Maroa-Forsyth High School has a familiar face in a new role within the baseball program. 

Athletic Director Phil Applebee told the Hart Media Group on the WHOW High School Road Tour that Luke Azzarelli will be moving up from managing the JV squad to the Varsity lineup this season. Applebee is grateful for all the great years of coaching from Sean Martin. 

There is a lot to look forward to when it comes to the spring athletics season at Maroa-Forsyth. Keep up with all the happenings at mfschools.net or by finding them on Facebook. 

Caebrin Lee scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth quarter, but his heroics were not enough as Tolono Unity beat Maroa-Forsyth 53-49 in Class 2A High School boys basketball Regional Championship action on Friday in Maroa.

The Trojans trailed 39-33 going to the final frame, and Lee had 10 of the Trojans 16 fourth-quarter points. Unfortunately, balanced scoring and efficient free throw shooting allowed the Rockets to avenge a loss in the Regional Championship last year against Monticello at Westville.

The Rockets made seven of ten free throws down the stretch and had very balanced scoring in a low-scoring, defensive struggle.

Dane Eisenmenger had 11 points to lead Tolono Unity. Brayden Henry had ten points. Mason O'Neill and Tyler Henry each scored nine points, and Colton Langendorf scored eight.

Maroa-Forsyth finishes the season 21-9 overall. 

Tolono Unity will advance to a Wednesday night Sectional semifinal game in Monticello. Tip time is at 6:30 pm. They will play either Vandalia or Fairfield. 

The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans defeated the Westville Tigers by a final score of 54-50 in a Class 2A boys basketball Regional Semifinal matchup on Wednesday night in Maroa. 

The Trojans were strong on defense to open the game, taking a 16-7 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers punched back in the second to cut the lead to 25-23 at halftime, but they couldn't get any closer. 

Caebrin Lee led all scorers with 20 points for Maroa-Forsyth. Coby Lane added 15 points, and Kannon Grubbs had 12 points, all of which came from distance. 

Easton Barney led the way for Westville with 15 points. Aiden White scored 14 points, and Kiptyn Appl had 11. 

Westville was handed its only loss of the season by the Trojans, finishing the season with a record of 31-1.

With the win, Maroa-Forsyth improves to 21-8 and advances to the Regional Championship on Friday against Tolono Unity in Maroa. 
 

In a game heard on WHOW and all its digital platforms, the Clinton Maroons fell to the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans by a final score of 53-48 in a Class 2A Regional Semifinal matchup on Wednesday night in St. Joseph. 

Clinton struggled to score early in the first quarter, but after Coach Vic Binkley called a timeout, they turned up the defensive heat and took the lead 11-6 after the first quarter. The Maroons pulled away in the second quarter, building a nine-point lead to make the score 29-20 at the half. 

The Spartans made defensive adjustments of their own after the half and held Clinton to just nine points in the third quarter to their own 13. They made four buckets from distance in the final frame, and Asher Pruemer made the final two free throws of the game to seal the win. 

Keaton Graves led all scorers with 28 points for the Maroons. Jaeden Bell added eight with an even two points in each quarter. Keagan Daughtrey added five. 

St. Joe spread the ball around evenly, with Parker Fitch leading the way with 15 points. Pruemer had 14 points, and Nolan Franzen added 12. Ryker Lockhart scored 10 points, seven of which came in the fourth quarter. 

Clinton finishes the season with a record of 24-9. St. Joe improves to 20-11 and advances to the Regional Championship on Friday against Warrensburg-Latham. 

Tune in to the next Clinton Maroons sports broadcast as the Maroons kick off the baseball season against Delavan on March 16th. First pitch is at 4:30 PM. Hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Tolono Unity turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter and jumped Monticello for a 62-42 win in a Class 2A high school boys basketball Regional semifinal romp on Wednesday at the Maroa-Forsyth Regional. 

The Sages and Rockets were tied at 18 after the first quarter, but Unity came out in a full-court press in the second quarter and used turnovers to pull out ahead for good, rolling to a Regional Championship on Friday night in Maroa. 

The Rockets led by 30 at the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter, activating the mercy-rule running clock on their rival, who had beaten them in a Regional Championship game last year in Westville.

The Rockets had three players in double figures, led by Tyler Henry's 21 points. Dane Eisenmenger and Brayden Henry each had 14 points.

The Sages were led by Ayden McCool's 10 points - he scored all ten in the first quarter.

It is off to a Regional Championship game on Friday in Maroa for Unity.

Monticello opens the spring baseball season on Monday, March 16 vs Effingham. 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello overcame a 14-point first-half deficit and beat Sulliva 58-53 in a Class 2A Regional quarterfinal matchup on Monday in Monticello.

