11/29/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Last season the Lawrenceville Indians were the only team in the Little Illini Conference not to lose a league game.

The Tribe went 7-0 for then head coach Randy Bishop.

Newton and Olney Richland County were the next two on the list as all three eclipsed the 20-win mark last season.

Unfortunately none of the teams in the league managed to haul home any postseason hardware.

Casey-Westfield lost in their own regional championship game and Lawrenceville was a first round upset victim to Robinson in the Vandalia Regional.

The Maroons then lost to Flora in the regional title game.

Newton was the other club that made it to the championship game of their own regional where postseason nemesis Teutopolis eliminated them.

The Wooden Shoes moved on to the super-sectional and Newton and head coach Troy Bierman knew they were so close to advancing.

Richland County and head coach Rob Flanagan played in the championship game of the 3A Charleston Regional, losing to Mt. Vernon, 40-37.

The rest of the teams in the conference had problems with all finishing below .500 on the year.

But this season all of that could change as some talent returns for most of the members of this long-standing conference.

Mt. Carmel and first season head coach Justin Carpenter struggled from the beginning after the Aces' football team advanced to the 3A title game and missed out on the early season practices, which is both a curse and a blessing for a school that thrives on the gridiron.

But there is talent there for this former player who helped lead the Aces to a state championship game in football back in 2017.

Robinson has a new head coach as former mentor Mack Thompson moved on to Effingham and Randy Bishop moved from Lawrenceville to Robinson.

Coach Bishop inherits a roster that is missing all five starters from graduation and very few that saw varsity minutes so the rebuilding begins.

On the other hand the Paris Tigers and head coach Chase Brinkley returns four of the five starters from a team that managed just six total wins and zero victories in the conference.

Marshall finished 14-16 overall for Coach Logan Eitel, who took over last season and managed to put together some wins in his first season at the helm.

It should be an interesting season in the Little Illini Conference, as it usually is.

The Casey-Westfield Warriors, with kids that do it on the football field and the basketball court, have their eyes focused on another successful season this winter.

Five of the top seven players from last season's 16-15 club return.

The Warriors made it to their own regional title game before losing to state-ranked Tuscola in the finale.

Three seniors are missing from last season.

Connor Sullivan, Grant Cochonour and Cole Gilbert left the building.

Sullivan, the A Sideline View 1A “Player of the Year” for football, is at McKendree University.

The ones coming back look impressive and Coach Brannan is hoping that the success from the football field moves into basketball season.

Six-four senior Ryan Richards was the Warriors' top-gun last winter, averaging just over 14 points a game.

Another senior; 6-1 guard Hayden Parcel, added 11 points a contest for C-W and Coach Brannan says he is the top defensive player on the squad.

The other returning starter is 6-1 junior guard Nolan Clement, who added seven points a night to the Warriors' totals.

There are others that Coach Brannan is counting on.

Senior Jackson Maulding, a 6-2 forward, also returns for Casey-Westfield.

Six-three junior Luke Karras is another of the football titans who also laces up the basketball shoes.

Daryn Hupp, a 6-1 junior, along with junior classmates 6-1 Leighton Jones and 6-3 Fred Thomas all have an upside according to Coach Brannan.

“Defense is what we hang our hats on,” said Coach Brannan. “We hope to play and uptempo game. We have great bunch of 'team first' guys on this team. I'm excited to get started.”

Lawrenceville will have a much different look this season for new mentor Tad Shick.

Former head coach Randy Bishop took the job a few miles north of Lawrence County on Route One and Coach Shick, a long-time assistant, takes the reigns for 2024-25.

Two starters and about 2,500 career points have also left the gym.

Bryant Jenkins, an ABV first team all-south selection, is one of the missing seniors along with Landon Sanders.

Both were starters and important to the success of the Indians in recent seasons.

However there are three starters back and some others waiting in the wings for a shot at minutes.

