OTT_PrepBasketball 111518

KEEPING IT

2018-2019 Prep Basketball Preview

Celebrating the 100th playing of the Little Ten Conference Tournament

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Prep Basketball Preview

Thursday, November 15, 2018

The Times - Delivering Your Community

A CENTURY OF CHAMPIONSHIPS Little Ten Conference Boys Basketball Tournament will celebrate 100 years The decade starting with 1920 was one of change, growth and new beginnings.

In the United States, it is frequently referred to as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age. In Europe, the time is sometimes referred to as the Golden Age Twenties, and in France, it’s called the Crazy Years due to the era’s artistic, social and cultural progress — all this just 13 months after the end of World War I. The opening months of 1920 saw its share of news in the world of sports as well.

Baseball ruled to outlaw pitches involving tampering with the ball. The National Negro Baseball League was organized.

The first artificial

Contributed

The 1920 Sandwich cagers captured the first Little Ten Conference Tournament championship. The starting five for Sandwich that year were guards Lowell Anderson and John Woodward, forwards Ivan Cook and Russel Rasmusen, and center Ray Fanning. Substitutes were Glenn Klotz, Coleman Woodbury, Donald Dickinson, Harry Vanderhyden, Ansel Anfinson and Clark Keene. The coach was Franklin Kietzman.

MARQUETTE CRUSADERS

Brian Hoxsey rabbit was used at a dog track, and the trade of Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankess began the so-called Curse of the Bambino.

The first week of March that year also saw the very first Little Ten Conference Boys Basketball Tournament played at Sandwich, with the hosts topping Rollo 16-9.

See CENTURY, page 5

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Prep Basketball Preview

Thursday, November 15, 2018

n 3

Late-starting Crusaders are winners at heart Despite some question marks, Marquette promises to be solid CHARLIE ELLERBROCK cellerbrock@shawmedia.com 815-431-4035

baseball squads. It’s now just a matter of finding their basketball legs and recovering from a myriad Marquette Academy’s of bumps and bruises Todd Hopkins is notofrom their playoff footriously closed-mouthed ball run to get started. when asked what to “One thing I know expect from his teams, be about these kids from last they baseball or basketyear’s Marseilles Tourball. The veteran coach ney championship, from in both sports doesn’t the baseball run (4th in like giving early-season 1A) and from football (unfoes an idea of what to defeated regular season), look for when their teams they’ve been battle-testmeet. ed, and they know how But this year for basket- to win,” said Hopkins. ball, Hopkins is telling “That doesn’t mean we’ll the truth when he says be good or bad, but it that right now, he doesn’t does mean they can come know what he’s got going together to achieve the for him, other than what things they want, and he remembers from last we’ll see what happens.” season’s 17-11 season. In The Marquette backfact, his Crusaders didn’t court is without doubt have a practice the first one of the better ones week. in The Times area, with But rest assured, MA seniors Jack Snook, will eventually be one of Logan Komater and Nate the more solid teams in Melvin.

The Times area, drawing Snook, a Times Second on experience in the high- Team All-Area honoree, ly successful football and was outstanding in his junior season, averaging ROSTER 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, PLAYER POS. HT. YR. 5.8 assists Vance Childers F 6-2 Sr. and 1.9 steals Connor Durdan F 6-4 Sr. an outing Bryce Jones F 6-5 Sr. on his way Logan Komater G 5-10 Sr. to earning a Nate Melvin G 5-9 Sr. unanimous Max Mitchell F 6-2 Sr. spot on the Hayden Price F 6-0 Sr. Tri-County Jack Snook G 6-0 Sr. All-ConferChase Thumm C 6-5 Sr. ence Team.

Jonathan Ugolini G 5-7 Sr. His efforts in Gabe Amacon G 6-0 Jr. Marquette’s Jalen Flavel G 5-4 Jr. winning Sean Kissel G 5-10 Jr. its own Luke Couch G 5-9 So. Marseilles Victor Mullen F 6-5 So. Holiday HEAD COACH: Todd Hopkins Tournament, including accounting SCHEDULE for 27 points and the DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME assist on the 11/27 ST. BEDE 7 p.m. game-win11/30 MIDLAND 7:30 p.m. ning hoop 12/1 at LaMoille 5:30 p.m. in the tri12/4 SOMONAUK 7 p.m. ple-overtime 12/7 ROANOKE-BEN. 7:30 p.m. champion12/8-15 at Colmone Classic TBD ship game 12/18 AMBOY 7 p.m. against 12/21 at Joliet Catholic 7 p.m.

Indian Creek, 12/26-29 MARSEILLES HOLIDAY TBD earned him 1/4 at Woodland 7:30 p.m. that event’s 1/5 at Leland 6:30 p.m.

MVP. 1/11 at DePue 7:30 p.m.

Komater, 1/12 at Mendota 2:30 p.m. also a three1/15 at Putnam County 7:30 p.m. year starter, 1/18 PEORIA CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m. is a versatile 1/21-25 at Tri-County Tourney TBA scorer and 1/29 SANDWICH 7 p.m. tough de2/1 at Henry-Sen. 7:30 p.m. fender, while 2/2 YORKVILLE CHRISTIAN 6:30 p.m.

Melvin is a 2/5 at Newark 7 p.m. strong threat 2/6 SERENA 7 p.m. from the arc.

2/8 LOWPOINT-WASH. 7:30 p.m.

Last year’s 2/15 SENECA 7:30 p.m. late-season

Jack Snook (24) posted averages of 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.9 steals in earning Tri-County All-Conference First Team and Times All-Area Second Team honors in 2017-18. call-up, now-sophomore Luke Couch, and junior Sean Kissel, the leading scorer from the JV team a year ago, lead a solid group of guards. Senior Jon Ugolini, junior Jalen Flavel and junior newcomer Gabe Amacon will provide depth.

The key to the Cru lies in the post, where 6-5 senior Chase Thumm and 6-2 senior Vance Childers

were both starters at times a year ago.

Thumm, a Times Third Team pick, netted 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists for the Cru and will lead a cast of otherwise unknown commodities.

A 6-2 senior, Max Mitchell, will be joined in the paint by 6-5 sophomore Vic Mullen, 6-5 senior Connor Durdan and a

The Times file

pair of newcomers, 6-5 senior Bryce Jones and 6-0 senior Hayden Price.

“We’ll be playing each game differently, both offensively and defensively,” Hopkins said, “because for a small school, we can play a lot of different ways — four guards and a post, traditional three guards and two posts, maybe five guards when we need to put on

pressure — depending on who we’re playing and how we match up. … Whatever way we go, we have to play better on defense than we did last year. We have to.

“I will say that I know we’ll be fun to watch.

That doesn’t mean we’ll even win a game, but we will be entertaining and hopefully successful, too.”

erts (So.) Streator — John Benckendorf (Sr.), Joey Byers

(Sr.), Noah Mascal (Sr.) Woodland — Nate Carby (Jr.), Collin Hjerpe (Jr.)

2017-2018 BOYS ALL-AREA TEAM 2017-18 Times All-Area Teams FIRST TEAM u Jimmy Braddish, Junior, Sandwich u Jeremy Durdan, Junior, Flanagan-Cornell u Dylan Patrick, Senior, Newark u Jakob Setchell, Junior, Serena u Mitch Vickers, Senior, Streator SECOND TEAM u Hunter Greve, Senior, Seneca u Wyatt Hill, Junior, Ottawa u Wes Jolly, Senior,

Streator u Jack Snook, Junior, Marquette Academy u Myles Tucker, Sophomore, Ottawa THIRD TEAM u Cam Grandy, Senior, Fieldcrest u Derek May, Junior, Fieldcrest u Chase Thumm, Junior, Marquette Academy u Kyle Voytko, Junior, Woodland u Nolan Wegener, Senior, Somonauk HONORABLE MENTION Leland-Earlville — Tyler Bretsch (Jr.) Fieldcrest — Hayden Carls

(Jr.), Jaxon Cusac-Mckay (Fr.) Flanagan-Cornell — Karson Kimpling (Jr.), Andrew Kozak (Jr.) Marquette — Austin Threadgill (Sr.), Logan Komater (Jr.) Newark — Corey Jacobson (Jr.), Brett Myre (Jr.) Ottawa — Kendall Brent (Sr.), Tyler Carson (Jr.) Paw Paw — Brandon Heiman (Sr.) Sandwich — Mike Frieders (Jr.) Seneca — Erik Bendt (Sr.), Owen Barnett (Jr.), Sam Grushkin (Jr.) Serena — Branden

Franzen (Sr.) Somonauk — Brady Kreiter (Sr.), Liam Rob-

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2018-19 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE

11/19 BOYS Marengo at Ottawa .................................. 6:30 11/20 BOYS Streator at Ottawa.................................... 8:00 11/23 BOYS Oak Forest at Ottawa............................... 7:00 11/24 BOYS Ottawa Dean Riley Tournament.............. TBA 11/27 BOYS Saint Bede at Marquette.......................... 7:00 11/30 DH Geneseo at Ottawa ...............................5:30/7:00 12/1 BOYS Marquette at LaMoille-Ohio ...................... 5:30 12/4 BOYS Somonauk at Marquette............................ 7:00 12/6 GIRLS Kaneland at Ottawa .................................. 7:00 12/7 BOYS Roanoke-Benson at Marquette ................. :30 12/8 BOYS Ottawa at Rock Island ............................... 6:30 12/13 GIRLS Marquette at Seneca ................................ :30 12/14 BOYS Ottawa at Rochelle .................................. 7:00 12/18 BOYS Amboy at Marquette ................................ 7:00 12/20 GIRLS Marquette Christmas Shootout ............. TBA 12/21 BOYS Ottawa at Sterling .................................... 7:00 12/22 GIRLS Christmas Tournament .......................... TBA 1/3 GIRLS Peoria Christian at Marquette.................... 7:30 1/4 BOYS Morris at Ottawa .......................................... 7:00 1/5 BOYS Marquette at Leland-Earlville ..................... 6:30 1/8 GIRLS Morris at Ottawa ......................................... 7:00 1/9 GIRLS Saint Bede at Marquette............................. 7:00 1/11 BOYS Marquette at DePue ................................... 7:30 1/12 DH Ottawa at DeKalb ....................................2:30/6:00

Newark’s Dylan Patrick was our 2017-18 Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

The Times file

1/14 BOYS Ottawa at Sandwich .................................. 7:00 1/15 BOYS Marquette at Putnam County ................... 7:30 1/17 GIRLS Sterling at Ottawa ..................................... 7:00 1/18 BOYS Peoria Christian at Marquette .................. 7:30 1/19 BOYS Moline at Ottawa ........................................ 6:00 1/22 GIRLS Earlville-Leland at Marquette................... 7:00 1/24 GIRLS Yorkville at Ottawa .................................... 7:00 1/25 BOYS Ottawa at La Salle-Peru ............................ 7:00 1/26 GIRLS Somonauk at Marquette ........................... 2:30 1/28 GIRLS Seneca at Ottawa ...................................... 5:30 1/29 BOYS Yorkville at Ottawa..................................... 7:00 1/30 GIRLS Indian Creek at Marquette........................ 7:00 2/1 BOYS Marquette at Henry-Senachwine ................ 7:30 2/2 GIRLS Ottawa at Serena ................................... 11 a.m.