Redskins senior James Feldkamp had 11 points in the first quarter, staking Sullivan to a 19-11 lead. Sullivan would extend its lead to 14 points in the second quarter.

Monticello battled back to cut the deficit to 29-23 at the half.

Aiden McCool had eight of his 21 points in the third quarter to get Monticello back in the game.

Five straight points from Matthias Rudolph to open the fourth quarter put Monticello in front for good.

McCool's 21 points earned him the State Bank of Bement player of the game.

Jake Motsegood had a double-double for Monticello with 11 points and ten rebounds. Rudolph added 14 points.

The Redskins finish their season at 19-11 overall.

Monticello improves to 15-14 and advances to a Wednesday night Regional semifinal against Tolono Unity at Maroa-Forsyth High School. Tip-off is 6 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.

Maroa-Forsyth blew away Shelbyville 83-31 in Class 2A Regional quarterfinal action Monday night in Maroa.

The Trojans flew out to a 49-15 lead at the half.

Caebrin Lee scored 29 points to lead Maroa-Forsyth. Coby Lane added 16 points, and Kannon Grubbs finished with 15 points. 

Aiden Hardy scored ten points to lead Shelbyville.

The Rams end their season 10-18 overall. The Trojans go to 20-8 overall.

Maroa-Forsyth will take on Westville on Wednesday in Class 2A Regional semifinal action at 7:30 pm. 

Champaign St. Thomas More scored 31 first quarter points and never looked back in rolling to a 79-57 win in Class 1A Regional quarterfinal action in Champaign.

Owen Yaeger scored 23 points to lead all scorers for the Sabers, who led 31-12 after one quarter.

Ben Ruffatto had 15 points, and Raphael Dongo-Kengue added 12 points. 

Jaxon Finch and Isaiah Parks had 15 points apiece. Carter Logue added eight points. 

The Bombers end the campaign at 9-22 overall. STM improves to 12-16 overall. 

The Clinton Maroons defeated the Marshall Lions by a final score of 58-45 in a Class 2A Regional Quarterfinal matchup on Monday night in Clinton. 

The two teams started even, but as Clinton started to slip midway through the first quarter, Coach Vic Binkley subbed in 6'5" Junior Briggs White, who came in for a flurry of blocks to stop a Marshall run. 

Clinton led 18-17 after the first, but the Lions evened it at 26-26 going into the halftime break. Keaton Graves scored all eight of the Maroons' second-quarter points. 

The Maroons came alive in the fourth. Trailing 37-35 going into the final frame, they outscored Marshall 21-10. 

Graves led all scorers with 32 points for Clinton. Jaeden Bell had nine points, while Keagan Daughtrey added seven. 

Garrett Pugh paced Marshall with 21 points, 11 of which came in the first quarter. Bryce Griguhn added eight points, and Brady Landrus had six. 

Marshall finishes the season at 12-16. 

Clinton improves to 24-8 and will take on St. Joseph-Ogden in St. Joe for the Regional Semifinal. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM on Wednesday. Hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello jumped out to a 7-0 lead but fell short to top-seeded Pontiac 48-45 in Class 2A girls high school basketball Regional Championship action Friday in Fairbury.

A Sara Cresap three-pointer in the first quarter put the Lady Sages ahead 7-0 before Pontiac finally broke through 5:12 into the first quarter.

The Lady Sages led by as many as eight in the first half, but Pontiac chipped away and took its first lead of the game in the third quarter.

The Lady Sages got down by as many as seven late, but continued to get back within a possession. Too many late turnovers kept Monticello from the comeback.

Pontiac was led by Trinity Miller's 19 points.

Lexi Leatherwood scored 12 of her team-best 13 points in the second half - and had 12 of 18 second-half points for Monticello.

Monticello ends the 2025-26 season with a loss in a 2A Regional Championship for the second straight year. They finished 17-15 overall. 

Pontiac improves to 21-11 and will battle Bishop McNamara on Tuesday night in a Sectional semifinal in Pontiac.

Keaton Graves scored 40 points, leading Clinton to a rout of Argenta-Oreana, 82-68, Friday night in non-conference, regular-season finale high school boys basketball action in Argenta.

Without Jaeden Bell, Keagan Daughtery had 24 points, and Briggs White had 12 points for the Maroons. 

Three players reached double figures for the Bombers. Isaiah Parkshad 20 points, Jaxon Finch added 16 points, and Tyson Tennin chipped in with 14 points.

Argenta-Oreana finishes up the regular season 9-21 overall. It's off to Regional quarterfinal action for the Bombers on Monday.

