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Ande, Marlow named POY's
Winemiller, Gisinger honored with "Coach of the Year" awards
Benton, Mounds Meridian each earn top team honors

03/13/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – At the end of last season I wrote that I was no longer going to put together an all-south team, mainly because of the time in which it takes to put it together and that I had (have) a new full-time career job that consumes most of my time.

However after several coaches asked me about this season I came up with a compromise.

Benton falls short in championship game
Chicago Phillips wins second state title, 54-47; Rangers finish record-breaking season at 33-4
03/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN – Empty possessions. A phrase that coaches hate to hear and reluctant to experience.

It is exceptionally painful when it happens in a closely contested contest.

The Benton Rangers went through this occurrence at the worst possible time .....

West Central wins first title
Cougars lead 'gate to wire' in championship game victory over Mounds Meridian

03/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN
- The Winchester West Central Cougars did something on Saturday that the rest of the opponents of Mounds Meridian failed to do this postseason.

Coach Ryan Sichting's club kept the Bobcats off of the offensive glass. Without the second chance opportunities that Meridian had taken in its previous state .....

Benton reaches first title game
Rangers take down Byron; will face Chicago Phillips for the 2A crown Saturday

03/07/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN – For head coach Ron Winemiller and his Benton Rangers the ultimate goal is within reach.

This long-standing successful basketball program has filled multiple trophy cases throughout its 100-plus years of its existence with regular season and postseason hardware.

Meridian seals title game berth
Bobcats' top Chicago Hope Academy; play for state championship on Saturday

03/07/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN
- Could the third time be the charm on Saturday night?

The Mounds Meridian Bobcats basketball program, with its win over Chicago Hope Academy Thursday morning, reached the state championship game for the third time in its history.


Tedeschi named first-team 2A all-state
Benton 6-foot-8 junior is top vote getter; Several ABV players make HM lists

03/06/2024
MOLINE –-
Here are the Illinois Media Class 1A-2A All-State boys' basketball teams as voted on by a statewide panel of newspaper writers/editors, TV/radio broadcasters, and internet-site operators. All media members covering high school basketball in the state were eligible to nominate and vote for players. Compiled by Quad Cities media veteran Steve Tappa (currently of MC22-TV and QCSportsNet). Players received five points for a first-team vote and three points for a second-team vote. A five-player first team and five-player second team were selected in each class based on voting totals. A player must have been named on two ballots to receive honorable mention. All selections listed in order of voting points. There were a total of 33 voters (each voting in 2A; one voter did not vote in 1A).
i
ABV Area Players in RED

CLASS 2A FIRST TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS

Docker Tedeschi, Benton (6-6, Jr., PF) 100
Ryan Tucker, Byron (6-3, Sr., G) 99
Calvin "CJ" Worsham, Chicago Christ the King (6-7, Sr., F) 88
Adyn McGinley, Beecher (6-0, Sr., G) 86
EJ Horton, Chicago Phillips (6-2, Jr., G) 85
CLASS 2A SECOND TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS

Dietrich Richardson, Peoria Manual (6-7, Jr., PG) 81
Al Brooks Jr., Chicago Noble Hansberry (6-7, Jr., F) 80
Ryan Mbouombouo, Chicago Latin (6-3, Sr., SF) 59
Paxton Giertz, Seneca (6-0, Jr., PG) 51
Christian Cummings, Rockford Christian (5-10, Jr., SG) 46

CLASS 2A HONORABLE MENTION
(28 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS)
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS

Jonah Funk, El Paso-Gridley (6-9, Jr., C) 41; Sam Donald, Columbia (6-8, Jr., G) 39; Noah LaPorte, Princeton (6-6, Jr., F) 37; Christian Bentancur, Woodstock Marian Central (6-5, Sr., F) 36; Brady Clark, Kewanee (6-3, Sr., G) 33; Jake Willems, Riverdale (6-5, Sr., G) 31; Tyler Heffren, Eureka (6-4, Sr., G/F) 29; Vontez Dent, Rockford Lutheran (6-4, Sr., G/F) 28; Isaac Hosman, Massac County (6-0, Sr., G) 28; Mason Shubert, Breese Central (6-3, Sr., PG) 24; Bryant Jenkins, Lawrenceville (6-3, Sr., SF) 22; Dion Doyle, Macomb (6-5, Sr., F) 17; Braden Kline, Alton Marquette (6-3, Sr., G) 16; Brady Ruestman, Minonk Fieldcrest (6-6, Sr., G) 15; Owen Treat, Vienna (6-2, Sr., G) 14; Ian Brantley, Piasa Southwestern (6-7, Jr., F) 10; Sebastian Hill, Macon Meridian (6-3, Sr., G) 10; TJ Seals, Johnson (6-5, Jr.) 10; Tyler Curl, Fairbury Prairie Central (6-2, Sr., G) 9; AJ Keith, Pinckneyville (6-4, Jr., SG) 9; Cameron Ande, Harrisburg (6-3, Sr., SG) 8; Landon Bull, Rockridge (6-4, Jr., F) 8; Amari Edwards, Chicago Phillips (5-9, Jr., G) 6; Garrett Gaddis, Teutopolis (Sr., G) 6; Dierre Hill, Belleville Althoff (6-0, Jr., PG/SG) 6; Tanner Jacob, St. Joseph-Ogden (6-2, Sr., G) 6; Seth Macke, Trenton Wesclin (6-6, Sr., SF) 6; Zane Schrage, Breese Central (6-5, Sr., F) 6.
NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): Brayden Saling, Williamsville (5-11, Jr., G) 5; Lucas Collison, Mercer County (5-11, Sr., G) 3; Landon Driscoll, Carmi-White County (6-2, Sr., PG/SG) 3; Mitchel Edwards, Carmi-White County (6-6, Jr., F) 3; Matthew Guthrie, Carlyle (6-7, Jr., F) 3; Dylan Harvel, Anna-Jonesboro (5-11, Sr., PG) 3; Micah Meiss, El Paso-Gridley (6-5, Jr., G) 3; Caden Nichols, Newton (6-3, Sr., G) 3; Keison Peoples, Bismarck-Henning Rossville-Alvin (6-2, Soph., G) 3; Maddux Ritzel, Nashville 3; Drake Wagner, Breese Mater Dei (6-2, Sr., SG) 3.

