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| IBCA
All-Star Rosters set
ABV POY's Winchester, Bultman will represent 1A/2A South
Wesclin's Brent Brede will coach the squad; E.J. Liddell
of Belleville West will play for 3A/4A South |
|  05-23-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association announced the rosters
for their annual All-Star Game to be held on June 8, 2019 at
Pontiac High School.
Among
the participants expected to play are two-time Mr. Basketball
in Illinois and Ohio State University signee E.J. Liddell.
He
will lead the 3A/4A South Team along with teammate
The
All-Star games will be held on Saturday, June 8th in the Pontiac
Community High School Gym.
Ohio
State bound and two time Illinois High School Player of the
Year and two time 4A State Champion from Belleville West, E.
J. Liddell, will represent the 3-4 South Boys All Stars in our
IBCA All Star Weekend Experience on June 7th and 8th in Pontiac.
He
will be joined by senior All Stars from across the state of
Illinois.
From
southern Illinois ABV Carbondale Supersectional Area 1A "Player
of the Year" Tyler Winchester of Sesser-Valier and 2A "Player
of the Year" Bryce Bultman of Nashville are both on the
1A/2A South roster.
Others
from the ABV area include All ABV 2A players Jayzale O'Neal
of regional winner Fairfield, Clint Weber and Dawson Smith of
sectional winner Teutopolis, CJ Johnson from regional champion
West Frankfort, Will Aubel of sectional champion Okawville,
Austin Rager of regional titlist Mount Carmel, Audie Goebel
of regional winner Gallatin County, Sam Painter of Litchfield,
Nate Brede of Wesclin, Karson Huels of Waterloo Gibault and
Keith Kiner III of Chester.
Brian
Estes of Fairfield was named as an alternate for the 1A/2A squad.
The
3A/4A team from the South includes Liddel of two-time defending
champs Belleville West along with teammate Lawrence Brazil III.
Also
from the Deep South part of the state are Landon Wolfe of Effingham
and Donovan Clay of Alton.
The
girl's games will also be played on the same day, starting earlier
in the afternoon.
The
1A/2A South Team will feature ABV area players Sammi Matoush
of Hillsboro, Karsyn Davis and Brooke Meylor of Harrisburg,
both Abigail Reinneck and Emily Reinneck of Lebanon, Kaleigh
Dodson of Hamilton County, Libby Ahlers of Nashville and Haleigh
Keeling of Vienna.
Three
Deep South players will be on the 3A/4A South squad; Bryce Dowell
of Belleville East, Kierra Winkeler of Breese Mater Dei and
Carsyn Fearday of Effingham.
The
1A/2A girl's game will begin at noon followed by the 3A/4A girl's
game at 2 pm.
The
1A/2A boy's contest will start at 4 pm and the 3A/4A matchup
is slated for 6 pm.
Admission
is $5 at the door for all four games. |
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| ABV
gearing up for 22nd season
More businesses, teams involved |
 11-18-18
BY
JACK BULLOCK
MT. VERNON - After another great
season of A Baseline View it is back to work as I gear up for
yet another basketball season. Beginning
in 1998-99 with a newsletter/magazine and moving to the world
wide web in 2001-02, this all adds up to 21 years heading into
22.
I've
added a few new advertisers and I have also reached out to some
additional schools to perhaps expand.
The
ABV motto is if you send the information this way, I will put
it on the website.
That
includes scores, standings, schedules, preview, etc.
I'm
looking forward to hearing from some new coaches and schools.
The
more I learn about teams, the better the preseason previews
and rankings look.
This
past season was a good one as southern Illinois was well represented
at the state finals with Nashville placing second and Moweaqua
Central A&M finishing third.
Both
the Hornets and the Raiders will have strong teams coming back
next season so their fans will have plenty of cheering ahead
of them.
The
2A ABV area will have a much different look to it with several
teams moving down from 3A and some 2A teams dropping on down
to 1A.
This
will make things much more interesting in the Deep South postseason.
Benton,
Breese Central, Breese Mater Dei, Carterville, Columbia, Freeburg,
Massac County, Murphysboro and Salem will all drop into the
2A class while Casey-Westfield, Dupo, Edwards County and Red
Hill will go from 2A to 1A.
The
latest enrollment tallies are effective for the next two school
years (2019-20 thru 2020-21) so these teams will be locked in
to their spots.
If
you are not already following me on Twitter or Facebook, please
do so.
Most
of the updates that I do, concerning basketball and advertising,
are announced on one or both of those platforms.