Clinton finishes the regular season 23-8 overall. They host Marshall in Class 2A Regional quarterfinal action on Monday night. Game time is 6:30 pm on Monday. Hear the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms.

Caebrin Lee scored 32 points and Maroa-Forsyth finished the regular season with a 69-56 win over New Berlin Friday night in Sangamo Conference high school boys basketball action in Maroa.

It was senior night for the Trojans, who used a 27-14 fourth quarter to put the game away.

Lee scored 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Trojans. Coby Lane finished with 12 points for Maroa-Forsyth.

The Trojans finish the regular season 19-8 overall and 7-2 in the Sangamo Conference. It's off to a Regional quarterfinal matchup on Monday for the Trojans. 

The Clinton Lady Maroons finished a historic season as they fell to the Normal U-High Lady Pioneers by a final score of 59-44 in the El Paso-Gridley Regional Championship on Thursday night in El Paso. 

The Lady Pioneers came out hot, while Clinton fell flat. The score was 15-3 in favor of U-High after the first quarter, with Lilah Cluver scoring the only bucket for the Lady Maroons through the first eight minutes. At the half, Clinton trailed 31-11.

Clinton made adjustments at the half and sped up the pace of their game in the third to make a comeback effort. They outscored the Lady Pioneers 19-10 in the quarter, highlighted by Clara Dempsey's 12 Q3 points. 

Clara Dempsey, Delaney Dempsey, and Avery Smith all fouled out of the game as the Maroons tried to force possession through fouling. 

Dempsey paced the Maroons with 16 points in total, all in the second half. Carly Anderson added 14, including a pair of buckets from distance, to snap a personal drought throughout the game. Lilah Cluver added 10 points.

Haylie Hoffman and Mackenzie Matejka both scored 16 points for the Lady Pioneers. Evelyn Seifert had 11 points. 

Clinton wraps up its historic season by tying the program win record at 28-5. They won 24 consecutive games before Thursday night. 

Normal U-High improves to 18-14 and will take on the winner of the Hamilton Regional on Tuesday in Macomb. 

Tune in to the next Clinton Maroons Sports broadcast as the boys make their 2026 postseason debut at home against Marshall. Tipoff is at 6:30 PM on Monday, and you can hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans blew past the Riverton Hawks, defeating them 57-29 in high school boys basketball Sangamo Conference action on Tuesday night in Riverton. 

The Trojans held Riverton to just two points in the first quarter while they scored 19. The Hawks were more productive from there, trailing 36-15 at the half. Despite Maroa-Forsyth scoring just four points in the fourth quarter, Riverton was unable to overcome the deficit. 

Coby Lane paced the Trojans with 24 points. Caebrin Lee added 21 points, and Luke Smith had seven. 

Colton Johnson was the only player to score in double figures for the Hawks with 11 points. Jaxsen Trager added seven points, while Julian Rice had six. 

With the win, Maroa-Forsyth improves to 18-8 and 6-2 in the Sangamo Conference. Riverton falls to 15-11 and 3-5 in conference play. 

The Trojans will play host to the New Berlin Pretzels on Friday. Tipoff is at 7 PM. 
 

The Cerro Gordo-Bement Broncos took down the Argenta-Oreana Bombers by a final score of 57-41 in high school boys ABASKETBALL Sangamo Conference action on Tuesday night in Argenta. 

CGB took a big lead early, making the score 20-7 after the first. They outscored the Bombers 37-34 the rest of the way. 

Isaiah Parks finished with 13 points for Argenta-Oreana. Carter Logue added 12 points, nine of which came from long distance. 

Trevor Cogdill led all scorers with 21 for Cerro Gordo-Bement. Will Fuson added 11, and Cooper Benson had nine. 

With the loss, Argenta-Oreana falls to 9-20 and 4-5 in the Sangamo Conference. The Broncos improve to 21-8 and 9-1 in conference play. 

The Bombers will take on Clinton on Friday. Tipoff is at 7 PM. 
 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Clinton built a 22-11 lead early in the second quarter and held off a Monticello comeback to win 49-45 in non-conference high school boys basketball action from the Sievers Center in Monticello on Tuesday night.

Each team experienced its own struggles.

For Monticello, it was misses in close to the basket. The Sages shot 32.7 percent from the floor. The Sages continue to struggle from distance, finishing 4-of-18 from three. 

For the Maroons, while shooting 33-percent from the floor, Clinton was just 9-of-17 from the foul line.

Three players scored in double figures for Clinton. Keaton Graves led all scorers with 14 points. Jaeden Bell and Jaxon Reynolds each had 13 points.

The Sages held a 38-36 edge on the glass. Monticello had 14 assists on its 18 field goals and committed just five turnovers.