CLASS 1A FIRST TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS

Hank Alvey, Glasford Illini Bluffs (6-9, Sr., PF) 130
Zack Evans, Winchester West Central (6-2, Sr., G) 82
Ross Robertson, South Beloit (6-8, Jr., C) 81
Thomas Hereau, Scales Mound (6-3, Sr., G) 77
Cooper Hoffman, Pecatonica (6-1, Jr., G) 71
CLASS 1A SECOND TEAM
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS

Marshawn Cocroft, Aurora Christian (6-0, Soph., G) 66
Tyjuan Hunter, Chicago Hope Academy (5-5, Soph., PG) 64
Lucas Simpson, Sterling Newman (6-2, Sr., F) 63
Johnathan Calmese, Chicago Manley (6-2, Sr., PG) 58
Martin Ledbetter, Hinckley-Big Rock (6-5, Jr., F) 49
CLASS 1A HONORABLE MENTION
(30 TOTAL; IN ORDER OF POINTS)
NAME, SCHOOL (HT., YR., POS.) POINTS

Baylen Damhoff, Fulton (6-6, Sr., F) 41; Nathaniel Marlow, Bluford Webber (6-3, Soph., PG) 39; Lucas Blackford, Springfield Calvary (6-4, Soph., F) 31; Kyle Cooper, Waltonville (5-11, Soph., PG) 31; Connor Glasgow, Galena (6-5, Sr., G/F) 30; Jordan Quinn, Tuscola (6-3, Sr., F) 29; Blake Brown, Grant Park (6-0, Jr., G) 28; Nick Feather, Heyworth (6-7, Sr., C) 28; Parker Boehne, Centralia Christ Our Rock (6-0, Sr., G) 24; Brock Fearday, Effingham St. Anthony (6-3, Jr., G/F) 23; Kanen Augustine, Waterloo Gibault (5-8, Sr., G) 18; Drake Moss, Goreville (6-0, Sr., G) 18; Caleb Gephart, Dieterich (6-2, Sr., G) 16; Kesler Collins, Flanagan-Cornell (6-2, Sr., G/F) 12; Jayden Bazile, Centralia Christ Our Rock (Jr., G) 11; Owen Landreth, Patoka (5-10, Sr., G) 11; Braden Phillips, Arcola (6-3, Jr., C) 11; Ryan Schmidt, Effingham St. Anthony (6-4, Jr., G/F) 11; Marquis Williams, Chicago Marshall (6-0, Sr., G) 10; Griffin Cook, Earlville (6-1, Sr., G) 9; Chance Little, Winchester West Central (6-4, Sr., F) 9; Richie Armour, Serena (6-3, Sr., PF) 8; Cale Halpin, Gardner-South Wilmington (6-1, Sr., G) 8; Nick Moore, Camp Point Central (6-1, Sr., G) 8; Bryson Mossman, Jacksonville Routt (6-3, Soph., G) 8; Malachi Persinger, Peoria Christian (5-11, Jr., PG) 8; Gavin Kesler, Waterloo Gibault (6-3, Sr., F) 6; Noah Lyons, Franklin South County (6-0, Sr., SG/SF) 6; Ethan Storm, Lexington (5-8, Sr., G) 6; Antonio Tyler, Chicago Marshall (6-8, Sr., F) 6.
NOTE: Also receiving a single vote (thus not receiving honorable mention): AJ Flenoid, Mounds Meridian (6-3, Fr, C) 5; Carson Baker, Serena (6-0, Sr., G) 3; Jordan Davis, St. Anne (5-11, Jr., G) 3; Tanner Faivre, Serena (5-11, Sr., PG) 3; Kris Hills, Walther Christian (5-11, Sr., PG) 3; Kaidyn Miller, Altamont (6-0, Sr., F) 3; Gage Peterson, Waltonville (6-5, Soph., F) 3; Jayden Riley, Yorkville Chrisitian 3; Brock Soltow, Polo (6-3, Sr., G/F) 3; Cole Tripp, Goreville (6-0, Jr., G) 3; Lucas Westendorf, Dieterich (6-2, Jr., G) 3.

Meridian, Benton face unknown foes
Chicago Hope Academy, Byron are semifinal opponents Thursday
03/06/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHAMPAIGN - Thursday morning in Champaign/Urbana the Mounds Meridian Bobcats will step into an arena that will certainly spark some memories of fans old enough to remember the last time this program took the floor at the State Farm Center.

It was March of 1972 during the first Class A state finals that .....

Meridian outlasts CORL
Bobcats' long road trip results in 60-53 win; now 27-8
  03/04/2024
BY DAN L. CHAMNESS
CHARLESTON - It took some time for the Mounds Meridian Bobcats to warm up, but once they did, nothing could stop them.

But, beating a team that hit 62.5 percent of their buckets in the second half would be a tall order for most teams.

Benton holds off T-Town late
Rangers advance to first Final Four since 1992; will face Byron on Thursday in semifinals
03/04/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – The Benton Rangers overcame an inauspicious beginning of their super-sectional contest on Monday night against Teutopolis.

With 2:46 left in the first quarter, 6-foot-8 junior forward Docker Tedeschi picked up his third personal foul.


Meridian nabs sectional title
Bobcats' best Waterloo Gibault, head to Charleston on Monday
03/01/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY - For a half of basketball on Friday night at the Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 1A Sectional championship game, the Waterloo Gibault Hawks had the tempo the way they wanted it and led Mounds Meridian 17-15 heading to the break.

But two important factors in the contest; free throw shooting and rebounding .....