Advertising
is what keeps this ship afloat.
It
is how I have managed to keep doing this for now 22 years.
In
any case 2019-20 looks to be even better.
Thanks
again for stopping by to check on my site.
I
appreciate everyone who does.
See
you at the Gym.
Jack
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| ABV
1A/2A ALL-SOUTH TEAMS - 2018-19 |
| Bultman,
Winchester, Gordon III earn POY's
Coaches Harre, Gordon, Kraus deserve COY's |
03-16-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
MT. VERNON – The ABV 2018-19 All-South Teams are
complete. Each
year I put together a list of the top players in the different
areas I cover.
However
this year there was/is a bit of expansion in place.
At
the beginning of the season I really needed to do some extra work.
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| 2A
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP |
| Hornets
finish second
Orr
wins third-straight title 50-36; 0-11 3-point shooting dooms Nashville |
03-09-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA – The figure that stood
out the most on the final stat sheet of the IHSA 2A state championship
game between Chicago Orr and Nashville???
0-11.
That
was the performance from the 3-point line by the Nashville Hornets
in their 50-34 title game loss to the now three-time tournament
champion Spartans.
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1A
THIRD PLACE GAME |
Central
A&M grabs third place
Raiders
roll past Triopia, 70-39; Paradee, Heaton combine for 43 points |
03-09-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA
– Building towards the future, ending the season with a
win and giving everyone a last look at next year's 1A Carbondale
Supersectional favorites. That
is what the Central A&M victory over Concord Triopia in
the third place game provided Saturday afternoon at Carver Arena.
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| 2A
STATE FINALS - PEORIA |
| Hornets
advance to title game
Nashville survives free throw shooting woes; play Chicago Orr Saturday |
| 03-05-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE
– In typical Nashville fashion, the Hornets defense bailed
them out of their state semifinal game against stubborn Gibson
City-Melvin-Sibley.
And
as the game unfolded Friday night, Coach Wayne Harre's club
needed every stop they got.
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| 1A
STATE FINALS - PEORIA |
| Cissna
Park moves to title game
Timberwolves lead from the start, improve to 32-4; St. Mel awaits |
| 03-08-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA
– Going back to the 1980's, singer Phil Collins had a
song called “Inside Out.”
That
fit to a tee the offensive beginning for the Cissna Park Timberwolves
in their 56-44 win in the 1A semifinals over Central A&M.
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| 1A
STATE FINALS - PEORIA |
| Central
A&M, Cissna Park collide on Friday
Raiders, Timberwolves bring impressive resumes to Peoria |
| 03-07-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA
– In what undoubtedly an interesting matchup in the semifinals,
ABV top-ranked Central A&M, fresh off of their 1A Carbondale
Supersectional conquest on Tuesday night, will tangle with Cissna
Park at 11 am at Carver Arena.
The
Raiders and Timberwolves have size, athletic ability and skills
and both .....
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| 2A
STATE FINALS - PEORIA |
| Nashville
faces veteran Falcons
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley rides 31-game win-streak to Carver Arena |
03-07-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
PEORIA
- The Nashville Hornets have made yet another trip to Peoria,
their first since a second place finish and seventh appearance
at Carver Arena since the finals were moved there in 1996.
The
first state finals showing in the schools history, in 1978,
produced a state .....
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| TOURNAMENTS |
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| Vandalia
to play at Benton Invitational |
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| 1A/2A
CARBONDALE SUPERSECTIONALS |
| Raiders,
Hornets head north
Central
A&M, Nashville punch tickets to Final Four |
03-05-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE -
For Central A&M head coach Rob Smith, what a difference a
year made for him and his basketball team.
The
Raiders came into their supersectional game last March against
Goreville at SIU Arena flying high but they came crashing to
the ground after a poor showing .....
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| 1A
AND 2A SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES |
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| 1A
GALLATIN COUNTY SECTIONAL |
| Sesser-Valier
takes sectional title
Seth Boles scores 23-points;
Red Devils roll past rival Woodlawn, 55-39 |
03-01-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
JUNCTION
– Over 2,000 fans packed into Gallatin County High School
Friday night for the sectional championship game between long
time rivals and top notch programs Sesser-Valier and Woodlawn;
with a trip to the Carbondale 1A Supersectional on the line.
The
overflowing crowd was anticipating an epic postseason matchup
between .....
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| 1A
OKAWVILLE SECTIONAL |
| Rockets
handle West Central
Okawville
takes another step towards Peoria, 61-44; Aubel 22-points paces host |
02-27-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE - Okawville head coach Jon Kraus couldn't have
dreamed of a better beginning for his Rockets on Wednesday night
in their 1A Okawville Sectional semifinal contest.
