The Journal-News

Playing under circumstances unimaginable for most, Hillsboro High School junior Blaze Helton squares up for a free throw in the first half of the Toppers' opening game at the Rick McGraw Memorial Invitational on Monday, Jan. 17. Helton's father Troy, an IHSA official and fervent supporter of his children's athletic pursuits, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 16. A moment of silence was held in Helton's honor prior to Hillsboro's game against Gateway Legacy, which Hillsboro lost 68-52 (a full recap of the game will be in the Jan. 20 Journal-News). Words of support and condolence have poured in from all over the area, with Pana announcing on Monday that the admission from their girls basketball game on Jan. 18, against Lincoln, will go to the Helton family.

With predicted winter weather less significant than feared, the 2022 Rick McGraw Memorial Invitational tipped off with a battle of Metro-East schools on Saturday, Jan. 15. Third seeded Triad and … more

1/18/22

Pana's Kiley Ladage (#40) and Rachel Holthaus (#13) put the squeeze on Hillsboro's Layne Rupert during the showdown for South Central Conference supremacy on Thursday, Jan. 13. Rupert would have 15 points despite the unrelenting defensive pressure of the Panthers, but Pana would improve to 21-1 overall with a 69-26 win over the Hiltoppers.

Panthers Pounce On Hiltoppers

Even though both teams had conference games later on this season, the match-up between Pana and Hillsboro on Thursday, Jan. 13, held heavy stakes in the race for the girls basketball South Central … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/18/22

New Year, New Streak For Lady Redskins

After losing two games in a row for the first time all season, the Nokomis girls basketball team has regained their form and is in the midst of a three-game win streak, with Auburn the latest … more

1/18/22

Topper 'D' Vexes Vipers

Hillsboro’s boys basketball team ventured into a Viper pit Friday evening, Dec. 14, and emerged with a 53-40 victory built upon a solid defense, which forced 24 turnovers from the … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 1/18/22

Pana Pulls Away Late To Beat Skins

A 9-2 run in the final four minutes of the game helped Pana avoid just their second loss of the season on Thursday, Jan. 13, as the Panthers defeated Nokomis 48-38 in Pana. Coach Dan … more

1/18/22

The College Report: College Football Wraps Up

Litchfield graduate Trevor Geggie simply had his best two football games of the year in the last three games of the year. That is what the stats and the numbers say for the Knox College … more

by Dan Chamness | 1/18/22

As Lincolnwood student section members, from the left, John Wolf, Drake Germann, Cole Riemann, Eldon Brown and Trenton Hemann try to will a free throw through the hoop, Roxana’s Evan Wells (#31) boxes out the Lancers’ Gabe Armentrout (#22). Free throws would play a big factor late in the game as senior Will Jenkins hit 5-of-6 in the fourth quarter to help the Lancers to a 37-29 win over the Shells on Monday, Jan. 10.

Lancers Shut Down Shells For Seventh Win

They say that adversity makes strange bedfellows, which were the circumstances of the meeting between the Lincolnwood and Roxana boys basketball teams on Monday, Jan. 10. At 536 students, … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/13/22

Toppers Survive Late Rally By North Mac

Coaches sometimes experience the thrill of building a big lead and then the agony of watching that lead melt away in the space of 16 minutes of playing time in the same game. Hillsboro’s Kyle … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 1/13/22

Redskins Improve To 4-0 In Conference Play

The Nokomis girls basketball team put everything together on Monday, Jan. 10, and came away with a 54-37 victory over South Fork on the Ponies’ home floor in Kincaid. The Redskins hit nine … more

1/13/22

Rams Knock Off Toppers In Shelbyville

The Hillsboro wrestling team traveled to Shelbyville on Tuesday, Jan. 11, to face off against the host Rams. The Toppers would win four of the seven contested matches, but gave up forfeits in three … more

1/13/22

After more than 50 years as a softball official, Hillsboro's Paul Tomazzoli, pictured here in 2009, has officially hung up his chest protector. Tomazzoli, who also officiated baseball and football, has umpired games at all levels, including some for the United States National Team.