Defending champs remain alive
Waterloo Gibault edges Goreville; will face Mounds Meridian Friday
02/28/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY - The best teams always seem to be able to overcome adversity. Especially teams with veteran players who have played in big games.

Waterloo Gibault has a pair of kids that have “been there and done that.”

The Hawks overcame its problems on Wednesday night at the .....

Meridian reaches sectional final
Bobcats rally past Waltonville 52-45; Spartans' season ends at 25-7
02/27/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NORRIS CITY - For head coach Anthony Lowery and his Waltonville Spartans, the final quarter of their sectional semifinal game against Mounds Meridian probably couldn't have gone any worse.

Having stayed right with the athletic Bobcats for the first three quarters, the Spartans were set up to win the program's first sectional game since 1991.

Cougars, Rangers are favorites
State-ranked Breese Central, Benton look to advance to title game
Massac County, Wesclin want to spoil the party
02/27/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - With the top-ranked and fifth-ranked teams in the state in the same sectional things are going to be interesting at the Benton 2A event this week.

Breese Central, the 31-2 regional champs, and 29-3 regional titlist Benton are on opposite sides of the bracket and could collide on Friday night in the sectional championship game.

Four top-seeds set to rumble
Waltonville, Meridian, Goreville, Gibault reach sectional semifinals
02/26/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 1A Sectional has an interesting mix of teams that were all favored to win regionals and all made it through.

Waltonville, after shutting down Okawville to win the Woodlawn Regional 52-26, got to show up for practice this week while the Rockets can now get ready for baseball.

Tuscola looks to return to state
Warriors will be tested at St. Anthony; Webber, CORL, Arcola emerge from regional upsets

02/26/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - While the NCOE Sectional field turned out to be “all-chalk” only one team that advanced to the Effingham St. Anthony Sectional was supposed to be there.

Seeding-wise the only top dawg to get out of the regionals that feed to St. A was defending third place finisher from a season ago Tuscola.

Cougars dominate title game
Breese Central's defensive effort shuts down Pinckneyville

02/23/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
BREESE - The description of Friday night's regional title game is difficult to candy coat so I won't try.

The Breese Central Cougars dominated Pinckneyville.

Coach Jeremy Shubert's bunch never had any serious trouble as they jumped out .....

Massac County, Vienna set for regional final
Patriots big fourth quarter ends Harrisburg's season; Vienna rolls past CWC
02/21/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
METROPOLIS - It has been a while since the Massac County Patriots won three-consecutive regional championships.

You have to go back to 1991-92 to find where Coach Joe Hosman finished up a string of six-straight regional titles.

Harrisburg advances past A-J
Cameron Ande scores 31-points as Bulldogs win 70-56
02/19/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
ANNA - Heading into Monday night's opening round matchup of the Massac County 2A Regional the Harrisburg Bulldogs were on a losing streak.

Coach Andy Fehrenbacher's club had dropped seven-consecutive contests, all of them by single-digits.

CWC wins division title
Bulldogs hold off host Fairfield for first back-to-back league titles since 1964

02/17/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
FAIRFIELD - It has been a long time since the Carmi-White County Bulldogs won consecutive boy's basketball conference championships.

The last back-to-back titles came in the old North Egypt Conference in 1962-63 and again in 1963-64.

Christopher wins senior night battle
Bearcats handle rival Zeigler-Royalton; Hudgens scores 22

12/16/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHRISTOPHER - One of the question marks in high school basketball is how games play out when rivals meet on the court.

Especially when teams hook up on a Senior Night.

Christopher and Zeigler-Royalton matched up on Friday night in the .....

A-J impressive on senior night
Wildcats finish regular season strong with win over West Frankfort
02/15/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
ANNA - From the beginning of the contest on Thursday night until the final horn sounded, the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats came out ready to play and that effort continued throughout their 75-54 victory over West Frankfort.

Celebrating their Senior Night in front of a large contingent of Wildcat faithful .....

No changes at number one
Effingham St. Anthony, Breese Central on top of final poll
Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Effingham St. Anthony (11)
27-4
128
1
2. Illini Bluffs (2)
27-3
110
2
3. Pecatonica
25-5
85
3
4. Winchester West Central
28-3
75
4
5. Tuscola
24-5
69
6
6. Goreville
27-3
59
5
7. Chicago Hope Academy
22-8
44
8
8. Serena
28-2
37
7
9. Chicago Manley
19-9
34
10
10. Aurora Christian
19-8
32
9
Others receiving votes: Mounds Meridian 8. Waterloo Gibault 6. Bluford Webber 6. Dieterich 5. Waltonville 5. Scales Mound 3. Heyworth 3. Franklin 2. Lexington 1. South Beloit 1. Altamont 1. Camp Point Central 1
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Breese Central (11)
29-2
146
1
2. Beecher (2)
30-0
117
3
3. Peoria Manual
19-11
113
2
4. Chicago Christ the King
27-4
82
6
5. Benton
27-3
78
4
6. Fieldcrest
29-1
64
7
7. Byron
24-2
43
8
8. Chicago Phillips
18-9
42
9
9. Tolono Unity
23-4
38
5
10. Rockridge
22-6
27
10
Others receiving votes: St. Joseph-Ogden 19. Lawrenceville 12. Trenton Wesclin 11. Bismarck-Henning 11. Pinckneyville 8. Clinton 5. Manteno 4. Columbia 2. El Paso-Gridley 2. Belleville (Althoff Catholic) 1.
Wesclin wins division title
Warriors lead gate to wire at Chester 70-44; improve to 27-4 overall, 8-2 in the league
02/13/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHESTER - For the second time in three seasons the Wesclin Warriors have won the Illinois Division of the Cahokia Conference.

It took just eleven seconds for Coach Brent Brede's club to take the lead in its game at Chester Tuesday night.

Pope County pounds Pharaohs
Pirates improve to 16-12 with 84-47 romp on the road
02/12/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
TAMMS - As the regular season enters the final week before things get real in the state tournament basketball teams want to be playing their best heading going into the regionals.