Six-two senior Maddox Pargin is back after gaining all-LIC honors last winter having averaged 13-points and six-rebounds for the 25-4, 7-0 league champs who felt a heartbreaking defeat to Robinson, 52-37 at the Vandalia Regional.

Another starter back is 5-6 senior guard Parker Hardiman, who was in the five-points per night range.

Coach Shick also mentioned 5-9 junior guard Zander Cessna (six-points per game) as a point guard who makes Lawrenceville “go.”

Four juniors are the ones expected to step forward to take the other starter spots as the season starts with four games in 36-hours at the Lawrence County Capital Classic.

Jayden Goff, a 6-2 junior forward, 6-2 junior Noah Wilson, 6-2 junior Emery Ivers and 6-3 junior forward Jacek Mickiewicz have preseason practice to prove their worth.

The juniors, as sophomores, were part of an undefeated JV squad.

We graduated 1500 & 1000 point scorers and have strengthened our schedule,” said Coach Shick. “That sounds like a recipe for disaster, but we have three starters back and a solid group of juniors that live in the gym. Those guys helped the junior varsity team go 19-0 last year and are looking to contribute this year.”

Richland County head coach Rob Flanagan lost just two seniors from the roster in 2023-24, a season in which they were so close to finally claiming a 3A regional championship.

The Mt. Vernon native lost to his alma mater in the title game at Charleston, sending the Tigers home at 25-5.

The two missing are Ian Winkler and Colby Redman from graduation from the club that ended up 5-2 in the LIC.

The Tigers won the LIC tournament title beating Newton for its second such title in three years.

The Tigers football team went two rounds into the playoffs so a late start to basketball conditioning will likely be painstaking early as they try to get into basketball shape.

The returners include 6-8 junior center Casey Thomann, who is getting major college football offers as an offensive lineman.

He has the kind of frame that makes him a big time football prospect but he can play the round-ball as well.

Two seniors are mentioned by Coach Flanagan.

Six-six guard Rex Hallam and 5-11 guard Arjay Keller.

Hallam was hurt last February (knee injury) and is working his way back.

Coach Flanagan is hopeful that Hallam will return by January.

Juniors on the club include 6-5 forward Brody Thomas, 6-foot guard Owen Kocher and 6-foot guard Reed Klingler.

Six-six sophomore forward Reid Brown is also available.

Thomann, Brown, Thomas and Klingler are all football players and may get a late start.

It will be an “all hands on deck” situation the first weekend of the season for the Tigers as they play in the torture rack of a two day tournament; the Lawrence County Capital Classic.

“We have a lot of unknowns heading into the season,” said Coach Flanagan, who is 16-victories away from 600 for his career.

So close, but yet so far.

That sums up what happened last February in the postseason for the Newton Eagles and head coach Troy Bierman.

The Eagles had Teutopolis, their arch enemy on the basketball court, right where they wanted them.

Newton hosted the regional and the home-court advantage gave the Eagles a big-time chance to dethrone the Wooden Shoes to keep them from their 14th consecutive regional championship.

But it wasn't meant to be.

Two free throws by Teutopolis' Joey Niebrugge with :03.3 seconds left gave the Wooden Shoes a 50-48 victory, ending the prep careers of nine seniors on the Newton squad.

The Eagles ended up 21-11 overall, 6-1 in the conference and runner up in the league tournament.

Those are positive numbers.

Now it is up to the young players to move up the totem pole.

The nine seniors will be missed.

Kye Bergbower, Max Meinhart, Payton Harris, Caden Nichols, Gus Bierman, Parker Wolf, Jacob Weber, Grant Ochs and Dylan Gier are long gone leaving some uniforms to be filled up.

A mixture of seniors, juniors and sophomores now have a chance to make a mark.

Seniors stepping up from the JV include 6-2 forward Drew Earnest, 6-2 guard Nick Bierman and 6-7 center Elias Weber.

The only returning letter-winner is from the junior class.

Five-eleven junior Kody Bergbower is a point-guard type that will likely be important to the rebuilding process at Newton.