Monticello was led by Mattias Rudolph's 11 points. On senior night, Nolan Buehnerkemper just missed out on a double-double with nine points, eight rebounds, and five assists. The senior earned the State Bank of Bement player of the game. 

Clinton improves to 22-8 overall and finishes the regular season on Friday night at Argenta-Oreana.

Monticello goes to 14-13 overall and visits Bismark-Hennning on Friday night to close out the regular season. 

Both teams will host a Regional semifinal game next Monday. 

In a game heard on WHOW and all its digital platforms, the Clinton Lady Maroons won their 24th game in a row and tied the total win record with 28 as they beat the Maroa-Forsyth Lady Trojans by a final score of 58-44 in the Class 2A Regional Semifinal on Tuesday night in El Paso. 

Clinton started slow, but after being tied at 9 midway through the first, they jumped out ahead to lead 17-10 by the end of the quarter. They scored 17 points again in the second quarter to build the halftime lead to 34-19. The Lady Trojans outscored the Lady Maroons 25-24 in the second half. 

Carly Anderson led the way with 17 points for Clinton and shot 7-for-8 from the foul line. Lilah Cluver added 15 points, most of which came in transition. Avery Smith had nine, and Clara Dempsey added eight. 

Kalli Kahler paced Maroa-Forsyth with 12 points. Adelyn Simmons had 11 points, and Rilinda Ballazhi scored eight. 

With the win, Clinton improves to 28-4 overall and advances to Thursday's Regional Championship, a first-time trip for the team. Maroa-Forsyth finishes the season at 15-13. 

The Lady Maroons will take on the winner of Normal U-High and El Paso-Gridley at 6 PM at EPG on Thursday. Hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

Monticello overcame an early 22-11 deficit and rallied to beat Prairie Central 48-42 in high school girls Class 2A Regional semifinal basketball action from Fairbury on Monday night. 

Trailing 22-11 about halfway through the second quarter, Monticello finished the frame on an 8-2 run to get within 24-19 at the half. Ali Weidner had 11 points in the second quarter to help jumpstart the Lady Sages' comeback.

In the third quarter, Sara Cresap hit a three to start the second half, and Monticello would outscore the Lady Hawks 17-6 in the quarter, before putting the game away in the fourth despite an off-night at the free throw line.

Monticello finished 12-26 at the foul line for the game. 

Weidner finished with 16 points. Cresap added 12 points - all in the second half.

Weidner was the State Bank of Bement player of the game.

The Lady Sages advance to a Regional Championship game on Friday night against Pontiac. Game time is 7 pm in Fairbury. 

The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans took down the Argenta-Oreana Bombers by a final score of 76-62 in a high school boys basketball Sangamo Conference tilt on Saturday in Argenta. 

The Trojans took advantage of Argenta-Oreana's slow start, leading 25-13 after the first quarter. The Bombers closed the deficit by three, trailing 46-37 going into halftime. Both teams scored 13 in the third quarter, but Maroa-Forsyth pushed ahead to outscore the Bombers 26-21 in the fourth. 

Caebrin Lee led all scorers with 31 points for the Trojans. Coby Lane added 22 points, including seven buckets from distance. Luke Smith had 10 points. 

Argenta-Oreana was led by Tysen Tennin, who scored 20 points. Jaxon Finch scored 13, while Carter Logue had seven. 

With the win, Maroa-Forsyth improves to 17-8 and 5-2 in the Sangamo Conference. The Bombers fall to 9-19 and 4-5 in conference play. 

Both teams will be in Sangamo Conference action on Tuesday night at 7 PM. The Trojans will take on Riverton in Maroa, while the Bombers host Cerro Gordo-Bement. 
 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello used a 15-2 run in the second quarter to stay out in front of Champaign St. Thomas More in a 54-40 win in the finale of Illini Prairie Conference play Friday night in high school boys basketball action at the Sievers Center in Monticello. 

The Sages started the game scoring nine unanswered, but STM battled back and finished the frame on a 9-4 run to make it 13-9 after the first quarter.

The Sabers struggled to make shots in the second quarter and Monticello started to attack the basket and opened up a 28-11 lead late in the second quarter, and led 31-16 at the break.

The Sabers got within ten in the third quarter, but went cold late in the frame and Monticello pulled away again in the fourth quarter.

Monticello senior Luke Murphy scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half. The senior dished out five assists and grabbed six rebounds. He was the State Bank of Bement player of the game.

Aiden McCool had a game-high 17 points to lead the Sages. Nolan Beuhnerkemper had ten points and eight rebounds. 