It is suffice to say that the Pope County Pirates are playing well.


Warriors pick up road win
Ruby nets 29-points in Steeleville victory at Johnston City

02/10/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
JOHNSTON CITY - Two teams coming off of losses on Friday night on the road were needing to get back on track in the worst way on Saturday night in Johnston City.

The host Indians were throttled by Waltonville and Steeleville lost a 41-40 decision at Marissa/Coulterville.

Carmi-White County romps past Wayne City
Bulldogs tune up for big week with home victory; Edwards scores 25-points

02-10-2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARMI -
With a pair of important games coming up next week it would have been easy for the Carmi-White County Bulldogs to have a bit of a let down in their Saturday afternoon contest at home against Wayne City.

With contests against Lawrenceville on Tuesday and Fairfield next Friday on the horizon, Coach Kevin Wolf's club could have taken the Indians lightly.

Lawrenceville rolls late
Indians pull away from Casey-Westfield; clinch share of league championship
02/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
LAWRENCEVILLE - In a night in which they honored the 1974 IHSA Class A state champion boy's basketball team, the Lawrenceville Indians struggled in the early going of their 54-37 victory over Casey-Westfield.

But the good news of the night, besides bringing back a lot of great memories, Coach Randy Bishop's club put together a strong fourth quarter run to finally ice the Little Illini Conference win.

Sisson, Sullivan, Malawy & Skelcher
Represent 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A "Player of the Year" honors in 2023
Mt. Carmel named "Team of the Year"

02/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - It was the Covid19 2021 spring.

The Illinois High School Association allowed member schools to compete in six spring football games, which was a blessing in and of itself.

It was also when I decided that if I was ever going to jump into covering football this was the time.

St. Anthony, Breese Central still #1
Bulldogs, Cougars lead polling again
Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Effingham St. Anthony (14)
25-4
158
1
2. Illini Bluffs (2)
24-3
134
2
3. Pecatonica
23-4
99
T5
4. Winchester West Central
25-3
95
4
5. Goreville
25-2
92
T5
6. Tuscola
21-5
80
3
7. Serena
25-2
55
8
8. Chicago Hope Academy
21-6
43
9
9. Aurora Christian
18-6
40
7
10. Chicago Manley
18-9
27
NR
Others receiving votes: Camp Point Central 20. Scales Mound 10. Bluford Webber 9. Franklin 5. Princeville 5. Mounds Meridian 4. Griggsville-Perry 3. South Beloit 1.
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Breese Central (12)
26-2
155
1
2. Peoria Manual (2)
17-10
124
2
3. Beecher (2)
27-0
119
4
4. Benton
24-3
83
6
5. Tolono Unity
23-2
77
5
6. Chicago Christ the King
24-4
72
7
7. Fieldcrest
24-1
67
8
8. Byron
22-2
64
3
9. Chicago Phillips
18-8
40
9
10. Rockridge
20-5
24
10
Others receiving votes: St. Joseph-Ogden 17. Lawrenceville 8. Bismarck-Henning 8. Columbia 8. Massac County 5. Trenton Wesclin 5. El Paso-Gridley 2. Clinton 1. Pinckneyville 1.
Webber's big start holds up
Trojans survive Cisne rally for key league victory as Marlow scores 30-points
02/07/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
BLUFORD - Going into Wednesday night's contest at home versus Cisne, Webber Township head coach Jaxon Helm knew how dangerous a team the Lions could be.

In the previous meeting between the two teams in the title game of the Wayne City Holiday Tournament, the Trojans won the championship with a 56-45 victory.


Massac County takes down Tigers
Patriots leave little doubt in 68-46 romp
02/06/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
HERRIN - If you were needing an example of how to waltz into a gym and ruin a Senior Night for one of your conference rivals, you can go back and look at the video of how Massac County did that on Tuesday night.

The Patriots spoiled the party, in a big way against their rival Herrin.

Gibault rallies past Rockets
Hawks use big fourth quarter run for 38-30 win; Okawville drops fifth-straight game
02/03/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE - The Gibault Hawks trailed Okawville for most of the first three quarters of play on Saturday night.

Coach Dennis Rueter's squad trailed 27-22 heading into the fourth quarter as they struggled offensively against the Rockets' 2-3 zone defense.


Sparta picks up home win
Bulldogs cruise past East Alton-Wood River, improve to 16-9 overall

01/31/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
SPARTA - Wednesday night at home against visiting East Alton-Wood River, the host Sparta Bulldogs didn't shoot the ball well.

The hosts hit just 21-of-65 shots overall and were just 2-of-16 from the 3-point line.

 

No changes at the top
Central, St. Anthony still lead state-wide polling
Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Effingham St. Anthony (12)
23-4
120
1
2. Illini Bluffs
22-3
95
3
3. Tuscola
19-4
81
2
4. Winchester West Central
22-3
58
4
5T. Pecatonica
20-4
54
5
5T. Goreville
22-2
54
T6
7T. Aurora Christian
16-5
41
T6
8. Serena
21-1
34
8
9. Chicago Hope Academy
19-6
33
NR
10. Camp Point Central
16-4
30
9
Others receiving votes: Manley 27. Scales Mound 11. Mounds Meridian 5. Dieterich 4. Bluford Webber 4. Waltonville 2. Princeville 2. South Beloit 2. Annawan 2. Altamont 1.
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Breese Central (11)
23-2
136
1
2. Peoria Manual (2)
15-10
108
2
3. Byron
20-0
100
4
4. Beecher (1)
24-0
93
5
5. Tolono Unity
19-2
66
3
6. Benton
21-3
59
6
7. Chicago Christ the King
21-4
58
7
8. Fieldcrest
21-1
55
T9
9. Chicago Phillips
16-8
35
NR
10. Rockridge
19-4
19
8
Others receiving votes: El Paso-Gridley 17. St. Joseph-Ogden 8. Pinckneyville 4. Bismarck-Henning 3. Clinton 3. Columbia 2. Lawrenceville 2. Warsaw West Hancock 2.
Red Devils top rival Woodlawn
Sesser-Valier picks up key non-conference win

12/09/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER - A good shooting night can often times overshadow some other problems a team might have.