2/2 BOYS Ottawa at Geneseo ...................................... 6:00 2/5 BOYS Marquette at Newark ................................... 7:00 2/6 BOYS Serena at Marquette .................................... 7:00 2/7 GIRLS La Salle-Peru at Ottawa.............................. 7:00 2/8 BOYS Rochelle at Ottawa ...................................... 7:00 2/12 BOYS Sandwich at Marquette ............................. 7:00 2/15 BOYS Seneca at Marquette ................................. 7:30 2/19 BOYS Ottawa at Streator ..................................... 7:00 2/22 BOYS La Salle-Peru at Ottawa ............................ 7:00

*Schedule subject to change

PLUS coverage from the Hall Colmone Classic (Dec. 9-16), Marseilles Holiday Tournament and Plano Christmas Classic (Dec. 26-29), and the Tri-County Conference Tournament (Jan. 21-25)

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Prep Basketball Preview

Thursday, November 15, 2018

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Pieces in place for Warriors to win in 2018-19 Six seniors set stage for Woodland rebound J.T. PEDELTY jtpedelty@shawmedia.com 815-431-4043

The Times file

Six-foot, four-inch forward Sam Grushkin (12) returns as part of a senior-heavy roster for this season’s Seneca Fighting Irish. “It’s been a while since we’ve had this kind of experience back,” said SHS head coach Russ Witte.

Deep senior class will be key to strong Fighting Irish season Seven three-year varsity players have Seneca thinking big CHARLIE ELLERBROCK cellerbrock@shawmedia.com 815-431-4035 Sometimes having history repeat itself is a good thing.

Seneca head coach Russell Witte can’t help but compare his 2018-19 Fighting Irish with his club from back in 2013-14, when a strong and deep class led the program to 25-5 and 24-6 records and regional championships in back-toback seasons.

Now he has a big senior group that as sophomores won the Interstate Eight Conference title, then as juniors paced Seneca to an 18-13 mark and another regional title at Lisle before falling to Momence at the Clifton Central Sectional.

Can the Irish match or improve on that record and regional crown?

If they can step up their conditioning a bit in order to improve a mini-preseason shooting slump and make stronger their man

defense to complement their already stifling ballpress, one shouldn’t bet against them.

Witte graduated starters Hunter Greve, a Times All-Area Second Team selection, and Honorable Mention pick Erik Bendt from that club, but he has 10 seniors available this year, seven of whom have been playing varsity ball at least part-time since their sophomore season.

See SENECA, page 5

When talking about his Warriors during the opening week of IHSA-sanctioned practice, second-year Woodland head coach Connor Kaminke used phrases such as “coming together,” “settling in” and “falling into place” a lot.

That makes sense, as the 2018-19 Warriors appear to be a team ready to turn a corner and challenge for the program’s first winning season since 2012-13 and first regional title since the late 1980s.

Eight players — including six seniors who all saw significant minutes and made significant contributions to last winter’s 9-20 squad which won four straight before a nailbiting regional semifinal loss to Grant Park at the Warrior Dome — return for Kaminke, giving the Warriors confidence this season could be the one where things line up both on the court and in the win column when the season gets going in next week’s Route 17 Classic co-hosted by Woodland and Dwight.

“Things are looking pretty good,” Kaminke said. “I really like the things I’m starting to see.

This being my second year (as head coach), the program’s finally starting to settle in with that ‘allin’ approach we had last year. As a team we have a really good mindset as a group of kids who are on the same page, really playing together for each other with passion.

“I’m really looking forward to this season.

It’s been really cool to see how everything is starting to fall into place ... and it’s going to be nice to see us pick up where we left off last season.”

Four of Woodland’s returning starters are three- or four-year varsity starters, led by elec-

tric guard Kyle Voytko in just under 20 games (12.5 ppg, 2.6 apg, 2.6 spg, last season and will see Times their roles All-Area increased.

Third Joining the Team in half dozen 2017-18), seniors are the versareturning tile inside/ guards outside Tommy Collin Kress Hjerpe and point (9.6 ppg, guard 6.9 rpg, 2.0 prospect apg, Times Sean BunHonorable dy, as well CONNOR KAMINKE Mention) as varsity and the newcomWoodland head coach guard ers Brad tandem of Simpson, reliable Tyler Jenkins Ethan Stimmel, Chris(6.2 ppg, 1.4 apg) and tian Miller, transfer from high-ceiling Nate Carby the other side of Twelfth (7.2 ppg, 1.9 apg, Times St. wing Dameon Hunter, Honorable Mention).

Cody Dodge and fresh“These guys are our man forward Phoenix core leaders,” said KaCooper. minke. “They’re familiar Consistency — both with me and my expecfor the new blood and tations for them and especially a senior group this program, and it’s which has been hot and nice to start Day 1 with cold the past couple them knowing what to seasons — will be key for expect and holding all Woodland, as will getting their younger teammates off to a better start than accountable.” last season.

Fellow seniors Mason “Last year our goal was Ewing (0.6 ppg) at small right around that .500 forward and Trevor Dermark,” said Kaminke. ossett (1.5 ppg) at guard both logged minutes See WOODLAND, page 5

‘It’s been really cool to see how everything is starting to fall into place.’

The Times file

Kyle Voytko (21) is one of six returning seniors this winter for the Woodland Warriors. Voytko was a Tri-County All-Conference and Times All-Area third teamer last season, coming on strong down the stretch to finish averaging 12.5 points, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals per contest.

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Prep Basketball Preview

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Thursday, November 15, 2018

n 5

ROSTER NO. PLAYER 2 Owen Barnett 3 Zakk Gonnam 4 Creighton O’Boyle 10 Joey Thomas 11 Logan Bruss 12 Sam Grushkin 14 Cruz Pena 15 Connor Greve 20 Ben Krause 21 Nate Armbrust 22 T.J. VanNess 23 Cody Carey 24 Brody Baudino 34 Riley Punke 35 Trey Thorsen 40 Tommy Cahill 42 Landon Bruss-Saager HEAD COACH: Russ Witte

Seneca

From page 4

The Times file

Senior point man Jimmy Braddish (with ball) is already a 1,000-point scorer and will look to take over as Sandwich’s all-time leading scorer and lead the Indians back above the .500 mark this season after a 14-15 mark a year ago.

Indians talented, experienced and ready to win Braddish father/ son combo will lead Sandwich BILL LIDINSKY For The Times After the 2017-18 campaign, Sandwich varsity basketball coach Brennan Callahan surprised many by resigning his position of five seasons to spend more time with his growing family. The Indians posted a 14-15 overall record and a 5-6 ledger within the Interstate Eight Conference during Callahan’s final campaign with only one senior on the ballclub.

To replace Callahan, SHS athletics director Tim Gipe turned to a familiar face, Callahan’s right-hand man and assistant coach Jim Braddish, to take over the helm this season.

“Brennan and I talked

ROSTER NO. PLAYER POS. 1 Devin Carrera G 3 Austin Ford G 5 Kyle Theurer G 10 Mike Frieders G 11 Jimmy Roop F 13 Carter Cech G 15 Bryan Leon G 21 Tristan Olson C 22 Wes Albright G 23 Jack Theurer G 24 Jimmy Braddish G 30 Rex Avery G 32 Andrew Poirier F 44 Luke Bell C HEAD COACH: Jim Braddish quite a bit, and it just came to a point where he needed to spend more time with his family, and we’ve coached together for a while, so it seemed like a natural fit,” Braddish said. “It made a lot of sense in terms of continuity with everyone coming back except one, and I think the guys are comfortable with me.

“I believe we can do some great things this

SCHEDULE DATE 11/19-24 11/27 12/1 12/4 12/7 12/15 12/21 12/26-29 1/4 1/5 1/11 1/14 1/18-25 1/29 2/1 2/5 2/8 2/9 2/12 2/15 2/19 2/22

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME at Sycamore Holiday TBA (see p. 12) BURLINGTON C. 6:45 p.m. at Woodstock Marian 3 p.m. at Westmont 7 p.m. at Coal City 6:45 p.m.

NEWARK 2:30 p.m.

PEOTONE 6:45 p.m. at Plano Classic TBD at Genoa-Kingston 7 p.m. at Somonauk 7 p.m. at Reed-Custer 7 p.m.

OTTAWA 6:45 p.m. at I-8 Tournament TBD at Marquette 7 p.m.

MANTENO 6:45 p.m. at Herscher 6:45 p.m.

LISLE 6:45 p.m.

STILLMAN VALLEY 4:45 p.m.

WILMINGTON 6:45 p.m. at Streator 6:45 p.m. at Dixon 6:45 p.m.

PLANO 6:45 p.m.

Century From page 2 The Little Ten Conference is the oldest continually-running high school basketball conference in the state of Illinois and was organized during the 1919-1920 school year with Earlville, Hinckley, Leland, Paw Paw, Plano, Rollo, Sandwich, Shabbona, Somonauk and Waterman as its charter schools. A conference tournament has been an annual event every season, and for many years has been held at the end of January.

This season’s gathering, from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, will mark the 100th Little Ten Conference Tournament.

Sheridan was added in 1930, but dropped in 1939 with Serena taking its place. Rollo closed in 1954. Hinckley consolidated with Big Rock in 1957 to form Hinckley-Big Rock. In 1967, Sandwich and Plano left, and Newark and Malta joined. Shabbona and Waterman consolidated to form Indian Creek in 1993, thus shortening the conference to nine teams. LaMoille joined in 1996. Malta closed in 2000.

Kirkland Hiawatha joined in 2006, and that same year Earlville and Leland combined athletic programs to form Leland-Earlville.