Owen Yeager and Nate Kauffman each finished with 14 points for STM, who finished winless in the Illini Prairie Conference at 0-8 and dropped to 10-16 overall. 

Monticello was outrebounded 33-30, and STMs length gave Monticello all sorts of problems in the backcourt, as the Sages committed nine turnovers that turned into ten points for the Sabers. 

The Sages had 32 of their 54 points in the paint and scored 15 points off 13 Sabers turnovers.

Monticello is 14-12 overall and 3-5 in the Illini Prairie Conference. 

The Sages wrap up the regular season next week when they host Clinton for Senior Night on Tuesday and then travel to Bismarck-Henning on Friday. Hear the action starting at 7 pm on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Caebrin Lee scored 24 points and overcame foul trouble and a slow performance from Coby Lane as Marao-Forsyth rolled to a 65-50 win over Auburn in Sangamo Conference high school boys basketball action Friday night in Maroa.

Lane finished with just eight points as he and Lane avoided fouling out; each finished with four fouls. 

Kenny Morris had ten points for the Trojans. 

The Trojans improve to 16-8 overall and are 5-2 in the Sangamo. Maroa-Forsyth is at Argenta-Oreana tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, before wrapping up the regular season next week with matchups at Riverton and then hosting New Berlin. 

The Clinton Lady Maroons wrapped up the regular season with 23 consecutive wins as they took down the Decatur St. Teresa Lady Bulldogs by a final score of 53-35 in non-conference high school girls basketball action on Thursday night in Decatur. 

St. T kept the game close through the first quarter, trailing 11-8 after the first. Clinton took control from there, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 33-19 through the second and third quarters. 

Carly Anderson led all scorers with 23 points, including 12 points from beyond the arc. She bounced back after scoring 12 points in total in Wednesday's outing against Cerro Gordo-Bement. Avery Smith added 14 points, and Lilah Cluver had nine. 

Sole Corely led the way for St. Teresa with 13 points. Mya Howley added eight points. 

With the win, Clinton improves to 27-4 and heads to the postseason on a 23-game win streak. The Lady Bulldogs fall to 13-12. 

Clinton will start the postseason as the two seed in the El Paso-Gridley Regional.

They will take on the winner of tomorrow's matchup between Maroa-Forsyth and Sangamon Valley. Tipoff is 6 PM on Tuesday. Hear the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 
 

The Monticello Lady Sages beat the Danville Lady Vikings by a final score of 51-44 in non-conference high school girls basketball action on Thursday night in Danville. 

Monticello led 12-11 after the first quarter, and grew the gap to 23-19 at the half. They outscored the Lady Vikings 28-25 in the second half. 

Ali Weidner paced Monticello with a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Mady Melton had 14 points and was just one rebound short of a double-double with nine. 

Monticello finishes the regular season with a record of 17-14, while Danville falls to 10-17. 

The Lady Sages will begin the postseason as the fourth seed as they take on the fifth-seeded Prairie Central on Monday. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM in Fairbury. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Tune in tonight as the boys take on Champaign St. Thomas More at the Sievers Center. Tipoff is at 7 PM. Hear the boys' regular season action on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 
 

Avery Smith achieved 1,000 points, and the Clinton Lady Maroons took down the Cerro Gordo-Bement Lady Broncos by a final score of 68-30 in non-conference high school girls basketball action on Wednesday night in Clinton. 

The Lady Maroons celebrated Senior Night before the game. 

They jumped out ahead early in the first, leading 20-6 by the end of the quarter. Clinton almost doubled their lead going into halftime, making the score 44-18. The Lady Broncos did not score in the fourth quarter. 

Clara Dempsey led all scorers with 21 for Clinton, including three baskets from distance. Avery Smith had 18 points, and Carly Anderson had 12. 

With the win, the Lady Maroons improve to 26-4 while Cerro Gordo-Bement falls to 11-19. 

Clinton has one more regular-season outing tonight, as they travel to Decatur St. Teresa to take on the Lady Bulldogs. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM. 

Tune in to the next Clinton Maroons Sports broadcast when the girls begin their postseason run as the two seed in the El Paso-Gridley Regional, on Tuesday at 6 PM. They will take on the winner of this Saturday's game between Maroa-Forsyth and Sangamon Valley. Hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 
 

Regionals are right around the corner, and basketball programs around the State are ramping up for some of the toughest games they'll play all year. 

Jack Hart, Founder of ILSportsWire, told the Hart Media Group on the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday that he hopes to have ILSportsWire personnel at as many postseason basketball games as possible. While it may take some work, he says the coverage of local teams and athletes is worth it. 

The highlights won't stop there, as Hart and his team prepare for the Spring season. 

Hart founded ILSportsWire in August of 2025 and hopes to expand to even more teams in the future. 
 

