In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello started slow and could never recover as St. Joe-Ogden rolled to a 68-38 victory Friday night in Illini Prairie Conference high school boy’s basketball action from St. Joe-Ogden High School. 

The Sages had turnovers on its first four possessions and the Spartans jumped out to an early 15-5 lead and never looked back. 

Tanner Siems (seems) had 24 points to lead the Spartans and Coy Taylor scored 20 points. 

The Spartans led 26-12 at halftime and started the second half on an 11-2 run to go up 37-14.

Ike Young continued his offensive breakout for Monticello leading the Sages with 19 points. The senior was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game.

 The Spartans have won eight in a row to improve to 16-5 overall and 5-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference.

Monticello drops to 12-10 overall and 2-3 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They travel to Rantoul next Tuesday. Hear the action starting at 7 pm on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Maroa-Forsyth could not keep up as PORTA-AC Central pulled away for a 62-39 win Friday night in Sangamo Conference high school boy’s basketball action.

Kenny Morris led the Trojans with nine points while Mitch Williams and Ian Reid each added eight points.

Maroa-Forsyth continues to be without leading scores Caebrin Lee and Coby Lane. 

The Trojans are 8-10 overall and 0-3 in the Sangamo Conference. They visit Illini Central next Tuesday night.

Damian Gude scored a game-high 26 points and Argenta-Oreana rolled to a 64-43 victory over Broadlands-Heritage in the Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament consolation championship game Friday night in Arcola.

The Bombers led 16-14 after one quarter but would stretch its lead to 34-21 at the half and then 51-28 after three quarters.

Tyson Oros and Carter Logue added 11 points apiece for the Bombers. 

Heritage was led by Rylan White’s 22 points.

The Bombers go to 10-10 overall. The Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament does not count toward the regular season conference mark. The Bombers are 4-1 in the Lincoln Prairie. They travel to Sullivan next Tuesday.

Clinton overcame a big second half by Tuscola in a 43-40 win in the Championship game of the Central Illinois Conference tournament Thursday at Clinton High School.

The Lady Maroons led 26-13 at the half but the Lady Warriors used a big second half to climb back in the game.

Avery Smith paced the Lady Maroons with 17 points. Lila Cluver added nine points while Clara Dempsey finished with seven points. 

Ava Boyer led Tuscola with 19 points and Taylor Gordon poured in 13 points.

Tuscola was unable to avenge its CIC loss to Clinton earlier this month. The Lady Maroons beat the Lady Warriors a few weeks ago at Clinton High School, 60-53. 

Tuscola is 14-10 overall. 

Clinton wins the 2025 Central Illinois Conference girl's basketball tournament and goes to 21-5 overall. Conference tournament games do not count toward the regular season conference mark however, the Lady Maroons are 4-0 in the CIC to this point.

The Lady Maroons put a ten-game winning streak on the line next Thursday at Central A&M. 

Monticello held off a late charge by Pawnee winning 31-26 in non-conference high school girl's basketball action Thursday at the Sievers Center in Monticello. 

The Lady Sages shut out Pawnee 9-0 in the first. They never scored in double figures in any frame and led 17-10 at halftime, stretching its lead to 25-14 after three.

Pawnee outscored Monticello 12-6 in the final frame. 

Megan Allen had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Ali Weidner led the Lady Sages with 16 points. 

The Lady Sages are 15-8 overall. They play at the Illini Prairie/Sangamo Conference shootout on Saturday afternoon at Maroa-Forsyth High School when they play Athens at 4 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Brice Williams scored eight points in overtime and finished with 27 as Nebraska ended a six-game losing streak with an 80-74 win over No. 18 Illinois on Thursday night.

The Huskers (13-8, 3-7 Big Ten) never trailed while knocking off a third ranked opponent in the same season for the first time since 2013-14.

Illinois (14-7, 6-5) lost for the first time in 10 meetings with the Huskers and for the first time in four visits to Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Connor Essegian scored 14 points off the bench and Juwan Gary added 13 for the Huskers.

Kasparas Jakucionis led the Illini with 18 points, Wes Riley made four 3-pointers while scoring 16 points and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn added 15.

Williams made three straight shots and a pair of free throws to put the Huskers up by eight points in overtime. He broke a 72-all tie with a shot from the wing, muscled in for an inside basket and then hit a baseline jumper.

Tomislav Ivisic, the 7-foot-1 center and the team's second-leading scorer, missed his third straight game with mononucleosis. The Illini have lost four of their last six.

Gibbs-Lawhorn’s 3-pointer with 47.2 seconds left in regulation pulled Illinois into a tie for the first time since the game was scoreless. He came into the game shooting 29% on 3s.

The Huskers, who matched their season low with six turnovers, scored 17 points off Illinois' 17 turnovers.

Illinois hosts Ohio State on Sunday.

Chase Walker scored 22 points and Johnny Kinziger secured the victory with a 3-pointer with 17 seconds remaining as Illinois State knocked off Belmont 81-78 on Wednesday night.

Walker added six rebounds for the Redbirds (13-9, 5-6 Missouri Valley Conference). Kinziger scored 22 points and Landon Wolf had 11 points.

Jonathan Pierre led the Bruins (15-7, 7-4) in scoring, finishing with 27 points. Sam Orme added 20 points for Belmont. Isaiah Walker also had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Illinois State went into halftime leading Belmont 35-31. Kinziger scored 12 points in the half. Chase Walker scored a team-high 13 points for Illinois State in the second half.

Illinois State plays Valparaiso at home on Saturday.

Javon Jackson scored 25 points as UIC beat Bradley 93-70 on Wednesday night.

Jackson added five steals for the Flames (15-7, 7-4 Missouri Valley Conference). Jordan Mason scored 22 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists. Ahmad Henderson II finished with 17 points.

Zek Montgomery finished with 16 points for the Braves (18-4, 9-2). Darius Hannah added 14 points for Bradley. Christian Davis had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The loss snapped the Braves' five-game winning streak.

UIC took the lead with 8:53 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. Mason led his team in scoring with 14 points in the first half to help put them up 55-39 at the break. UIC extended its lead to 88-65 during the second half, fueled by a 15-2 scoring run. Jackson scored a team-high 14 points in the second half.

Bradley visits Northern Iowa on Sunday.

A former Okaw Valley Conference football coaching legend is taking over a new football program this fall.

Mark Ramsey was hired as the new head football coach at Pana High School on Monday.  

Ramsey began his coaching career at Moweaqua before consolidating with Assumption to become Central A&M.  Coach Ramsey went 239-93 in 30 years with Moweaqua/Central A&M leading them to 24 playoff appearances, five state championship games - including one victory in 1997.  

Its football field is named after him.

Coach Ramsey coached at Shelbyville from 2013-2015 going 17-12 in three seasons.  

He then coached at Decatur St. Teresa from 2016-2022 with a 76-8 record and made the quarterfinals each year playing in two state championships and winning the state championship in 2022. 