This season, Leland and Earlville are back to separate programs,

HT. 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-4 5-10 6-4 5-9 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-4

YR. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr.

year together.”

First and foremost on the whopping nine-senior and five-junior roster is Braddish’s son, senior Jimmy Braddish. The 6-foot, 1-inch point guard collected a treasure-trove of accolades in his junior campaign and will now lead the long list of 12 varsity returnees.

Throughout his highlight-filled season, the younger Braddish amassed 614 points, good enough for a dynamic 21.2 points per game, He eclipsed the 1,000-point scoring mark and now stands in second place on the all-time SHS scoring list with 1,127 tallies, behind only Indian legend Seth Hill (1996-99), who scored 1,560 points during his fabulous career.

Jimmy Braddish also averaged 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists last year along with being named to the Plano Christmas Classic All-Tournament Team, leading the event by scoring 91 points over a four-game span.

He was also an I-8 All-Conference selection, a Times All-Area First Team pick, and he capped off his remarkable junior campaign by winning the

This season’s gathering, from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, will mark the 100th Little Ten Conference Tournament. while Paw Paw has joined with Indian Creek.

In the previous 99 LTC loop tournaments, Newark has walked away champions a record 21 times, followed by Serena with 16 titles, Waterman 15, Somonauk 11, Shabbona and Hinckley-Big Rock 10 each, Earlville 7, Paw Paw, Leland, Plano and Sandwich two each, and Malta one.

Waterman holds the record for consecutive tournament championships with seven (1929-1937).

Newark has had a pair of streaks reaching four (1985-1988; 20152018) and Serena one such streak (1963-1966).

The Times area also has a number of non-LTC schools which will participate in long-standing tournaments just before the regular season moves aside for the postseason.

Marquette, Woodland and Seneca will join the other members of the Tri-County Conference for the league’s 93rd get-together, while Fieldcrest and Flanagan-Cor-

IHSA Class 3A 3-point shooting title before capturing the statewide King of the Hill 3-point championship.

“It was a pretty special year for me personally, but I really want to see us do better as a team this season and win 20 or 25 games,” Jimmy Braddish said. “That would mean more to me than any individual accomplishments I could achieve. I think we’ve got a great shot to do some really special things with almost everybody back from last year’s team.”

Senior Carter Cech (64) will join Jimmy Braddish in the backcourt along with senior Mike Frieders (6-3). Cech and Frieders both averaged close to seven points and four rebounds as juniors.

“I put a lot of hard work in the gym over the summer, and I’m hoping to increase my scoring average to at least 10, 12 or even 15 points per game,” Cech said. “Like Jimmy said, I think 20 to 25 wins is a very realistic goal for this team. So is a regional championship and a conference championship.

“If we keep working hard, we’ve got a great chance to get there. All gas, no brakes from here.”

Other returnees who saw a lot of action last season are senior forward Jimmy Roop (6-3, 7 ppg, 4 rpg), senior center Luke Bell (6-4), senior guard Bryan Leon (5-10) and junior guard/forward Rex Avery (6-2).

“We’ve got to be ready to go right away with a tough schedule to start,” Coach Braddish said.

“It’s going to be about building on successes and taking that next step toward making it a special season.”

nell will lace ‘em up at the 108th McLean County/Heart of Illinois Conference Tournament. The Interstate Eight Conference has been trying to get its tournament off the ground for a few years now, though it’s in store for a major revision next season when the conference completely transforms.

The TCC Tournament championship, which was first captured

by Lostant in 1927 after a 23-20 victory over Tonica, has been won by the Crusaders four times, including two of the last three seasons.

The first McLean County Tourney — which has doubled as the HOIC league tournament since that conference’s formation — was won by Lexington after defeating LeRoy 38-29 in 1911. Fieldcrest has won the championship in 2009, 2010 and 2012. Streator won the I-8 Tournament once during its brief stay in the league, in 2015.

As a Serena graduate and third-generation basketball player to play in the LTC Tournament for the Huskers, the history of the league was mostly a mystery to me until about 15 years ago when I started researching its past.

In that time, my findings in microfilm, museums and chatting with former players and coaches about the conference and its boys basketball tournament have been like opening a window to the past ... a window that hopefully can stay open for another 100 years.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had this kind of experience back,” Witte said. “It’s a group like we had back in 2013-14, one that’s been up (varsity) for a while, and their expectations are pretty high. Now we just have to figure out how to match that expectation with the work we need to do every single day.”

Witte explained that this year’s rotation will be senior-heavy, though with some contributions from the junior class. The most known quantities back are 5-10 senior point guard Owen Barnett, who has experience there but needs a little time to recover from a few football injuries, and 6-4 senior forward Sam Grushkin, one of the strongest and quickest slashers in the area.

The coach has a “three-headed monster” of senior shooting guards in 6-2 Logan Bruss, 6-1 Nate Armbrust and 6-2 Connor Greve. In relief of that trio will be 5-9 senior Zakk Gonnam providing tough defense as soon as he returns from an emergency appendectomy last

POS. G G G F G F G G G G G G F F F G F

HT. 5-10 5-9 5-9 5-11 5-11 6-4 5-9 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-4

YR. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

month, and 6-1 junior Cody Carey, the top scorer on last year’s JV team.

Working into the lineup will be 5-9 senior Cruz Pena, 5-9 junior Creighton O’Boyle, 5-10 junior Ben Krause, 6-1 junior Tommy Cahill and 5-11 junior T.J. VanNess.

Joining the athletic Grushkin in the frontcourt will be a solid 6-2 senior, Brody Baudino, along with high-motor 6-1 senior Riley Punke and 6-1 junior Trey Thorsen in the rotation.

Trying to break in will be 5-11 senior Joey Thomas and 6-4 junior Landon Bruss-Saager.

“These kids are strong, they’re long, and they understand what we’re trying to do offensively and defensively,” said Witte.

“Hopefully that length will help us in our ballpress to cover some ground we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to, maybe get a few more deflections, and it gives us the opportunity to do some more things offensively than we have in the past.

“They have some lofty goals after getting a taste of it last year. We found we like that February/early March basketball, and we want to take it a step further this year.”

SCHEDULE DATE 11/19-24 11/30 12/7 12/8 12/11 12/14 12/18 12/26-29 1/4 1/5 1/8 1/11 1/18 1/19-25 1/26 2/1 2/5 2/9 2/12 2/15

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME SENECA TURKEY TBA (see p. 12) HENRY-SEN. 7:30 p.m. at Midland 7:30 p.m. at Morris 2 p.m. at Dwight 7 p.m. at Peoria Christian 7:30 p.m.

SERENA 7 p.m. at Marseilles Holiday TBA PUTNAM COUNTY 7:30 p.m. at Clinton Shootout TBA at Newark 7 p.m.

WOODLAND 7:30 p.m. at Lowpoint-Wash. 7:30 p.m. at Tri-County Tourney TBA ST. BEDE 6:45 p.m. at DePue 7:30 p.m.

COAL CITY 7 p.m. at Riverton Shootout TBA at Streator 7 p.m. at Marquette 7:30 p.m.

Woodland From page 4

Conference. Now that it’s 10 teams (with the addition of Seneca), I think finishing fourth or fifth would be a good goal for us.

“I think a good goal leaving the Route 17 would be 2-2, wherever those wins come from. ... I think that would set the tone for the rest of the season.”

“We weren’t quite at that point, but from where we started and where we finished, I think it kind of evened itself out winning seven of our last 12 and four of our last five. I think this year a good goal for us would be ROSTER to finish in that 14to 16-win mark.

NO. PLAYER POS. YR. “I really think 21 Kyle Voytko G Sr. it’s plausible too.

13 Collin Hjerpe F Sr. Looking at the 12 Nate Carby G Sr. schedule, you 22 Tyler Jenkins G Sr. always have those 30 Mason Ewing G/F Sr. games you circle 1 Trevor Derossett G Sr. and highlight, 20 Brad Simpson G Jr. those ones you have 32 Ethan Stimmel G Jr. to win, you should 41 Christian Miller F Jr. get, and there are 31 Tommy Kress G Jr. a lot of those. And 35 Dameon Hunter G/F Jr. conference-wise, I 45 Cody Dodge F Jr. think a great goal 11 Sean Bundy G So. would be to finish 23 Phoenix Cooper F Fr. in the top half of HEAD COACH: Connor Kaminke the (Tri-County)

SCHEDULE DATE 11/19-21 11/24 11/27 11/30 12/4 12/7 12/11 12/14 12/18 12/21 12/26-29 1/4 1/8 1/11 1/14 1/18 1/21-25 2/1 2/2 2/8 2/12 2/15

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME ROUTE 17 CLASSIC TBA (see p. 12) at Route 17 Finals (Dwight) TBD LAMOILLE-OHIO 7 p.m.

DEPUE 7 p.m. at Serena 6:30 p.m.

LOWPOINT-WASH. 7 p.m. at Tri-Point 6:30 p.m. at Midland 7 p.m.

GARDNER-S. WILM. 7 p.m. at Earlville 6:30 p.m. at Marseilles Tourney TBD MARQUETTE 7 p.m. at Dwight 6:30 p.m. at Seneca 7 p.m.

LELAND 7 p.m.

HENRY-SEN. 7 p.m. at Tri-Co. Tourney TBD ROANOKE-BENSON 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Christian 6 p.m. at Peoria Christian 7 p.m.

LEXINGTON 7 p.m. at Putnam Co. 7 p.m.

6n

Prep Basketball Preview

Thursday, November 15, 2018

The Times - Delivering Your Community

’Pups to ’Dogs: New players step up for Doty at SHS Mason Benning, Grant Mascal leading returners from 19-win team J.T. PEDELTY jtpedelty@shawmedia.com 815-431-4043 If the Streator Bulldogs are going to post their third consecutive winning season and leave the Interstate Eight Conference in style, they’ll have to do it with a lot of new young men in the varsity rotation.

Only 7.2 percent of the 2017-18 Bulldogs’ scoring and 6.3 percent of last winter’s rebounding return from last winter’s 19-9 season. With those losses to Pomp and Circumstance, however, come opportunities for the players who do return/join this year’s varsity roster, according to head coach Beau Doty (10th season, 135-120) — now one win away from tying Ken Bublitz (136-145) for third place on SHS’s all-time winningest coaches list behind Bill Davies (142-97) and the man the Bulldogs’ gym is named for, Lowell “Pops” Dale (500-245).