The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans came up short as they fell to the Williamsville Bullets by a final score of 51-44 in Sangamo Conference high school boy basketball action on Tuesday night in Williamsville. 

The game started slowly, with the Bullets leading 11-5 after the first quarter. By halftime, they led 25-21. The Trojans held pace through the third quarter, trailing 34-29 after the third, but couldn't get the job done in the fourth. 

Caebrin Lee led all scorers with 20 for Maroa-Forsyth. Coby Lane added eight points, while Luke Smith and Kannon Grubbs each had five. 

Williamsville had a more balanced offense. They were led by Kaden Entwistle, who scored 15 points. Garrett Tim had 13 points, and Dalton Root scored 11. 

With the loss, Maroa Forsyth falls to 15-8 and 4-2 in the Sangamo Conference. Williamsville improves to 20-5 and a perfect 5-0 in conference play. 

The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans have the Auburn Trojans up next. Tip-off is 7 PM on Friday in Maroa. 
 

The Monticello Lady Sages used a big second quarter to take down the Williamsville Lady Bullets by a final score of 40-32 in non-conference high school girls basketball action on Tuesday night in Monticello. 

The two teams were tied at nine after the first quarter, but in the second, the Lady Sages outscored Williamsville by seven points to take the 24-17 lead at halftime. 

The Lady Bullets made it a two-possession game by the end of the third, trailing 29-23, but did not get any closer. 

Ali Weidner paced Monticello with 11 points and six rebounds. Sarah Cresap had 10 points.  

With the win, Monticello improves to 16-14 while Williamsville falls to 11-14. 

The Lady Sages will travel to Danville on Thursday night. Tipoff is at 7 PM. 

Tune in to the next Monticello Sages Sports broadcast when the boys host Champaign St. Thomas More. Tipoff is at 7 PM on Friday. Hear all the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com

The Argenta-Oreana Bombers beat the Villa Grove Blue Devils by a final score of 79-68 on Tuesday night in a high school boys basketball Lincoln Prairie Conference tilt in Argenta. 

The Bombers took the 18-16 lead after the first, and grew their lead to 37-29 at the half. While the Blue Devils kept up in scoring, they were unable to overcome the final 11-point deficit. 

Isaiah Parks led all scorers with 32 points for Argenta-Oreana. Carter Logue added 19 points, while Kamryn Stokes had 11. 

Gavin Taylor led the way for Villa Grove with 19 points. Thomas Vanderventer had 14 points, and Jackson Gilles had 13. 

With the win, the Bombers improve to 9-17 and 4-4 in the Lincoln Prairie. Villa Grove falls to 7-16 and 2-5 in the LPC. 

Argenta-Oreana will travel to Okaw Valley, as both teams try to get above .500 in conference play on Friday at 7 PM. 
 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello was without three starters Tuesday night and fell 63-48 to Prairie Central in Illini Prairie Conference high school boys basketball action in Fairbury.

Prairie Central scored nine unanswered points to go up 9-2 in the first quarter and Monticello could not recover. The Sages' leading scorer, Matthias Rudolph, did not start and tried to play through flu symptoms but ended up scoreless in limited first half minutes.

The Sages were without juniors Jake Motsegood (concussion) and Gus Reppert (illness) on Tuesday.

Dawson Gaitros took one of the open spots in the starting lineup and scored all 12 first half pointsfor the Monticello. He was the State Bank of Bement player of the game.

The Sages fall to 13-10 overall and 2-6 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They will host Champaign St. Thomas More on Friday to wrap up the Illini Prairie Conference slate. 

In a game heard on WHOW and all its digital platforms, the Clinton Lady Maroons gave the Mt. Pulaski Lady Hilltoppers their first loss of the season, winning 49-36 in non-conference high school girls basketball action in Clinton. 

Clinton entered the game with a record of 24-4 and had won 20 games in a row. The Lady Hilltoppers sat at an undefeated 25-0 before the game. 

Clara Dempsey opened the game, making four buckets from beyond the arc to give them a 14-9 lead after the first. Both teams scored 11 in the second quarter, but the Lady Maroons turned up the defensive heat from there, holding Mt. Pulaski to just 5 points in the third. 

Dempsey led all scorers with 23 points for Clinton. Avery Smith added 12 points included seven made free throws, in the second half. Carly Anderson scored eight points. 

Mt. Pulaski was led by Addison Brown, who scored 20 points, including five made buckets from distance. Alyson Murphy scored eight, and Alayna Marten had four. 

With the win, Clinton improves to 25-4 while Mt. Pulaski falls to 25-1. 

