Iroquois County Winter Sports Preview 2016

iroquois Iroquois County Winter Sports

Page 1

COUNTY

November 2016

PREVIEW boys basketball | girls basketball | wrestling

Raiders

Cardinals Panthers

Warriors

Comets

Timberwolves Bearcats Wildcats

A special publication of Iroquois County’s Times-Republic

Local grapplers take it to the mat

Page 2

Iroquois County Winter Sports

November 2016

Photo by Steve Scoggans Front row (l-r) Jacob Kennell, Illiana Stano, Brock Solomon, David Patel, Brayden Bailey, Clayton Thorne, Dane Thorne, Brandon Kooyenga and Nick Panozzo; Second row (l-r) Don Raines, Seth Raines, Thomas Konetski, Adrian Pace, Andrea Pace, Josh Beegle, Noah Miller, Kollin Krumwiede, Tyler Konetski and Brian Spooner; Third row (l-r) Derek Lyons, Ben Schafer, Josh Smith, Austin Renehan, Connor Prairie, Robby Love, Jacob Smith, Kyle Buikema, John Henrichs and Kodie Willis; fourth row: Alex Munoz, Justin Coggins, Wayne Tracy, Hunter Peppin, Seth Mcdivitt, Fred Peters and Dalton Reed. Not pictured Tyler James and Austin Denault

Lots of returning experience should make successful season

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com It will be hard for Central High School to top last season’s wrestling success. However, the Comets were without three of their highest talents.

Travis Williams starts his 10th year overseeing Central’s grapplers. He has a 152-66 career record after last year’s 24-7 mark.

The Comets completed the most historic run in program history reaching the State Finals in both the individual and team series this past year. Central won its first wrestling regional championship in 22 seasons and captured a team sectional championship for the first time in Comets history.

Central lost to Vandalia in the Elite 8 of the state finals, 39-33.

Junior Ben Schafer, and sophomores Josh Smith and Adrian Pace all missed out on the postseason due to injury and illness. All three are set to wrestle healthy for a Comets team that returns 11 of 14 starters. With the return of each of these three and the 11 returning starters the season holds

a lot of potential for the Comets.

The Comets will be led by the individual leadership of two 40-match winners, both juniors. Jacob Smith (45-4) placed third at 160 pounds in Class 1A and Justin Coggins (40-13) was in the top eight at 195.

“Each have great momentum and should provide leadership on and off the mat,” Williams said.

Senior Ben Schafer came back from an appendectomy the week of regionals to compete in the team state series and recorded two wins against state qualifiers — getting a pin against both Prairie Central and Vandalia.

“These three will help pave the way in the classroom and on the mat,” Williams said.

Also returning are two “high-level” wrestlers in Josh Smith (Jacob Smith’s twin) and Pace. Both have won over 30 matches in a season and should give the Comets depth at 145 and heavyweight.

“Josh has the skill of a middleweight wrestling at heavyweight and didn’t lose a match through the spring and summer at the weight,” Williams said.

Clifton Central/Iroquois West Wrestling Roster

Dane Thorne Brandon Kooyenga Thomas Konetski Josh Beegle Clayton Thorne Derek Lyons

Kollin Krumwiede Adrian Pace Jacob Smith Kodie Willis Justin Coggins Robby Love

Ben Schafer Josh Smith David Patel Kodie Willis

Central returns seven sectional qualifiers from a year. With the three injured grapplers making a return to the mat, 10 of the 14 weights should be hard to defeat.

“Those 10 individuals will help provide extraordinary depth and experience,” Williams said.

The coach said sophomore Thomas Konetski (120 pounds) should be considered in the rankings along with Adrian Pace at 145, Jacob Smith at 160, Justin Coggins at 182, Robby Love at 195 and Josh Smith at heavyweight. All are juniors.

Ben Schafer at 220 is a senior Williams said could be ranked as well.

“These are all legit wrestlers with track records of success,” Williams said.

Clifton Central High School Wrestling Schedule Date 11/22 11/30 12/03 12/07 12/10 12/12 12/15 12/17 12/28 01/05 01/07 01/14 01/17 01/24 01/26

Location GCMS High School Illiana Christian High School Seneca High School Clifton Central Clifton Central Manteno Clifton Central Wilmington High School Oregon High School Prairie Central High School Reed Custer High School Reed Custer High School Clifton Central Peotone High School Ottawa Township High School

Home/Away Time Away 5:30 p.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

Away 9 a.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Home 9 a.m.

Away 5 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Away 9 a.m.

Away 10 a.m.

Away

5 p.m.

Away 9 a.m.

Away 9 a.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

IROQUOIS COUNTY WINTER SPORTS NOVEMBER 2016 Clifton Central/Iroquois West Wrestling .........................................2 Clifton Central Boys Basketball .........................................3 Clifton Central Girls Basketball .........................................3 Watseka Boys Basketball .........................................4 Watseka Girls Basketball .........................................4 Donovan Boys Basketball .........................................5

CONTENTS

Donovan Girls Basketball .........................................5 Iroquois West Boys Basketball .........................................6 Iroquois West Girls Basketball .........................................6 Cissna Park Boys Basketball .........................................7 Cissna Park Girls Basketball .........................................7 Milford Boys Basketball .........................................8

Milford Girls Basketball .........................................8 St. Anne Boys Basketball .........................................9 St. Anne Girls Basketball .........................................9 P-B-L Boys Basketball .......................................10 P-B-L Girls Basketball .......................................10 P-B-L Wrestling .......................................11

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Iroquois County Winter Sports

Page 3

Back row (l-r): Asst. Coach Tyler Finegan, Asst. Coach Brad Perzee, Darryl Harris, Jonny Hendricks, Caleb Toberman, Kyle Grice, Head Coach Josh Sertich Front row (l-r): Jeremy Snejberg, Ben Robison, Brody Sertich, Cory Hoggins, Kyle Peters Clifton Central Boys Basketball Varsity Schedule Day Location Home/Away 11/29 Peotone High School Away 12/02 Watseka High School Away 12/09 PBL High School Away 12/10 Reed Custer High School Away 12/13 Grant Park High School Home 12/15 Wat Holiday Tournyt v Beecher Away 12/17 Wat Holiday Tourny v Donovan Away 12/19 Wat Holiday Tourny vs. Milford Away 12/20 Wat Holiday Tourny Away 12/27-30 Kankakee Holiday Tournament Away 01/03 Tri-Point Jr./Sr High School Away 01/06 Dwight High School Home 01/07 Herscher High School Home 01/10 Wilmington High School Away 01/13 Cissna Park High School Home 01/18 Beecher High School Home 01/24 Donovan Senior High School Home 01/31, 02/03-04 SVC Tournament@IW Away 02/10 South Newton Middle/HiS Home 02/14 Manteno High School Away 02/17 Iroquois West High School Home

Time 7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

4:40 p.m.

5 p.m.

TBA TBA 7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

TBA 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Clifton Central Boys Basketball Roster Name Jon Hendricks Jarod Meents Kyle Grice Brody Sertich Darryl Harris Cory Hoggins Ben Robison Jeremy Snejberg Kyle Peters Sergio Sandoval

Grade Ht. Position Senior 6’5 Forward Senior 6’0 Guard Senior 6’0 Forward Junior 5’11 Guard Soph 6’3 Forward Soph 6’0 Guard Soph 5’10 Guard Soph 5’8 Guard Fresh 5’8 Guard Soph 5’11 Guard

Sertich: ‘Comets look for bright future’

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com Central High School saw its boys basketball fortunes reversed last year.

The Comets fell to an 8-20 mark after going 18-11 the previous year and 23-4 with a Regional title in 2014.

Central coach Josh Sertich starts his seventh season with an overall record of 99-69.

“We have a bright future ahead of ourselves, but we need to prove that we can compete and win now because 8-20 just isn’t acceptable.”

There is only one returning starter to provide a good base to rebuild. Jon Hendricks, a 6-6 forward will team with fellow senior, 6-foot Kyle Grice for a solid foundation, although there is only one other upperclassman on the roster, 5-11 junior Brody Sertich. Jarod Meents, a 6-foot guard that started as a

junior, is not out for the team.

“With a small number of upperclassmen, we need to find some leadership and some depth,” Coach Sertich said.

The coach will need the sophomores to provide key contributions. Among those the coach sees as providing help are 6-3 forward Darryl Harris, and guards Cory Hoggins, at 6-0, Ben Robison, at 5-10, and 5-8 Jeremy Snejberg.

The sophomores must step up to replace graduated seniors Dylan Miller and Blake Willis.

“We are not going to use being young as an excuse,” Coach Sertich said.

The strength of having youth is they can work hard. The weakness is the lack of leadership.

“We have an athletic group of kids that are really committed to our program,” Coach Sertich said. “It is

always difficult to win when you are young, but this team knows how to work.”

With the lack of experience, practice time will be crucial in building the team. “Right now, I’m not sure we are going to be ready to play on November 29th,” the Comets coach said. Central plays the first game of the season at Peotone that day.

“We have a long way to go and we really need to improve on the mental aspect of the game,” Coach Sertich said. “With that being said, I enjoy coaching this team.”