Ramsey is 5th in IHSA history with 332 career head coaching victories and comes to Pana to teach PE classes for part-time Pana High School.  

The Pana football team will open the 2025 fall season on August 22nd in a scrimmage with Central A&M.  Pana will play their first regular-season conference game on August 29th at Hillsboro. 

The Sullivan Okaw Valley Co-op Football Agreement is over. 

In a release Wednesday, Brooks Inman, Student Services and Activities Coordinator for Okaw Valley says the school was notified that Sullivan would not be renewing the agreement moving into the next school year.  This comes after Okaw Valley had wanted clarification on the relationship so they could begin prepping for fall football activities. 

Sullivan’s Superintendent, Dr. Ted Walk, in a separate statement, says they are very appreciative of the football co-op but that Okaw Valley has failed to meet the participation requirements of the agreement. Dr. Walk says that since 2015, the Sullivan-Okaw Valley Football Cooperative Agreements have stated that Okaw Valley will encourage and help secure at least 15% of the male population from Okaw Valley to participate in the football program and that Okaw Valley wouldn’t add any male high school sport that would jeopardize participation in the football program.  Walk says from 2007-2017 this wasn’t an issue, After 2018, Sullivan School District says that only six Okaw Valley students participated in football.  Sullivan says they tried to focus on ways to increase participation including a football game to be played at Okaw Valley to coincide with homecoming. 

Dr. Walk says Sullivan expressed concerns about participation for years and after looking at the numbers coming into this year says they can not recommend renewal.  Sullivan School District hopes to continue the co-op agreement for cross country and swimming.

Okaw Valley says they are disappointed in the decision to sever ties after having a 20+ year relationship.  They say they will move forward in search of equal opportunities for student-athletes.

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Ike Young sparked a Monticello third-quarter comeback en route to a career-high 25 points as Monticello beat Prairie Central 55-43 in Illini Prairie Conference high school boy's basketball action Tuesday night at the Sievers Center in Monticello.

The Sages trailed 28-25 at the half but Young started the second half hitting back-to-back three to put the Sages up 31-28 and after the Hawks cut it to 31-30, it was all Monticello after that.

Young ended up with 11 points in the third quarter. His ten points in the second quarter helped keep Prairie Central from stretching out a bigger lead.

The Hawks led by as many as six in the second quarter after the Sages controlled most of the first quarter. 

Young finished with five rebounds and was 10-of-11 from the floor.

Gatsby Grant had eight points for the Sages while Carter Foran added five points and Nolan Buehnerkemper chipped in with five points and a game-best eight rebounds.

Monticello controlled the boards 39-23 and scored 24 points off 20 offensive rebounds. 

The Sages also turned 16 Hawks turnovers into 21 points.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well. Prairie Central finished 38.5 percent from the floor compared to Monticello's 39 percent. Monticello turned the ball over 13 times. 

Tuesday's win wasn't nearly the rebound Monticello had hoped for after a loss of historical proportions on Friday night when they lost 48-25 to Paxton-Buckley-Loda in Paxton. The Sages barely cleared ten percent shooting Friday, the worst shooting performance and lowest offensive output under long-time Coach Kevin Roy. 

The Sages finished 6-of-22 from beyond the arc while the Hawks finished 3-of-17.

Monticello was 9-of-16 from the foul line.

Prairie Central dropped its seventh straight to go to 6-16 overall and 1-4 in the Illini Prairie Conference.

Monticello celebrated its annual 'Orange Out' night in honor of late educator Natali McDowell who was tragically killed in a car accident in rural Champaign County in 2021. 

During halftime, former Prairie Central Coach Darren Bazzell offered a word of thanks to the Monticello community for its support of his family who lost their oldest son in a tragic skiing accident in Colorado two years ago now. 

Tuesday night, WEZC also welcomed back Ray Wichus to its broadcast. The long-time color announcer for Sages Sports on the radio suffered a stroke in December during a work trip in Indianapolis. His recovery has been remarkable and he was able to rejoin the broadcast Tuesday. 

Monticello is 12-9 overall and 2-2 in the Illini Prairie Conference. 

Owen Alford scored 12 of his game-best 28 points in the first quarter and helped Olympia start fast and take care of Maroa-Forsyth 71-63 in Sangamo Conference high school boy's basketball action Tuesday in Maroa. 

Three players scored in double figures for the Spartans who led 22-11 after the first quarter and pushed its lead to 39-30 at the half.

Alford sank 5-of-6 free throws late but Olympia made 12-of-22 free throws in the fourth quarter allowing the Trojans to hang around late.

The depleted Trojans were led by Mitch Williams with 17 points. Brady Doss added 13 points and Kenny Morris scored ten points.

Carson Birky chipped in with 13 points for Olympia and Ian Tackett scored ten points.

The Spartans go to 8-10 overall. The Trojans are 8-9 and drop to 0-2 in the Sangamo Conference.

Tyson Oros scored 13 of his game-best 23 points in the fourth quarter and led an Argenta-Oreana late rally over Blue Ridge 53-48 in Lincoln Prairie Conference boy's basketball action Tuesday from the Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament in Arcola.

Oros hit three three-pointers in the first quarter helping the Bombers keep pace with the Knights early.

Wesley Clark scored ten of his 21 points in the second quarter for Blue Ridge helping them open up a 29-23 lead at the half.

The Bombers rallied in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 37-36. 

Landon Slade scored 13 for Blue Ridge while leading scorer Isaac Price was held to eight points.

In a game heard on WHOW and all its digital platforms, the Clinton Lady Maroons rolled the Central A&M Lady Raiders by a final score of 66-24 in the Semi-Finals of the Central Illinois Conference Tournament from Clinton High School in girls high school basketball action Tuesday night. 

The Maroons outscored the Raiders in the first quarter by a score of 16-5. Clinton was led by the Servpro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game Clara Dempsey who scored 19 points and played a pivotal role in the teams fast break scoring. Carly Anderson added 18 points while Regan Filkin chipped in with 11. The Maroons scored well as a team, with 8 players putting points on the board. 

The Raiders were led by Lyndi Woods who scored 12 points and made 7 free throws. Emma west added 6 points, and Kylee Snearly chipped in with 4. 

With the win, the Maroons improve to 20-5 while Central A&M falls to 8-16. 

Clinton will go on to play Tuscola in the Central Illinois Conference Championship on Thursday night, tip off is at 8 PM. 

Megan Allen was a rebound shy of a double-double and led Monticello to a 64-30 rout of Rantoul Monday in Illini Prairie Conference high school girl's basketball action from the Sievers Center in Monticello.

Allen had 14 points and nine rebounds to lead the Lady Sages who outscored the Lady Eagles 23-8 in the third to put the game away. 

Sophomore Sara Cresap led all scorers with 17 points for Monticello. Ali Weidner added six points and eight assists. 

Monticello hosts Pawnee on Thursday.

