Shopper’s Guide
VOL. 78 • NO. 45
Ladies Day Out Saturday, November 19 10am - 4pm
Lena Elementary School, Lena IL
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YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016
Lady Cougars advance to State Finals By Chris Johnson SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Eastland Lady Cougars accomplished a task few can claim in area high school volleyball as they earned a repeat visit to the State Championships to be played this weekend. Capturing a State Title after two more opponents fall would also be a repeat effort for Eastland. The Lady Cougars are the defending Class 1A Champion. Following their win over Schaumburg Christian on Saturday, Nov. 5, Eastland added the Arlington Heights-Christian Liberty Super-Sectional Title to their trophy case. Now they head to Redbird Arena for game one in the Class 1A Semi-Final this Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. Powerful service and aggressive defense helped pilot Eastland to the two games win over the western suburban submission. By a score of 25-16 the Lady Cougars took down the Conquerors in the first set. The effort intensified in the second set as Eastland played like a State Champion and sent Schaumburg Christian home following the game two score of 25-8. Redbird Arena hosts the State of Illinois Finals. The winners from Friday will advance to the Title
Game on Saturday set to tip off at 10:30 a.m. The third-place game will be played at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Nov. 12. The Lady Cougars have been in this situation before and in a not too distant past. In the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Eastland advanced to State and claimed the Title. The task is almost over. The journey saw a lot of NUIC mates fall along the way. Beginning with a Regional Title in Polo and a win over Freeport Aquin, the Lady Cougars went home to compete in their own Sectional Tournament. They took out the Durand Lady Bulldogs in three sets 25-16, 19-25 and 25-20 to advance to the Sectional Championship. Only Galena stood in the way of the continued journey for Eastland. The Lady Pirates fell in two sets 25-16 and 25-23. Eastland then claimed the Super-Sectional Title and moved south towards Normal. In the 9 a.m. game this Friday the Class 1A semi-final will be played on the court of Redbird Arena. Norris City faces Sciota-West Prairie. Eastland faces Strasburg Coop in the second semi-final. The winners play for the title on Saturday, Nov. 12.
And the winners are…
COURTESY PHOTO Shopper’s Guide
The Lena Lion’s Halloween award for the best group photo went to 6-week old Lyla Carr, three week old Jarrick Busker, Dylan and Colby Kent and Colt and Alyassa Kempel
Lady Blackhawks accept invitation to Thanksgiving Tournament By Chris Johnson
The Stockton Lady Blackhawks run at the regular season NUIC basketball title could get a jumpstart or experience a setback following game play in the annual Forreston Thanksgiving Classic beginning Thursday, Nov. 17. With an assortment of talent from across northern Illinois playing at Forreston High School in a series of games running into the Thanksgiving break, a quick peek at how a team stands up can be offered. An early-season win streak could be set
in motion. Questions about retooling an offense could also arise. Game play will continue for Stockton on Friday and Saturday and conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 22 in Forreston. The field of talent Stockton will compete with in the Forreston Thanksgiving Tournament has been historically substantial. Statistics have shown that those who play their best in Forreston in November find more expectations placed on their shoulders as they attack the remainder of the season. They survived every attack and claimed top honors. Stockton will have its
chance to face former Regional and Sectional combatants during the first week of the winter sports season. They will get their chance to see if they are ready to go forward and battle for the NUIC Title. Non-tournament action begins with a non-conference game at South Wayne, Wi., on Monday Nov. 28.
The NUIC opens for Stockton with a game at East Dubuque on Thursday, Dec. 1. On Saturday, Dec. 3, Stockton plays in its home opener against the Lena-Winslow Lady Panthers. A home game on Wed. Dec. 7 against Polo precedes a Friday, Dec. 9 clash at River Ridge/Scales Mound. A game against Galena on Thurs-
day, Dec.9 wraps up the 2016 portion of the NUIC regular season schedule. Winter break ends with the Lady Blackhawks visiting the Stillman Valley Lady Cardinals on Wednesday, Jan. 4. They are home to welcome fans again on Friday, Dec. 6, in an NUIC battle with Warren.
AJ’s Lena Maid Meats
Taking orders for your Holiday Hams, Prime Ribs, Fresh Turkeys or other Specialty Meats.
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