Tomazzoli Hangs It Up After Legendary Officiating Career

For the past 50-plus years, Hillsboro’s own Paul Tomazzoli has umpired football, baseball and softball at the high school, collegiate and national level. On Dec. 31, 2021, Tomazzoli retired and … more

by D.W. Stewart | 1/13/22

Carter Sabol was surrounded by family, friends and fans on Friday, Jan. 7, as the 2020 Nokomis High School grad was honored for his accomplishments on the basketball court. The leading scorer and rebounder for Nokomis High School boys basketball, Sabol finished his career with 2,199 points and 986 rebounds. From the left are Vickie and Tom Detmers, Alivia, Audrey, Carter, Erin, J.J., Brayden and Tincie Sabol.

Sabol Honored For On-Court Excellence

During his four years at Nokomis High School, few players had the impact that 2020 grad Carter Sabol had on the basketball court. On Friday, Jan. 7, the fans got a chance to properly thank Sabol for … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/10/22

Nokomis' Ryan Eisenbarth dives for a loose ball just ahead of Lincolnwood's Jonah Elvidge during the showdown between the two Montgomery County rivals on Friday, Jan. 7. Eisenbarth entered the game averaging seven points per contest but exploded for 22 points, 20 in the first half, in Nokomis' 64-25 MSM Conference win.

Redskins Post Win Over Lincolnwood

On a night where Nokomis honored one of the best post players in the program’s history, the Redskins dominated down low in a 64-25 victory over Lincolnwood. By the time the Redskins honored … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/10/22

Litchfield's Alex Powell, second from the left, was second at the prestigious Lyle King Princeton Invitation on Jan. 7-8, taking the runner-up spot in the 106 pound weight class. From the left are fourth place finisher Dalton Nimrick of Rock Island Alleman, Powell, first place finisher Hunter Robbins of Illini Bluffs, third place finisher Dylan Eimer of Olympia, fifth place finisher Ivan Munoz of Ottawa Township and sixth place finisher Ayden Rowley of Dixon.

Powell Second At Princeton Invite

Three Litchfield wrestlers were among those competing at the 58th annual Lyle King Princeton Invitational on Jan. 7-8. The trip was highlighted by the performance of junior Alex Powell, who … more

1/10/22

Lady Lancers Claim Second Win

The Lincolnwood girls basketball program is still in its infancy, but the Lady Lancers took another baby step on Thursday, Jan. 6, in Pawnee. Lincolnwood came back from a deficit that was seven … more

1/10/22

Walch’s Three Lifts Panthers

Emma Walch nailed a clutch three-point basket in the waning seconds of the game to help boost Litchfield to a 38-36 conference win over Vandalia. Not only did the triple represent the game … more

1/10/22

The College Report: Geggie Catches Fire For Knox

Trevor Geggie, a Knox College football player and Litchfield graduate, achieved the football version of a hat trick against Lawrence University. His three touchdowns were instrumental in helping … more

by Dan Chamness | 1/10/22

Saints Shoot Down Redskins In Springfield

The Calvary Saints shot 57 percent from the field on Thursday, Jan. 6, as they handed Nokomis a 63-57 loss in Springfield. The two teams would be tied at 14 going into the second quarter when … more

1/10/22

Lincolnwood’s Taryn Millburg closely guards Litchfield’s Carly Guinn (#2) during the county squabble in Raymond on Monday, Jan. 3. Guinn scored seven of her nine points in the first half for the Panthers, who handed Montgomery County’s other LHS a 53-38 loss.

Strong Start Pushes Panthers Past Lancers

Two former co-op partners squared off at the Woodshed in Raymond on Monday, Jan. 3, as Lincolnwood welcomed Litchfield to town. For four years, between 2013 and 2017, the Lancers were part of the … more

1/6/22

Gillespie's Mia Brawner blocks Ally Schnarre's path to the basket during the second half of Hillsboro's home game against the Miners on Tuesday, Jan. 4. The Toppers outscored Gillespie 31-10 in the first half en route to a 55-27 victory. Journal-News/Kyle Herschelman

Hiltoppers Roll Past Gillespie For SCC Win

The Hillsboro girls basketball team scored early and often in a rare Tuesday conference game as they defeated Gillespie 55-27 on Jan. 4, in Hillsboro. Guard Layne Rupert stayed hot for Hillsboro … more

1/6/22