Clinton used a fast start and rolled in its Central Illinois Conference tournament opener in a 56-31 win over Warrensburg-Latham in high school girl's basketball from Clinton High School on Saturday afternoon.

The top-seeded Lady Maroons jumped out to a 19-5 lead after the first quarter and never looked back.

Saturday's win came on the heels of a 49-14 win for Clinton over Warrensburg-Latham Thursday night at Clinton High School.

Lila Cluver and Carly Anderson led the Lady Maroons with 17 points apiece. Reagan Filkin added 12 points.

The girl's Central Illinois Conference tournament is a round-robin format between two, three-team pools. The tournament is at Clinton High School this year.

The Lady Maroons return to action Tuesday night when they take on Central A&M. Game time is 7:30 pm. Hear the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms.

Kylan Boswell scored 17 points and had six rebounds to lead No. 17 Illinois over Northwestern 83-74 on Sunday.

Morez Johnson Jr. had 15 points, nine rebounds, and three blocked shots, Ben Humrichous had 14 points, Kasparas Jakucionis had 11 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists and Jake Davis added 11 points from the bench for Illinois (14-6, 6-4 Big Ten).

Nick Martinelli and Jalen Leach each scored 17 pointsfor  Northwestern (12-8, 3-6), which trailed 43-21 at halftime. Ty Berry had 10 points.

Illinois, the No. 2 rebounding team in the country, dominated the boards 50-27 without leading rebounder Tomislav Ivisic, who missed his second straight game because of an illness. The Illini had 21 offensive rebounds.

The Illini had lost two straight at home and didn’t play well in either game. They avoided a third consecutive home loss, which hasn't happened since 2017, with the win, but they were outscored 53-40 in the second half. Illinois committed 13 turnovers in the game that led to 24 Northwestern points.

Illinois went on a 15-point run early in the first half to break a 5-5 tie and take a 20-5 lead. Northwestern didn’t score for more than five minutes.

Northwestern hasn’t won in Champaign since 2013, losing nine straight games.

Illinois plays Thursday at Nebraska.

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, it was a struggle from the opening to the final horn as Paxton-Buckley-Loda rolled Monticello 46-25 in Illini Prairie Conference action Friday in Paxton.

It was the lowest output for the Sages under Coach Kevin Roy - one game after his team secured the school’s 1750th win Tuesday in a route of Olympia. 

The Sages shot just 14.9 percent from the floor and went an abysmal 2-of-26 from three-point range. 

While PBL shot 53 percent as a team, they committed 18 turnovers.

The win was the first Illini Prairie Conference victory for the Panthers who improved to 1-3 in the league and 8-10 overall. 

The tough loss Friday sets Monticello back to 11-9 overall and 1-2 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They jump back into league play with a home game Tuesday against Prairie Central. Game time is 7 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Friday night was the opening round of the Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament and Tri-County took down Argenta-Oreana 61-48 from Argenta.

A slow second half defused the Bombers who were outscored 33-15 after leading 31-18 at the half.

Damian Gude and Tyson Oros each scored 11 points to lead Argenta-Oreana.

Clay Kibler had 21 points for the Tri-County. Preston Bancroft scored 15 points and Garrett Pollack added 13 points.

Tri-County moves into the winner's bracket to take on fourth-seeded Sullivan on Saturday (Jan 25) at 12:30 pm at Arcola High School.

Argenta-Oreana will take on Blue Ridge at 5 pm Tuesday evening at Arcola Junior High School. 

Friday night was the opening round of the Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament and a big third quarter propelled Cerro Gordo-Bement past Blue Ridge 66-56 from Cerro Gordo High School.

The Broncos led 32-25 at the break and outscored the Knights 19-5 to go up 51-40 after three quarters. 

Despite Wesley Clark scoring 11 of his game-high 30 points in the final frame, the Knights’ late comeback fell short and they will move on the consolation side of the conference tournament bracket.

1,000 career point scorer Isaac Price was limited to 13 points for Blue Ridge.

With the win, Cerro Gordo moves on to the winner’s bracket and a Saturday matchup with top-seeded Okaw Valley at 11 am Saturday (Jan 25).

Blue Ridge battles Argenta-Oreana in the consolation bracket Tuesday evening at 5 pm at Arcola Junior High School. 

A tough week for the Maroa-Forsyth boy’s basketball program got even tougher after a 55-34 defeat at the hands of Pleasant Plains 55-34 from Pleasant Plains High School Friday in Sangamo Conference high school boy’s basketball action.

The Trojans this week learned leading scorer, Coby Lane has a season-ending torn ACL he suffered in early January. While the junior will have season-ending surgery averaging 22 points per game and seven rebounds per game, he gets a chance at a redemption tour next season.

However, it comes in a year where Maroa-Forsyth has been bitten by the injury bug harder than most teams. They lost second-leading scorer Caebrin Lee to a broken wrist within a few weeks of Lee’s injury and already were managing through injuries to its football stars who were banged up in the school’s run to the Class 1A state championship. 

Senior Mitch Williams, the healthiest of the Trojans’ anticipated regulars, continued his excellent play in returning from injury with ten points to lead Maroa-Forsyth Friday night. 

Despite all the injuries, the Trojans have played to an 8-8 record but start the Sangamo Conference slate 0-1. They host Olympia Tuesday night in Sangamo Conference action.

In a game heard on WHOW and all it's digital platforms, the Clinton Lady Maroons rolled the Warrensburg Latham Lady Cardinals by a final score of 49-14. The Maroons found their lead early, keeping the Cardinals from scoring for the first 8 minutes of play.

The Maroons were led by the Servpro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game Carly Anderson, who scored 19 points, 15 points being from beyond the arc. Clara Dempsey added 14 points, and Regan Filkin chipped in with 9. 

The Cardinals were led by Brenna Dutcher 8 points, Emelia Coble, Lilly Jones, and Drue Vallandingham all chipped in with 2.

With the win, the Maroons improve to 18-5 and 4-0 in conference play, while Warrensburg Latham falls to 10-13 and 2-2 in conference play.

Tune into the next Clinton sports broadcast when the Lady Maroons host the Central Illinois Conference Tournament. 
 

The Clinton Maroons defeated the Maroa-Forsyth Trojans by a final score of 57-43 at home on Wednesday night in high school girls basketball action. The Trojans led by 16-14 after 8 minutes, but the following 3 quarters the Maroons outscored their opponents by a combined 16 points to put the victory away. 

The Lady Maroons were led by Lilah Cluver who led all scorers with 18. Clara Dempsey, Carly Anderson, Regan Filkin, and Avery Smith each chipped in with 9.

The Lady Trojans were led by Avery Braden and Kalli Kahler who each scored 15 points. Maggie Ravenscraft added 6. 

With the Win, the Lady Maroons improve to 17-5, while Maroa-Forsyth falls to 18-3.

Tune in tonight as the Lady Maroons take on Warrensburg-Latham. Tip off is at 7:30 PM, listen to the action on WHOW and all it’s digital platforms
 

Christian Davis’ 19 points and 10 rebounds helped Bradley defeat Belmont 89-77 on Tuesday night.