“I thought we had a reThe Times file ally good offseason,” Doty Mason Benning (30, at left) and graduated teammate Joey Byers pressure a Westmont ballhandler last season. Now a junior, Benning is one of the few said. “It’s obvious what we Bulldogs back from 2018-19’s senior-heavy roster. lost when you look at the percentages, and when you have a strong senior class perience, is bursting with highlights including the “We’ll be tested right “I think getting the ball guys who will turn into like we had last season potential.

Plano Christmas Classic away, thrown into the fire, rolling and really starting veterans by that point of that’s going to happen ...

Christian Bedecker and (Dec. 26-29), Streator’s and we’ll see what we’re to come together around the season and have some but at the same time, we twins A.J. and Payton final — for the time being, made of,” said Doty. “GoalChristmas time for Plano experience under their have really high hopes Benning were featured men anyway — Interstate Eight wise, finishing over .500 (would be a goal) ... and belts from tough early for this group not only for at the underclass level last Conference Tournament for this group would be then playing our last five games, and we can use this year, but as we build winter and will be looking (Jan. 18-25) and a five-game an excellent goal with the games at home. Hopefully those last few games as a forward. to bring that to the varsity homestand (Feb. 8-22) to fact that we have so much we’ll be playing our best springboard into the post“Our senior group has Bulldogs. Posts Jimmy finish the regular season. inexperience. basketball and have some season.” done a good job setting the Tredway tone for and the intensity in 6-8 Jason practices.

Houch We have five promise to juniors and be forces four sophinside, as omores on does Max the varsity Baker — roster right one of four BEAU DOTY now, and we sophomores feel really playing up Streator coach good about along with their abili(on the new roster) the Benning ties. At the twins and same time, promising that rampperimeter player Amarion ing it up to varsity intensiFord — and high-energy ty, it takes time ... but we’re wing Carter Spears, a very high on this group’s transfer from Marquette. potential.”

It is a roster Doty says A half dozen players in all return after seeing var- “offers a little more depth offensively.” A commitment sity minutes last winter, with two of those — junior to defense and rebounding, a point-guard-by-committee guard Mason Benning (2.4 ppg, 43.2-percent from approach and developing on-the-floor cohesion will 3-point range) and senior forward Grant Mascal (1.3 be keys in what on paper might look like a retooling ppg, 36.4-percent on 3s) — season, but to these Bullhaving been regular-rotation guys. Logan Colter (15 dogs looks like an opportunity to surprise some games), Terrence Jordan teams and make their own (14 games), Chase Ramon (14 games) and Ruben Diaz winning paw print.

The Bulldogs will (13 games) are also back from last year’s squad and again open the campaign Thanksgiving week in look likely to earn larger Ottawa’s Dean Riley “Shooroles this season. tin’ the Rock” TournaThe rest of the roster, ment, with other schedule while not stuffed with ex-

STREATOR BULLDOGS

‘It offers a little more depth offensively.’

BASKETBALL

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ROSTER NO. PLAYER POS. 1 Chase Ramon G 2 Terrence Jordan G/F 3 Logan Colter G 4 Mason Benning G 5 Ruben Diaz G 10 Payton Benning G 12 A.J. Benning G 13 Amarion Ford G 23 Carter Spears F 24 Christian Bedecker G/F 30 Jimmy Tredway F/C 33 Max Baker F/C 44 Jason Houch C 55 Grant Mascal F/C HEAD COACH: Beau Doty

HT. 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-8 6-5

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Thursday, November 15, 2018

n 7

2018-19 Pirates hope to add to Ottawa hoops lore Nine seniors, Hill ready to lead way after 15-12 season KYLE NEVINS knevins@shawmedia.com 815-431-4085 Ottawa High School has a storied hoops past.

Veteran coach Mark Cooper and his staff have been preaching it to their players.

“As coaches and players, we’re very fortunate to have those that have come before us, you know, that have paved the path to create such a rich tradition of Ottawa basketball,” said Cooper, who enters his 15th season at the helm (234-145 record, .617 winning percentage) eight wins shy of passing Gary Vancil’s 241 from 1981-94 for third most in program history, “and we want to make sure our kids understand those who have come before us.

“And we’ve spent a lot of time trying to educate our kids on past Ottawa teams

and Kingman Gym and the history of Ottawa basketball.”

The 2018-19 edition of the Ottawa Pirates hope to add to that lore.

Ottawa returns a handful of regulars — including standouts Wyatt Hill and Myles Tucker — from last season’s 15-12 team and has added “another piece to the puzzle” via Florida, Dakota Deverteuil.

“We return a lot of kids that played heavy minutes a season ago, so hopefully we’re able to benefit from last season’s experience,” said Cooper, whose 15-player roster consists of nine 12th-graders and six juniors. “I think our kids have tried to buy into what we want to do. Overall, they’ve worked really hard and seem to be a cohesive group in terms of working with each other.

LEFT: Wyatt Hill (in white) returns for his fourth season playing varsity for head coach Mark Cooper’s Ottawa Pirates after averaging 11.6 points, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals per contest in 201718.

“Their skill level is good. We have a little bit of

length with interchangeable parts, so we’re able to

OTTAWA PIRATES BASKETBALL

mer’s 142 from 1986-89).

“Wyatt has been a stabilizing force in practice; communicating very well.

And just his leadership that he’s provided the other kids is on a different level than he’s had before. He seems to be in a really good place at The Times file this point,” Cooper said.

Tucker, a junior guard, led the Pirates in scoring play a little bit more posi(12.6 ppg; 53 3-pointers) tionless basketball, which and steals (1.8 per game) is kind of the ‘in thing’ at in addition to averaging this point.”

2.6 rpg and 2.0 apg, during Hill — a fourth-year var- his debut campaign as a sity veteran — averaged 10th-grader when he was 11.6 points (56 3-pointers), an All-NIB 12 West First 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists Teamer. Tucker followed and 1.4 steals per game that up with a nice showin 2017-18 when he was a ing on the AAU circuit unanimous selection to the with the Quad City Elite.

Northern Illinois Big 12 “Myles is a year older, Conference West Division a year stronger, he’s been First Team. The senior through a complete year of guard, who enters his final varsity preparation, so, you campaign in the Crimson know, we would expect him and White with 756 career to take a significant jump points, has played in 84 as a junior,” Cooper said. games (second in program “There’s going to be more history behind McKe asked of him to become the Tucker’s 85 from 2014-17) complete player that he’s and made 141 3s (tied for capable of being.” second with Harley Piercy, 1996-99, behind Tom KumSee OTTAWA, page 11

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8n

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Proven pieces return to lead way for Flanagan-Cornell Seniors Durdan, Kozak, Kimpling all back for Falcons JAMIE NEWELL For The Times The 2018-19 boys basketball season offers new possibilities for the Flanagan-Cornell Falcons thanks to some old, familiar faces.

The team will try to improve on its 12-16 record from a year ago, returning a handful of key kids from that team including two-time Times All-Area First Team pick Jeremy Durdan, who returns for his senior season. Durdan averaged a double-double last season with 20.4 points per game and 10.7 rebounds.

“Jeremy is a heck of a player,” said Flanagan-Cornell 10th-year head coach Brian Yoder. “I am anxious to have him as a senior player. He is hard worker. He was probably more excited about November 5th (first day of practice) than I was.

He was coming in and out of the office every day.

He works a lot and puts a lot of time in the gym shooting a lot of shots and

ROSTER NO. PLAYER POS. 0 Andrew Kozak G 1 Isaac Weber G 2 Mike Moranville F 3 John Trainor G 4 Sam Jones G 11 J.D. Ruddy G 14 Kam Tower G 20 Mason Grace G 21 Drew Eckhoff G 23 Jeremy Durdan F 24 Braden Wallace G 30 Tyler Pfaff G 33 Karson Kimpling F 55 Tyler Harms F HEAD COACH: Brian Yoder also played on the AAU circuit.”

Last season as a junior, Durdan — who transfered to FCHS after his freshman year — reached the 1,000-career-point plateau in the Falcons’ 54-28 win over Leland-Earlville at the Marseilles Christmas Tournament. This season the 6-2 forward seems likely to reach 1,000 points for his Flanagan-Cornell career, as his 974 points during his sophomore and junior seasons leave him needing just 26 to reach the magical 1,000-point mark as a Falcon.

“The thing about Jeremy is that he can play, he can finish, he can rebound, and he can score,”

SCHEDULE DATE 11/19-24 11/27 11/30 12/4 12/7 12/11 12/14 12/18 12/22 12/26-29 1/4 1/8 1/11 1/14 1/18 1/19-26 1/29 2/1 2/5 2/8 2/12 2/15

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME at Route 17 Classic TBA (see p. 12) at Reed-Custer 7:00 p.m. at Gibson City-MS 7:00 p.m. at Ridgeview 7:00 p.m. at Fieldcrest 7:00 p.m.

EL PASO-GRIDLEY 7:00 p.m.

DEE-MACK 7:00 p.m.

HEYWORTH 7:00 p.m. at Central A&M Shootout 2:45 p.m. at Marseilles Christmas TBA DELAVAN 7:00 p.m.

TRI-VALLEY 7:00 p.m.

OLYMPIA 7:00 p.m. at Normal Calvary 7:30 p.m.

TREMONT 7:00 p.m. at HOIC/McLean Co. Tourney TBA at Fisher 7:00 p.m. at LeRoy 7:00 p.m. at Lexington 7:00 p.m.

TRI-POINT 7:00 p.m. at Roanoke-Benson 7:00 p.m. at Eureka 7:00 p.m.

HT. 6-0 5-8 5-8 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-7 5-9 5-9 6-2 6-2 5-10 6-4 6-2

YR. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr.

Yoder said. “He is kind of good to have in your back pocket as a coach.”

Flanagan-Cornell also returns two Times All-Area Honorable Mention picks in 6-4 senior forward Karson Kimpling (10.4 points per game) and 6-0 senior guard Andrew Kozak (8.0 points per game).

“Karson is a big kid and has done a good job of getting himself in shape,” Yoder said. “He has lost a lot of weight since he got to high school. He is a lean 6-3, 6-4. He has put himself in a position to get up and down the floor.”

One player that Yoder is high on is senior guard John Trainor, starting his fourth year in the program.

“John hasn’t seen much time in his career,” Yoder explained. “Last year, he helped us out on the JV level since we only had 15 players in our program.

He doesn’t get a lot of time on the floor, but ... if every kid had John’s heart, he would be the kid you would want.”

