The Journal-News

As the weather cools down, Hillsboro's Sammi Matoush is starting to heat up for the Washington University women's basketball team. Matoush, who is in her junior year, has put up double digit points in three games this year, most recently in Washington's 85-65 win over Fontbonne on Dec. 8, when she had 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting.

The College Report: Matoush Hitting Her Stride at Wash-U

Over time, Sammi Matoush, a Hillsboro graduate, will get more and more used to playing down low, closer to the basket. But Washington University students are known to be not only incredible … more

by Dan Chamness | 12/13/21

The late Dale White scored 1,994 points as a sophomore and junior for the Irving High School Eagles in 1945 and 1946, setting a single season scoring record in the process. White, who passed away in July 2020, was recently inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

White Earns Spot In IBCA Hall Of Fame

One of the prolific scorers in the history of Montgomery County boys basketball is now one of the newest members of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame. The late … more

12/9/21

Mason Stauder (#10), accompanied by Nokomis teammates Kamron Coss (left) and Jake Johnson (#34), pestered Bryan Jubelt and the Gillespie offense throughout Tuesday’s game in Gillespie, holding the Miners without a field goal for the first 10 minutes of the game. Gillespie would come back to tie the contest in the second half, but Nokomis persevered the rally and picked up a 50-40 win.

Shorthanded ‘Skins Knock Off Miners

With four players out due to illness or injury, the Nokomis boys basketball team had a slightly different look to it on Tuesday, Dec. 7. The Redskins would make the most of what they had … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 12/9/21

Lincolnwood’s Mary Anderson forces Mt. Olive guard Emma Chambers (#12) toward the sideline as teammate Cora Stevens comes over to help during the Lancers game in Mt. Olive on Monday, Dec. 6. The Lancers would outscore the Wildcats 18-9 in the second half to score a 25-18 victory, their first of the season.

Lady Lancers Pick Up First Victory Of 2021

The Lincolnwood and Mt. Olive girls basketball teams entered Monday’s game in Mt. Olive on equal footing. Both teams were looking for their first win of the season, with the Lancers starting … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 12/9/21

Hillsboro’s Drake Vogel (#20) tries to drive past Will Jenkins of Lincolnwood during the county rivalry match-up on Tuesday, Dec. 7. Vogel would have 20 points in the game to help the Toppers to a 69-53 win over the Lancers.

Hiltoppers Sprint Past Lancers

County rivals met in Hillsboro Tuesday evening, Dec. 7, when Lincolnwood’s boys basketball team visited the Toppers gym, and each team brought a supportive crowd. Hillsboro prevailed in both … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/9/21

Nokomis 'D' Stymies Knights

The Nokomis girls basketball team held Metro-East Lutheran to just three second half points on Monday, Dec. 6, as they picked up a 51-20 victory over the Knights. While the Redskins padded their … more

12/9/21

Alton Marquette’s Livy Kratschmer (#35) and Haley Rodgers (#5) try to pin down Hillsboro’s Kenadie Carlock in the second half of the Toppers’ game on Monday, Dec. 6, at Hillsboro High School. Carlock and the Toppers would keep it close for much of the game, but a 12-1 run in the final five and a half minutes resulted in a 54-34 win for the Explorers from Marquette.

Explorers Close Out Win Over Hillsboro

After a close first half, the visitors from Alton Marquette were able to pull away a 54-35 victory over Hillsboro on Monday, Dec. 6. Marquette’s biggest lead was their final one as Hillsboro … more

12/9/21

Long-time broadcaster Terry Todt (right) called some of the action at the inaugural T. Todt Shootout with Don Huddleston (left) in Carlinville in December, 2018. While Todt succumbed to cancer in May 2019, his legacy lives on with the shootout that bears his name and benefits the Montgomery County Cancer Association. This year’s event will be Saturday, Dec. 11, at Nokomis High School, with the first of eight games starting at 9:30 a.m.