On
the other hand, Winchester West Central mentor Ryan Sichting
would .....
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| 2A
VANDALIA SECTIONAL |
| Mules
roll to easy win
Fairfield ends Pana's Cinderella run,
70-33; Defense forces 23 turnovers |
02-26-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
VANDALIA - Fairfield head coach Scott
McElravy was probably a bit nervous heading into his Mules' sectional
semifinal matchup with Pana on Tuesday night.
The
Panthers had shot the ball really well in beating both Casey-Westfield
and Marshall to win the Shelbyville Regional last week.
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| ABV
2A VANDALIA/DU QUOIN SECTIONAL PREVIEWS |
| Strong
teams enter 2A Sectionals
Six top seeds survived regionals; Pana, WF crashed the party |
|
02-25-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
On the 2A side of the ABV postseason ledger, there was only
one example of what would be considered a major upset in the
regionals that feed into the Du Quoin and Vandalia Sectionals.
Highly
regarded and ABV ranked Casey-Westfield lost its first game
of the ......
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ABV
1A GALLATIN COUNTY/ALTAMONT SECTIONAL PREVIEWS |
Regional
Champs Set To Battle
Top four teams from ABV 1A Rankings make it to the sectionals |
02-25-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
Two seeding favorites and two up-setters are still alive in the
postseason heading into the Gallatin County 1A Sectional this
week. Both
Sesser-Valier and Woodlawn advanced after being the top two
seeds in Sub-Sectional A while both Gallatin County and Cairo
managed to grab regional .....
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| 1A
WAYNE CITY REGIONAL |
| Cardinals
"clamp down" on Tigers
McKay nets 27-points, Woodlawn adds
to trophy case with 58-40 regional title win |
02-22-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY
- The Woodlawn Cardinals have earned much better grades offensively
in 2018-19 than they did on Friday in the title game of the 1A
Wayne City Regional.
However
on the defensive side of the floor Coach Brian Gamber's squad
earned an emphatic “A+” in their runaway win over
Thompsonville.
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| ABV
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREVIEWS |
02-22-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
Here is a quick look at tonight's ABV Area Regional title games.
Best of luck to all of the one's left.
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| 1A
GOREVILLE REGIONAL |
| Goreville,
Cairo advance
Blackcats
roll past Crab Orchard; Pilots ease past Pharaohs
Regional title game set for Friday night |
| 02-20-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
GOREVILLE - In the first semifinal game on Wednesday
night at the 1A Goreville Regional, the Crab Orchard Trojans
were making a game of it in the first half against the top-seeded
hosts.
After
a bucket by sophomore forward Keegan Peek off of a rebound of
his own ......
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| 1A
SESSER-VALIER REGIONAL |
| Red
Devils survive scare
Sesser-Valier edges rival Christopher, 46-44 |
| 02-19-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER
– Although the Sesser-Valier Red Devils led for most of
their regional semifinal matchup on Tuesday night, they were
never really comfortable.
But
like most good teams that have been through a lot of close games,
the hosts managed to make enough “feel good” plays
when they counted.
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MIDLAND
TRAIL CONFERENCE |
Waltonville
takes home senior night win
Spartans' great start holds up; Victory
ties Wayne City for second in MTC |
02-16-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
WALTONVILLE - Senior night's, in
most cases, are a final chance for the locals to get a glimpse
at the kids who have played for the school on their home floor
and for the team to play well in front of their faithful.
The
Waltonville Spartans celebrated their final regular season game
and .....
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NON-CONFERENCE |
Okawville
tops Sparta
Rockets'
big third quarter provides spread for road win; Heckert nets 21-points |
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02-12-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
SPARTA - For the Okawville Rockets
on Tuesday in their road game against Sparta, priority one was
to get
the ball inside to their big man while also working for the
best percentage shot possible.
Six-foot-seven
junior center Jackson Heckert took control in the paint .....
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NON-CONFERENCE |
Tigers
get past Gateway Academy
Furlow's 25-points leads to 66-54
win; Thompsonville improves to 26-2 |
02-11-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
THOMPSONVILLE
– In a contest that in the biggest of regular season pictures
amounted to little more that a make up game scrimmage from a
snowed out shootout, the Thompsonville Tigers played it like
it was a regional title game.
Coach
Pete Gordon had his team ready to go against private school
Gateway ......