Look for Lance Volk, a 6-foot junior guard, 6-1 junior forward Carson Barthelme and 6-1 junior forward Caleb Flasch as part of the process.

The sophomore class also looks promising.

Six-two guard Hayden Mulvey and 6-2 forward Jacob Oldahm will have opportunities.

Coach Bierman was hoping to get back 6-foot junior guard Drake Wolf back this season but he is back on the DL with a broken foot after missing all of 2023-24 injured.

“Where we lack experience at the varsity level, we make up for it with toughness and what we feel is a high basketball IQ,” said Coach Bierman. “This group competes hard everyday and understands what it takes to get better. They are going to surprise some teams. We are excited about the upcoming season and the group of guys we have in our program.”

Exactly like the season before, the Robinson Maroons lost seven seniors to graduation in the spring from a club that, like Newton, lost a heartbreaking decision in a regional title game.

Flora beat Robinson, 59-58 to take home the Vandalia Regional title as the Maroons season ended at 11-20 overall, 3-4 in the conference for head coach Mack Thompson.

Thompson has moved on to Effingham and Coach Randy Bishop takes control of the program.

Coach Bishop will have work to do with just a pair of players who spent much time on the varsity in 2023-24.

Six-one senior Ian Gilmore and 6-6 sophomore Evan Gilmore are the only ones with much experience.

The rest are unproven.

Blake Green, a 6-1 senior along with 6-3 senior Marcus Nance, 6-3 senior Jevan Wampler, 6-3 senior Robie Eller, and 6-foot seniore Luke Wernz will all get a look.

Nance, Wampler and Eller didn't suit up last season but are back in 2024-25.

Six-four junior Andrew Sparks, 6-4 Mason Arnon, 6-4 junior Jackson Goble, 6-1 junior Aiden Maxwell, 5-9 junior Graysen Brown and 6-1 junior Braden Turner

Six-eight sophomore Cruz Dunlap and 6-1 sophomore Isaac Hardeman were listed by Coach Bishop.

“It is a complete restructure of basketball at Robinson. Having a new coaching staff and playing a complete different style and philosophy will take some time,” said Coach Bishop. “We are going to put a lot of emphasis on it this season and that will help us late. You can play great defense but if you can't shoot you can fire up the bus early. Our schedule is very challenging but by the end of the season we could be a threat.”

Five-seniors and a bunch of minutes are missing from the 2023-24 Mt. Carmel Golden Aces club that ended up 12-15 overall, 3-4 in the LIC and didn't last long in the 2A postseason.

Mt. Carmel lost to Oblong/Palestine/Hutsonville, 70-59 at the Newton Regional.

The loss ended the first campaign of head coach Justin Carpenter, who is a former stand out at Mt. Carmel.

Andrew Gillihan, Shade Loudermilk, Connor Shelby, Jaxon Browning, and Levi Beesley.

Loudermilk, who was also a kicker on the football team, came off the bench while the others were starters.

Sophomore Shain Meador is a 5-10 guard who played a bunch as a freshman last season and he will likely be the top scorer on the Aces this season.

Six-three junior Jack Webb is back for Mt. Carmel and should continue to improve with the rest of the squad.4

Webb will likely start after coming off of the bench last year.

Elliott Acree is a 5-11 junior who also excels in football.

Six-four Rhett Andrews is a junior forward who Coach Carpenter believes can have a breakout season.

Andrew Militoni, a 6-1 senior, was another key reserve for the Aces a year ago.

Five-eleven junior Xavier Matchem suffered a torn ACL during Football Season and will not return this winter.

Coach Carpenter is going to work a pair of freshmen into the varsity right off the bat.

Six-four freshman Elias Knapp has a size upside for Mt. Carmel once he matures.

Wade Keepes, a 5-5 freshman point-guard has the quickness that Coach Carpenter is looking for big things from as well.