He will be coaching in a league that will be wide open for title contenders.

“The (Sangamon Valley Conference) is filled with a lot of quality teams and coaches,” Sertich said. “I like what Watseka has this year, but I think there are five or six teams that could contend for the conference championship.”

Back row (l-r): Asst. Coach Ashley Morris, Alexis Waller, Katie Speckman, Cassidy Gerdes, Rose Ritter, Caitlin Gerdes, Zoe Bates, Asst. Coach Jeremy Fenton, Head Coach Rebecca SwigertFenton; Front row (l-r): Madyson Beasley, Haley Rosenboom, Halle Long, Allie Mathy, Sydney Beherns, Emery Podowicz, Bailey Beherns, with ball Audrey Fenton Photos by Steve Scoggan Clifton Girls Basketball Schedule

Lady Comets hungry for success

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com The Lady Comets have a familiar face in Iroquois County at the helm of their high school girls basketball team.

Rebecca Swigert-Fenton starts her second year as the head coach at Central after coaching from 2009-14 at Watseka.

Central went 17-11 last year to give Swigert-Fenton a record of 120-63 overall.

“We lost four seniors who brought some height and athleticism,” Swigert-Fenton said. “We lack size, but hope to use our quickness and agility to make opponents uncomfortable.”

Leading the Lady Comets with her quickness at the point guard position is Emery Podowicz. The 5-foot-4 speedster was selected to the Sangamon Valley Conference First Team last year and was honorable mention All-Area. Fellow senior Sydney Beherns, 5-6, was also honorable mention AllArea and second team all-conference. Senior Halle Long, 5-6, returns as an honorable mention pick by the SVC. “We return three starters and a couple others who played

valuable minutes throughout the season,” Swigert-Fenton said.

Rose Ritter is a 5-11 junior who will provide height and key minutes. Another junior that Swigert-Fenton said may get valuable minutes is 5-10 junior Cassidy Gerdes.

The Lady Comets will rely on their defense to spark them to success.

“That is our strongest suit,” Swigert-Fenton said.

Swigert-Fenton is changing the culture in the gym at Clifton. “We are hungry for success.”

Last year’s 17-11 record was the first winning ledger after six straight losing seasons.

“We want to build off the foundation that was laid last year.”

Another layer up for the program’s foundation will be a challenge for the league championship.

“Iroquois West and Cissna Park have been the top two teams the past couple of years, but the top half of the conference should be pretty balanced and competitive,” Swigert-Fenton said.

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Date 11/22 11/28 12/01 12/03 12/08 12/10, 12, 14 12/15 12/21 01/02 01/03 01/05 01/11 01/12 01/16, 19, 21 01/24 01/26 02/01 02/02

Opponent Location Time Grant Park Away 7 p.m.

Kankakee High School Home 7:30 p.m.

Watseka High School Home 7:30 p.m.

Wilmington High School Home 2:30 p.m.

PBL High School Home 7:30 p.m.

Iroquois West Holiday Hoops Away TBA Dwight High School Away 7 p.m.

Herscher High School Home 7:30 p.m.

Tri Point Jr./Sr. High School Away 6 p.m.

St. Anne High School Home 7:30 p.m.

Cissna Park High School Away 7:30 p.m.

Manteno High School Away 7 p.m.

Momence High School Home 7:30 p.m.

SVC Tournament @Watseka Away TBA Donovan Senior High School Home 6 p.m.

South Newton High School Away 7:30 p.m.

Gardner-South Wimington High Home 7:30 p.m.

Iroquois West High School Away 7:30 p.m.

Clifton Central Lady Comets Basketball Roster Name Number GradePositionHeight Bailey Beherns 1 10 G 5’3 Halle Long 2 12 G 5’6 Katie Speckman 3 10 G/F 5’7 Haley Rosenboom 4 12 G/F 5’6 Madyson Beasley 5 10 G 5’2 Emery Podowicz 10 12 G 5’4 Alexis Waller 12 10 G 5’4 Allie Mathy 13 12 F/C 5’10 Cassidy Gerdes 15 11 F 5’10 Sydney Beherns 23 12 G 5’6 Caitlin Gerdes 25 10 F 5’9 Zoe Bates 30

10 F 5’7 Rose Ritter 40 11 F/C 5’11

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Page 4

Iroquois County Winter Sports

November 2016

Second-year coach hopes to see second winning season

By Doug Brenneman, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com Watseka Community High School posted a 21-9 record last year in boys basketball, the first winning season in five years. The Warriors achieved 20 wins for the first time in six years. They did it under a first-year coach.

Chad Cluver starts his second season at the Watseka helm with a proven track record.

Cluver coached Maroa-Forsyth for 16 seasons with a 269-186 record. His teams made state in back-to-back years in 2005-06 and 2006-07, taking third in 2006 and winning state in 2007.

Cluver has a two returning seniors with proven records as well.

Nathan Schroeder, a 6-foot guard, was First Team All-Sangamon Valley Conference and Hunter Lee, at 6-2, was Honorable Mention All-SVC conference last season. Schroeder averaged 12 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds per game while Lee went for 6 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Junior Brendan Fletcher, at 6-1 with averages of 4 points and 3 rebound per game and sophomore Blake Castonguay, 5-7 and 3 points, also return.

Cluver will use his returning players’ experience and knowledge to speed up the game.

“This years teams strengths are our quickness, and we have some guys that can score,” Cluver said. “We will play uptempo and try to create havoc with our defense.”

A defense that creates havoc often ends up with foul trouble. “We must be able to rebound the ball and stay out of foul trouble to be successful this season,” Cluver said.

A large reason for last year’s success is gone with Cole Davenport’s graduation. He was a Third Team Illinois Basketball Coaches Association pick with 18.2 points per game. The Warriors also are without Joe Trudeau (8 point average), Will Lyznicki (5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds), Justin Hasselbring (2 points) and Jake Schippert. Schippert averaged 4 points but “his defensive energy” was important.

Cluver will count on newcomers to step into those roles that graduated. One possible weakness he foresees is the depth of the Warriors. “That is a question. On depth, we will need some guys to step up to help fill some issues as the season progresses.”

Lance Dittrich is a 5-10 senior Cluver said may be able to step up, along with juniors Joey Jaskula, 5-8, Drew Hagen, 6-3, and sophomore Ben Lyznicki, 5-10.

“We are not very big,” Cluver said, so rebounding will be a large focus. “I think we will be very competitive this season,” Cluver said. “Our schedule has gotten a little tougher adding Herscher, and the game at the Clinton shoot-out.”

The tougher games will help prepare the Warriors for SVC play.

“Dwight, PBL, Cissna Park, and Momence could be teams to beat in our conference,” Cluver said.

If the Warriors have a major obstacle to overcome, Cluver said, “We will need some “unknowns” to step up and help give us minutes as the season progresses.”

Photos contributed Front row (l-r): Sahib Singh, Nathan Minard, Lance Dittrich, Hunter Cluver, Ben Lyznicki, Joey Jaskula, Blake Castonguay; Back row (l-r) Asst. Coach Greg Gisinger, Asst. Coach Drew Parsons, Manager Iasaac Patrick, Noah Burger, Cameron Davenport, Drew Hagen, Hunter Lee, Brendan Fletcher, Nathan Schroeder, Manager Daison Harris, Head Coach Chad Cluver

Watseka Boys Basketball Roster Number 3 5 20 21 22 23 24 25 30 33 35 43 45

Name Age Blake Castonguay So Hunter Cluver Jr Joey Jaskula Jr Ben Lyznicki So Cam Davenport Jr Lance Dittrich Sr Brendan Fletcher Jr Drew Hagen Jr Nate Schroeder Sr Hunter Lee Sr Sahib Singh Jr Nate Minard Jr Noah Burger Jr

Watseka Boys Basketball Schedule Date 11/29 12/02 12/03 12/10 12/15-12/20 12/27-12/29 01/03 01/06 01/07 01/10 01/13 01/14 01/20 01/27 01/31-02/04 02/07 02/10 02/17 02/20-02/24 02/28-03/03 03/07 03/10-03/11

Opponent Location Time Donovan Away 7 p.m.

Central Home 7:30 p.m.

Milford Away 7:30 p.m.

Judah Christian Home 12:30 p.m.

Watseka Holiday Tourney TBA BSN Holiday Classic Away TBA St. Thomas More Away 7:30 p.m.

South Newton Home 7:30 p.m.

Clinton Shootout Away 11:30 a.m.

Herscher Away 7 p.m.

Iroquois West Away 7:30 p.m.

Grant Park Home 7:30 p.m.

Momence Away 7:30 p.m.

Cissna Park Home 7:30 p.m.

SVC Tournament Away TBA GCMS Home 7:30 p.m.

PBL Home 7:30 p.m.

Dwight Away 7 p.m.