Case in point, the Sesser-Valier victory over rival Woodlawn on Tuesday night.

The host Red Devils coughed up 13-turnovers, six in the fourth quarter and .....

Century picks up league win
Centurions use big first quarter run to top Pharaohs, 67-31

01/29/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
ULLIN - Overall things couldn't have went much better for Century's Jake Parr in his first season as a varsity boy's basketball coach.

His Centurions had already doubled the win total from the 2022-23 team and have beaten most of the teams they should have in 2023-24.

Hardin County wears GEC crown
Cougars top Gallatin County for tournament title triumph

01/27/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG – The dividends are paying off for the Hardin County Cougars.

Head coach Rodney Lane and his club have made the road trips, taken on tough competition and have weathered the storm as part of the learning process.

Shawnee holds on for win
Redskins go on the road for a 59-53 victory at Dongola
01/26/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
DONGOLA - Friday night's contest between Shawnee and Dongola had a lot of mistakes in it.

But as the old saying goes, the team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins the game.

Coach Trey Pender's Shawnee club went into Dongola and took home a 59-53 win.

Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Effingham St. Anthony (16)
19-4
170
1
2. Tuscola (1)
18-3
140
2
3. Illini Bluffs
20-3
131
4
4. Winchester-West Central
21-3
108
4
5. Pecatonica
18-3
93
6
6T. Goreville
19-2
89
3
6T. Aurora Christian
15-4
89
7
8. Serena (1)
18-1
57
8
9. Camp Point Central
15-4
35
T10
10. Scales Mound
16-5
19
T10
Others receiving votes: Manley 15. Lexington 15. Mounds Meridian 6. Altamont 5. Webber Township 5. Dieterich 3. Griggsville-Perry 2. South Beloit 2. Princeville 2. Casey-Westfield 2. St. Elmo 1. Arcola 1.
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Breese Central (15)
21-2
183
1
2. Peoria Manual (2)
13-9
139
3
3. Tolono Unity
18-1
130
2
4. Byron
17-0
125
4
5. Beecher (2)
20-0
88
6
6. Benton
19-3
66
7
7. Chicago Christ the King
20-3
56
8
8. Rockridge
16-3
49
9
9T. El Paso-Gridley
19-3
48
5
9T. Fieldcrest
18-1
48
NR
Others receiving votes: Phillips 31. Clinton 31. St. Joseph-Ogden 15. Warsaw West Hancock 8. Belleville Althoff Catholic 7. Pinckneyville 7. Columbia 4. Lawrenceville 4. Bismarck-Henning 3. Macomb 1. Teutopolis 1. Chicago King 1
St. Anthony, Central still on top
Unity takes a tumble, Benton picks up tournament title, Tuscola survives road trips

01/23/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Another week with no changes at the top of the ABV 1A and 2A Rankings.

Effingham St. Anthony and Breese Central continue to command respect in the South and around the state.

Coach Cody Rincker and his club are .....

Webber nabs first MTC title
Trojans top Waltonville in finale, 58-51; Woodlawn, WC win final day games
12/15/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY - Heading into the title clash of the MTC tournament on Saturday the Webber Township Trojans only had two blemishes on their regular season record and both came from one team.

Their opponent on Saturday night.

Redbirds defend home turf
West Frankfort tops Crab Orchard, 71-55, Cairo defeats Thompsonville
01/19/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
WEST FRANKFORT - The West Frankfort Redbirds, heading into Friday night's title contest against Crab Orchard, had won or shared nine championships of the previous 36 Mid-Winter Classic's.

Behind the tournament's MVP Keagan Bowers and a .....

Bulldogs, Cougar remain on top
Effingham St. Anthony stays on top in 1A; ditto for Breese Central in 2A
Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Effingham St. Anthony (12)
17-4
135
1
2. Tuscola (2)
17-2
126
2
3. Goreville
17-1
87
5
4. Illini Bluffs
19-3
85
3
5. West Central
20-2
84
7
6. Pecatonica
15-3
75
6
7. Aurora Christian
15-3
69
4
8. Serena
17-1
35
9
9. Lexington
17-4
14
8
10T. Chicago Manley
10-6
13
NR
10T. Camp Point Central
14-4
13
NR
10T. Scales Mound
14-5
13
10
Others receiving votes: Mounds Meridian 11. South Beloit 8. Waltonville 1. Casey-Westfield 1.
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Breese Central (10)
19-2
143
1
2. Tolono Unity (2)
17-0
128
3
3. Peoria Manual (2)
9-9
97
2
4. Byron
14-0
96
4
5. El Paso-Gridley
17-2
73
5
6. Beecher (1)
19-0
71
6
7. Benton
17-3
52
7
8. Chicago Christ the King
17-3
35
8
9. Rockridge
14-3
34
10
10. Chicago Phillips
10-8
29
9
Others receiving votes: Clinton 19. Pinckneyville 12. Fieldcrest 11. Bismarck-Henning 6. Teutopolis 6. St. Joseph-Ogden 5. Trenton Wesclin 2. Columbia 2. Peoria Notre Dame 2. Macomb 1. Belleville (Althoff Catholic) 1.
St. Anthony, Central still on top
Unity still unbeaten, Benton picks up big wins, Tuscola gets back on track

01/16/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - There isn't much to say this week as the top ones are still leading the 1A and 2A packs with both the Bulldogs and Cougars are taking care of their business for coaches Rincker and Shubert.

Central needs wins over 3A Marion and either cross-town rival Mater Dei or St. Louis .....

Mater Dei, Central win first round games
Knights knock Nashville into consy bracket; Cougars thump MELHS
01/15/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
NASHVILLE - When you look at the schedule that the Breese Mater Dei Knights have navigated this season, it is a wonder that they have as good of a won-loss mark as they've produced.