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| SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS RIVER-TO-RIVER CONFERENCE |
| Hornets
take conference command
Nashville
"throttles" short-handed Panthers; Lead SIRR Mississippi Division |
| 02-09-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
NASHVILLE
- The return match up between SIRR Mississippi Division rivals
Nashville and Pinckneyville on Saturday night didn't turn out
to be the kind of contest that most fans had in mind when they
entered Nashville's Assembly Hall.
The
two teams battled back on January 4th with the host Panthers
escaping with .....
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| BLACK
DIAMOND CONFERENCE |
| Chester
keeps BDC West title in sight
Behind triple-double by Keith
Kiner III, Yellow Jackets stay league perfect |
02-05-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHRISTOPHER - In high school basketball,
a triple-double is rare.
While
it is seemingly an everyday occurrence in the National Basketball
Association, it is uncommon in prep basketball.
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BENTON
"RICH HERRIN SHOOTOUT" |
| Hornets
"wear out" Wooden Shoes
Nashville's second half defense "stings" Teutopolis;
57-39
Herrin, Benton, Marion, Sesser-Valier, Goreville, Harrisburg win |
02-02-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
BENTON
– In what was considered the marquee matchup of the “Rich
Herrin Classic” Shootout on Saturday at Benton High School
lived up to its advanced billing.
At
least it did for a half.
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| NATIONAL
TRAIL CONFERENCE |
North
Clay takes care of road business
Cardinals nail down 57-40 NTC win at Dieterich; Improve
to 19-7 |
02-01-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
DIETERICH
– Coming off of a tough loss on the road at Neoga on Tuesday,
head coach Josh Zink was hoping his North Clay Cardinals would
respond with a “big effort” on the road Friday night.
This
mentor got exactly that.
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| NON-CONFERENCE |
| Sesser-Valier
nabs key road win
Winchester hits overtime game
winner, Red Devils top Woodlawn, 38-36 |
| 01-29-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
WOODLAWN
– On Tuesday night, in a defensive struggle between two
long time rivals, the Woodlawn Cardinals' defense held Sesser-Valier
sharp shooter Tyler Winchester well below his scoring average
as he finished with just eight-points on the night.
As
it turned out, they needed to hold him to just six.
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| 84TH
ANNUAL NATIONAL TRAIL CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT |
| Bulldogs
"Dust" Altamont
Jacob Dust nets 28-points in 68-50 win;
St.
A nabs third straight NTC title
North Clay takes third, St. Elmo/Brownstown wins consolation,
South Central seventh |
01-26-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
ALTAMONT
– When the going got tough in the second half for Effingham
St. Anthony head coach Cody Rincker's game plan was simple.
Get
the ball to the “big man.”
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| GREATER
EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT |
Crab
Orchard, Galatia post wins
Trojans hold off CM-S; Bearcats rallies
past NCOE |
01-24-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG
– The Crab Orchard Trojans used a couple of big scoring
runs, one each in the second and third quarters, and held off
a furious rally by Carrier Mills-Stonefort in the fourth quarter,
to earn a spot in the consolation championship game with a 67-59
win Thursday night.
Coach
Jon Brown got 23-points from junior Hunter Throgmorton along
with 19-points from junior Tony Lakotich as the Trojans improved
to 14-9 on the season.
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| GREATER
EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT |
| Gallatin
County, Pope
County advance
Hawks roll over Galatia; Pirates ease
past NCOE |
01-22-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG –
When you are a higher seed in a tournament, you want to make sure
you have the least amount of drama possible in your opening round
contest. Audie
Goebel of Gallatin County made sure that his Hawks were in a
“drama free” zone Tuesday night in their opening
round domination of Galatia.
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| GREATER
EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT |
| Thompsonville,
Hardin County open GEC with wins
Tigers roll past Carrier Mills-Stonefort;
Cougars edge Crab Orchard in OT |
01-21-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
HARRISBURG
– To repeat as champions of a bracketed tournament, there
can be no mistakes in any game. You
have to win the first one to defend that last one (tournament)
and on Monday night at the annual Greater Egyptian Conference
Tournament .......
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| NASHVILLE
INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT |
| Hornets,
Knights win
Nashville
drills Brentwood (MO.); Mater Dei holds off Granite City |
01-16-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
NASHVILLE
– The Nashville Hornets took a few minutes to get going
on Wednesday night in their opening game of their 37th annual
Nashville Invitational Tournament.
However
the Hornets' “smoldering warm up” soon turned into
a “roaring fiery rage” as the Hornets romped to
a lopsided 60-25 victory.