IHSA Regionals TBA TBA IHSA Sectionals TBA TBA IHSA Super-SectionalsTBA TBA IHSA State Finals Peoria TBA

B-ballers hope to feed off volleyball girls’ success

Front row (l-r): Madison Bauer, Magan Harris, Summer Cramer, Kate Norder, Daisy Solorzano; Back row (l-r) Asst. Coach Aaron Hilgendorf, Cassie Peters, Mallory Drake, Rachael Kochel, Kennedy Bauer, Emily Bunting, Head Coach Barry Bauer Watseka Girls Basketball Schedule Date 11/28 12/01 12/03 12/06 12/08 12/16 12/17 12/19 12/22 12/27-12/29 01/05 01/07 01/12 01/16-01/21 01/23 01/26 01/31 02/02 02/06-02/10 02/13-02/16 02/20 02/24-02/25

Opponent Location Time Manteno Home 7:30 p.m.

Central Away 7:30 p.m.

South Newton Home 7:30 p.m.

Peotone Home 7:30 p.m.

Momence Home 7:30 p.m.

St. Anne Away 7 p.m.

Tri-Point Away 2:30 p.m.

Hoopeston Away 7:30 p.m.

Donovan Away 5:30 p.m.

Blue Devil Classic Away TBA Iroquois West Home 7:30 p.m.

Milford Home 11:30 a.m.

Cissna Park Away 7:30 p.m.

SVC Tournament Home TBA Prairie Central Away 7:30 p.m.

PBL Away 7:30 p.m.

Beecher Home 7:30 p.m.

Dwight Home 7 p.m.

IHSA Regionals TBA TBA IHSA Sectionals TBA TBA IHSA Super SectionalsTBA TBA IHSA State TournamentBloomington TBA

Watseka Girls Basketball Roster # 5 10 14 20 21 23 24 25 32 33

Name Position Age Summer Cramer G Jr Magen Harris G So Kennedy Bauer F So Cassie Peters G So Mallory Drake G So Kate Norder G Jr Madison Bauer F Sr Daisy Solorzano F Sr Emily Bunting F Jr Rachael Kochel C Jr

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By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com The Lady Warriors got a late start on the girls basketball season because of the success of the Watseka Community High School volleyball team.

The basketball team hopes to have the same type of success. The Lady Warriors return 36 points a game in averages, led by Summer Cramer.

Cramer, a 5-foot-6 junior, was an All-Area and All-Sangamon Valley Conference selection with a 12 points per game average.

Kennedy Bauer (5-11) and Magan Harris (5-6) made all-conference as freshmen. Their combined averages total 16 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Seniors Daisy Solorzano (5-8) and Madison Bauer (5-10) have combined averages of five points and six rebounds a game.

Blending all of the returning talent from a 19-11 season will be head coach Barry Bauer, who starts his third year as the girls coach. He previously coached the boys for 11 years. He has a 212-158 record at Watseka and is 375-215 in 22 years of coaching.

“We could be a very balanced team offensively if players buy into their roles,” Coach Bauer said.

Graduation took Kara Dexter’s 8 points and 3 rebounds a game as well as top defender Kassidy Berry. The coach will look to key newcomers to provide depth. They are Racael Kochel, a 6-1 junior, and three sophomores — Cassie Peters, 5-8, Mallory Drake, 5-11, and Kate Norder, 5-5.

Because of the late start and the influx of newcomers, Bauer said it may time to learn his team’s identity. “Early in the season, we will have to rely on things we did during the summer until we can get a number of practices in.”

The coach sees the potential for a number of areas to be positives.

“Our 3-point shooting, ball handling, depth and versatility should be strengths.”

With talented athletes, Bauer sees ability at the defensive side of the court. “We could also be a very good defensive team by the end of the season.”

With all the offense available, corralling missed shots will be vital.

“I am worried about rebounding,” Coach Bauer said. “We will need all five players on the floor to contribute to our rebounding.”

Coach Bauer has high hopes for his squad, but said that time will be important for them to jell. “This team has a chance to be very good if everything falls into place. It may take a while with us getting a late start.”

League battles should be intense. “Our conference will be very balanced this year,” Coach Bauer said. “Iroquois West, Cissna Park, Central, PBl, Dwight all have a number of quality players returning.”

As does Watseka, but what the result will be depends on a number of things. It will be Bauer’s challenge to bring them to fruition. “If everyone buys in to what we want to do offensively and defensively, and team chemistry is strong, this could be an exciting season.”

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6 November 2016

Iroquois County Winter Sports

Donovan Wildcats hope to overcome size disadvantage season.

“We will have the best perimeter shooting team since I started here,” Lindo said.

Two juniors provide some experience after seeing time last year as sophomores — Aiden Caposieno a 5-foot-6 guard and Kyle Gilbert-Sutherland, a 6-foot forward.

“We will be starting three juniors and two sophomores,” Lindo said. “Then we will have mostly sophomores coming off the bench in reserve roles. Our tallest starter will is 6-1 and we will have a 6-3 kid coming off the bench.”

That would be Keegan Wingerter, who is a sophomore and provides some size as a center at 250

pounds. Other sophomores that will be counted on are Zach Whitson, 5-5 and 155 pounds, Tyler Martell, 5-9, 145, and Kohlton Lanoue, 6-1, 165.

“We will compete and play hard all game,” Lindo said. “We are going to be very young and inexperienced.” He emphasized the word ‘very.’

The competition will hone his young players. The experience gained will be valuable when the current Wildcats are juniors and seniors..

“We will play hard and compete and try to get better every practice and game. We will have trouble winning games, but are preparing for future success.”

Name Kohlton Lanoue Thomas Talley Aiden Caposieno Zach Whitson Kendall Arseneau Jacob Castongue Jeremia Albright Tyler Martell Kyle Gilbert-Sutherland Bryce Perzee Keegan Wingerter

Number 1 3 5 10 11 12 22 23 24 34 40

Position F G PG, SG PG SF F SG PG F C, PF C

Age So Jr Jr So So Sr Sr So Jr Jr So

Donovan Boys Basketball Schedule Date Opponent Location 11/25-11/26 Schlarman Topper Classic Away 11/29 Watseka High School Home 12/02 St. Anne High School Home 12/09 Gardner South Wilmington 12/15-12/20 Watseka Holiday Tournament 12/27-12/28 Donovan Holida Tournament 01/03 Iroquois West High School 01/06 Beecher High School Home 01/10 Tri-Point High School Away 01/13 Illinois Lutheran 01/17 Grant Park High School 02/03 Garner South Wilmington 02/06 Kankakee Trinity Academy 02/07 Beecher High School 02/10 Tri-Point High School Home 02/17 Illinois Lutheran 02/20 IHSA Regionals

Time TBA 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Away 7 p.m.

Away TBA Home TBA Away 7:30 P.M. 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Away 7 p.m.

Home 7 p.m.

Home 7 p.m.

Away 7 p.m.

Away 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Home 7 p.m.

Away TBA

Donovan Girls Basketball Roster Name Casey Arseneau Emma Boudreau Ashten Smith Emma Leedy Allee Leedy Jacalyn Wingerter Keeley Smith Adrienne Adams Carley Shivers

Donovan Boys Basketball Roster

Number 1 2 3 4 10 11 12 21 23

Position G G F G F, G C, F F G, F F

Age Sr So Sr Fr Jr Sr So Jr Sr

Photo by Carla Waters Donovan girls basketball team members are, front row, left to right: Ashten Smith, Emma Leady, Emma Boudreau, Casey Arseneau; back row, left to right: Keeley Smith, Jacalyn Wingerter, Adreienne Adams, Carley Shivers and Allee Leady.

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Good news, bad news for Donovan girls

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com For the Wildcats upcoming girls basketball season, there is a good news/bad news feeling to it.

The good news is that four starters return. The bad news is Donovan High school was 5-20 last season.

The bad news is there are only eight players out for the team. The good news is that everyone will get plenty of playing time and experience.

That may mean that they will play their best ball at the end of the year.

Mason Parks starts his second year coaching the Wildcats with a positive outlook.

“Even with our lack of depth, we still feel positive we are going to win a few games,” Parks said.

The bad news is a lack of depth. The good news is a lot of experience.

Of the four returning starters, three are seniors. Anna Storm, who graduated, was the other starter. She averaged almost 4 points and 2 rebounds playing guard.

Casey Arseneau, a 5-foot-3 guard, averaged 4 points and 2 assists a game. Jacalyn Wingerter, a 6-foot center, earned Honorable Mention All-River Valley Conference with nearly 8 points and six rebounds a game. Ashten Smith is a 5-5 forward who grabbed a couple rebounds a game.

The other returning starter is junior 5-9 Adrienne Adams, who played both guard and forward and made second team all-conference by going for 11.1 points and

GO! FIGHT! WIN!

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4.5 boards a game.

Another returning letter winner is 5-10 Carly Shivers.

“We have plenty of forwards, so for us to be successful, we will have to play good defense and rebound the ball well,” Parks said.

Rebounds will be important for the Wildcats by “limiting opponents to only one opportunity to score,” Parks said.

It will be important for the Wildcats to stay healthy.

That is something that they were not able to do last season when there were two torn ACL’s and a broken finger among the bad news bulletins.

“If we don’t have any injuries like we did last year, we should be able to win some games,” Parks said.