Jaquan Johnson scored 17 points and added three steals for the Braves (17-3, 8-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Darius Hannah, Zek Montgomery and Duke Deen added 12 points apiece.

Carter Whitt led the Bruins (14-6, 6-3) in scoring, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. Jonathan Pierre added 11 points and three steals for Belmont. Drew Scharnowski and Jonathan Pierre each finished with 11 points. The Bruins ended a five-game winning streak with the loss.

Led by eight points from Hannah before the break, Bradley entered halftime tied with Belmont 43-43. Bradley took a nine-point lead in the second half thanks to a 9-0 scoring run. Davis led the Braves in second-half scoring with 14 points.
 

Dalton Banks had 21 points in Illinois State’s 85-81 victory over Indiana State on Tuesday night.

Banks shot 6 of 7 from the field and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Redbirds (12-8, 4-5 Missouri Valley Conference). Johnny Kinziger scored 20 points and added six assists. Chase Walker went 8 of 16 from the field to finish with 17 points.

The Sycamores (9-11, 3-6) were led by Aaron Gray, who posted 19 points and eight rebounds. Camp Wagner added 17 points and two steals for Indiana State. Jaden Daughtry also had 10 points.

Illinois State went into the half tied with Indiana State 40-40. Kinziger scored 12 points in the half. Illinois State used a 7-0 run in the second half to build a 58-49 with 11:49 left.

The teams both play Saturday. Illinois State visits Bradley and Indiana State hosts Northern Iowa.
 

Maryland plays No. 17 Illinois after Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 22 points in Maryland’s 69-66 victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Fighting Illini are 8-2 on their home court. Illinois averages 86.8 points while outscoring opponents by 18.8 points per game.

The Terrapins have gone 4-4 against Big Ten opponents. Maryland averages 83.2 points and has outscored opponents by 18.7 points per game.

Illinois scores 86.8 points, 22.3 more per game than the 64.5 Maryland gives up. Maryland averages 15.2 more points per game (83.2) than Illinois gives up to opponents (68.0).

The Fighting Illini and Terrapins match up Thursday for the first time in Big Ten play this season.
 

Zach LaVine scored 35 points and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-99 on Monday night to snap a five-game skid.

Talen Horton-Tucker added 18 points off the bench. Josh Giddey had 18 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Bulls improved to 2-6 in back-to-backs this season.

The Clippers’ four-game winning streak ended without starters Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac. Norman Powell scored 27 points and James Harden added 17 points and 10 assists.

The Clippers closed to 101-92 on a three-point play by Derrick Jones Jr. before the Bulls ended the game on an 11-7 surge.
 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, four players scored in double figures and Monticello used an efficient offensive performance to roll Olympia 74-40 in non-conference high school boy’s basketball action from the Sievers Center on Tuesday. 

Ike Young scored 20 points in three quarters. The senior scored all 20 points close to the basket as the Sages scored 50 points in the paint. 

Gatsby Grant added 13 points while Nolan Buehnerkemper and Matthias Rudolph added ten points.

Monticello led 30-15 after the first quarter. Up 35-20, Olympia went on an 8-0 run to get within 35-28 but Monticello scored the final ten points of the quarter to lead 45-28 at the half.

The Sages never looked back. Young scored ten third-quarter points to put the Sages up 61-36 after three.

Monticello shot 60 percent from the floor and had 21 assists on 33 field goals. 

Ian Tackett led the Spartans with 12 points.

Young earned the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game.

Tuesday’s win was a milestone for Monticello. 

It was the 1,750th win in Monticello High School history. Going into this season, MHS's total wins were ranked 25th in the State of Illinois in Boy's Basketball wins.

In the program's history since the 1916-17 school year, the Sages have appeared twice in the State Final Tournament, finishing 4th in 2016-17 and 2nd in 21-22. However, it should be noted that the 1932-33 team, which finished at 27-2, would have qualified to play in the Sweet Sixteen at the then-new Huff Gym, but the IHSA that year limited the field to 8 due to the ravages of the ongoing Great

Depression.

In the 70 seasons since Tom Young took over the program, Monticello High School has had four boys' basketball coaches who have combined to win 1,262 of the 1,750. They have been Young 336, Bob Trimble 383, Randy Moss 198, and Kevin Roy 355.

Monticello travels to P-B-L Friday night for an Illini Prairie Conference tilt. Game time is 7 pm. Hear it all on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Argenta-Oreana outlasted Decatur Unity Christian 56-52 in a back-and-forth Lincoln Prairie Conference knock-down-drag-out tilt Tuesday night in Argenta. 

The Bombers used a balanced offensive attack to make a second half charge to the finish. MJ Hall had a game-high 15 points to lead Argenta-Oreana. 

The Bombers led 15-12 after the first quarter but the Lions would tie the score at 23 going to the half.

Argenta-Oreana came out and led 40-35 going to the final frame.

Carter Logue and Damian Gude each had 14 points for the Bombers.

Noah Clark and Dillon Clark each led Unity Christian with 14 points. Qayden Bond had ten points.

The Lions drop to 8-11 overall and 1-4 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference.

Argenta-Oreana improves to 8-9 overall and 4-1 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference. 

The Lincoln Prairie Conference opens Friday night. Argenta-Oreana hosts Tri-County. 

Isaac Price scored 18 of his game-high 19 points in the third quarter and Blue Ridge downed Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 55-48 in Lincoln Prairie Conference high school boy’s basketball action Tuesday night in Arthur. 

Blue Ridge was able to slow down ALAH in the second half to take control. 

Corbin Colbert scored 13 points for the Knights. 

Blue Ridge picks up its first Lincoln Prairie Conference win to go to 1-4 in league play and 8-11 overall. It’s off to the Lincoln Prairie Conference tournament Friday night when they host Cerro Gordo-Bement.

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, the Monticello Sages made just enough plays down the stretch and held off a depleted Maroa-Forsyth basketball team 48-45 in non-conference high school boy's basketball action Saturday in Maroa.

The two played almost even most of the game - neither team leading by more than five points. The Trojans led 30-25 early in the third quarter, the largest lead by either side.

Ike Young had a put-back offensive rebound late in the fourth quarter that put Monticello ahead 46-43.

Maroa-Forsyth senior Mitch Williams was fouled on a drive to the basket on the next possession and made two free throws to bring the Trojans within 46-45. 

Being forced to foul the Trojans sent Monticello senior Carter Foran to the line for two free throws and the senior knocked down one of two to put the Sages up 47-45.

A three on the next possession for Maroa-Forsyth came up short and Monticello put the game away at the foul line.

Young led all scorers with 18 points. He earned the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game. 

The Trojans had three players score in double figures. Williams led the way with 14 points. Brady Doss scored 12 points and Kenny Morris added 11 points.

The Trojans are 8-7 overall. They host Rochester on Tuesday.

