dei 4-0. Hillsboro pitcher Anika Camp was … more

5/20/24

Hillsboro's Ketch Mills went 2-for-3 with three runs scored in the Toppers' 10-0 win over Carlinville in the regional quarterfinal on Monday, May 13.

Toppers Go Off Against Cavies

by Ron Deabenderfer It’s a neat event to witness when a team comes together, when an athletic group that had struggled for the past two seasons finally has a we-did-it-right moment. That … more

5/16/24

Eighteen athletes from the Hillsboro Junior High track program, coached by Tom Lunz and Brian Atkins, earned 14 qualifying berths for the IESA Class 3A State Finals in East Peoria on May 17-18. State qualifiers and alternates, in front, from the left, are Joe Lanter, Jackson Cunningham, Leland Armbruster, Cody Payne, Davis Tomei, Nolan Adams, Josiah Atkins, Hudson Wright and Rocco Romero. In the back are Gabriel Wells, Roman Reed, Piper Walk, Bailey Chappelear, Kaelin Cress, Aubrey Huber, Mia Wells and Alexa Compton.

Dragons Send 18 To State Meet

Eighteen Hillsboro Junior High athletes qualified for 14 events at the IESA Class 3A State Track Meet, which will be held at the Eastside Centre in East Peoria on May 17-18. The Dragons, who are … more

5/16/24

Lady Miners Stay Unbeaten In SCC

The Gillespie High School softball team clinched their fourth straight undefeated championship season in the South Central Conference on Thursday, May 9, at the expense of the Hillsboro Lady … more

5/16/24

Hillsboro freshman Jaida Linn elevates over the bar during the high jump at the Civic Memorial Sectional on Thursday, May 9. Linn went on to take first at the sectional, qualifying her for the IHSA Class 2A State Track and Field Championships on May 17, in Charleston.

Sectional Debut A Success, Headache For Toppers' Linn

Hillsboro High School freshman Jaida Linn earned her first sectional title and qualified for state on Thursday, May 9, at the Civic Memorial Sectional, but the win didn’t come without some … more

5/13/24

Litchfield's Daphney Hartel drew the attention of Hillsboro defender Zoey Spinner and her teammates Addison Compagni (#32) and Brynn Connor (right) during a run toward the goal during the second half of the regional semifinal in Hillsboro on May 10. After falling to Hillsboro 9-1 in last year's regional championship, Hartel and company beat the Lady Hiltoppers for the third time this year, winning 3-1 to advance to the regional championship against Alton Marquette on Tuesday, May 14, at 5 p.m.

Litchfield Moves On With Win Over Toppers

When Hillsboro and Litchfield met up in the girls soccer regional championship last year, it took Chloe Law just 89 seconds to put the Lady Panthers on the board, but the Lady Hiltoppers answered … more

5/13/24

Toppers Put Six In Top Three At Gillespie

The Hillsboro boys track team set ten new personal records and had six top three finishes on Friday, May 10, as they tied for fourth at the Gillespie Invitational. The Toppers finished the day with … more

5/13/24

Montgomery County Teams Compete In Jokisch-Grandone Invite

Prom had some athletes from Litchfield and Nokomis missing in action, but all three Montgomery County track programs were in Carlinvile on April 27, for the Jokisch-Grandone Invite. Ten new personal … more

5/13/24

Panthers Get Past Hiltoppers

With a nod to poet T.S. Elliot, one might say two neighboring teams ended their regular season baseball play on the opposite ends of the famous bang/whimper spectrum this past weekend. Litchfield … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/13/24

Tennis Toppers End Regular Season

The Hillsboro boys tennis team started the final week of the regular season on a high note as they defeated Roxana 8-1 on Monday, May 6. The Hiltoppers had the team win sewed up before doubles … more

5/13/24

Lady Toppers To Host Basketball Camp May 29-31

The Hillsboro High School girls basketball program will host their annual youth basketball camp on May 29-31, at the Hillsboro Junior High gym. Conducted by the players and coaching staff of the … more

5/13/24