Parks expects a wide-open battle for the conference crown. “If we get a couple lucky bounces, we should be

able to maybe surprise some teams,” he said.

Having the teams top three scorers and rebounders returning from last year will be a chance to set good examples for newcomers.

Keely Smith and Emma Boudreau are sophomores and Emma Leedy is a freshman.

Parks said that the returning players provide a lot of positives with our team.

“Hopefully their leadership and experience will make up for the lack of depth on the bench.”

Yet when any one commits too many fouls, it will be a stressful situation for the coach. “If any of them get in foul trouble it could turn into a very long night for us.

Perimeter shooting could also be a problem for us.”

That could be bad news.

The best part is that getting to play a game is always good news.

Donovan Girls High School Basketball Schedule Date 11/25-11/26 11/28 12/03 12/05 12/07 12/08 12/15 12/22 12/27-12/28 01/02 01/05 01/09 01/12 01/19 01/23 01/24 01/26 01/30 02/02 02/06

Opponent Calvary Christian Tournament St. Anne High School Armstrong High School Grant Park High School Beecher High School Garner South Wilmington Tri-Point High School Watseka High School Momence Holiday Tournament Iroquois West High School Illinois Lutheran St. Anne High School Kankakee Trinity Academy Grant Park High School Gardner South Wilmington Clifton Central High School Beecher High School Tri-point High School Illinois Lutheran IHSA Regionals

GO! FIGHT! WIN!

Location Time Away TBA Home 5:30 p.m.

Away 11 a.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Away 7 p.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Away TBA Away 6 p.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Away 6 p.m.

Away 5:30 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

Home 5:30 p.m.

TBA TBA

GO! FIGHT! WIN!

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Photo by Carla Waters Donovan boys basketball team members are, front row, left to right: Aiden Caposieno, Zach Whitson, Thomas Talley, Jeremia Albright; back row, left to right: Kyle Gilbert-Sutherland, Kohlton Lanoue, Jacob Castongue, Keegan Wingerter, Bryce Perzee, Kendall Arseneau and Tyler Martell.

GO! FIGHT! WIN!

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com The boys basketball program at Donovan High School won three times as many games last year as it did the season before.

Wildcats head coach Andy Lindo was 2-27 in his first year, but 6-25 last season.

He starts his third year with an extremely green team that doesn’t have much height.

“We have two major weaknesses, size and experience,” Lindo said.

Lindo will not have Eric Lattimer, who averaged a double-double, in the middle. Lattimer’s went for 19 points and 10 rebounds a contest last season, earning First Team All-River Valley Conference. The Wildcats will also be without David Miller’s play as the point guard, which resulted in averages of 9 point, 2.5 assists and Honorable Mention All-Conference. Both have graduated.

Lindo does see strengths in his team.

“We are going to have good team speed and quickness,” the coach said.

Kendell Arseneau started as a freshman last year, averaging 5 points and 4 rebounds a game. He connected on 34 3-pointers last

Page 5

GO! FIGHT! WIN!

Page 6

Iroquois County Winter Sports

November 2016

Iroquois West Boys Basketball Schedule

Photos by Doug Brenneman Front row (l-r) Zach Gerling, Devin Gray, Cole Daniel, Sam Andrade, Austin Martinez, Max Grant; Back row (l-r) Michael Hartke, Markese Gaytan, Zach Rice, Ty Brenner, lexis Ramirez, Corey Schunke, Will Clark

New coach sparks interest

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com There is a new coach in Gilman and he is hard to miss.

Aaron Harrison, who is 6 foot, 10 inches tall and has played basketball professionally overseas, starts his first year as the boys coach at Iroquois West.

Harrison has a lot of interest generated with 16 players on his varsity roster.

Nick Dowell at the center position, DonTerrance Nixon at a forward and Jose Lopez at guard are key players lost to graduation from a team that was 10-19 last season. Those three provided a lot of scoring and rebounding last year.

This will be Harrison’s first time as a high school head coach, but he has worked with the age group as a coach with Example Sports. “I feel I am very prepared from the coaching aspect,” he said.

Returning starters Corey Schunke, at 6-0 and 170 pounds, with Markese Gaytan, at 5-10, 165, manned the guard positions last year. Austin Martinez, 5-9, 160, and Ty Brenner, at 6-5 and 190, also saw significant time last season. All four are seniors.

Junior Austin Saathoff, at 6-0, 180, may be a key newcomer for the Raiders. Some new players are going to be

looked upon to put up scoring and rebounding numbers that were lost from last year’s team.

The Raiders’ strengths should be their quickness and aggressiveness on defense. There is team speed and athleticism available. How Harrison is able to mold that will be a key.

“I will work with what I have,” Harrison said. “I would love to have a post to get the ball to, but this is high school.

I can’t go out and recruit my kind of player.”

The Raiders may lack one thing Harrison has — size.

There are just three heights over 6 foot listed on the roster.

With a new coach, it will be very important for IW’s athletes to quickly learn and adapt to a different philosophy.

“I have to make adjustments to my players, not have my players make adjustments to me,” Harrison said.

The schedule is difficult from beginning to the end with a lot of quality opponents. The games in the Sangamon Valley Conference will also be tough with PBL, Watseka, and Dwight expected to challenge for the title.

“I am not going to promise so many wins, but I am going to promise some excitement,” Harrison said. “I am definitely looking forward to it.”

Date Opponent Location Time 11/22 Thanksgiving Tourney v. PC Away 6:30 p.m.

11/25 Thanksgiving Tourney v. GCMS Away 5 p.m.

11/26 Thanksgiving Tourney v. LeRoy Away 3:30 p.m.

11/29 St. Anne Away 5:30 p.m.

12/02 Momence Home 6 p.m.

12/03 Watseka/St. Anne Away 9/10:30 a.m.

12/06 Milford Home 6 p.m.

12/13 Streater Woodland Away 6 p.m.

12/15-12/20Watseka Holiday Tournament Away TBA 01/03 Donovan Home 6 p.m.

1/06 Cissna Park Away 6 p.m.

1/07 Armstrong Home 4 p.m.

1/13 Watseka Home 6 p.m.

1/20 Illinois Lutheran Away 5:45 p.m.

1/24 South Newton Away 5:30 p.m.

1/27 PBL Away 6 p.m.

1/31-02/04 SVC Tournament TBA TBA 02/07 Blue Ridge Home 6 p.m.

02/10 Dwight Home 6 p.m.

02/13 Tri-Point Home 6 p.m.

02/14 Ridgeview Away 5:30 p.m.

02/17 Central Away 6 p.m.

02/21-02/24Regional TBA TBA 02/28-03/03Sectional TBA TBA 03/07 Super-Sectional TBA TBA 03/10-03/11State Finals Away TBA

Iroquois West Boys Basketball Roster Name NumberPositionHeight Max Grant 4 G 5’8 Markese Gaytan 5 G 6’0 Ivan Ramirez 13 G 5’9 Cole Daniel 14 G 5’9 Corey Schunke 15 G 6’0 Austin Martinez 23 G 5’9 Juan Leon 23 F 5’11 Austin Saathoff 24 G 5’11 Will Clark 25 F 5’9 Zach Gerling 33 G 5’7 Devin Gray 34 G 5’10 Alexis Ramirez 35 F 6’3 Zach Rice 43 F 6’3 Tyler Brenner 44 C 6’5 Michael Hartke 45 F 5’10 Sam Andrade 55 F 5’10

Front row (l-r) Rachel Carney, Tayler Fairley, Kwinn Arie, Karson Arie, Maya Sanchez, Elizabeth Conrad Back row (l-r) Head Coach Kristy Arie, Mariah Saathoff, Taylor McTaggart, Meara Tilstra, Lauren Cultra, Grace Schroeder, Asst.

Coach Bob Campbell

Lady Raiders set sectional, conference crowns as goals

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com The Lady Raiders came up 13 points short of a girls basketball Sectional championship last season. The loss to Bloomington Central Catholic was just the third of the season, tying a school record.

The previous year, Iroquois West High School had five losses, but a school record of a fourth-place finish in the state.

If any school records are in danger this year, senior Grace Schroeder may do the damage. Schroeder averaged 20.4 points a game last year when she was a Class 2A All-State Second Team pick by the AP and is 461 points away from the career scoring record of 1,617 held by Brooke Cultra.

She also had averages of 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 2.1 assists.

IW head coach Kristy Arie starts her eighth year at IW with a career record of 144-70 in 10 years overall Arie has nine upperclassmen on her varsity roster. Among them are the replacements for two First Team All-Sangamon Valley Conference picks in graduated center Andrea Fuoss with 10.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and guard Skylar Small, who averaged 8.3 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists.

Arie has a 6-footer to play in the post with Meara Tilstra, who produced 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds a game as a sophomore. She also totaled 48 blocks on the season and was selected as an honorable mention pick to the All-SVC team..

“Grace Schroeder and Meara Tilstra will make a nice combo for us,” Arie said.