Monticello is 9-8 overall. They will host Olympia on Tuesday night. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

In a game heard on WEZC and at dewittdailynews.com, Bloomington Central Catholic made 11 threes and rolled to a 59-44 win over Monticello in Illini Prairie Conference boy's basketball action from the Sievers Center in Monticello Friday night.

Trey Eller hit three threes to open the second half and BCC jumped out to a 20-point lead in the second half. Eller finished with a game-high 17 points. 

Keshaun Manney scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half for the Saints. TJ Larson added 11 points.

Gatsby Grant scored nine points to lead Monticello. Colton Vance added eight points. Nolan Buehnerkemper grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. 

Vance earned the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game. 

Monticello and BBC's records both are 9-8 overall. BCC is 2-0 in the Illini Praire. Monticello is 1-1 in conference play.

Monticello is in action on Saturday afternoon at Maroa-Forsyth. Game time is 4:15 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Three players scored in double figures and Argenta-Oreana pulled away in the second half to dispatch Broadlands-Heritage 60-51 in Lincoln Prairie Conference high school boy's basketball action. 

Carter Logue scored 17 points to lead the Bombers. Damian Gude scored 14 points and Tyson Oros added ten points. 

Argenta-Oreana led 26-25 at the half and pulled out to a 43-36 lead after three quarters.

Brennan Struck scored 11 points to lead Broadlands-Heritage.

The Bombers are 7-9 overall and 3-1 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference. They host Decatur Unity Christian on Tuesday. 

The Clinton Maroons boys' basketball team opens its Central Illinois Conference slate tonight with a visit to Shelbyville.

Off a 57-46 loss to Monticello Tuesday, Coach Vic Binkley was proud of the fight his team showed. They overcame two double-digit deficits, unfortunately, down the stretch they missed free throws and couldn't find that big basket.

The Central Illinois Conference will be a real challenge with several teams playing good basketball. Coach Binkley believes his team will be up for the challenge.

As the Maroons embark on the CIC slate, Coach Binkley says his team needs to shoot the ball better but he feels Monticello was a very good litmus test for his team. He will review some situational things with the kids to find ways to improve.

The Central Illinois Conference looks strong again this year with Warrensburg-Latham and Tuscola the likely favorites, Coach Binkley believes there's no reason if his team plays good basketball they can't be a part of that conversation.

Last week, Blue Ridge senior boy's basketball player Isaac Price reached 1,000 points for his career.

Price, who stands 6-foot-4, has gone through a couple of transitions in his time at Blue Ridge and notes scoring 1,000 points wasn't something he thought he'd ever reach but says it was really cool to be able to accomplish that.

Price started his time at Blue Ridge as a traditional big man but Coach Hunter Green eventually moved him to a stretch forward. Price indicates he had to work on his ball-handling to become a better scorer when that happened.

Coach Hunter Green says it wasn't a knock against his leading scorer but he did not think Price would reach 1,000 points. He's very proud of Price for embracing the change in position and for working hard to get better each year he's been in the program.

Price enjoys hanging out with his friends, and playing basketball, and has recently gotten into playing chess. His favorite teacher is Cullen Scurlock who teaches science. His favorite classes are his science classes. 

He brings his lunch to school every day with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some goldfish, and a variety of fruits. If he has to eat the school lunch, he enjoys the school's chicken nuggets and orange chicken. When he goes out, he enjoys getting food from Wingstop. 

Coach Green praises Price's dedication to the classroom and says he's a very good student.

Four players scored in double figures and the Clinton Lady Maroons took home a big 60-53 victory over Tuscola Thursday night in Central Illinois Conference play from Tuscola. 

Carly Anderson led Clinton with 23 points. Lila Cluver had 14 points, Clara Dempsey added 11 points and Reagan Filkin scored ten points.

Tuscola led 45-40 after three quarters but Clinton used a 20-8 fourth quarter to pull out the victory.

Tuscola drops to 10-8 overall and 1-2 in the Central Illinois Conference.

The Lady Maroons improved to 16-5 overall and are 3-0 in the CIC. Clinton hosts Maroa-Forsyth next Wednesday night.

Megan Allen and Ali Weidner paced a balanced Monticello attack in an easy 55-19 win over Paxton-Buckley-Loda Thursday night at the Sievers Center in high school girls Illini Prairie Conference basketball action.

Allen had 16 points to lead all scorers. Weidner finished with ten points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Lucy Leatherwood and Sara Cresap each had eight points for the Lady Sages. 

Monticello visits Maroa-Forsyth on Saturday for non-conference action in Maroa.

Connor Dillon helped lead Bradley past Indiana State on Wednesday night with 20 points in a 118-65 win.

Dillon added five rebounds and five steals for the Braves (15-3, 6-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Jaquan Johnson scored 17 points and added three steals. Zek Montgomery finished with 17 points.

The Sycamores (9-9, 3-4) were led by Samage Teel, who recorded 13 points. Indiana State also got nine points apiece from Aaron Gray and Jaden Daughtry.

Bradley took the lead with 16:20 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. Johnson scored 13 points in the first half to help put the Braves up 66-33 at the break. Bradley extended its lead to 85-46 during the second half, fueled by a 14-1 scoring run. Montgomery scored a team-high 10 points in the second half.

Bradley Visits UIC on Friday.

Daniel Abreu had 23 points in Drake's 66-62 win over Illinois State on Wednesday night.

Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points and added eight assists for the Bulldogs (15-2, 5-2 Missouri Valley Conference). Mitch Mascari shot 3 for 8 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points.

Chase Walker led the way for the Redbirds (10-8, 2-5) with 20 points. Illinois State also got 13 points from Dalton Banks. Landon Wolf had 12 points and two steals.

Illinois State hosts Missouri State on Saturday.

In a game heard on WHOW, WEZC, and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello was able to hold off a late rally from Clinton and escape with a 57-46 win Tuesday night in non-conference high school boy's basketball from Clinton High School.

The Maroons rallied twice, using a 12-1 run in the second quarter to tie the score, and then led for a portion of the frame.

Monticello went to the half with a 23-20 lead. 

The Sages used a 16-7 second quarter to jump back in front and led 39-27 - its biggest lead of the night - after three quarters.

But again, the Maroons rallied in the fourth quarter getting the score within four at one juncture but the Sages made enough plays and free throws late to seal the win.

Keaton Graves scored nine of his team-best 15 points in the second half, including eight points in the fourth quarter to help fuel the Maroons' second comeback. Colton Walker survived the second half playing with four fouls and finished with 12 points.

Dalton Bell added nine for Clinton.

Ike Young helped Monticello close out the win with solid free throw shooting and staying strong with the basketball late to finish with 15 points. Gatsby Grant added ten for Monticello. 

Maddux Quick and Carter Foran added eight points apiece for the Sages.

Young and Graves' efforts in the fourth quarter earned them the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties players of the game. 