Yoder is looking for leadership from seniors Durdan, Trainor, Kozak and Kimpling. Another senior in the mix for playing time is Mike Moranville, who is back on the Falcons roster after sitting out his junior year with an injury.

Six juniors are also a part of the Falcons roster, and one thing Yoder will lean on from them is their experience.

“I kind of feel bad for our juniors,” Yoder said. “Issac Weber, Tyler

The Times file

Flanagan-Cornell’s Tyler Harms (at right), shown in this file photo battling his Woodland counterpart for a rebound, promises to be a strong post presence for head coach Brian Yoder’s Falcons.

Harms, Drew Eckhoff, Braden Wallace and Kam Tower have been thrown to the fire since they were freshmen. We didn’t have any seniors in our whole program last year. The year before that we had two seniors.”

Yoder likes what he has seen from Weber, a 5-8 guard.

“Issac has come a long way since his freshman year,” Yoder said. “His body has gotten a little taller. He has gotten a little stronger. His shot has gotten better. If you go with work ethic, he is right up there with Jeremy (Durdan). We are expecting a lot out of him.”

Rounding out the Falcons roster are junior Mason Grace and freshmen Sam Jones, J.D. Ruddy and Tyler Pfaff.

Flanagan-Cornell tips off the season on Monday at the Route 17 Classic at Woodland when it faces fellow Heart of Illinois Conference member Ridgeview.

Returnees make Fieldcrest FIELDCREST KNIGHTS BASKETBALL a difficult team to beat SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT FIELDCREST’S BASKETBALL TEAM

High-octane Knights look fueled for another winning year CHARLIE ELLERBROCK cellerbrock@shawmedia.com 815-431-4035 Fieldcrest coach Matt Winkler has been extremely successful as the only coach the Knights have ever had because he has always been able to adjust his method and game plans to the personnel he has.

This year, very little tinkering with style will be needed. In fact, he’ll have to do none at all.

Times All-Area Third Team honoree and standout post player Cam Grandy, who netted 11.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.6 blocks his senior year, is gone via graduation. While that is a big loss, literally and figuratively, back is the rest of the starting lineup — including another Times Third-Teamer, Derek May — and the sixth man from last year’s The Times file 19-11 team’s run through Big man Clay Wells (44) will move from sixth-man post the El Paso-Gridley 2A Regional championship presence to the starter in the middle for head coach Matt and into the final of the Winkler’s 2018-19 Fieldcrest Knights.

Clifton Central Sectional. said Winkler. “But there’s got to be able to stop the There, it played tough before going cold from the good news with all we other team. We have to have back. field late get better defensively. We We’ll be a and falling got better and better as very simto statethe season progressed ilar team, ranked last year, and that helped and that’s Chicago us do as well as we did, fine with Corliss. especially at the end.” me.

“Cam Facing a tough Heart of “I love was a great Illinois Conference slate this style, scorer, and several tough tourup and rebounder neys, this year’s Knights down the and a huge should be a more-expefloor, press, rienced version of last presence run, shoot blocking year’s club, only with 6-5 MATT WINKLER a lot of 3s, shots in the senior Clay Wells, the forand the middle, so mer sixth man, stepping Fieldcrest coach guys love it, into Grandy’s starting those are too. The key center position. big shoes to will be, as fill, he did any coach knows, you’ve so many things for us,” See FIELDCREST, page 11

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Thursday, November 15, 2018

n 9

Earlville looking for fresh start, winning campaign Dictating tempo an early-season key for Red Raiders BRIAN HOXSEY bhoxsey@shawmedia.com 815-431-4052

ROSTER NO. PLAYER POS. YR. 23 Tyler Bretsch C/F Sr. 32 Brennan Sweeney G/F Sr. 15 Cody Fitzgerald F Sr. 4 Dalton Gast G Sr. 10 Pedro Barrera G Sr. 1 Collin Fasking G Sr. 3 Landon Larkin G Jr. 13 Johann Rico G Jr. 12 Elyot Ohme G Jr. 14 Hayden Bomstad F Jr. 50 Branson Vahl F Jr. 35 Noah Lemke C/F So. 33 Davis Sweeney G So. HEAD COACH: Gerald Fruit

Just before the Little Ten Conference Tournament last season, Gerald Fruit moved from the junior-varsity skipper into the head coaching role of the Leland-Earlville co-op as being ahead on the scoreboard the team went even in its last when the buzzer sounds. I also eight games to finish 12-16. think using the strengths your This season, with the co-op team has while also trying to dissolved and the Earlville and capitalize on your opponents Leland programs functioning weaknesses is a key as well. on their own, Fruit will guide That changes from game to the Red Raiders, who feature a game, so also being flexible on wealth of returning talent including six seniors, five juniors both ends of the floor is something that we’ll have to excel at. and a pair of sophomores on “We want to dictate play, not the roster. our oppo“It has nent.” been defiAccording nitely SCHEDULE to Fruit, different leading the without the DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME way for Leland kids.

11/19-25 at Route 17 (Dwight) TBD (p. 12) Earlville They were a 11/28 at Mooseheart 7 p.m. this season great group, 11/30 at Hinckley-BR 7 p.m. will be sebut this 12/4 MENDOTA 7 p.m. nior forEarlville 12/5 at DePue 6 p.m. wards Tyler group is 12/7 LAMOILLE 7 p.m.

Bretsch and great as 12/10 IMSA 7 p.m.

Brennan well,”said 12/13 at Parkview Christian 6:30 p.m.

Sweeney.

Fruit, who 12/14 at Serena 7 p.m.

A solid was a stand12/21 WOODLAND 7 p.m. post player, out player 1/5 YORKVILLE C. 7 p.m.

Bretsch at Leland 1/7 at Midland 7 p.m. was a in the late 1/11 SOMONAUK 7 p.m. unanimous 1970s. “We 1/15 NEWARK 7 p.m. all-conferstill have 1/17 at Cornerstone 7 p.m. ence pera lot to get 1/25 at Indian Creek 7 p.m. former a done even 1/28-2/1 Little Ten Tourney TBD year ago, avafter a week 2/8 at Leland 7 p.m. eraging 10.5 of practice, 2/13 HIAWATHA 7 p.m. points and but I’m 9.1 rebounds confident per contest. we’ll get all of that taken care of before our Sweeney is a great team player who will help out in any facet first game. of the game that is needed.

“I’ve been around basketball “Tyler and Brennan are the my whole life, and I’ve always leaders for sure, and we’ll have had some of my own ideas that I’ve picked up from my coaches to take advantage of Tyler inside for sure. He has really in high school and college that worked hard on his game, and I I feel can make a team successful. I feel controlling the tempo think he is going to have a really good season,” said Fruit. of the game can be a big key to

The Times file

Earlville senior center Tyler Bretsch (23), shown working against the Woodland defense last season, was a unanimous Little Ten All-Conference selection as a junior after averaging 10.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game.

Earlville will also look for “I would like to say we are scoring on the going to a manperimeter from to-man defensive senior guard team for the Dalton Gast, most part, and junior Landon I feel we have Larkin and the players who sophomore can play that Davis Sweeney. defense well and The Red Raiders together,” Fruit will also need said. “We will be contributions always looking to from seniors throw a press on Cody Fitzgerald, when need be or Pedro Barrera if the opportuniand Collin Faskty comes up. We ing; juniors Joalso have been GERALD FRUIT hann Rico, Elyot working hard Earlville coach Ohme, Hayden on breaking the Bomstad and press as well, Branson Vahl; because many of and sophomore Noah Lemke. the teams we are going to play

‘I feel controlling the tempo of the game can be a big key to being ahead on the scoreboard when the buzzer sounds.’

I think will try and force us to play a little faster than we want.”

Fruit said the last month of last season was a challenge for him, but he is looking forward to seeing how his philosophies and strategies will do when his team opens play at the Route 17 Classic in Dwight on Monday.

“As a junior-varsity coach, you work within the system the varsity coach sets,” said Fruit.

“The end of last season was tough in the sense that there wasn’t a lot of time to really put in some of the things I would have liked.

“However, this year I have been able to put in those concepts I like, and the kids have really taken those on well so far.”

New start of sorts for Leland Panthers this season Without seniors, renewed program will rely on youth BRIAN HOXSEY bhoxsey@shawmedia.com 815-431-4052 The last season Leland competed as its own boys basketball program was in 2004-05 when it finished 7-15, falling to Indian Creek 63-45 in the Somonauk Class A Regional quarterfinals.

The following year, the Panthers began their co-op with Earlville, but that agreement was not renewed last spring, leaving each program on its own for the first time in 12 seasons this winter.

First-year head coach Chris Abbott, who had been an assistant for the co-op the last handful of seasons, will lead a young Leland squad this year.

Abbott’s roster lacks a senior, but features nine juniors, three sophomores and a freshman.

“We’ve had some really good, strong practices for a first week,” Abbott said.

“We have a few new faces this year, but I’ve been happy so far with how they are all working together. We have a young team, but we do have a few kids with varsity experience. It will be an interesting year, but we will go out, play hard and hopefully grow and build off the previous game.

“We have been working hard on the fundamentals of the game. Again, we have a young team, but being fundamentally sound is a big key for every team, no matter the experience level. I talked to the kids at the very first practice about the fact that many of them had worked together at the junior-varsity level and that we need to continue now as varsity players to do that as well.

“This group really

works together and supports each other ... continuing that will be a big key for us this season, especially early.”

Abbott said that junior guards Evan Aviles, Michael Sansone and Jared

Fries have the most returning experience at the varsity level, and he’ll be leaning on them for production and leadership, but the coach is also hoping others will step up in those areas as well.

“I don’t think our offense is going to be molded around a couple of scorers,” Abbott said.

“I think we will be a balanced team with different guys stepping up each

game. I feel we will have a few players who have the ability to have a big night, which is exciting for me. My hope is that as the season progresses, we have more and more kids that gain confidence on the offensive end.”

Rounding out the roster for Leland this campaign will be: juniors Josh Creager, Lloyd Priebe, Nate Sachse, Eddie Silva, Logan Wesson, Dawson

Whittaker; sophomores Chase BlockROSTER er, Cameron PLAYER

POS. YR. Rodriguez, Josh Creager F Jr. Fernando Silva; and freshEvan Aviles G Jr. man Andrew Jared Fries

G Jr. Salisbury.