Candidates for getting them the ball will be Mariah Saathoff, a 5-4 senior, Rachel Carney, a 5-5 junior, Lauren Cultra , a 5-7 junior, and Maya Sanchez, a 5-4 junior.

“We add to the mix a solid core of guards who have seen some playing time at the varsity level and are ready to step in and contribute,” Arie said.

Junior Taylor McTaggart, at 5-10, and seniors Tayler Fairley, at 5-9, and Elizabeth Conrad, 5-8, will look to fill

Year So Sr Sr Sr Sr Sr Jr Jr Sr Fr Jr Jr Fr Sr So Sr

the forward positions.

With just nine players suiting up for varsity, depth will be a concern. “Our bench will not be as deep as it has been in years past,” Arie said.

The Lady Raiders had just four players attempt more than 10 3-pointers last year and three are gone.

“We lost quite a bit of our outside shooting threats to graduation, but the guards we do have are capable,” Arie

Iroquois West Girls Basketball Roster Name Grace Schroeder Tayler Fairley Elizabeth Conrad Mariah Saathoff Meara Tilstra Maya Sanchez Rachel Carney Lauren Cultra Taylor McTaggart

Position G/F F F G F G G G/F F

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said. “They just have to be confident.”

They can learn confidence from their coach, who has faith that her team can still possibly claim a SVC title. The main competition for that crown will come from Watseka, PBL and Cissna Park, Arie said.

“Regardless of losing a solid group of seniors last year, I still look for us to be very competitive this year as we will aim to battle at the top of the conference.”

Iroquois West Girls Basketball Schedule Date Opponent Location Time 11/22 Armstrong-Patomac Away 6 p.m.

11/28 Champaign Centennial Away 6 p.m.

12/01 Momence Away 6 p.m.

12/05 Cissna Park Home 6 p.m.

12/08 St. Anne Home 6 p.m.

12/10 Iroquois West Holiday HoopsHome 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

12/12 Iroquois West Holiday HoopsHome 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

12/14 Iroquois West Holiday HoopsHome 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.

12/17 Ridgeview Away 11 a.m.

01/02 Donovan Home 6 p.m.

01/05 Watseka Away 6 p.m.

01/07 GCMS Home 11 a.m.

01/09 Milford Away 6 p.m.

01/10 Tri-Point Home 6 p.m.

01/12 PBL Home 6 p.m.

01/14 Central Frost Tourney Central TBA 01/16-01/21SVC Tournament Away TBA 01/23 South Newton Home 6 p.m.

01/26 Dwight Away 5:30 p.m.

01/31 Peotone Away 5:30 p.m.

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Iroquois County Winter Sports

Page 7

CP’s winning tradition should prove motivation

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com Kevin Long starts his 21st season coaching the boys basketball team of Cissna Park. In that time he has amassed a 391-238 record. His overall career record is 436-318.

In Long’s initial season at the helm of the Timberwolves, Cissna Park was 7-18. Since then, Long has had four seasons with five or less losses. He has twice guided the Timberwolves to the Sweet 16 and twice more to the Elite Eight.

There have only been three other losing seasons since that first one. One occurred last year when the Timberwolves won just a single game in the Sangamon Valley Conference and finished 7-22 overall.

The Timberwolves have never had back-to-back losing seasons under Long’s stewardship or had more than four seasons without a Regional championship.

“Our guys are well aware of our winning tradition, and hopefully, they find that motivating,” Long said.

Cissna Park lost some close games last season that Long said was due to a lack of toughness which led to an inability to finish games. “We need to trust our system and re-establish our ‘expect to win’ mentality.”

To prevent another losing season, Long will count on five returning letterman, especially seniors Tristen Kissack, Chaz Reetz, and John Nowaczyk. The 6-foot-4 Kissack averaged 11 points, five rebounds and three assists a game last year.

Reetz used his 6-2, 245-pound frame to average 4.3 points a game and Nowacyzk, at 6-3, 210, scored 3.8 per game.

Long expects contributions from all his players, especially sophomores Conner Lober and Brian Fehr. The 6-1 Fehr averaged 3.8 points a game as a freshman.

Defense has always been a priority with Long. “We take great pride in establishing ourselves as one of the top defensive teams in the area.”

Long said a strength of the team will be its balance and post play. “We have some guys on the perimeter who have the ability to get to the rim off the bounce and we have four post players that should give us an inside presence.”

Offensive efficiency and production will be major points of emphasis. The Timberwolves’ shooting percentages last year were 55 on free throws, 41 on field goals and 28 on threes. They averaged 39 points a game.

Long said a tough nonconference schedule will help establish team chemistry. He expects the SVC to be very competitive this year.

“If we stay focused on the things we can control, we should be able to show significant improvement.”

Date 12/01 12/03 12/05 12/10 12/16 12/26-12/29 01/03 01/07 01/12 01/14 01/16 01/19 01/21 01/23 01/26 01/28 01/30 02/02 02/06-02/09 02/13-16 02/20 02/24-25

Cissna Park Girls Basketball Schedule Opponent Location Time South Newton High School Away 6 p.m.

Ridgeview Community Home 10 a.m.

Iroquois West High School Away 6 p.m.

Fisher High School Away 10 a.m.

Bismarck-Henning High School Away 5:30 p.m.

Blue Devuk Classic Away TBA Unity High School Home 6 p.m.

Hoopeston Area High School Home 10 p.m.

Watseka High School Home 6 p.m.

Aurora Christian Shootout Away TBA Sangamon Valley Conference Away TBA Sangamon Valley Conference Away TBA Sangamon Valley Conference Away TBA LeRoy High School Away 6 p.m.

Momence High School Away 6 p.m.

Milford High School Away 10 a.m.

Dwight High School Away 6 p.m.

PBL High School Home 6 p.m.

Regional TBA TBA Sectional TBA TBA Super-sectional TBA TBA State TBA TBA

Photos contributed Front row (l-r) Keegan Boyle, Mario Renteria, Brian Fehr, Tanner Benoit, Conner Lober, Bailey Sluis; Back row (l-r) Head Coach Kevin Long, Assistant Coach Vincent Lober, Chaz Reetz, John Nowaczyk, Julian Stadeli, Christian Stadeli, Tristen Kissack, Austin Kregel, Assistant Coach Seth Johnson, Manager Zack Hummel

Cissna Park Boys Basketball Roster Name Conner Lober Keegan Boyle Mario Renteria Bailey Sluis Tristen Kissack Brian Fehr Tanner Benoit Austin Kregel Julian Stadeli Christian Stadeli Chaz Reetz John Nowaczyk

Age So Fr So So Sr So Jr Sr So So Sr Sr

NumberPosition 05 G 10 G 11 G 14 G 20 G 22 G 25 F 31 F 35 C 40 C 42 C 44 C

Cissna Park Boys Basketball Schedule Date Oppenent 11/29 Bismarck-Henning 12/03 Salt Fork 12/06 Armstrong 12/14-21 SJO Leader Classic 12/28-29 Pinckneyvhille Holiday 01/06 Iroquois West 01/07 Danville Schlarman 01/10 South Newton 01/13 Clifton Central 01/14 St. Anne 01/17 St. Joseph Ogden 01/20 Dwight 01/21 Bishop McNamara 01/27 Watseka 01/28 Milford 01/31-02/04Sangamon Valley 02/10 Momence 02/11 Riverton Shootout 02/17 PBL 02/20-24 Class A Regional 02/28-03/3Class A Sectional 03/07 Class A Super Sectional 03/10-11 Class A State

Location Away Home Away Away Away Home Home Away Away Away Home Home Home Away Away Away Home Away Away TBA TBA TBA TBA

Time 6 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

TBA TBA 6 p.m.

1 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

TBA 6 p.m.

TBA 6 p.m.

TBA TBA TBA TBA

Cissna Park Girls CP tied school’s record Basketball Roster for wins, hopes to Number 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 15 21 25 33

Name Age Anna Jennings So Josie Maul Sr Olivia Powell Jr Lauren Knake Sr Sloan Boyce So Olivia Stoller Jr Jasmine Stock Jr Michelle Fehr Sr Ayiana Marquez Jr Gabby Wessels Jr Madelyn Garrison Jr

Front row (l-r) Josie Maul, Anna Jennings, Olivia Powell, Olivia Stoller, Sloan Boyce, Gabby Wessels; Back row (l-r) Manager Brenna Fergusson, Ayiana Marquez, Madelyn Garrison, Jasmine Stock, Michelle Fehr, Lauren Knake, Manager Kali Hines, Head Coach Anthony Videka, not pictured Asst. Coach John Maul

improve on Regional title

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com Cissna Park saw its girls basketball team put up a lot of wins last season and garner a Regional championship, but it did not advance out of Sectionals.

Anthony Videka starts his second year coaching the Lady Timberwolves, after tying a school record for wins in his initial season. He replaced Stephen Summers, who had a 5112 mark with two Regional titles and one Sectional.

Videka coached Watseka’s boys team from 2012-14. He has a 50-39 career record after last season’s 29-3 mark as the Lady Timberwolves won their third straight Regional title.