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| OKAWVILLE
INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT |
| Rockets
rally past Gibault
Okawville,
Madison post Tuesday victories; heading for Saturday night showdown |
| 01-15-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
OKAWVILLE
– Two important elements of the Okawville Rockets' game
plan came together in their 48-38 win over Waterloo Gibault
on Tuesday night at the Okawville Invitational Tournament.
The
scoring of 6-foot-4 senior Will Aubel and some key offensive
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| CARMI-WHITE
COUNTY INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT |
| CWC
out-guns Harrisburg
Ethan Mahon hot start propels Bulldogs to 64-48 triumph
Fairfield, Mt. Carmel roll to opening night victories |
| 01-12-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARMI
– Carmi-White County's Ethan Mahon may have had better
games in his prep basketball career.
However
it is unlikely the 5-foot-11 junior guard could've produced
a better offensive start of a contest than he enjoyed on Monday
night at the 40th annual ......
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| WEST
FRANKFORT "MID-WINTER CLASSIC" |
Carterville
edges Eagles
Downen
hits last second shot, Lions win in OT, 67-65 |
| 01-12-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
WEST FRANKFORT
– If you wanted to see a great game to open up an invitational
tournament, you couldn't have picked a better one than the contest
on Saturday night at West Frankfort.
The
matchup between Carterville and Eldorado featured 17 tie scores
and 10 lead .....
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| GREATER
EGYPTIAN CONFERENCE |
| Trojans
pick up road win
Crab Orchard holds off Carrier Mills-Stonefort,
improves to 12-6 with 54-45 triumph |
| 01-08-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARRIER MILLS – Conference
road wins are always tough to come by, or so it seems.
Crab
Orchard and veteran head coach Jon Brown know that fact “too
well.”
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| NON-CONFERENCE |
| Murphysboro
tames Bobcats
Big
third quarter run gives Red Devils 59-41 triumph |
| 01-05-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
MOUNDS
– For head coach Daryl Murphy getting a win on the road
at Mounds Meridian on a Saturday afternoon was very important.
After
coming off of a good win Friday night over Harrisburg, the Red
Devils were a bit sluggish at the beginning of their matinee
on Saturday, according to .....
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| BLACK
DIAMOND CONFERENCE WEST |
| Blackcats
roll past Vienna
Goreville
never trails in 54-39 romp on the road |
01-05-2019
BY JACK BULLOCK
VIENNA – Coaches, when talking
about the beginning of games, like to use the phrase “punched
them in the mouth” when describing a good start.
That
is exactly what the Goreville Blackcats did, metaphorically
speaking, to their Johnson County rivals Vienna on Saturday
night.
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| 38TH
ANNUAL SESSER-VALIER HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
Red
Devils win title
Sesser-Valier edges Marissa-Coulterville, 57-54;
first SVHT title in 18 years
Woodlawn, Goreville, Cobden post final day victories |
12-28-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER
– It was the year 2000. America had survived the Y2K scare
and a controversial presidential election.
Red
Devils' head coach Shane Garner was a guard at his Alma mater
Sesser-Valier.
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| 38TH
ANNUAL SESSER-VALIER HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| S-V
rolls past Tigers
Red Devils make the last run count, beat Thompsonville,
66-52
Marissa-Coulterville awaits S-V
in title game showdown |
12-28-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER
– With the game even at 44-all at the end of the third
quarter, the Sesser-Valier Red Devils were looking for a difference
maker heading to the fourth quarter to decide who would join
Marissa-Coulterville in Saturday night's championship game of
the 38th annual SVHT.
Six-foot-one
junior Peyton Bates filled that role.
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| 54TH
ANNUAL ELDORADO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| NCOE
shocks host Eagles
Sophomore Melton hits game winning shot, Cardinals advance
57-56
Top-seeds Fairfield, Massac, Herrin cruise into quarterfinals |
12-27-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
ELDORADO
– There will be no repeat champion in the 54th annual
Eldorado Holiday Tournament.
Norris
City-Omaha-Enfield sophomore Joe Melton saw to that Thursday
night in the seventh game of the 16-team bracketed event.
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| 38TH
ANNUAL SESSER-VALIER HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Meteors
struggle into quarterfinals
Cold shooting Marissa-Coulterville tops Waltonville,
55-40
Woodlawn, S-V, Thompsonville advance; Cobden upsets JC |
12-26-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER –
The number four-seed at the 38th annual Sesser-Valier Holiday
Tournament certainly didn't play like a team that entered the
tourney on an eight-game winning streak.