Turnovers hampered Monticello in the second and fourth quarters. The Maroons turned up the defensive pressure and the Sages did not respond well. 

Clinton falls to 12-8 overall. Monticello goes to 9-7.

Clinton travels to Shelbyville Friday night to open Central Illinois Conference action.

Monticello hosts Bloomington Central Catholic in Illini Prairie Conference action. Hear the game at 7 pm on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Clara Dempsey scored 25 points and led Clinton to a 48-37 win over LeRoy in non-conference high school girl's basketball action Tuesday night in LeRoy.

Dempsey was the only Lady Maroons player to score in double figures. Carly Anderson and Regan Filkin each scored eight points for Clinton. 

LeRoy falls to 11-8 overall. 

Clinton goes to 15-5 overall. The Lady Maroons visit Tuscola tomorrow night in Central Illinois Conference play.

Villa Grove used a huge fourth quarter to get past Blue Ridge 80-61 Tuesday night in Lincoln Prairie Conference high school boys' basketball action in Villa Grove.

The Knights were outscored 22-14. A slow second quarter put Blue Ridge behind 38-30 at the intermission.

Wesley Clark and Isaac Price each scored 24 points for the Blue Ridge. 

Blue Ridge is 7-8 overall and 1-3 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference. They will travel to Cumberland on Friday night.

Four players scored in double figures and Maroa-Forsyth used a balanced attack to take down Decatur St. Teresa 60-38 in non-conference high school boy's basketball action Tuesday night in Maroa.

Senior Mitch Williams continued his stellar play in returning from injury leading all scorers with 16 points. Kannon Grubbs and Brady Doss scored 12 points apiece while Kenny Morris scored ten points. 

The Trojans are 8-6 overall. They will host Monticello on Saturday afternoon. 

The Clinton Maroons will host the Monticello Sages in non-conference high school boys' basketball action tonight at Clinton High School.

Winners of two of its last three, the 12-7 Maroons are coming off a 66-42 win Saturday over Beardstown in the New Year's Shootout from Clinton High School. Saturday's win was on the heels of a victory over Heyworth the night before. 

After starting the season 0-4, Monticello has won 8 of its last 11 including wins over Warrensburg-Latham and Seneca, sandwiched by a loss to Teutoplis and a win over IVC in Chillicothe. 

Game time tonight is 7:30 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. Also hear tonight's action on 92.3 FM WHOW in DeWitt County, 106.5 FM WHOW in McLean County, and all our digital platforms including Amazon Alexa and the WHOW app.

Sophomores paced Monticello to 48-28 win over Danville Monday night in non-conference high school girl's basketball action in the Sievers Center in Monticello. 

Sara Cresap led the Lady Sages with 18 points and Ali Weidner added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. 

Emma Arnold was a field goal shy of a double-double finishing with eight points and 13 rebounds. 

The Lady Sages return to action Thursday night hosting PBL.

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, a 10-0 run in the third quarter put Monticello ahead for good in a 62-56 win over Seneca from the St. Joseph-Ogden Christie Clinic Shootout Saturday in high school boy’s basketball action.

Monticello led 26-25 at the half but the Fighting Irish’s Brayden Simek hit back-to-back three’s to start the half as Seneca went up 31-26. 

Nolan Buehnerkemper hit a three, Ike Young finished a traditional three-point play and Tyler Blythe made a mid-range jumper and two free throws to put Monticello in front for good 36-31.

Blythe finished with a team-best 17 points. Gatsby Grant scored 11 of his 13 in the second half and Young had 12 points for the Sages.

Monticello finished 12-of-15 at the foul line. 

Simek led Seneca with 19 points. Paxton Giertz had 17 points while Brady Sheedy scored 13 of 17 points in the second half. 

The Fighting Irish drop to 14-4 overall.

With Saturday’s win, Monticello has won 8 of its last 11 games to go to 8-7 overall. They travel to Clinton for a 7:30 pm game Tuesday night. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. Also hear the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

Mitch Williams scored 27 points and Maroa-Forsyth downed Bloomington Cornerstone Christian Academy 57-42 in non-conference high school boy’s basketball action Saturday in Maroa. 

Williams fueled a Trojans squad that is beat up. Ryne Sheppard remains sidelined with an injury from the Trojans 2A runner-up finish in the football playoffs and leading scorers Coby Lane and Caebrin Lee are both out with injuries sustained during the season. 

Grady Rose added eight points for Maroa-Forsyth and Brady Doss added eight points. 

The Trojans go to 7-6 overall. They host Decatur St. Teresa on Tuesday night.

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello held off a late charge by IVC and won its Illini Prairie Conference opener 54-45 from Chillicothe Friday night in high school boy’s basketball action.

The Sages led 41-31 after three quarters but Cole Yates scored the first five points of the fourth quarter and the Grey Ghosts got within three when Bryce Radcliff was fouled on a layup but missed the and-one free throw and Monticello was able to close out the game making its final six foul shots. 

Gatsby Grant scored five of his game-high 14 points in the fourth quarter. Carter Foran added 13 points for the Sages. 

IVC went five-in, five-out the first three quarters and did not have a player score in double-figures. Grady Read and Brady Ward each had eight points while Yates finished with seven, all in the fourth quarter.

Ike Young and Tyler Blythe each added nine points for Monticello. Foran was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game.

The Grey Ghosts fall to 6-10 overall and 0-1 in the IPC.

Since starting the season 0-4 after its football team finished runner-up in the 3A football playoffs, the Sages have won seven of its last ten to go to 7-7 overall and start 1-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference.

Monticello is in St. Joseph Saturday afternoon for the Christie Clinic Shootout taking on Seneca at 4:30 pm. Hear the action in 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Isaac Price scored 27 points and helped Blue Ridge close out Decatur LSA 53-48 in Lincoln Prairie Conference high school boy’s basketball action in Farmer City Friday night. 

Price finished 13-of-16 at the foul line, including 5-of-6 in the fourth quarter. The Knights as a team finished 20-of-26 at the foul line. 

Corbin Colbert finished with eight points while Wesley Clark added seven points. 

Dillon Clark led the Lions with 14 points.

Decatur Unity Christian drops to 2-9 overall and 0-2 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference. 

Blue Ridge is 7-7 overall and 1-1 in the Lincoln Prairie Conference. They travel to Villa Grove on Tuesday night.

In a game heard on WHOW and all it's digital platforms, the Clinton Maroons swept in the boys/girls double header by a narrow final score of 47-43 from Clinton on Friday night in high school boys basketball action.

The Maroons were led by Colton Walker, who earned the title of Servpro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Play of the game with 21 points. Dalton Bell was the second leading scorer with 13 while Keaton Graves chipped in with 9.

The Hornets were led by Chase Ruppert who scored 17 points. Jackson Law and Logan Mills added 9 and 8 respectively. 