Videka must replace two standout players. Guard Addison Stoller, who graduated as an All-Sangamon Valley Conference performer, All-Area Kankakee/News Gazette, All-State First Team IBCA, and Second Team All-State pick by AP. Forward Samantha Hasselbring, who was SVC All-Conference and All-Area Kankakee also graduated.

Cissna Park does have returning starters in Gabby Wessels, who was SVC All-Conference and Lauren Knake, who was honorable mention SVC. Letter winners Jasmine Stock and Michelle Fehr also return. All four are 5-foot-6.

“One weakness is that we are vertically challenged,” Videka said. “We are just not very tall.”

Sophomore Sloan Boyce is the tallest on the roster at 5-9.

Senior Madelyn Garrison is 5-8. Videka expects contributions from them as well as senior Josie Maul, junior Olivia Stoller and sophomore Anna Jennings.

Videka expects his team’s shortcomings to be overcome with hard work.

“Our strength is our defense,” Videla said. “We play hard on defense. We have a group that is willing to dig in on the defensive side.”

The coach said it will be a challenging conference this year. “The SVC will be very competitive this season.”

Videka mentioned half of the league as challengers for the conference title.

“Watseka, Iroquois West and PBL should be very good, along with a well-improved Clifton team.”

The returning players provide a solid base for Videka to build on.

“We are looking to be competitive in all our games,” Videka said. “We have a good core group coming back and we are excited about our younger players getting big minutes.”

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Page 8

Iroquois County Winter Sports

November 2016

Back row (l-r) Kyle McNally, Khyler Cann, Brad Leitz, Jake Thompson, Konnor Knauth, Jared Schunke Front row (l-r) Tyler Schmidt, Ty Clark, Charlton Crawford, Zach Tovey, Kennedy Kunsch, Steven Varela, Sebastian Irwin

Milford Boys Basketball Roster Name Khyler Cann Ty Clark Konnor Knauth Brad Leitz Kyle McNally Steven Varela Zach Tovey Tyler Schmidt Jacob Thompson Sebastin Irwin Jared Schunke Kennedy Kunsch Charlton Crawford Milford Boys Basketball Schedule Date 11/22 11/25 11/26 12/3 12/6 12/9 12/13 12/16 12/17 12/19 12/20 01/03 01/06 01/10 01/14 01/17 01/24 01/27 01/28 02/03 02/07 02/10 02/11 02/14 02/17

Opponent Location Time Bismarck-Henning Hoopeston 6 p.m.

Hoopeston Hoopeston 7:30 p.m.

Fisher Hoopeston 6 p.m.

Watseka Sheldon Iroquois West Gilman Armstrong-Potomac Home 6 p.m.

Georgetown-Ridgefarm Home Donovan Watseka Beecher Watseka Central Watseka TBA Watseka Bismarck-Henning Away Schlarman Home 6 p.m.

Hoopeston Home 6 p.m.

Chrisman Away South Newton Sheldon Salt Fork Away Oakwood Home 6 p.m.

Cissna Park Home Armstrong-Potomac Armstrong 6 p.m.

Westville Home Bismarck-Henning Home LaSallete Home Schalarman Danville Hoopeston Away 6 p.m.

Number 21 15 2 11 30 1 23 4 25 3 24 10 35

Age Sr Sr Sr Sr Sr Sr Sr Jr Jr Jr So So So

More court time equals improved play 6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

5 p.m.

TBA 6 p.m.

3 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 6 6 6

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com Milford hopes to see more wins from its boys basketball team after a 9-19 mark last year.

Milford has a familiar face coaching its team.

David Caldwell starts the second year of his second stint coaching the Bearcats. He is also the school’s boys and girls athletic director and activities director. Caldwell coached Milford from 1984-98. He accumulated 261 wins with just 105 losses in those 14 years. The Bearcats did not lose more than five games in any of the seven single seasons from 1991-98 and posted a 24-2 mark in the 1993-94 season.

The coach does not have high expectations for his team, initially, but that will change. Caldwell plans on the Bearcats getting better the more they play. The battle of games should fine tune their skills.

“We play a very difficult schedule which we hope makes us a fine team at the end of the season,” Caldwell said.

Milford lost a Kankakee All-Area athlete when Zach Luecke graduated. Replacing him will be a team effort.

Caldwell has returning starter, Jacob Thompson, to build around. Caldwell said the amount of athletes he has will be a strong point.

The Bearcats will be loaded with upperclassmen. Thompson is a 6-foot-7 junior. Tyler Schmidt is a 5-11 junior.

Other returning letter winners are all seniors—Steven Varcla and Kyle McNally are both 6-0 and Ty Clark is 5-9.

Caldwell also mentioned three more seniors as key components on this year’s team. Khyler Cann and Brad Leitz are each 6-1 and Konnor Knauth is 6-2.

“Our team’s strengths are experience, depth, and the team plays hard,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell pointed out a couple of weaknesses that Milford has. One should improve with practice, but there is nothing that can be done about the other.

“Our team’s weaknesses are our overall size and our shooting,” Caldwell said.

Caldwell expects challengers for the Vermilion Valley Conference championship to be between Bismarck-Henning, Westville and Hoopeston.

Added seasoning should mean more Lady Cat wins

Photos contributed Back row (l-r) Sarah Teig, Emily Duis, Brooklyn Gray, Hannah Boyer, Alaina Portwood, Kendall McCalla, Cheyenne Wilken Front row (l-r) Jordan Fritch, Olivia Henning, Lyndsey Leitz, Abigail Mussard, Lillian Habing, Brooke Sobkoviak, Emma Morts

Milford Girls Basketball Roster

Milford Girls Basketball Schedule Date Opponent Location 12/01 Armstrong-Potomac Home 12/05 Georgetown-Ridgefarm 12/08 Bismarck-Henning 12/10-12/14 IW Holiday Hoopla 12/15 Hoopeston Home 12/19 Salt Fork 01/05 Oakwood Home 01/07 Watseka 01/09 Iroquois West 01/12 Armstrong-Potomac Away 01/14 Chrisman 01/19 Judah Christian 01/21 Schlarman Home 01/23 Westville 01/24 South Newton 01/26 Bismarck Henning 01/28 Cissna Park 01/30 Schlarman Away 02/02 Hoopeston Away 02/06-02/11 Regionals TBA

Time 6 p.m.

Home Away Away 6 p.m.

Away 6 p.m.

Away Home 6 p.m.

Away Away 12 p.m.

Home Home Home Home 6 p.m.

6 p.m.

TBA

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

TBA 6 p.m.

10 a.m.

6 p.m.

12 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

6 p.m.

10 a.m.

Number 2 4 11 12 14 15 23 30 31 33 40 44 45

Name Age Jordan Fritch Jr Kendall McCalla So Alaina Portwood So Brooke Sobkoviak So Cheyanne Wilken Sr Emily Duis Jr Abby Mussard Sr Olivia Henning So Sarah Teig So Lillian Habing Sr Hannah Boyer So Brooklyn Gray Jr Lyndsey Leitz So

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By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com The Milford High School girls basketball team’s coach plans on the Lady Cats getting better and better as the season progresses.

“We will have an inside presence as the season goes on,” Milford coach Mike Duis said. “We will be a tough team to beat once we get that established.”

Duis starts his third year at the top of the Lady Cats basketball program.

“Basketball is my passion,” Duis said. He is a full-time farmer.

“Basketball is my hobby-job.”

Duis led the Lady Cats to a 10-17 record last season after going 14-16 in his first season.

Milford will build around three top returning players. Brooklyn Gray and Emily Duis are both 5-foot-10 juniors, and Lillian Habing is a 5-7 senior.

Emily Duis averaged 13 points a game last year. She pulled down an average of six rebounds while handing out three assists.

She also averaged two steals per game.

The coach has his daughter and Habing as the primary ball handlers. “We have experience at the guard position going into this season,” the coach said. “Emily and Lily are solid ball handlers that know the system and have valuable varsity experience.”

The Lady Cats lost experienced players to graduation. McKenzie Reiners is one of the key graduation losses suffered by Milford. Reiners had averages of seven points and eight rebounds last year.

Duis expects some underclassmen to contribute. “Many sophomores will play varsity, but I do not want to single any athletes out at this time,” Coach Duis said.

Duis said a strength of the team is height. “We have good size at the forward and center positions,” coach Duis said. “When we are able to finish at the rim, we will be very competitive.”

Duis said there are a few expectations he has. If they are not met, the team will not succeed, “if we don’t work hard enough, we don’t post up well enough. We want to win all of the 50/50 balls.”

Everybody has things to fix, but Duis wants one thing from his squad. “We want to be the toughest team. We want to seal seams and contest shots. If we do that, we will be okay.”

Duis expects three teams to challenge for the Vermilion Valley Conference title.

“Danville Schlarman will be the favorite again this year in the VVC,” he said. The Hilltoppers won their Class 1A Regional and Sectional last season. “Bismarck-Henning and Oakwood will also be good.”

Milford will be good as well, if the Lady Cats improve. “Our goals for this season are to have a winning record and contend for a Regional title.”