The Lady Maroons will host Senior Night during their last home game of the season on Wednesday, as they take on the Cerro Gordo-Bement Lady Broncos. Tipoff is at 7:15 PM. 
 

Tune in to the next Clinton Maroons Sports broadcast when the girls take on either Maroa-Forsyth or Sangamon Valley to kick off Regional on February 17th. Tip-off is at 6 PM at El Paso-Gridley. Hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

The Monticello Sages traded the lead 15 times, but ultimately came up short in their 70-67 loss to the Twin Lakes Indians in non-conference high school boys basketball action on Saturday at the Sievers Center. 

The Sages led by one point after the first quarter, and two points at the half to make the score 33-31. The teams each scored 20 in the third, but the Indians ended the game with a five-point edge. 

Matthias Rudolph led all scorers with 26 points for Monticello. Ayden McCool scored 12 points. Gus Reppert had nine. 

Austin Robertson led Twin Lakes with 24 points, while Tate Goyer had 17. Ethan Need added 14 points, and Keaton Miller had 13. 

With the loss, Monticello falls to 13-11 while Twin Lakes improves to 8-11. 

The Sages travel to Prairie Central on Tuesday. Tipoff is at 7 PM. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 
 

The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans beat the Pleasant Plains Cardinals by a final score of 63-49 on Saturday in the Sangamo Shootout in Maroa. 

The Trojans led 19-8 after the first quarter, but the Cardinals brought it back to within 9, trailing 31-22 at halftime. Maroa-Forsyth pushed their lead back to 48-35 after the third quarter. 

Caebrin Lee led all scorers with 27 points for Maroa-Forsyth, 13 of which came in the first quarter. Luke Smith and Kannon Grubbs both scored 15 for the Trojans. 

Pleasant Plains falls to 7-18, and 1-4 in the Sanagamo Conference. 

The Trojans improve to 15-7 and 4-1 in Sangamo Conference play. They travel to Williamsville on Tuesday. Tipoff is at 7 PM. 
 

The Argenta-Oreana Bombers fell to the Auburn Trojans by a final score of 62-54 on Saturday in non-conference boys basketball action at the Sangamo Shootout in Maroa. 

The Bombers led 10-8 after the first quarter, but slid in the second as the Trojans took the 22-16 lead. After three, the Trojans led 39-35 and never looked back. 

Argenta-Oreana was led by Jaxon Finch, who scored 21 points, including 5 buckets from distance. Isaiah Parks had 14 points, and Carter Logue scored 13.

Jacob Barnth led all scorers with 26 points for the Trojans. Levi Smith added nine points, all of which came from beyond the three-point line. 

The Bombers fall to 8-17, while Auburn improves to 11-14. 

Argenta-Oreana will play host to Villa Grove on Tuesday at 7 pm. 
 

Ty'Reek Coleman's 19 points off of the bench helped lead Illinois State Redbirds to an 86-76 victory against Drake Bulldogs on Friday night.

Coleman also contributed eight rebounds for the Redbirds (16-8, 8-5 Missouri Valley Conference). Chase Walker finished with 18 points. Boden Skunberg finished with 13 points.

The Bulldogs (12-13, 6-8) were led in scoring by Okku Federiko and Jalen Quinn with 17 points apiece. Andrew Alia finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Illinois State took the lead for good with 19:41 to go in the first half. The score was 47-32 at halftime, with Walker racking up 11 points. Illinois State turned a nine-point second-half lead into a 17-point advantage with an 8-0 run to make it a 62-45 lead with 11:53 left in the half. Coleman scored 14 second-half points.

ISU travels to Evansville on Monday. 
 

Ben Schwieger had 15 points in Northern Iowa Panthers' 61-49 victory against Bradley Braves on Friday.

Will Hornseth scored 10 points and added nine rebounds and six assists for the Panthers (15-9, 7-6 Missouri Valley Conference). Kyle Pock finished with 10 points.

Jaquan Johnson finished with 14 points for the Braves (16-9, 9-5).

Northern Iowa took the lead for good with 6:54 remaining in the first half. The score was 30-23 at halftime, with Pock racking up 10 points. Hornseth led the way with a team-high eight second-half points.

Bradley hosts Belmont on Monday.

The Clinton Maroons were defeated by the Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals by a final score of 77-44 in the championship game of the Central Illinois Conference Tournament on Friday night at Tuscola. 

The Maroons fell behind early, trailing 21-13 after the first quarter, and 36-22 at the half. They held pace with the Cardinals in the third quarter, with the score being 58-41 heading into the final frame.

Clinton caught the turnover bug in the fourth quarter and only managed a three-pointer from Jaeden Bell.