But
the Marissa/Coulterville Meteors were anything but “blazing”
as they shot the
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| 54TH
ANNUAL ELDORADO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Mules
look to "kick down"
EHT door
Fairfield, Massac, Herrin, Gallatin County round out
top seeds |
12-25-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
ELDORADO
– Heading into the 54th annual Eldorado Holiday Tournament
the defending champions, the host Eagles are the eighth-seed
as they lost a lot of talented kids from a two-season run that
produced the most wins in the school's storied history.
Head
coach Josh Bradley guided his troops to a 54-7 mark, including
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| 38TH
ANNUAL SESSER-VALIER HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Cardinals,
Red Devils lead loaded field
Top-seeds Woodlawn, S-V face tough challenges
Thompsonville, Marissa-Coulterville loom large in 16-team bracket |
| 12-24-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER
– The 38th annual Sesser-Valier Holiday Tournament is
shaping up as the most balanced in the events most recent history.
The
folks at SVHS have put together a strong 1A field with a couple
of 2A teams thrown in for good measure as the 16-team bracketed
tournament is set for .....
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| DONGOLA
CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT |
| Egyptian
tops Pope County
Pharaohs,
Pirates, Rangers end up tied; Joppa wins tie-breaker for championship |
| 12-22-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
DONGOLA
– The “ups and downs” of high school basketball
can be tough to take.
It
was that way for the Egyptian Pharaohs on Saturday at the Dongola
Christmas Tournament.
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NON-CONFERENCE |
Warriors
rally for OT win
Luke Richards hits two free throws
to top Fairfield in battle of unbeatens |
| 12-21-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
FAIRFIELD
– It was a battle of unbeaten teams at Fairfield on Friday
night that turned out to be a defensive gem and an offensive
struggle.
At
least for the early going.
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| NON-CONFERENCE |
| Nokomis'
early run dooms hosts
Redskins roll to 18-2 lead, hold Eagles at bey, 57-41 |
12-20-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO –
The Nokomis Redskins picked up a non-conference road win at
St. Elmo/Brownstown on Thursday night as they jumped out to
a big early lead.
While
in a perfect world Coach Steve Kimbro's squad would have cruised
into high gear and won with ease, but in the 57-41 triumph they
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NON-CONFERENCE |
Wayne
City edges NCOE
Indians recover from bad fourth
quarter, win 40-36; Improve to 9-3 |
12-18-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY
– The Wayne City Indians were heading to a relatively
easy double-digit victory on Tuesday night against visiting
NCOE.
They
led by as many as 13-points in the third quarter and a 3-point
bomb by top scorer Travis Dickey gave the hosts' a 35-23 lead
with 7:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.
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| IHSA
Schools Approve Football Districting & 10 Other Proposals |
12-17-2018
BLOOMINGTON - The proposal about
the Illinois High School Association changing the football regular
season scheduling has passed.
The following is an official IHSA press release .....
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| IHSA
Fall Classifications for 2019-20 and 2020-21
Changes effect several ABV area schools |
12-17-2018
BLOOMINGTON - From the IHSA Press
Release. IHSA Fall Classifications Posted For 2019-20 &
2020-21 Sports.
The
first release of information about the IHSA's new two-year classification
cycle, which was adopted by the IHSA Board of Directors in June
2018, has been posted. The classification cycle covers the next
two school years: 2019-20 and 2020-21. During that period, classifications
in multi-class sports and activities will not change.
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| 65TH
ANNUAL WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Red
Hill captures title
Salukis' handle Hawks, 60-43; North Clay,
Crab Orchard, Cisne post final day wins |
12-15-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY
– The Red Hill Salukis began playing in the Wayne City Holiday
Tournament in 2015 and they played very inconsistently in each
of those first three events. They
came home with fourth place finishes each time.
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| 59TH
ANNUAL ST. ELMO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
Eagles
edge Vandals
SE/B rallies past Vandalia to reach
championship game; CH/BC tops Patoka |
| 12-14-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO
– The St. Elmo/Brownstown Eagles advanced to the title
game of their own holiday tournament for the fourth consecutive
year by rallying for a 66-65 win over a “stunned”
Vandalia Vandals' club.
The
visitors had everything going for them in the first half and
were on .....
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| 59TH
ANNUAL ST. ELMO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Aces
advance to title game
Mulberry Grove beats top-seed Cumberland; Latham
nets 20-points |
12-13-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO –
The Mulberry Grove Aces, despite an undefeated record, came
into the 59th annual St. Elmo Holiday Tournament as just the
fourth seed and head coach Andrew Beckham and his club believe
that they deserved a higher ranking.