Tune in January 14th to hear Clinton take on Monticello, tip off is at 7:30 PM

In a game heard on WHOW and all it's digital platforms, the Clinton Maroons defeated the Heyworth Hornets by a final score of 45-31 from Clinton on Friday Night in high school girls basketball action.

The Maroons were led by the Servpro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game Carly Anderson, who scored 17 with 15 being from beyond the arc. Clara Dempsey followed closely behind with 16, while Regan Filkin chipped in with 6

. 

The Hornets were led by Kyra Denning who scored 14 points. Lacy Gerike (GER-KEE) added 8 points.

With the win the Lady Maroons improve to 14-5, while the Lady Hornets fall to 9-8.

Tune in on January 23rd for Regional Radio's next Lady Maroons broadcast when they take on Warrensburg-Latham, tip off is at 7:30 PM. 
 

Ben Humrichous scored a season-high 21 points, Morez Johnson Jr. had a career-high 20 points along with 11 rebounds and No. 13 Illinois beat Penn State 91-52 on Wednesday night for its fifth straight victory.

Tre White also had 20 points to help Illinois (12-3, 4-1 Big Ten) win with scoring leader Kasparas Jakucionis sidelined by a bruised forearm.

Penn State star Ace Baldwin Jr. aggravated a back injury early in the first half and didn’t play in the second half. He didn’t score, missing all six of his shots.

Nick Kern Jr. had 13 points for the Nittany Lions (12-4, 2-3). Zach Hicks added 11.

After sweeping No. 9 Oregon and Washington on a West Coast trip, Illinois was tasked with beating nemesis Penn State without Jakucionis, whose absence was announced just before the game. Humrichous and Johnson made up for the loss of Jakucionis.

A 21-2 Illini run in the first half gave them a 26-13 lead. Penn State missed nine straight shots during the stretch, going 7:56 without a field goal.

Illinois hosts Southern California on Saturday.

Tavion Banks scored 19 points off the bench to lead Drake past Bradley 64-57 on Wednesday night.

Banks added seven rebounds for the Bulldogs (13-2, 3-2 Missouri Valley Conference). Mitch Mascari scored 12 points and added five steals. Kael Combs finished with 10 points.

The Braves (13-3, 4-1) were led by Zek Montgomery, who recorded 17 points and six rebounds. Darius Hannah added 14 points and two blocks for Bradley. The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Braves.

Drake entered halftime tied with Bradley 31-31. Banks paced the team in scoring in the first half with 10 points. Banks scored nine second-half points.

Bradley travels to play UIC on Saturday.

Tayshawn Comer scored 19 points as Evansville beat Illinois State 69-51 on Wednesday night.

Comer also added five assists for the Purple Aces (6-10, 3-2 Missouri Valley Conference). Tanner Cuff scored 14 points and added five rebounds. Cameron Haffner had 14 points and shot 5 for 12, including 4 for 9 from beyond the arc.

The Redbirds (10-6, 2-3) were led by Malachi Poindexter, who recorded 14 points.

Evansville led 34-30 at halftime, with Haffner racking up nine points. Evansville pulled away with a 10-0 run in the second half. Comer led the way with a team-high 13 second-half points.

Illinois State hosts Northern Iowa on Saturday.

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Mich Niebrugge had a double-double and Teutopolis bounced Monticello 41-37 in non-conference high school boy's basketball action from the Sievers Center in Monticello Wednesday.

Wednesday's game was postponed from Tuesday due to poor travel conditions in south central Illinois. 

Niebrugge helped pace a rebounding effort that saw the Wooden Shoes outrebound the Sages 32-24. T-town held Monticello to 29 percent shooting for night.

Drew Hoene added 12 points and six boards for the Wooden Shoes. 

Carter Foran helped fuel a Monticello comeback late. The senior hid nine of his team-best 13 points in the second half as Monticello rallied from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter but could only get within one of T-town late. His efforts earned him the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game. 

Monticello started very flat after a big win over Warrensburg-Latham Friday night. They went just 4-of-14 shooting in the first quarter and then 2-of-9 in the second quarter. 

While only making 12 field goals for the game, Monticello had nine assists on those 12 field goals and only committed ten turnovers.

They could only turn 17 Wooden Shoes turnovers into 12 points.

T-town goes to 10-4 overall.

Monticello drops to 6-7 overall. The Sages travel to Chillicothe for a matchup with IVC on Friday night to open Illini Prairie Conference action. Game time is 7 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Monticello topped Hoopeston 51-24 in non-conference high school girl's basketball action Tuesday night in Hoopeston. 

Ali Weidner led Monticello with 17 points. Megan Allen just missed a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds. 

Sara Cresap, Emma Arnold, and Pearl Glaze each had six points for the Lady Sages. 

Monticello travels to Bloomington Central Catholic on Thursday.

Argenta-Oreana used a fast start and held off Central A&M 75-56 in non-conference high school boys' basketball action from Argenta Tuesday night.

The Bombers led 19-6 after one quarter and increased its lead to 36-19 at the half. 

The Raiders made ten three-pointers in the game but Argenta-Oreana was led by Carter Logue who had 23 points while Damian Gude had 22 points. 

Rhett McClain paced Central A&M with 18 points while Ace Spinner scored 13 points.

Central A&M drops to 6-7 overall. 

Argenta-Oreana improves to 5-8. They host Arcola Friday night for Lincoln Prairie Conference action.

Blue Ridge made easy work of Urbana Uni-High 67-39 in non-conference high school boy's basketball action Tuesday night in Urbana.

Corbin Colbert scored 25 points to lead all scorers. He did not play in the fourth quarter.

With 18 points on Tuesday, Isaac Price eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for his career at Blue Ridge. 

The Knights are 7-6 overall. They host Decatur Unity Christian Friday night in Lincoln Prairie Conference action.

A slow third quarter doomed Blue Ridge in a 53-30 loss to Calvary Christian Tuesday night in non-conference high school girl's basketball action in Farmer City.

The Lady Knights trailed 17-13 at the half but were outscored 24-5 in the third quarter and could not recover. 

Calvary's Sidney Jackson scored a game-best 31 points - going 14-of-18 at the foul line. 

Alissa Edwards and Karlee Fenton each scored seven for Blue Ridge. Cede Manuel had six points.

The Lady Knights are 0-12 overall. They travel to Georgetown-Ridge Farm Friday night.

Tonight's Monticello boy's basketball game against Teutopolis has been rescheduled to Wednesday night.

A major winter snowstorm has impacted travel in south central Illinois. The game will be played at its regularly scheduled time of a 7 pm varsity tip with the JV to play before.

Hear Wednesday's action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Carly Anderson scored 26 points and led Clinton to a 66-39 romp over El Paso-Gridley in non-conference high school girl's basketball action Monday in El Paso.

Anderson hit five three-pointers helping Clinton turn a 19-13 first quarter lead into a 37-15 halftime lead adn EP-G could not recover.

Clara Dempsey scored 17 points to help Clinton go to 13-5 overall. Lila Cluver and Avery Smith each scored eight for the Lady Maroons.