Lloyd Priebe G Jr. The PanNate Sachse G Jr. thers begin Michael Sansone G/F Jr. the season Eddie Silva

G

Jr. on Monday, Logan Wesson

G

Jr. taking on the Dawson Whittaker F Jr. host TimChase Blocker F

So. berwolves at Cameron Rodriguez G So. the Midland Tournament Fernando Silva G So. at 7:30 p.m.

Andrew Salisbury G Fr. “We have HEAD COACH: Chris Abbott talked about goals for the season, really set team goals like but I think a wins and such, because big key for us all season until we long will start playbe limiting actual ing our games those turnovers, may not be and on the reasonable other side goals for being able this team. to force turnovers “Once we on the get a few defensive games into end to the season, CHRIS ABBOTT hopefully those type give us of goals will Leland coach easy scorbe a little ing opporeasier to set tunities,” for the team said Abbott. “I haven’t to achieve.”

‘We have a young team, but being fundamentally sound is a big key.’

SCHEDULE

The Times file

Evan Aviles (middle) puts up a shot as a member of the Leland-Earlville co-op against Woodland last season. This season with Leland as its own program, Aviles, now a junior, will be one of many players looked upon to lead the Panthers on the floor.

DATE 11/19-24 11/28 11/30 12/7 12/10 12/14 12/21 12/26-29 1/5 1/10 1/14 1/15 1/24 1/25 1/28-2/1 2/4 2/8 2/9 2/12 2/15

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME at Midland Tourney TBD (see p. 12) at DePue 7 p.m.

INDIAN CREEK 7 p.m.

NEWARK 7:30 p.m. at Mooseheart 7 p.m. at Somonauk 7:30 p.m.

HIAWATHA 7:30 p.m. at Marseilles Holiday TBD MARQUETTE 6:30 p.m.

CHRISTIAN LIFE 7 p.m. at Woodland 7:30 p.m. at Serena 7 p.m.

IMSA 7 p.m. at LaMoille 7 p.m. at Little Ten Tourney TBD at Yorkville Christian 7:30 p.m.

EARLVILLE 7 p.m. at Indian Creek Shootout TBD at Midland 7 p.m. at Hinckley-Big Rock 7 p.m.

10 n

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Prep Basketball Preview

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Defense, rebounding both keys for Huskers this year Serena planning to build on last season’s .500 campaign

good first week of practice and SCHEDULE we had a tough summer, so I DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME really wasn’t 11/19-24 at Coal City Tip-Off TBD (p. 12) sure how 11/30 at Newark 7 p.m. things would 12/1 at Eastland Shootout 11:30 a.m. jell,” Twait 12/4 WOODLAND 7 p.m. said. “I think 12/7 at Somonauk 7 p.m. we will be able 12/14 EARLVILLE 7 p.m. to score the 12/18 at Seneca 7 p.m.

BRIAN HOXSEY basketball and 12/21 INDIAN CREEK 7 p.m. bhoxsey@shawmedia.com be a very good 12/26-29 at Marseilles Holiday TBD 815-431-4052 offensive team, 1/5 PLANO 6 p.m. but what has 1/8 at Henry-Sen. 7 p.m.

Serena boys basketball impressed me 1/11 at Hiawatha 7 p.m. coach Dain Twait would so far is that 1/15 LELAND 7 p.m. be the first to tell you the kids are 1/19 HALL 7 p.m. the 2017-2018 season was really buying 1/24 AMBOY 7 p.m. truly a roller-coaster ride into what we 1/25 MOOSEHEART 7 p.m. for the Huskers, but he want to do de1/28-2/1 at Little Ten Tourney TBD is hoping for less of a fensively. Team 2/4 CROSSROADS 7 p.m. bumpy journey. defense and 2/6 at Marquette 7 p.m.

The Huskers, which rebounding are 2/8 HINCKLEY-BR 7 p.m. played the entirety of last going to be the 2/11 at Ashton-Franklin C. 7 p.m. season without standout biggest keys 2/13 at IMSA 7 p.m.

Dawson Fuller, finished to us having 2/15 at LaMoille-Ohio 7 p.m.

15-15, including 6-2 in the a successful Little Ten Conference, season in my Team selection Jakob falling to Mooseheart in mind.

Setchell, who averaged a regional championship “We don’t have a lot of 20.6 points, 4.5 rebounds game. height, so keeping teams and 2.8 assists per outing Twait, in his fifth year off the offensive boards last year and meshed 74as Serena’s skipper, says will be huge. This group of-234 (31%) of his 3-point he is excited with all 15 really seems to get along attempts. players on his roster this well, and the first week of “Jakob is our shooting season and feels his team, practice definitely had a guard, but he’ll also see if it plays solid defense different feel to it.” some time at the point,” and rebounds the ball The Huskers return Twait said. well, could put together a leading scorer, unani“I think we will be a solid season. mous All-LTC pick and little more versatile of“I think we had a pretty Times All-Area First fensively, but everything will go through him when we have the ball. He is so much improved, and ROSTER he worked his butt off in PLAYER POS. HT. YR. the summer. His game AJ Kuhn G 5-11 Sr. changed when Dawson Brennen Marker F/C 6-2 Sr. was lost to injury and Riley McNelis G 5-8 Sr. he had to handle the ball Tyler Rohl G 5-9 Sr. much more than we anticRandy Schaefer F 6-4 Sr. ipated.

Jakob Setchell G 6-3 Sr. “I feel he’s going to have Joe Espinal G 5-8 Sr. a big year.”

Brandt Faivre G/F 5-10 Sr. Twait sees junior Porter Arneson G/F 6-0 Jr. Connor Baker holding Connor Baker G 5-9 Jr. the point guard spot, with Austin Boe G 5-8 Jr. classmates Tony Pusateri Wesley Hermann F 6-1 Jr. (5.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Jack Tony Pusateri G/F 6-2 Jr. Rogers, senior AJ Kuhn Jack Rogers G/F 5-10 Jr. (2.6 ppg) and sophomore Ivan Stafford G/F 6-0 So. Ivan Stafford also playing HEAD COACH: Dain Twait solid minutes at the guard

The Times file

Serena senior Jakob Setchell drives to the basket against Mooseheart during the Class 1A regional title game last year. Setchell averaged 20.6 points a game last season and was a Times All-Area First Team selection. and wing spots.

“We have Connor coming back after we brought him up to varsity right after the Marseilles Holiday Tournament last year, and he really solidified the point guard spot for us,” Twait said. “He is a player I really am hoping steps up even more than he did last year in our offense. Pusateri adjusted

to the speed of varsity play as the season went on, and AJ can score, but I’m hoping he steps into the role of a defensive specialist.”

Seniors Brennen Marker (4.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg) and newcomer Randy Schaefer will be asked to compete in the paint, while the latter has the range to step out away

from the basket.

Rounding out the Huskers’ roster are: seniors Riley McNelis, Tyler Rohl, Joe Espinal, Brandt Faivre; and juniors Porter Arneson, Austin Boe and Wesley Hermann.

Serena opens the season at the Coal City Tournament on Monday and opens the LTC slate at Newark on Nov. 30.

Return to postseason glory the goal for Norsemen Despite loss of Patrick, depth has Newark optimistic

for veteran NHS coach Rick Tollefson (271-97), who enters his 13th season as the Norsemen bench boss.

“My first two years as head coach we didn’t advance to a regional championship game, but since then we won all of them except the one we lost to Mooseheart (2013-14),” BILL LIDINSKY Tollefson said. “(The loss to For The Times Serena) kind of puts a black spot on a season where we did

By Newark standards, the some nice things, like winning 2017-18 season was somewhat of an up-and-down, hard-pill-to- conference, the Little Ten Tournament and then a nice swallow kind of year. streak toward the end. But we Despite a 20-8 overall record had some streaks where we which included a Little Ten didn’t shoot well, including the Conference regular-season regional when we shot 5 of 39 championship ledger of 8-0 from 3(-point range). and a fourth consecutive LTC “We had a decent year, but Tournament title, the Norsenow it’s kind of men failed to reach a Class 1A a motivator for regional championship contest for the first time since the 2007- us this season.”

The Norsemen 08 campaign where Newark saw one of the finished the season at 16-12. best individual The Norsemen dropped a seasons ever pro61-54, overtime contest during duced in Newark last year’s semifinal round of the Serena Regional against the lore, as All-State host Huskers, knocking Newark senior Dylan out of a chance to reach its 10th Patrick scored 693 points (24.8 straight regional title tilt. points per game) Newark also didn’t fare well while averaging at the annual Plano Christmas Classic — one of its traditional 5.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and strongholds — losing three out 2.9 steals. He of four contests to finish 15th graduated with in the 24-team field. Still, the a career total Norsemen won 11 of their last of 1,280 tallies, 12 ballgames before the loss to currently 12th Serena. all-time on the That proved frustrating

NHS list of 15 1,000-point scoring greats. He was The Times 2017-18 Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

So the big question for Tollefson is: How will he replace Patrick’s massive overall numbers and get the Norsemen back in the postseason winners’ circle?

“Dylan had a great season, no question, especially offensively,” Tollefson said. “I think we can make up a little bit of that, and we’ll be deeper and a better defensive team than we were a year ago. All of our returning kids have improved, so we’ve got 10 kids on the varsity roster this year who can really play well.”

Of those, 6-foot, 2-inch senior

guard/forward Corey Jacobson ROSTER was next to PatNO. PLAYER

POS. HT. YR. rick last year in 1 Jacob Slivka

G

6-0

Sr. scoring prowess 4 Corey Jacobson

G/F

6-2

Sr. with 341 points 5 Brett Myre

F

6-3

Sr. (12.2 ppg, 5.4 11 Connor Swanson

G

5-10

Sr. rpg).

13 Jacob Chapman

G

5-9

Jr. “We’re going 15 Nate Christian

G

5-11 Jr. to have to find 20 Alex Tollefson

G

5-11

Jr. more ways to 22 Tanner Kunkel

F

6-0

Jr. score instead of 23 Guillermo Fernandez

F

6-0

Sr. relying on one 25 Beau Brown

C

6-3

Sr. person like we HEAD COACH: Rick Tollefson did with Dylan,” Jacobson said.

“I hope I can fill (6-5), who was third in scoring some of that role, and I know as a junior with 207 markers I’ve got some great teammates (7.4 ppg). behind me.”

“We’ll definitely be rememOne of Jacobson’s wingmen bering that regional loss to Seris senior forward Brett Myre ena, and Coach reminds us of that and uses it to motivate us not to go out like that again,” Myre said. “I know we’ll be ready to go when we get started with the Thanksgiving tournament at Seneca.”