Coach Cody Arentsen and his crew took on another challenge on Monday night, playing the host Hornets at the 41st annual Nashville Invitational Tournament.

Meridian defends home turf
Bobcats hold off Waltonville, 86-78; Kyle Cooper nets 33 for Spartans

01/13/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
MOUNDS - If you looked at just the statistics from Saturday's finale of the 19th annual Martin Luther King Classic at Mounds Meridian, you would have thought that the host Bobcats would have won easily against visiting Waltonville.

Nearly every category favored the home team.

Benton wins key road matchup
Rangers' "hot start" leads to 64-60 victory over host Pinckneyville
01/12/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
PINCKNEYVILLE - It was a special night offensively for the Benton Rangers on Friday as they went into Duster Thomas Gymnasium and came away with a 64-60 victory.

Special in that the offense of the Rangers for Coach Ron Winemiller was impressive.

Carlyle picks up road victory
Indians top Steeleville behind big third quarter run
01/10/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
STEELEVILLE - For the first half of their road game at Steeleville on Wednesday night, Coach Maverick Taylor's Carlyle Indians were struggling offensively.

The Tribe committed nine turnovers and were letting the Warriors hang around as they only managed a 23-17 halftime advantage.

Just like ABV rankings
Breese Central tops 2A, Effingham St. Anthony moves up in 1A
Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Effingham St. Anthony (11)
15-4
123
2
2. Tuscola (1)
15-2
98
1
3. Illini Bluffs
16-3
94
3
4. Aurora Christian
13-2
92
4
5. Goreville (1)
16-1
78
5
6. Pecatonica
11-3
63
6
7. West Central
18-2
50
7
8. Lexington
15-3
36
10
9. Serena
17-1
32
NR
10. Scales Mound
12-2
18
9
Others receiving votes: Camp Point Central 12, Waltonville 7, Griggsville-Perry 4, South Beloit 3, Mounds Meridian 3, Chicago Manley 1, Calhoun 1.
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Breese Central (6)
16-2
116
1
2. Peoria Manual (4)
9-5
99
3
3. Tolono Unity (2)
16-0
97
2
4. Byron
13-0
85
4
5. El Paso-Gridley
14-2
52
6
6. Beecher (1)
19-0
50
7
7. Benton
15-3
45
5
8. Chicago Christ the King
15-2
34
10
9. Chicago Phillips
8-7
27
NR
10. Rockridge
12-3
25
9
Others receiving votes: St. Joseph-Ogden 15. Clinton 11. Pinckneyville 9. Tremont 9. Bureau Valley 8. Bismarck-Henning 6. Fieldcrest 6. Teutopolis 5. Columbia 3. Rockford Christian 3. Murphysboro 2. Peoria Notre Dame 2. Trenton Wesclin 2. Belleville Althoff Catholic. 1. Massac County 1. Macomb 1. Lawrenceville 1.
Lions get act together late
Second half scoring/defense leads to 54-41 win over Hamilton County
01/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARTERVILLE - Tuesday night the Carterville Lions beginning wasn't nearly as good as the end result.

Hamilton County rolled into town and played the hosts tough for the full 32-minutes and only trailed the Lions by two at halftime and four at the end of three quarters.

Tolono Unity stays unbeaten
Rockets knock off Tuscola, 74-70; improve to 16-0

01/09/2024
BY DAN CHAMNESS
FOR ABASELINEVIEW.COM
TOLONO - Many basketball games that are hyped to the level that Tolono Unity versus Tuscola garner are not able to live up to their hype.

But the game, in which Unity won by a 74-70 score, lived up to the hype and then some.

St. Anthony moves up, Central stays put
Tuscola winning streak snapped, Unity stays undefeated
01/09/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The first week of the January brought a few changes to what's going on in southern Illinois.

Tuscola saw its undefeated record take a dive with a loss at Shelbyville on Friday.

The Warriors next five games are on the road, with the first four being against teams .....

Patriots romp past Cougars
Massac County gives Coach Joe Hosman his 839th win, 75-45
01/06/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
METROPOLIS - Back on December 26th in the first round of the Eldorado Holiday Tournament Hardin County hung right with Massac County, trailing the Patriots by just two-points in the fourth quarter before losing 50-40.

Heading into a rematch between the two teams on Saturday at Massac, Patriots' head coach Joe Hosman was rightfully concerned with the Cougars.
Red Devils' defense shines
Murphysboro rallies for key conference road win, 54-46 at Harrisburg
01/05/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG - Senior guard Karmello Abernathy only scored three-points on Friday night, a key three-point play in the fourth quarter of Murphysboro's 54-46 win over Harrisburg.

However his defensive effort (with help from his teammates) on high-scoring Bulldog senior guard Cameron Ande, along with a big fourth quarter scoring run, propelled the Red Devils to a huge conference road victory.

Cobden delivers quick "knock-out" blow
Appleknockers roll to 70-26 win over Joppa-Maple Grove; improve to 3-0 in the SEC
01/04/2024
BY JACK BULLOCK
COBDEN - Sometimes the phrase in sports that gets tossed around the most is “ALL” and the name of the team that was clearly better than its opposition on a given night.

Thursday night if you said it was “ALL Cobden” in its contest against Joppa-Maple Grove, you would be 100 percent correct.