Clinton takes on Heyworth Friday night as part of a varsity doubleheader with the boy's basketball squad. Tip-off is 6 pm. Hear Friday's action for both the girls and then the boys on WHOW and all its digital platforms.

Kasparas Jakucionis made a tiebreaking layup with 32 seconds left, and No. 22 Illinois survived a furious comeback bid by Washington to squeak out an 81-77 victory Sunday.

The Fighting Illini (11-3, 3-1 Big Ten), playing at UW for the first time since the 1952 Final Four, had a 17-point lead but the Huskies tied it at 75 on Luis Kortright's layup with 47 seconds left. Jakucionis then scored and the Illini put it away at the free throw line.

Jakucionis had 18 points and six assists, while Tre White pitched in 17 points and Kylan Boswell had 14.

DJ Davis led the Huskies (10-5, 1-3) with 31 points, finishing 7 for 14 from beyond the arc.

Illinois held Great Osobor, Washington's leading scorer, scoreless in the first half. He finished with nine points.

The Illini have now won eight of their past 10 games, with the two losses coming by a combined six points - one in overtime and the other to No. 1 Tennessee.

Illinois will return to State Farm Center on Wednesday to host Penn State. 

Johnny Kinziger scored 17 points as Illinois State beat Southern Illinois 85-54 on Sunday night.

Kinziger shot 6 for 7, including 3 for 4 from beyond the arc for the Redbirds (10-5, 2-2 Missouri Valley Conference). Jack Daugherty also scored 17 points, going 6 of 11 (5 for 9 from 3-point range). Jordan Davis shot 5 for 8, including 2 for 4 from beyond the arc to finish with 13 points, while adding 10 rebounds.

The Salukis (5-10, 0-4) were led by Davion Sykes, who recorded 11 points. Jarrett Hensley added 10 points for Southern Illinois. Sheridan Sharp also had 10 points and two steals.

Illinois State took the lead 52 seconds into the game and did not give it up. Kinziger led their team in scoring with 15 points in the first half to help put them up 44-23 at the break. Illinois State extended its lead to 65-34 during the second half, fueled by a 12-3 scoring run. Davis scored a team-high 10 points in the second half as his team closed out the win.

Illinois State is at Evansville Wednesday.

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, three players scored in double figures and Monticello knocked off Warrensburg-Latham 58-45 in non-conference high school boy's basketball action from the Sievers Center in Monticello Friday night.

The Cardinals jumped out to a 10-4 lead but Monticello closed out the first quarter on 13-2 run and never relinquished its lead.

Gatsby Grant helped fuel a strong finish to the first quarter and propelled Monticello to a 35-24 lead at the half with 16 of his game-high 21 points in the first half. 

Ike Young scored 17 points with five rebounds. He went 8-for-8 at the foul line, including 4-for-4 in the fourth quarter to help put the game away.

A four-point play by Grant with 1:42 left in the first half put Monticello up 31-22. Grant then hit a three-pointer from the right wing off the backboard to cap off a first half with five three-point shots made. Monticello went 7-of-12 from distance in the first half.

The Cardinals clawed their way back into the game by outscoring Monticello 12-4 in the third quarter. Sophomore Brennon Bonds tied the game at 39-30 with a three to start the fourth quarter but Young cam back and hit a three on the next Monticello possession and the Sages did not look back after that. 

Tyler Blythe scored 11 points off the bench for Monticello. 

Young's performance earned him the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game.

The Sages shot 48.7 percent from the floor and went 8-of-17 from three for the game. Monticello dished out 14 assists on its 19 field goals made and committed just 10 turnovers. 

The Cardinals scored 28 points in the paint to Monticello's 22. Warrensburg-Latham scored 17 second-chance points on 10 offensive rebounds. Monticello held the rebounding edge 25-24. 

The Sages scored 16 second-chance points off seven offensive rebounds.

Kaiden Gardner led Warrensburg-Latham with 13 points. Nathan Southern and Bonds added 11 points apiece.

The Cardinals drop to 14-2 overall.

Monticello goes to 6-6 overall. They will host Teutopolis on Tuesday night at 7 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Tre White had 20 points and 11 rebounds as No. 22 Illinois made a resounding statement on the road with a 109-77 blowout of ninth-ranked Oregon on Thursday night.

Ben Humrichous shot 4 of 7 from 3-point range and scored 18 points on a night when Illinois went 16 for 29 behind the arc. Kylan Boswell also made four 3s and finished with 15 points for the Fighting Illini (10-3, 2-1 Big Ten).

Kasparas Jakucionis added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Jake Davis scored 12.

Supreme Cook scored 20 to lead the Ducks (12-2, 1-2), while Nate Bittle added 13 points and five rebounds.

Illinois built a seven-point lead at halftime before opening the second half on a 22-6 run to pull away.

Oregon took a 7-2 lead before the Illini scored 12 straight points, including the last six from Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn.

Illinois earned its first win over a ranked team this season after losing top-10 matchups against Alabama and Tennessee.

Oregon hosted a ranked opponent for the first time since 2020, but didn’t do much to cheer up Ducks fans still disappointed after their top-ranked football team lost 41-21 to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday. 

Illinois hit three straight 3-pointers to open the second half with an 11-2 run that increased its lead to 56-40 less than two minutes into the period.

Illinois shot 58% from the field, including 55% on 3-pointers, while the Ducks were at 44% from the floor.

Illinois will visit Washington on Sunday.

Caden Boser's 17 points helped Illinois State defeat Murray State 74-68 on Thursday night.

Malachi Poindexter added 17 points for the Redbirds (9-5, 1-2 Missouri Valley Conference). Johnny Kinziger scored 17 points.

Jacobi Wood finished with 21 points and four assists for the Racers (7-7, 1-2). Murray State also got 18 points and eight rebounds from Kylen Milton. AJ Ferguson finished with 15 points.

Boser scored 11 points in the first half for Illinois State, who led 33-25 at the break. Illinois State was outscored by two points in the second half but hung on for the victory. Kinziger led the way with 13 second-half points.

Illinois State hosts Southern Illinois on Sunday.

Zek Montgomery led Bradley with 26 points and Duke Deen hit the game-winning layup with 4.3 seconds left in the overtime as the Braves beat Indiana State 90-89 on Wednesday night.

The Braves forced a turnover with 20 seconds left and worked the ball around until Deen dribbled to the left wing thrn worked his way down the baseline past the basket and then circled around before making a layup in the lane after a defender fell.

Deen scored 24 points and added seven rebounds for the Braves (12-2, 3-0 Missouri Valley Conference). Demarion Burch had 13 points.

The Sycamores (8-6, 2-1) were led by Camp Wagner, who posted 20 points and seven rebounds. Samage Teel added 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Indiana State. Jaden Daughtry finished with 19 points and two steals.

Deen missed a 3-pointer at the end of regulation after Wagner tied the game with a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left.

Bradley hosts Missouri State on Saturday.