Not
only were they searching for some respect coming into Thursday
night's semifinal game against Cumberland, the Aces were also
seeking a .....
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| 65TH
ANNUAL WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Red
Hill, Wayne City win
Salukis handle Crab Orchard;
Indians top Cisne |
12-12-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY
– On Wednesday night at the Conrad Allen Wayne City Holiday
Tournament the Red Hill Salukis didn't get their normal showing
from leading scorer Drew Moore.
Moore
came into the tournament averaging 17.6 points per outing but
he got into foul trouble on the night and never got things going
for himself, netting just six-points.
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| 59TH
ANNUAL ST. ELMO HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| St.
Elmo Tourney "Tips Off" Tuesday
Pirates, Vandals
looking to steal title; host Eagles, Aces in the hunt |
12-11-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
ST. ELMO – The 59th annual
St. Elmo Holiday Tournament begins tonight with eight teams
vying for the championship in the bracketed event.
The
tournament has attracted two 2A teams along with an unbeaten
.......
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| ABV
COMMENTARY |
| AP
Basketball Poll Continues To Be A Bad Joke |
12-11-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
I normally don't write much commentary on my website although
I will occasionally complain through my Twitter account on non-sports
issues.
Nevertheless
something peaked my interest (angered me) this past week that
I want to address.
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65TH
ANNUAL WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Hawks
handle Grayville
Gallatin County improves to 2-0
in the Pool B; Crab Orchard, North Clay post wins |
| 12-10-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY – Sometimes entering
a second contest against a team that you defeated handily the
first time, being focused in the early parts of the first quarter
is very important.
Head
coach Jeff Herrmann got his Gallatin County team ready .....
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NON-CONFERENCE |
Hornets
roll past Gibault
Nashville dominates every category,
win 54-21; Parker nets 22 in victory |
| 12-08-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
NASHVILLE – After spending
two weeks on the road playing tournament games and one regular
season contest, the Nashville Hornets on Saturday night made
their way back into their comfort zone; the Assembly Hall.
Coach
Wayne Harre's club, the preseason ABV 2A top ranked team, had
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| 65TH
ANNUAL WAYNE CITY HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT |
| Holiday
Tournament begins Saturday
Hawks, Salukis, lead
solid field at Wayne City |
| 12-08-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
WAYNE CITY – The 65th annual
Conrad Allen Wayne City Holiday Tournament has arrived.
Beginning
on Saturday, December 8th eight teams in two pools of four will
battle for a chance to take home the top trophy in one of the
longest running boy's basketball events in the state's history.
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NON-CONFERENCE |
Granite
City forces Eagle mistakes
Warriors
take 60-50 road win at Columbia; Watson, Moore combine for 40-points |
| 12-06-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
COLUMBIA – Head coach Mark
Sandstrom set up some severe tests for his team going into the
2018-19 season as he has in recent campaigns.
He
ratcheted up the degree of difficulty of the Columbia Eagles'
varsity schedule to help better prepare his club for potential
3A postseason matchups.
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| MIDLAND
TRAIL CONFERENCE |
Webber
nabs big home win
Trojans rally past Odin, 48-46;
Kaiden Taylor leads club with 17-points |
| 12-04-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
BLUFORD
– On Tuesday night, the Webber Township Trojans stepped
onto their home floor less than 24-hours after dropping a road
game to Zeigler-Royalton, 54-47.
The
loss was to a team who hadn't tasted victory in over a year.
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| CARLYLE
"KASKASKIAN CLASSIC" |
| Pinckneyville
wins tourney title
Panthers' second half run dooms
Woodlawn; Hillsboro, Greenville, Freeburg win |
| 12-01-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARLYLE – The Pinckneyville
Panthers have come a long way in just over a week's time.
Back
on November 21, Coach Bob Waggoner's club lost to West Frankfort
on the road, 86-79 in overtime.
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| GOREVILLE
INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT |
| Rangers
"rattle" Hardin County
Early
dominance takes away drama; 64-31; JC, host Blackcats also win |
| 11-30-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
GOREVILLE – The game of high
school basketball is played for 32 minutes of regulation time.
The
contest between Benton and Hardin County on Friday night was
basically over after the first four minutes.
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TRICO/MURPHYSBORO
INVITATIONAL |
Steeleville
rolls past Red Bud
Warriors
defense sets pace in 58-18 win; Sparta host
Pioneers |
| 11-28-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
CAMPBELL HILL –
The Steeleville Warriors let their defense set the stage for
a romping victory on Wednesday night.