Three-year starting senior center Beau Brown (6-3, 6.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) returns along with lightning-quick senior guards Connor Swanson (5-10, 6.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and Jacob Slivka (6-0, 7.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

Tollefson believes this year’s squad will play even more up-tempo basketball than last season, which will be aided by the swift and steady play of junior guard Jacob Chapman (5-10) and the on-the-run sharpshooting of juniors Alex Tollefson (5-11), Nate Christian (5-11) and Tanner Kunkel (6-0).

SCHEDULE DATE 11/19-24 11/30 12/1 12/4 12/7 12/8 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/21 12/26-29 1/8 1/11 1/15 1/19 1/22 1/25 1/28-2/1 2/4 2/5 2/8 2/9 2/12

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME at Seneca Turkey TBD (see p. 12) SERENA 7 p.m.

MORRIS 5:30 p.m. at Plano 7 p.m. at Leland 7:30 p.m.

ANNAWAN 6:30 p.m.

DWIGHT 7 p.m. at Hiawatha 6 p.m. at Sandwich 2:30 p.m.

LAMOILLE-OHIO TBD at Plano Classic TBD SENECA 7 p.m.

HINCKLEY-BR 7 p.m. at Earlville 7 p.m.

GENOA-KINGSTON 7 p.m.

YORKVILLE CHRISTIAN 5:30 p.m. at Somonauk 7 p.m. at LTC Tournament TBD LISLE 7 p.m.

MARQUETTE 7 p.m.

INDIAN CREEK 7 p.m. at Indian Creek Shootout TBD at Mooseheart 7 p.m.

Times Sports Columns THE PEDELTY BOX with J.T. Pedelty Tuesdays

INFIELD CHATTER with Scott T. Holland Wednesdays

INSIDE THE GAME with Charlie Ellerbrock Thursdays

OUTDOORS with Fred Krause Thursdays

The Times file

Jacob Chapman (13) is one of the returnees expected to play a larger role this winter season for the Newark Norsemen.

FULL-COURT PRESS with Brian Hoxsey Saturdays

Prep Basketball Preview

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Senior-led Bobcats poised to attack in 2018-19 15 upperclassmen fill Somonauk varsity roster BILL LIDINSKY For The Times During the past three seasons, veteran Somonauk boys basketball coach Ron Hunt has seen his teams struggle with some lean times.

Last year the Bobcats recorded a 13-16 overall record and a 4-4 mark within the Little Ten Conference.

Entering his 15th season as the SHS bench boss, though, Hunt (202-199) has some pretty high expectations with a ballclub that’s loaded with 15 upperclassmen. The Bobcats’ varsity roster boasts a whopping 10 seniors and five juniors, giving Hunt some promising and realistic hope of producing his first winning squad since 201415, when his team posted an 18-11 ledger.

“We’ve had good kids over the past few seasons, but there’s always been something that’s been missing,” Hunt said. “Sometimes it’s hard to see or recognize the slim margin between winning and losing. We’ve had a bunch of those games, particularly last year with seven or eight, where that margin was just a few points. But I think now we’ve got a bunch of guys — 10 seniors — that have played a lot of basketball together, and I see how competitive they are and what good friends and teammates they are as well.

“It’s a nice team that I’m excited about.”

Two of the key returners who Hunt will be counting on are 2017-

ROSTER PLAYER POS. HT. Clifford Ciesielczyk G 5-10 Cameron Davis G 6-1 Nathan Hunt C 6-5 Steven Kenyon G 5-11 Zach Olson F 6-3 Jimmy Rushani G 5-6 Justin Steortz F 6-2 Nolan Wegener C 6-2 Andrew Westbrook G 5-10 Jake Willette G 5-9 Austin Espinoza F 6-2 Noah Gabrys G 5-11 Garrett McNurlan G 6-1 Max Neidigh C 6-2 Liam Roberts F 6-5 HEAD COACH: Ron Hunt

Fieldcrest From page 8 He’ll be helped in the paint by 6-2 junior Garrett Nix, who can power or hit the 3, and versatile 6-2 junior Matt Lorton, an improving shooter and ballhandler and the team’s best defender anywhere on the court. Spelling them will be some muscle in 6-2 sophomore Travis Sunken.

That group should provide half of a strong inside-outside game,

The Times file

Six-foot, five-inch Liam Roberts (42) posted per-game averages of 11.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in 2017-18 as a sophomore and is one of two returning all-conference/all-area performers for Somonauk this winter.

18 LTC All-Conference performers Nolan Wegener and Liam Roberts.

Wegener — a 6-foot, 2-inch senior center — led the Bobcats in scoring during his junior campaign, posting 11.9 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per contest, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals. Wegener was also a Times All-Area Third Team selection.

Roberts — a 6-5 junior YR. forward — was right behind Sr. Wegener, averaging 11.7 points Sr. and 4.6 rebounds as a sophoSr. more and was a Times All-Area Sr. Honorable Mention pick.

Sr. Hunt has chosen senior C.J. Sr. Ciesieszylk as a captain. The Sr. 5-10 point guard led Somonauk Sr. last season with 3.6 assists per Sr. contest.

Sr. “C.J. is a great leader for us Jr. because he’s vocal, he sets an Jr. example, and he is one of the Jr. guys that works the hardest,” Jr. Hunt said. “He’s an extension Jr. of us as a coach on the floor, and that’s invaluable.”

Ciesieszylk is poised for the

ROSTER HT. 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-2 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-5

YR. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. So. Sr.

SCHEDULE DATE 11/27 11/30 12/1 12/4 12/7 12/8-15 12/26-28 1/4 1/8 1/11 1/15 1/18 1/19-26 1/29 2/1 2/5 2/8 2/12 2/15

n 11

ROSTER NO. PLAYER POS. 2 Myles Tucker G 3 Dakota Deverteuil F 4 Drew Kaufman F 10 Wyatt Hill G 11 Ben Lundy G 12 Brody Roether G 20 Kyle Haerle F 22 T.J. McDonnell G 23 John Vandervort G 24 Alex Stevenson F 25 Tyler Carson F 30 Noah Gould F 32 Keegan Landers F 33 Aaron Koch C 34 Kaylor Brent F HEAD COACH: Mark Cooper

HT. 6-1 6-5 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-8 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-5 5-11

YR. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

Ottawa

because the strength of the team will be at guard, where there’s plenty of experience and depth.

May, back for his fourth varsity season, is coming off a junior year in which he averaged 13.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game, earning him HOIC Second-Team and a Times Third-Team spots. He netted 30 points in the Knights’ upset win over then 1A No. 2-ranked Ridgeview.

Also back in the starting lineup will be 5-10 sophomore point guard

NO. PLAYER POS. 1 Hayden Carls G 2 Derek May F 3 Ryan Naas G 4 Matt Lorton G 5 Andrew May F 11 Garrett Nix F 12 Bryce Nordstrom F 15 Henry Lorton G 23 Jaxon Cusac-McKay G 24 Cory Land G 25 Noah Nordstrom F 30 Koy Allen G 35 Travis Sunken C 41 Landon Cook F 45 Clay Wells C HEAD COACH: Matt Winkler

Thursday, November 15, 2018

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME at Lexington 6:45 p.m.

TRI-VALLEY 6:45 p.m. at Orion 2:45 p.m.

DWIGHT 6:45 p.m.

FLANAGAN-C. 6:45 p.m. at Colmone Classic TBD at State Farm Classic TBD at LeRoy 6:45 p.m.

ROANOKE-BENSON 6:45 p.m.

EL PASO-GRIDLEY 6:45 p.m.

TREMONT 6:45 p.m. at Ridgeview 6:45 p.m. at McLean Co. Tourney TBA’ at Gibson City-MS 6:45 p.m. at Dee-Mack 6:45 p.m. at Putnam County 6:45 p.m. at Heyworth 6:45 p.m.

EUREKA 6:45 p.m.

FISHER 6:45 p.m.

SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME 11/19-24 at Seneca Turkey TBD (p. 12) 11/27 at Plano 7 p.m.

11/30 at Hiawatha 7 p.m.

12/4 at Marquette 7 p.m.

12/5 MOOSEHEART 7 p.m.

12/7 SERENA 7 p.m.

12/14 LELAND 7 p.m.

12/21 at Hinckley-Big Rock 7 p.m.

12/26-29 at Marseilles Holiday TBD 1/5 SANDWICH 7 p.m.

1/11 at Earlville 7 p.m.

1/19 WESTMINSTER C. 7 p.m.

1/25 NEWARK 7 p.m.

1/26 at Fulton TBD 1/28-2/1 at Little Ten Tourney TBD 2/5 CROSSROADS 7 p.m.

2/8 LAMOILLE-OHIO 5:30 p.m.

2/9 MIDLAND 6 p.m.

2/15 at Indian Creek 7 p.m. challenge of leading a great group of upperclassmen.

See SOMONAUK, page 12

Jaxon Cusac-McKay, a penetrating scorer and quick ballhandler with a varsity year under his belt; 6-0 senior Hayden Carls, a solid 3-point shooter and defender; and 5-10 senior Ryan Naas, a 3-point threat and improving defender.

Joining that mix often is 6-1 sophomore Cory Land, a strong backup at point guard. Trying to break into that top-eight rotation outside will be two sophomores, 6-1 Koy Allen and 5-10 Henry Lorton, while expected

to challenge for time outside will be more sophs: 5-11s Andrew May, Landon Cook and Bryce Nordstrom and 5-9 Noah Nordstrom.

“When you see a group working this hard, you know good things are in store,” said Winkler.

“They’re challenging each other, they’ve set lofty goals, and they want to be successful, especially the four seniors.

“They know this is their last go-round, and they want to make the most of it.”

FULL

TEAM

us position flexibility both offensively and defensively.”

From page 7 The remainder of the squad is seniors Kyle Tyler Carson (7.2 ppg, Haerle, Aaron Koch and team-leading 4.4 rpg, 1.4 spg), a 6-3 senior forward, Ben Lundy, along with juniors Kaylor Brent, Drew had a strong second half Kaufman (leading scorer of last season and is a on the JV), T.J. McDoncapable scorer and an nell, Brody Roether and “active rebounder.”

John Vandervort.