Nokomis Hosts Third T. Todt Shootout

The legacy of longtime WSMI radio broadcaster Terry Todt will be on display on Saturday, Dec. 11, as the third annual T. Todt Shootout takes place at the Nokomis High School gym after a year off due … more

12/9/21

Wrestling official Joe Lee checks the shoulders of Carlinville's Samantha Scott as Ian Mitchell of Litchfield goes for the pin at the Litchfield super duals on Saturday, Dec. 4. Mitchell would get the pin at the 1:22 mark of the 132-pound match to help the Panthers defeat Carlinville, one of two wins for the home team at Saturday's six-team event.

Panthers Hit The Mats At Home Duals

With three mats and six teams, it was a busy morning at Simmons Gym on Saturday, Dec. 4, as the Litchfield Panthers hosted their annual super duals. The Panthers went 2-3 at the duals, beating … more

12/6/21

Toppers Come Back To Take Third Place

Just before Hillsboro took the floor for the second half of their third-place contest against Greenville in the Kaskaskian Classic Saturday evening, Dec. 4, Coach Kyle McBrain told his charges, … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/6/21

Litchfield's Kelvin Dooley (#11) rushes out to contest Dustin Steiner's three-point attempt during the Panthers' game in Mulberry Grove on Friday, Dec. 3. Litchfield picked up a 60-32 victory over the Aces on the road to improve to 2-3 on the young season.

Aces Fold Against Purple Panthers

After finishing 1-3 in the Waterloo Thanksgiving Tournament, the Litchfield Purple Panthers would travel to Mulberry Grove on Friday night, Dec. 3. The Aces, who also finished 1-3 during … more

12/6/21

Lancers Roll To Second Victory

In their first game after the New Berlin Thanksgiving Tournament, the Lincolnwood-Morrisonville boys basketball team picked up their second victory of the season with a 55-34 win over Mt. … more

12/6/21

'Skins Take Two To Extend Win Streak

The Nokomis girls basketball team improved to 6-3 with their third straight win on Saturday, Dec. 4, with a 45-31 victory over North Mac in Virden. Audrey Sabol sparked a 12-8 first quarter lead … more

12/6/21

Nokomis Fifth In Kaskaskian Classic

Misfortune continued to plague the Nokomis Redskins as they battled the Carlyle Indians for fifth place in the Kaskaskian classic in Carlyle on Saturday, Dec. 4. The Redskins lost their primary ball … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/6/21

Litchfield Girls Get First Win

Litchfield junior Laura Boston scored 16 points and had five blocks while senior Lily Braasch grabbed 14 boards and scored six points to help the Lady Panthers break into the win column Saturday … more

12/6/21

Toppers Fall To PORTA, Jacksonville

Injuries took their toll on the Hillsboro wrestling team on Thursday, Dec. 2, as they fell to Jacksonville and PORTA on the Toppers’ home mats. The Toppers beat Jacksonville 4-2 in contested … more

12/6/21

Hillsboro's Ally Schnarre (#30) wrestles for a loose ball during the Toppers' road game with Greenville on Thursday, Dec. 2. Hillsboro put together an all-around effort to score their first South Central Conference win of the season with a 60-20 victory over the Comets.

Hiltoppers Roll In SCC Opener

The Hillsboro girls basketball team picked up a decisive 60-20 win over Greenville on Thursday, Dec. 2, in the South Central Conference opener for both teams. From the opening tip everything … more

12/6/21

Ponies Ride To Win Over Lancers

A quick start by the South Fork Ponies paved the way for a 63-22 victory over Lincolnwood on Thrusday, Dec. 2, in Kincaid. The Lancers were held to just one field goal, a two from Lily Terneus, in … more

12/6/21

Pinckneyville Knocks Off Redskins

Area basketball fans looked forward to the Nokomis/Pinckneyville game that opened the Wednesday night session of the Kaskaskian Classic. The Redskins had dropped a defensive battle 44-42, to … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/6/21

Toppers Drop Carlyle For 2nd Win

Hillsboro’s basketball Toppers didn’t quite run away with their game against the host Carlyle Indians in the Kaskaskian Classic on December 1, but a 21 point third quarter stopped an … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 12/6/21