Although
the squad missed some easy chances on offense during a second
quarter stretch, they were a stingy crew on defense.
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| ABV
WEEK 1 HIGHLIGHTS |
| Tournament
champs make early season statements
Unbeaten teams roar out of the gate;
Highlight Week 1 of 2018-19 |
11-26-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
MT. VERNON - After the first week
of the season there are some major ABV props to send out.
The
Fairfield Mules won one of the
toughest first week tournaments, going 4-0 to take home the
title of the Lawrence County Capital Classic.
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CHRISTOPHER
"TURKEY" TOURNAMENT |
Thompsonville
dominates in title win
Tigers lead from start to finish
in 53-33 championship game triumph |
11-24-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHRISTOPHER – In the first
two games of the season for Coach Pete Gordon's Thompsonville
Tigers, which began at the Christopher Turkey Tournament, they
got of to relatively slow starts. In
contests against Zeigler-Royalton and Norris City-Omaha-Enfield
this club .....
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| NON-CONFERENCE |
| Sesser-Valier
tops West Frankfort
Winchester nets 36-points, passes
1,000 for his career in 81-65 triumph |
11-23-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
SESSER – The senior season
for Sesser-Valier guard Tyler Winchester opened with a “bang”
on Friday night in front of a large home crowd.
It
is safe to say this 6-foot-2 shooting guard didn't disappoint
anyone wearing Maroon and White on opening night.
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| CHRISTOPHER
"TURKEY" TOURNAMENT |
| Christopher
opens season with win
Garver, Pratt lead Bearcats to
semifinals; Webber drops into consolation side
Wayne City advances past Waltonville |
11-19-2018
BY JACK BULLOCK
CHRISTOPHER – There were
a lot of question marks heading into the Christopher Bearcats
season opener against Webber Township at the 44th annual Christopher
“Turkey” Tournament.
One
of the questions that needed to be answered was who was going
to step up ..... |
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| ABV
Annual Preview - November 18, 2018 |
11-18-18
BY
JACK BULLOCK
MT. VERNON - The ABV Preview for
the 2018-19 is completed.
Well, nearly all of it.
The
3A conferences Mississippi Valley and South Seven are like an
election.
Not
all of the precincts have reported.
I
have information from five of the MVC, and two of the South
Seven.
A
couple of more days won't hurt anything.
Many
of the schools won't start for another few days anyway.
I
have received information (most of it promptly) from nearly
every school I contacted that I normally try to preview.
Some
still refuse to participate.
I'm
not going to rant this year about those (3) coaches. It is what
it is.
I
also added a few teams that came from coaches outside of the
area that wanted to be a part of ABV.
My
policy is “No Team Left Behind.”
If
you send the info, I will put something together.
There
are some changes this season in the Rankings and you can read
about it on the “RANKINGS” page by clicking on that
link.
I
have added a few northern schools to the process and some were
very receptive to providing the information.
This
season was much better all around in the gathering and the writing.
I
hope it looks that way on the pages.
Ad
sales were up this season, which is a good thing.
There
are no pop up ads or click bait on my website. Just simple links
to follow.
For
those of you who are not familiar with my website, to find the
different teams that are previewed you click on the link at
the top and bottom of ALL of the pages on my website that is
labeled “TEAMS.”
You
can then scroll down and find your favorite team by picking
the conference affiliation.
Many
of the teams are Independents or are in the conference that
is out of the ABV area yet they still feed into one of the three
postseason supersectionals in which ABV deals with.
All
of those teams are in the link called “Southern Illinois
Independents.”
The
Carbondale Supersectionals for both 1A and 2A along with the
1A Jacksonville Supersectional.
If
you are a frequent follower of ABV, be sure to refresh pages
to get the newest edition of the page.
If
you are still seeing the older versions, it is probably because
your old data and cache files need to be cleared from your browser.
Depending
on which browser you use, this is generally a simple fix.
As
with most years, there will be some mistakes made but most can
also be fixed.
The
rankings I do are my opinions of what I believe will happen
during the year, culminating with the only tournament that really
matters; the IHSA state tournament.
If
I pick someone number #1, I believe that they are eventually
going to end up at Carver Arena playing for a state championship.
If
I didn't believe it, I wouldn't type it.
Anyway,
this is season number #21 for me, four doing a newsletter, 17
on the web.
I
hope you enjoy this edition of the ABV Preview.
See
you at the Gym.
Jack
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