Keaton Graves led the Maroons with 14 points, and Bell had 12. Keagan Daughtrey had nine points, seven of which came in the first half. 

Drew Czajkowski led all scorers with 20 points for Warrensburg-Latham. Nathan Southern added 18 points, while Alex Hardin had 14. Easton McKenzie and Brennan Bonds scored 13 and 12, respectively. 

With the loss, Clinton falls to 20-7 and 3-1 in the Central Illinois Conference. Warrensburg Latham improves to 23-4 and 4-0 in the CIC. The Cardinals take home the CIC Tournament Trophy. 

Clinton will play host to Central A&M on Friday the 13th. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM.

Tune in to the next Clinton Sports broadcast as the Lady Maroons take on the undefeated Mt. Pulaski Lady Hilltoppers. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM. Hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 
 

The Clinton Lady Maroons continue their reign over the Central Illinois Conference, as they took down the Central A&M Lady Raiders by a final score of 77-37 on Thursday night in Clinton. 

The Lady Maroons came out strong, building a 27-7 lead after the first quarter. Central A&M held on in the second quarter for the 42-20 deficit going into the half. From there, Clinton turned the heat back up and made it 61 to 30 after the third. 

Clinton was led by Carly Anderson, who scored 20 points. Lilah Cluver had 17, while Avery Smith had 14. Clara Dempsey added 11 points. No Maroons scorer had fewer than seven, and the team made seven threes. 

Kylee Snearly led all scorers with 21 points for the Lady Raiders. Callie Robertson had seven. 

With the win, Clinton improves to 24-4 and 5-0 in the CIC. They have won 20 games in a row. Central A&M falls to 4-20 and 0-4 in conference play. 

The Lady Maroons will host the Mt. Pulaski Lady Hilltoppers on Monday. Tipoff is at 7:30 PM. Hear all the action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

Tune in to WHOW tonight as the boys try to claim the CIC Tournament Championship in Tuscola against the Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals. Tipoff is at 8 PM.
 

The Monticello Lady Sages took the lead by 10 entering the final frame, but the Bloomington Central Catholic Lady Saints fought back for the 48-42 victory in a girls' Illini Prairie Conference tilt in Monticello. 

The Lady Sages trailed 25-20 at the half, but used a big third quarter to lead 35-25 going into the fourth quarter. They were held to just seven points in the final eight minutes, compared to BCC's 18. 

Monticello was led by Ali Weidner with 15 points. Sarah Cresap had 14 points. 

With the loss, Monticello falls to 15-14 and 3-6 in the Illini Prairie. The Lady Saints improve to 15-10 and 7-2 in conference play. 

The Lady Sages will play host to Williamsville next, on Tuesday at 7:00 PM. 

Tune in tonight as the boys go on the road to Bloomington Central Catholic. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM, and you can hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 
 

In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello made just one three-point attempt, and Pontiac pulled away for a 66-48 win in Illini Prairie Conference high school boys basketball Tuesday night in Monticello.

The Sages struggled from the get-go and never got any momentum going, making just one of their 19 three-point attempts. 

The Indians made nine three-pointers, led by Evan Wolf's six, and finished with 18 points. Amazin King had 18 points for Pontiac as well. Anderon Horning and Cayden Masching each scored ten points.

Matthias Rudolp and Jake Motsegood each had 12 to lead Monticello. Nolan Buehnerkemper had nine points and nine rebounds for the Sages. Buehnerkemper was the State Bank of Bement player of the game.

Aden Brummel had a game-high 14 rebounds for Pontiac, who outrebounded Monticello 42-30. 

Pontiac goes to 17-5 overall and 6-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference. 

Monticello drops to 13-9 overall and 2-4 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They travel to Bloomington Central Catholic on Friday night. Tip-off is 7 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Pontiac started fast and never looked back in a 58-43 win over Monticello on Tuesday night from Pontiac High School in Illini Prairie Conference high school girls basketball action.

Sara Cresap was the only Monticello player to reach double figures with 12 points.

The Lady Indians led 14-8 after the first quarter, stretching it to a 28-20 lead at the break, and came out on fire in the third quarter, going up 47-32 after three quarters.

The Lady Sages drop to 15-13 overall and 2-4 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They will host Bloomington Central Catholic on Thursday.

Caebrin Lee scored 19 of his game-high 32 points in the first half, and Maroa-Forsyth blew out Illini Central 89-40 in Sangamo Conference high school boys basketball action on Tuesday night in Maroa.

Lee scored 16 points in the first quarter. Coby Lane added 18 points for the Trojans while Grady Rose finished with 12 points. 

The Trojans go to 14-7 overall and 1-1 in the Sangamo Conference. They will travel to Athens on Friday.