Senior 6-4 forwards In order to find success, Noah Gould (4.3 ppg, 3.2 the Pirates are going to rpg, team-best 17 blocks) need to be willing to do a and Alex Stevenson (4.0 ppg) will be asked to “step couple things in particular. to the forefront” a little “For this group, it’s bit more. Cooper also noted another 12th-grader, going to come down to,” Cooper said, “are we Keegan Landers. committed enough on the Deverteuil (9.7 ppg, defensive end, and offen5.0 rpg at Mariner High sively are we going to just School in Cape Coral, settle for jump shots, or Fla.), a 6-foot-5-inch are we going to get to the senior, is originally from rim and to the free-throw Ottawa and the son of line?

Lady Pirate great Amy “Our kids have worked Johnson. very hard to have a suc“Dakota’s just going to cessful winter, and if we be another piece to the take care of the day-topuzzle for us,” Cooper day work, the results will said. “He’s a high IQ kid, take care of themselves.” and he’s going to provide

SCHEDULE DATE 11/19-24 11/30 12/4 12/7 12/8 12/14 12/21 12/26-29 1/4 1/12 1/14 1/18 1/19 1/25 1/29 2/2 2/5 2/8 2/15 2/19 2/22

OPPONENT/EVENT TIME DEAN RILEY TRNY. TBA (see p. 12) GENESEO 7 p.m. at Princeton 7 p.m.

KANELAND 7 p.m. at Rock Island 6:30 p.m. at Rochelle 7 p.m. at Sterling 7 p.m. at Plano Trny. TBD MORRIS 7 p.m. at DeKalb 6 p.m. at Sandwich 7 p.m.

PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN 7 p.m.

MOLINE 6 p.m. at La Salle-Peru 7 p.m.

YORKVILLE 7 p.m. at Geneseo 6 p.m. at Sycamore 7 p.m.

ROCHELLE 7 p.m.

STERLING 7 p.m. at Streator 7 p.m.

LA SALLE-PERU 7 p.m.

BOX Times Staff THEwithPEDELTY J.T. Pedelty Columns Tuesdays INSIDE THE GAME with Charlie Ellerbrock Thursdays

OUTDOORS

with Fred Krause Thursdays

INFIELD CHATTER with Scott T. Holland Wednesdays

FULL-COURT PRESS with Brian Hoxsey Saturdays

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Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

COVERAGE

Call today to see what our team can do for your

sports injuries or if you need ACL reconstruction surgery.

Paul G. Perona, M.D.

Michael Shin, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeon Board Certified, Fellowship Trained in Major Joint Replacements/Revisions

Orthopedic Surgeon Board Certified, Fellowship Trained in Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine

Family Orthopedic Center 600 East First Street Spring Valley, IL

Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine 600 East First Street Spring Valley, IL

(815) 663-8009

(815) 664-5343

Center for Physical Rehab | (815) 223-8600

Amanda Neurohr, OTR, ATC Occupational Therapist Athletic Trainer

Elena Gaeta, ATC, LAT Athletic Trainer

1430 Midtown Road, Peru

Joe Haywood, LATC, M.ED Athletic Trainer

Drew Wallace, ATC, LAT Athletic Trainer

aboutsmh.org

12 n

Prep Basketball Preview

Thursday, November 15, 2018

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Who, what, where and when?

2018 turkey tourney schedules

Monday, November 19 OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” — u Streator vs. Oak Forest, 5 p.m. u Ottawa vs. Marengo, 6:30 p.m. u Yorkville vs. Dixon, 8 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S STROMBOM TOURNAMENT — u Rochelle vs. DundeeCrown, 6 p.m. u Sycamore vs. Belvidere, 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNAMENT — u Somonauk vs. ReedCuster, 5 p.m. u Illiana Christian vs.

Hall, 6:30 p.m. u Mendota vs. Newark, 8 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF — Coal City Pool u Morris vs. Gardner-S. Wilmington 5:30 p.m. u Coal City vs. Serena, 7 p.m.

Manteno Pool u Peotone vs. IC Catholic, 5:30 p.m. u Manteno vs. Beecher, 7 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC — Woodland Pool u Flanagan-Cornell vs.

Ridgeview, 6 p.m. u Woodland vs. Lowpoint-Washburn, 7:15 p.m.

Dwight Pool u Momence vs. Grant Park, 5:30 p.m. u Dwight vs. Earlville, 7 p.m.

MIDLAND THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — u DePue vs. Lexington, 4:30 p.m. u Midland vs. Leland, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 20 OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” — u Dixon vs. Pontiac, 5 p.m. u Metamora vs.

Yorkville, 6:30 p.m. u Ottawa vs. Streator, 8 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S STROMBOM TOURNAMENT — u Genoa-Kingston vs.

Sandwich, 6 p.m. u Sterling vs. Burlington Central, 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNAMENT — u Illiana Christian vs.

Mendota, 5 p.m. u Reed-Custer vs. St.

anne, 6:30 p.m. u Somonauk vs. Seneca, 8 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF — Coal City Pool u Serena vs. Morris, 5:30 p.m. u Coal City vs. Gardner-S. Wilmington, 7 p.m.

Manteno Pool u Beecher vs. Peotone, 5:30 p.m.

- Manteno vs. IC Catholic, 7 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC — Woodland Pool u Lowpoint-Washburn vs. Flanagan-Cornell, 6 p.m. u Woodland vs. Ridgeview, 7:15 p.m.

Dwight Pool u Earlville vs. Momence, 5:30 p.m. u Dwight vs. Grant Park, 7 p.m.

MIDLAND THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — u Parkview Christian vs. Leland, 4:30 p.m. u East Peoria JV vs.

Lexington, 6 p.m. u DePue vs. Midland, 7:30 p.m.

u Hall vs. Mendota 4:30 p.m. u Newark vs. Illiana Christian, 6 p.m. u Reed-Custer vs. Seneca, 7:30 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF — Coal City Pool u Gardner-S. Wilmington vs. Serena, 5:30 p.m. u Coal City vs. Morris, 7 p.m.

Manteno Pool u IC Catholic vs. Beecher, 5:30 p.m. u Manteno vs. Peotone, 7 p.m.

MIDLAND THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — u Lexington vs. Leland, 3 p.m. u East Peoria JV vs.

DePue, 4:15 p.m. u Midland vs. Parkview Christian, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, November 24

Wednesday, November 21 SYCAMORE’S STROMBOM TOURNAMENT — u Sandwich vs. Burlington Central, 3 p.m. u Genoa-Kingston vs.

Sterling, 4:30 p.m. u Belvidere vs. Rochelle, 6 p.m. u Sycamore vs. DundeeCrown, 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNAMENT — u Hall vs. Newark, 5:30 p.m. u St. Anne vs. Seneca, 7 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC — Woodland Pool u Ridgeview vs. Lowpoint-Washburn, 6 p.m. u Woodland vs. Flanagan-Cornell, 7:15 p.m.

Dwight Pool u Earlville vs. Grant Park, 5:30 p.m. u Dwight vs. Momence, 7 p.m.

MIDLAND THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — u East Peoria JV vs.

Parkview Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 22 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (no games scheduled)

Friday, November 23 OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” — u Dixon vs. Metamora, 11:30 a.m. u Pontiac vs. Yorkville, 1 p.m.

u Oak Forest vs. Marengo, 2:30 p.m. u Metamora vs. Pontiac, 4 p.m. u Marengo vs. Streator, 5:30 p.m. u Ottawa vs. Oak Forest, 7 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S STROMBOM TOURNAMENT — u Dundee-Crown vs.

OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” — u 7th-place: 1 p.m. u 5th-place: 2:30 p.m. u 3rd-place: 4 p.m. u Championship: 5:30 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S STROMBOM TOURNAMENT — u 7th-place: 3 p.m. u 5th-place: 4:30 p.m. u 3rd-place: 6 p.m. u Championship: 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNAMENT — u 7th-place: noon u 5th-place: 1:30 p.m. u 3rd-place: 6 p.m. u Championship: 7:30 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF — All games at Coal City u 7th-place: 3 p.m. u 5th-place: 4:30 p.m. u 3rd-place: 6 p.m. u Championship: 7:30 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC — All games at Dwight u 7th-place: 2 p.m. u 5th-place: 3:30 p.m.

Belvidere, 3 p.m. u 3rd-place: 5 p.m. u Sterling vs. Sandu Championship: 6:30 wich, 4:30 p.m. p.m. u Burlington Central MIDLAND THANKSGIVING vs. Genoa-Kingston, 6 p.m. TOURNAMENT — u East Peoria JV vs. u Sycamore vs. RoLeland, 3 p.m. chelle, 7:30 p.m. u DePue vs. Parkview SENECA TURKEY TOURNAChristian, 4:15 p.m.

MENT — u Midland vs. Lexingu St. Anne vs. Soton, 6:15 p.m. monauk, 3 p.m.

Somonauk From page 11 “I’m looking forward to getting out there, communicating well and playing together as one solid group this season,” Ciesieszylk said.

“We’re looking to accomplish some solid and realistic goals, one of which is winning the Gold Ball Trophy and getting back to being champions of the Little Ten Conference Tournament. We plan on bringing it home after not having won it in a few seasons.”

In addition to Wegener and Roberts, Hunt has some fine additional size up front starting with his son, senior center Nathan Hunt (6-5). Senior forwards Zach Olson (6-3) and Justin Steortz (6-2) will also combine with promising junior forward Austin Espinoza (6-2) to give the Bobcats a formidable frontcourt presence.

Joining Ciesieszylk in the backcourt will be seniors Cam Davis (6-1), Steven Kenyon (5-11) and Drew Westbrook (5-10).

“I know we’ll play hard and get after it this season,” Coach Hunt said.

“We just have to make sure we’re all working toward the same thing and we all have the same goals in mind. I’m very sure that we will.”

You can’t score if you’re not in the game.

IVCH Sports Medicine helps you achieve peak performance.

Dr. Robert J. Mitchell Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Peter J. Meier

Orthopedic Surgeon

An athlete can’t shoot from the bench. Dr. Robert Mitchell and Dr. Peter Meier of Illinois Valley Orthopedics are part of a winning team —helping players with both prevention of and recovery from ACL and MCL injuries, labral tears, concussions and stress fractures. We offer balanced options for training and recovery for knees,hips, feet and ankles. Our athletic trainers are available at area high schools and at IVCC. A sports enhancement program, physical therapy and aquatic therapy are available at the Center for Physical Rehabilitation and Aquatics to help complete the total package. Illinois Valley Orthopedics can help your athletes get back on their feet and back onto the court, ready to score.

Call 815.223.2143 for an appointment or visit ivch.org/sportsmedicine.