Tuscola, Central also top state-wide poll
Warriors, Cougars lead the 1A/2A voting
Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Tuscola (16)
15-0
160
1
2. Effingham St. Anthony
13-4
103
4
3. Illini Bluffs
15-4
96
3
4. Aurora Christian
13-2
86
9
5. Goreville
14-1
81
NR
6. Pecatonica
11-3
62
2
7. West Central
15-2
47
NR
8. Camp Point Central
10-2
46
NR
9. Scales Mound
12-2
44
5
10. Lexington
13-3
27
NR
Others receiving votes: Serena 26. Waltonville 23. Springfield Calvary 18. Casey-Westfield 15. Mounds Meridian 13. South Beloit 12. Manley 6. Annawan 5. Bluford Webber 5. Altamont 3. Calvary Christian Academy 2.
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
1. Breese Central (7)
14-2
136
2
2. Tolono Unity (2)
13-0
104
6
3. Peoria Manual (4)
9-4
96
3
4. Byron
11-0
82
9
5. Benton
14-1
71
NR
6. El Paso-Gridley
13-2
61
NR
7. Beecher (2)
16-0
51
NR
8. St. Joseph-Ogden
12-2
43
10
9. Rockridge
12-3
41
1
10. Chicago Christ the King
12-2
35
8
Others receiving votes: Phillips 34. Fieldcrest 21. Clinton 11. Trenton Wesclin 10. Peoria Notre Dame 9. Bismarck-Henning 5. Pinckneyville 5. Teutopolis 4. Macomb 3. Rockford Christian 1. Belleville (Althoff Catholic) 1. Shelbyville 1.
Tuscola, Central top the charts
Warriors, Cougars earn top spots after holiday tournament success

01/02/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE – The holiday tournament season has come to a close and the first ABV Rankings are ready for viewing here in the first week of January.

In case you were not aware the Illinois High School Association made some directional changes to the 1A and 2A state tournament assignments.

Calhoun denies Litchfield repeat
Turnovers doom Purple Panthers in loss; Carlinville, Hillsboro, Bunker Hill post final day wins

12/29/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARLINVILLE - The Litchfield Purple Panthers were looking right at a second Carlinville Holiday Tournament championship in as many seasons on Friday night in its title game against Calhoun.

Coach Daniel Bonnell and his club led by as many as 10-points in the first half and were clinging to a 59-57 lead after a free throw by senior guard AJ Odle with :18.1 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Goreville holds off Waltonville
Blackcats win eighth SVHT championship, 66-59
Altamont, DQ, Marissa/Coulterville win on final day

12/28/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER - When it comes to winning tournament championships, especially the Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament, Goreville head coach Todd Tripp knows how to get his team prepared for the title game.

This mentor has been a part of the successful run as a coach at the event, and also as a player.


Herrin outlasts Fairfield
Two-time defending champs need two overtimes to get past Mules
12/27/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
ELDORADO - The Herrin Tigers appeared to be headed for a relatively easy win over Fairfield in the quarterfinals of the 59th annual Eldorado Holiday Tournament on Wednesday night.

But looks can be deceiving.

Coach Sayler Shurtz saw his club “take their foot off of the gas” in the fourth quarter ....

Altamont moves to semifinals
Defending champions pull away from Du Quoin, 68-48
Waltonville, Red Bud, Goreville round out Final Four
12/26/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER - Good things have happened over the past several seasons for the Altamont Indians when they play well on the defensive end of the floor.

The Tribe displayed their usual strong defensive effort and were in control of the boards on Tuesday night.

Panthers win division battle
Pinckneyville uses big offensive runs to pull away from Anna-Jonesboro
12/22/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
PINCKNEYVILLE - For the first quarter and a half of the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats road game at Pinckneyville on Friday night head coach Mike Chamness' crew were playing well and the shots were falling.

A-J took an early first quarter lead and led 23-20 with 4:12 left in the first half.

Host Eagles take home top prize
SEB rolls past WSS; Cumberland, Patoka/Odin, Ramsey post final day wins
12/16/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO - Saturday night in the championship game of the 69th annual St. Elmo Holiday Tournament the Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg Hatchets were looking for their third consecutive title in this long-standing event.

After a few minutes of action against the hosts it was apparent that there wasn't going to be a “three-peat.”

Cisne, Webber set for title clash
Lions take care of Crab Orchard; Trojans hold off Grayville
12/15/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY - Defense is still the name of the game when it comes to winning basketball and on Friday night the Cisne Runnin' Lions got the right amount of stops and rebounds, especially in the final frame, to take control of their semifinal game against Crab Orchard.

Coach Kevin Bowen's club pulled away from the Trojans with a 22-10 second quarter in route to a 73-58 win to advance to Saturday's championship game.

Class 1A
W/L
Votes
LWR
       
1. Tuscola (7)
8-0
124
NR
2. Pecatonica (3)
6-0
112
NR
3. Illini Bluffs (2)
8-2
96
NR
4. Effingham St. Anthony
7-2
61
NR
5. Scales Mound
9-1
54
NR
6. Springfield Calvary
8-0
46
NR
7. Serena
9-0
44
NR
7. Chicago Manley
5-1
44
NR
9. Aurora Christian
9-1
40
NR
10. Fulton
6-1
28
NR
Others receiving votes: Griggsville-Perry 24. Winchester-West Central 16. South Beloit 14. South County 13. Waltonville 11. Altamont 7. Camp Point Central 7. Lexington 7. Goreville 7. New Berlin 7. Waterloo Gibault 5. Crab Orchard 2. Dieterich 1.
Class 2A
W/L
Votes
LWR
       
1. Rockridge (7)
7-1
126
NR
2. Breese Central (4)
8-1
124
NR
3. Peoria Manual (2)
4-3
86
NR
4. Wesclin
10-1
66
NR
5. Fieldcrest
7-0
45
NR
6. Tolono Unity (1)
6-0
42
NR
7. Peoria Notre Dame
2-5
41
NR
7. Chicago Christ the King
5-2
41
NR
9. Byron
3-0
34
NR
10. St. Joseph-Ogden
7-0
29
NR
Others receiving votes: Phillips 27. Benton 18. Beecher 15. Clinton 14. Macomb 13. Rockford Christian 11. El Paso-Gridley 10. Fairbury Prairie Central 9. Northridge Prep 6. Julian 5. Columbia 3. Teutopolis 2. Pinckneyville 2. Lawrenceville 1.
Waltonville stays undefeated
Spartans use big fourth quarter run to put away NCOE, 79-57

12/09/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WALTONVILLE - On Saturday night it took the Waltonville Spartans' defense a while to get caught up with its offense.