“We are a relatively young team with a very high ceiling. We have the right pieces to be successful. We just can't let ourselves get in our own way, and do whatever it takes to get the job done,” said Coach Carpenter.

Former standout player at Marshall Logan Eitel returned to his alma mater to take over the basketball program as head coach.

As a player, along with twin brother Lucas, Eitel led the Marshall Lions to a third place finish in the state finals for the 2008-09 season and both of them ended up with awards as players for then head coach Tom Brannan.

One of the awards was first team ABV all-south.

Coach Eitel took over the reigns last season and Marshall finished a respectable 14-16 overall but just 1-6 in the LIC.

The Lions lost to Teutopolis 59-37 in the semifinals at Newton.

Gone from that roster are senior starters Rielly Wallace, Avery Sheets, Kaden Matzke and RJ Mattas.

One of the first ones off of the bench, Luis Lopez, also graduated.

Two very important players from last season return.

Payton McGuire, a 6-1 junior, and Bentley Delp, a 6-1 senior, return for the Lions.

Junior Garrett Pugh transfers in from nearby West Vigo (IN.) and should be a factor.

Another senior player, 6-2 junior Liam Keim, is coming out for basketball for the first time.

Trey Scott, the football team's quarterback, is a 5-11 senior who will also be in the running for the final starting slot.

“There was a lot to be proud of with our last season. Last year we had one of the most improved win differentials in the state, going from a 2-25 record in 2022-23 to 14-16 in 2023-24. This was my first year with the program, and we spent a lot of time getting back to the fundamentals of basketball. While we had some pretty tough losses, we also were able to get quality wins against Dieterich, Casey-Westfield, South Vermillion (IN), Westville, and La Salette Academy. All-in-all, we were proud of the steps we were able to take as a program and of the work that the players put into the season,” said Coach Eitel.

Six-four senior JT Burnside, 6-4 junior Bryer Jansen and 6-4 junior Bryce Griguhn will give the Lions some size in the frontcourt.

Off the bench for the backcourt will be 5-8 junior Tucker Osborn and 5-11 senior Hampton Parker along with sophomore Reed Ramey.

“This season could be anywhere from fighting to stay around .500 again to 20-plus wins and fighting for a conference championship. Ultimately, success for this season would be competing night-in, night-out and playing in a way that will make our community proud. Last year we felt that we started to bring that back. This year we would like to take the next step in that evolution and begin to add some tournament success,” said Coach Eitel.

With nearly all of the players from last season returning, head coach Chase Brinkley will look for some serious improvement for his Paris Tigers.

Six-foot senior guard Payton Lankster is the only one missing from the Tigers' 6-25, 0-7 club that lost to rival Marshall in the regional opener at Newton.

The rest return.

Jackson Rigdon, a 5-11 senior guard, is back for Paris.

Drew Rogers, a 6-3 senior, is a track athlete that won the state high jump last spring.

Six-three sophomore Dawson Rogers also is back along with 6-3 junior Carter Eastham.

Coach Brinkley also mentioned 6-1 senior Jacob Staley.

Karic Vitale, a 6-1 junior who missed last season injured, 6-foot junior Carter Crippes, Dawson Rogers, a 6-3 senior and 5-10 sophomore Madox Hutchings were added by Coach Brinkley as potential starters or reserves.

“We bring back everyone except Lankster from last years team. We also add Vitale who is a great athlete and had fantastic summer. He was injured all last season. Rigdon should be one of the best players in the conference this year and we'll look for him to lead us with both his talent and his experience. Same could be said with Drew Rogers. Drew won state in high jump with a height of 6-10 and has been a huge asset to our program the past three years. Staley and Carter Eastham are two starters who are returning from last year and except to take a big jump. Carter Crippes is a big time athlete who probably had the best summer out of anyone who will be a big part of what we do this year as well. Dawson Rogers and Madox Hutchings are two sophomores who provided quality minutes last year. We look forward to seeing their growth this year as well,” said Coach Brinkley.