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6 November 2016

Iroquois County Winter Sports

Page 9

Conference player of year returns for Cardinals

Photo contributed Front row (l-r) Marshawn Ellis, Marsheko Grampton, Aaron Rodriguez, Tywon Johnson; Back row (l-r) Jalmen Sullivan, Mike Mitchell, Jake Nicholson, Martell Justice, Mico Sullivan, Travis DeYoung, Markus Pickens St. Anne Boys Basketball Schedule Date Opponent 11/22-26 Seneca Turkey Tournament 11/29 Iroquois West 12/02 Donovan 12/08 Tri-Point 12/17 Momence 12/27-30 Kankakee Holiday Tourney 01/06 Illinois Lutheran 01/10 Beecher 01/13 Grant Park 01/14 Cissna Park 01/17 Gardner South Wilmington 01/20 Donovan 01/24 Tri-Point 01/27 Gardner South Wilmington 01/31 Herscher 02/07 Illinois Lutheran 02/10 Beecher 02/11 Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout 02/14 Kankakee 02/17 Grant Park 02/20-24 Regionals 02/28-3/3Secionals 03/07 Super-Sectionals 03/11 State Finals

Location Away Home Away Home Away Away Away Home Away Home Home Home Away Away Away Home Away Away Home Home Away Away Away Peoria

Time TBA 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

TBA 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

7 p.m.

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TBA 6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

TBA TBA TBA TBA

Cardinals look for experience to overcome lack of height

St. Anne Boys Basketball Roster # 1 2 3 4 5 10 11 21 23 24 31 33 50

Name Position Marsheko Grampton G Martell Justice G Aaron Rodriguez G Markus Pickens F/C Marshawn Ellis G Tywon Johnson G Marshawn Mixon F Travis DeYong G/F Jalmen Sullivan G Mico Sullivan G Jake Nicholson G/F Mike Mitchell F Noah Burling F St. Anne Girls Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent 11/28 Donovan 12/01 Tri-Point 12/05 Gardner South Wilmington 12/08 Iroquois West

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter 12/12 Illinois Lutheran sports@intranix.com 12/15 Beecher Size and experience are two important attributes in a girls 12/16 Watseka basketball team. To have a successful season St. Anne High 12/27-28 Momence Holiday Tourney School’s head coach said it will be necessary for a surplus of 01/03 Central one of those attributes to make up for the dearth of the other 01/05 Grant Park 01/09 Donovan one.

Andy Stembridge starts his fourth year with a 19-53 career 01/10 Kankakee 01/12 Tri-Point record after a 3-19 mark last year.

01/16 Wilmington The weakness for the Cardinals will be a lack of height.

01/19 Gardner South Wilmington The strength of the team will be its experience.

01/23 Dwight There is a group of seniors that have been in the program 01/26 Illinois Lutheran since they were freshmen that Stembridge is counting on 01/30 Beecher this season.

02/02 Grant Park Amber Chase, who is 5-foot-6, is a returning starter. Mar- 02/06-10 Regionals 02/20 Super-sectionals icela Pena, at 5-2, and Erin Corriveau, at 5-6, will provide 02/24 State Finals vital contributions for Stembridge.

“All three are returning seniors that will be looked on to provide leadership for the team,” Stembridge said.

Stembridge did lose an All-River Valley Conference player in Louisha Anthony, who played forward.

Replacing her will be the job of key newcomers, Brandi Chase, who provides some height at 5-11, but is just a freshman, and Payton Kerness, a 5-6 junior.

“Our strength will be leadership,” Stembridge said. “This year we will have a good group of seniors that have been in the program for the last four years that we plan to lean on.”

Getting leaned on by opponents may be a problem for the Cardinals. “Our weakness is our size,” Stembridge said.

“We lack the size that other teams may have, so we are going to have to get out and score.” Scoring will be the emphasis for Stembridge’s squad. Scoring will help offset our lack of size. We will need to overcome that for the season to be successful.”

The Cardinals will have a lot of options to find some scoring. There are 14 players listed on the varsity roster.

“We have a good core of returning players,” Stembridge said. “That should provide consistency and leadership, which should result in more competitive games.”

Age Sr Jr Sr Sr Sr Sr Jr Jr Sr So Jr Jr Sr

Location Away Away Home Away Home Home Home Away Away Away Home Away Home Home Away Away Away Away Home Away Away Away

Time 5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

TBA 7 p.m.

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5:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m.

7 p.m.

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TBA TBA TBA

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com Most of the time, high school teams lose their best players to graduation. St. Anne not only has its best player returning to its boys basketball team, it has the best player in its conference back for his senior year.

Jalman Sullivan was named the River Valley Conference Player of the Year last season as a junior at St. Anne.

Rick Schoon starts his 17th season as the Cardinals head coach in an enviable position. He also has his second-leading rebounder and scorer from last year returning. Travis DeYoung amassed those totals as a sophomore and was an All-Conference selection at Honorable Mention.

The Cardinals hope to recover from a ‘down’ year when they did not win the RVC for the first time in three years as Gardner-South Wilmington claimed the league’s banner.

St. Anne had a 15-13 overall record and finished 9-3 in the RVC after posting a 35-1 league mark over the previous three years. Schoon has a Class 1A state title on his resume with a championship in the 2007-08 season.

Marshawn Ellis returns to man the point guard position for the Cardinals. As a senior, Schoon wants “better decisions” from his floor leader.

Markus Pickens, at 6-foot-3, and Noah Burling, at 6-foot, will be counted on to man the post.

“I will need those two to protect the paint,” Schoon said.

He will need their production to overcome what he said was a team weakness – size.

The coach sees a lot of strengths in his Cardinals.

“We have team speed. We have quickness,” Schoon said.

“We have experience from last season.”

With the seasoning his players have, Schoon said he should know by Christmas “where we want to be.”

The Cardinals will then hone their play so that “We can be tough by the end of the year.”

The postseason is what counts and the Cardinals will get a preview of it during conference play. “Most of our conference teams will be in our Regional,” Schoon said.

The coach said the Cardinals must succeed as defenders.

“Defensively, we must be solid and play hard on every possession.”

One thing the team hopes to do, and it is a universal hope, is to stay healthy.

“We look to have a solid season and contend for conference and Regional titles,” Schoon said.

St. Anne Girls Basketball Roster # 5 10

12 11

41 23 33 22 1 13

3

Name Position Amber Chase G/F Ashleigh Kibbons G Betty McCray G/F Brandi Chase G/F Carlie Stalnecker G Dayo McCoy G Erin Corriveau G/F Gracie O’Brien F Lauren Emerson F Lili Cruz G/F Marciela Pena G Megan Stegall G Maia Heckard F Payton Kerness G

Age Sr Jr So Fr So So Sr Sr Jr Jr Sr Fr Fr Jr

Photo by Doug Brenneman Front row (l-r) Calyana Dotch, Betty McCray, Payton Kerness, Jakaylah Thomas, Carlie Stalnecker, Maricela Pena, Megan Stegall; Back row (l-r) Megan Chesebro, Shelby Davis, Jennifer Valdez, Alane Hawkins, Maia Heckard, Brandi Chase, Lili Cruz, Ashleigh Kibbons, Erin Corriveau; Not pictured: Manager Carrie Wilkinson

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Page 10

Iroquois County Winter Sports

November 2016

PBL boys must find role players

Photos contributed Front row (l-r) Anthony Harris, Jaxson Coplea, Wolfgang Heisler, Austin Sanders, Keaton Krumweide; Middle row (l-r) Brady Barfield, Dalton Coplea, Tyler Pichon, Cole Eshleman, Luis Rodriguez Back row (l-r) Asst. Coach Blake Bodine, Asst. Coach Tom Rubarts, Luke Fitton, Tom Henrichs, Andrew Zenner, Colton Kleinert, Head Coach Adam Schonauer.

PBL Boys Basketball Roster

PBL Boys Boys Basketball Schedule Date Opponent Location Time 11/29 Hoopeston Away 7:30 p.m.

12/02 Dwight High School Away 6:45 p.m.

12/09 Cilfton Central Home 12/13 GCMS Home 12/20 Monticello High School Away 12/27-29 Monticello Tourney Away TBA 01/06 Momence High School Away 01/07 Shelbyville High School Away 01/10 Rantoul High School Away 7:30 p.m.

01/17 St. Thomas More Away 01/20 South Newton High School Away 01/21 Bloomington Central CatholicHome 01/24 St. Joe-Ogden Home 01/28 Prairie Central High School Home 01/31-02/04SVC Tourney Away 02/10 Watseka High School Away 7:30 p.m.

02/11 Riverton High School Away TBA 02/14 Tuscola High School Home 7:30 p.m.

02/17 Cissna Park Home 02/20 IHSA Regionals TBA

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 TBA

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

7:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

# 1 2 3 4 5 12 13 21 22 24 30 32 42 44

Name Position Wolfgang Heisler G Dalton Coplea G Anthony Harris G Keaton KrumwiedeG Luis Rodreiguez G Brady Barfield G Tyler Pichon G Colton Kleinert G Jaxon Coplea F Austin Sanders G Cole Eshleman G Tom Henrichs F Luke Fitton F Andrew Zenner F

Age Sr Sr Jr Jr Sr Jr Jr Sr Jr Jr Sr Sr Sr Sr

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com Paxton-Buckley-Loda graduated five important players from its high school boys basketball team that won a Regional last season.