The hosts let Norris City-Omaha-Enfield hang around for the first three quarters of the game as Coach Anthony Lowery's club only led 49-45 with just under a minute left in the the third quarter.

Cardinals win MTC matinee
Woodlawn pulls away from Red Hill late, 62-48; improve to 1-0, 3-4
12/09/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
WOODLAWN - After picking up an important win over Christopher on Friday night that broke a four-game losing streak, Woodlawn was looking for a victory in their first Midland Trail Conference contest of the season on Saturday afternoon at home.

The inside-outside duo of seniors Wyatt Rollie and Josh Lewis led an offensive performance that took care of business in a 62-48 victory over Red Hill at home.

Yellow Jackets hold off Okawville
Chester wins defensive struggle, 34-32; improves to 4-4 overall

12/08/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHESTER - After dropping their Cahokia Conference Illinois Division opener on Tuesday night at home to Carlyle, 45-42, the Chester Yellow Jackets could ill afford to lose a second straight league contest if they want to stay in contention for the division title.

While the offense for Coach Chris Toledo's club was a bit stagnant, the defensive effort proved to be just enough.

Red Bud ends title drought
Musketeers edge Carterville, 51-48, finish 3-0 at the PIT
12/01/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CAMPBELL HILL - Red Bud senior Isaac Moll is listed as 5-feet-4-inches tall in the program.

However this diminutive guard came up huge on Friday night at the Trico Pioneer Invitational Tournament.

The usual suspects look strong
Tuscola stays 1A, looking for another state trip; Gibault, Marquette, BMD, have much to replace
12/01/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE -
Even the best teams will throw in a 'clunker' sometimes and usually it is in an inappropriate time.

Last season Tuscola picked a really bad time to have an off game.

Meridian returns the most for an SEC repeat
Cobden, Agape have a lot to replace; Egyptian, Shawnee, Dongola look to improve
11/30/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The leading scorer in the program's history left Mounds Meridian in the spring after leading his team to the Carbondale 1A Super-sectional last March.

Five-nine senior guard Roderic Gatewood, Jr., also a 1A ABV first team selection, took away a boat load of points from the 23-12 club that got clubbed by Tuscola, 74-53 to end the fine season for head coach David Davis.

St. Elmo/Brownstown appears the best of the EIC
CHBC, Patoka/Odin, Ramsey, Martinsville, MG looking to move up

11/27/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Ramsey will enter the 2023-24 with a new coach but a familiar face leading the Rams.

Greenville hopes to repeat
Litchfield, Hillsboro, Southwestern return experience
Pana, North Mac, Vandalia, Carlinville, Staunton turn to young talent
11/27/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The only team in the South Central Conference who managed to have a pretty good postseason in 2022-23 were the Greenville Comets.

Coach Todd Cantrill's club went 21-12 a year ago, 8-1 in the SCC to win the league by a game over North Mac and then took home the hardware from the East Alton-Wood River Regional with a 46-26 dismantling ...

St. Anthony, Altamont lead strong contingent
League posted dominant figures last season with six 20-game winners
11/24/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - If you sat down, pen in hand, and were to write down who you think will be the top teams in the National Trail Conference for 2023-24, you would jot down Altamont and Effingham St. Anthony automatically.

The Indians and Bulldogs have been joined at the hip for the past several seasons as they have met many times in showdowns with conference hardware on the line.

Pinckneyville, Nashville should duke it out again
Benton looks strong, West Frankfort, A-J, DQ in chasing the top ones
Tigers search for back-to-back titles
Massac, Murphy, Harrisburg, Carterville look to challenge

11/23/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Pinckneyville Panthers made the most of their chances in the postseason last February and March.

Nearly all of them at least.

Coach Bob Waggoner and his crew looked anything but a championship caliber team .....

Top teams return key players
Lawrenceville looks to continue postseason success
C-W, Newton, Richland Co., Robinson have talented vets; Mt. Carmel has an excuse for a slow start

11/22/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - Last season the race to the top of the Little Illini Conference was quite a dog-fight as none of the teams managed to go without a league defeat and the top six teams of the eight members had at least three conference victories.

Long story short, nearly every night was a battle.

East Division looks evenly matched
Every squad has talent returning for 2023-24; Race to the top should be interesting
Vienna looks to continue success
Goreville, Sesser-Valier, Christopher, set to challenge; Trico has new coach in place

11/21/2022
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Eldorado Eagles have the makings of a team that could be much improved over last season's 19-10 overall, 7-3 BDC East Division, finish.

Considering that Coach Josh Bradley and his club lost their first three games of the season at the Vienna Thanksgiving Classic, it was quite a turn around.

Central, Columbia look strong again
Salem looks improved; Freeburg, EAWR must replace missing pieces
Roxana will get a late start due to football playoff success
Wesclin, Red Bud, Okawville look strong
Sparta lost some key players, Carlyle has a new mentor, Chester has work to do
Steeleville should have company this season
New Athens, M/C have talent returning; Valmeyer, Lebanon, Dupo look improved

11/20/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - When it comes to the most successful programs in southern Illinois boy's high school basketball in recent history, Breese Central is at or near the top.

The Cougars' run in the Cahokia Conference and postseason won-loss mark stand out.

Since the beginning of the two division set up, which became three divisions two years ago .....

Wide open title race expected
Top teams all return quality experience from 2022-23

11/20/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - The Midland Trail Conference in 2023-24 has a little bit of everything that a prep basketball league should have.

There are veteran players returning for teams along with some young kids that look ready to mature into standout players.

Hawks, Cougars, Wildcats, Pirates return experience
Crab Orchard, NCOE have holes to fill; Thompsonville, Galatia look to rebuild

11/20/2023
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - As it is for most seasons, the 2023-24 Greater Egyptian Conference race in boy's basketball will be interesting as several of the teams look capable of winning the regular season championship.

The league tournament at the end of January always produces a good week of basketball ...