“We have to be able to fill some of the roles that our seniors from last year did so well for us,” Schonauer said. “We lost nine seniors from last year’s team.”

Those lost include Corbin Riecks, Hunter Weber, Matt Poll, Jordan Kietzman, and Jonny Walder. Walder was an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association selection for its fourth team and a first team pick in the SVC. Schonauer starts his third year at the top spot of the Panthers. After an 18-10 record in his initial season, his squad finished 24-7 last year. Another six-game improvement in the win column would put the Panthers in prime position for the postseason.

“We return three core players from last season,” Schonauer said. Those three were starters: Andrew Zenner, 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, will play forward where he earned Sangamon Valley Conference First Team honors last season; Cole Eshleman, 5-10 and 160, plays a guard and received Honorable Mention accolades from the SVC; Dalton Coplea, 5-9 and 160, also plays guard. All three are seniors.

Three more seniors expected to contribute are Luis Rodrgiuez, 5-9, 160, Tom Henrichs, 6-7, 190, and Colton Kleinert, 6-1, 180.

Schonauer also sees some key newcomers providing depth. Among them are Luke Fitton, who is a 6-5 senior and four juniors in Jaxson Coplea, Austin Sanders, Tyler Pichon, and Keaton Krumwiede.

Competition for playing time will hone the Panthers’ skills.

“Our kids do a good job competing and playing hard,” Schonauer said. “We are working towards replacing a lot of production and roles from last year with other players this upcoming season.”

The coach doesn’t need a superstar. He needs players who contribute.

“I like the players we have and if we can fill some roles and stay healthy, we should be a competitive team this year,” Schonauer said.

Schonauer will need it all to gel if PBL can overcome who he thinks are threats to win the league this season. He said Watseka, Momence, and Cissna Park will be the primary challenges.

PBL Girls Basketball Schedule

PBL girls hope to replace Maynard

By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com The Paxton-Buckley-Loda girls basketball team lost a very talented player to graduation.

It will take a team effort by the Panthers to overcome the loss of 22.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.3 steals per game during the 2015-16 season that Kellyn Maynard generated from her guard position.

Maynard, who was Second Team All-State selection by the Associated Press and a Third Team choice by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, now plays for 11th-ranked Illinois Central College.

Rachel Hurliman starts her second year as the head coach at PBL. She led the Panthers to a 16-11 season last year.

It will be impossible to replace such a talented player as Maynard. It is possible to improve on last year’s record. To do that, Hurliman will count on three juniors.

Liberty Jamison is a 5-foot-6 guard who earned second team honors in the Sangamon Valley Conference. Cassidi Nuckols is a 5-9 forward and received SVC honorable mention accolades last season. Emma Fleming is 5-8 forward who is a 3-year starter.

Other juniors that Hurliman expects contributions from are 5-11 Ariana Gentzler, who will be a forward and 5-7 Madison Grohler. Mackenzie Bruns is a 5-8 freshman that Hurliman said will be a key newcomer at the guard position.

There is only one senior on the PBL roster and she is 5-2 Allie Hitz.

The Panthers’ strength and weakness is the experience and age of the team. Hurliman sees that as a positive.

“This team is very young and has really good chemistry,” Hurliman said.

The team’s play in the preseason and amount of practice time has the coach encouraged about the upcoming year.

“They have been working very hard and I am excited about this season,” Hurliman said.

The players chemistry must produce results if the team wants to be successful. Hurliman said the SVC will offer a challenging slate of games.

“Our conference is very tough this year,” Hurliman said.

“Our conference has a lot of very good teams such as Clifton Central, Watseka, and Iroquois West.”

If the team can play hard the whole game, Hurliman said they can be successful.

“We will have to learn how to play all four quarters and finish strong,” Hurliman said.

Good Luck Teams

PBL Girls Basketball # 11 12 14 20 21 22 23 40 43 45 54 55

Name Liberty Jamison Anne Rutledge Allie Hitz Mackenzie Bruns Madi Peden Valeree Johnson Ariana Gentzler Madison Grohler Emma Stocking Emma Fleming Cassidi Nuckols Katie Pierce

Position G F G G G G F F F G/F G/F F

Age Jr Jr Sr Fr So Jr Jr Jr Jr Jr Jr Jr

Date Opponent 11/22 Pontiac 11/28 Bismarck-Henning 11/29 Tri-Valley 12/01 Dwight 12/08 Clifton Central 12/12 St. Joe-Ogden 12/13 Rantoul 12/15 Momence Home 12/27-29 Monticello Tourney Away 01/05 South Newton HS 01/07 Eureka HS Away 01/09 Unity High School 01/12 IW High School 01/16-21 SVC Tourney 01/26 Watseka High School Home 02/06 IHSA Regionals

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Time 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

TBA 6 p.m.

Front row (l-r) Managers--Lexi Johnson, Miranda Rudin, Autumn Bruens; Second row (l-r) Valeree Johnson, Mackenzie Bruns, Katie Pierce, Emma Stocking, Anne Rutledge; Third row (l-r) Allie Hitz, Liberty Jamison, Madi Peden,Madison Grohler; Back row (l-r) Head Coach Rachel Hurliman, Cassisi Nuckols, Katie Pierce, Emma Fleming, Asst. Coach Lindsey Gerdes

in the classroom and on the field

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Location Away Away Home Home Away Home Away 7:30 p.m.

TBA Home 2:30 p.m.

Home Away Away 7:30 p.m.

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6 November 2016

Iroquois County Winter Sports

Page 11

Photo contributed Top row (l-r) Coach Erik Ronney Luke Waterson, Hobert Skinner, Gavin Ogburn, Teagan Wood, Tate Graham, Chase Cornett, Coach Colin Sullivan. Middle row (l-r) Megan Swanson, Timmy Haeden, Hunter Anderson, Christian Denam, Tanner Bowen, Jake Messer, Alesha Cornett, Bottom row (l-r) Matt Moore, Jacob Parrish, Cyote Hubb, Tim Tabor, Tim Hewerdine, Wyatt Jones

Panthers head into season with roster laden with underclassmen

Paxton-BuckleyLoda Wrestling Roster

Name Chase Cornett Jacob Parrish Tim Tabor Keanan Crabb Coyote Hubbs Gavin Ogburn Tanner Bowen Christian Denam Timothy Hewerdine Keyn Humes Wyatt Jones Travis Jones Jacob Messer Matthew Moore Hobert Skinner Hunter Anderson Alesha Cornett Carson Dudley Seth Forbes Tate Graham Tyler Hadden Tim Hadden Luke Waterson

Class 12 12 12 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

PBL Wrestling Schedule Date Opponent 11/22 Bismarck-Henning 12/01 Reed-Custer, Westville 12/12 Grant Park, St. Joe 12/15 Central, South Newton 12/17 Unity 12/29,30 New Year Challenge 1/5 Prairie Central 1/10 Clinton, Mt. Zion 1/12 Hoopeston 1/17 Dwight, Reed-Custer 1/19 Heyworth, Riverton 1/24 Grant Park 1/26 Rantoul, GCMS 1/28 Quincy Notre Dame 1/31 St. Thomas More 2/4 IHSA Regionals

Location Paxton Paxton Paxton Clifton Tolono Danville Fairbury Paxton Paxton Braidwood Paxton Grant Park Rantoul Quincy TBA TBA

Time 6:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

6:00p.m.

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6:00 p.m.

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By DOUG BRENNEMAN, Sports Reporter sports@intranix.com There are 23 student-athletes on the 2016-17 Paxton-Buckley-Loda wrestling roster hoping to improve on last year’s 11-9 record.

Head coach Erik Ronney starts his sixth year with a roster laden with underclassmen. There are only three seniors and three juniors out for the team, but nine sophomores and eight freshmen.

“We have a young team that has plenty to learn,” Ronney said.

The season starts for the Panthers Nov. 22 when they host a dual meet with Bismarck-Henning.

Ronney will build around last year’s Sectional qualifiers--senior Jacob Parrish at 138 pounds and sophomore Jacob Messer at 106.

Ronney expects help from key newcomers junior Coyote Hubb at 126 and Hunter Anderson at 132.

After getting their muscles

flexed in the season opener against Bismarck-Henning, the Panthers will host Braidwood Reed-Custer, Dec. 1, in the PBL Junior High School gym.

Those are the first two of 16 total dates on the schedule for the season.

The Panthers are “coming off a great season, but we have a tough year ahead of us rebuilding the team,” Ronney said.

A holiday tournament in Danville will be Dec. 29-30.

The Panthers have 10 more dates on their schedule after the for the wrestlers to prepare for the postseason.

“We have to keep kids healthy and win key matches, “ Ronney said.

The IHSA Class 1A Regionals will be Saturday, Feb. 4 at a site to be determined.

That is when the outcome of each match will truly count.

Page 12

Iroquois County Winter Sports

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