OST_Prep Basketball Preview_112119

Prep Boys Basketball Preview 2019-20

INSIDE Ottawa Pirates .........................................................................................

Sandwich Indians ..................................................................................

Marquette Crusaders ...........................................................................

Woodland Warriors ...............................................................................

Seneca Fighting Irish ............................................................................

Streator Bulldogs ...................................................................................

Newark Norsemen ................................................................................

2 3 4 5 6 7 9

Leland Panthers ..................................................................................... 9 Earlville Red Raiders ............................................................................. 9 Serena Huskers ...................................................................................... 10 Somonauk Bobcats .............................................................................. 10 Fieldcrest Knights ................................................................................. 11 Flanagan-Cornell Falcons .................................................................. 11 Turkey Tourney Master Schedule .................................................... 12

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PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Reloaded Ottawa aims to continue its winning ways Pirates move on from past, focus on present

to our group of kids this 1,000-point career scorer, season if we were doing which included splashing anything but looking at a school-record 192 3s — what’s in front of us and and defensive dynamo/ trying to put together the double-digit scorer Dakota most comDeverteuil, petitive and who’s taken best product his game to we can on the prep school floor.�

SPIRE AcadOttawa’s emy (Ohio).

15-player rosLeading ter consists scorer, reof a half dozbounder and en returning stealer, the 12th-graders consistent and nine juand efficient nior newcomTyler Carers. son, graduatMARK COOPER “We have ed as well.

Ottawa coach a group of “We’re seniors that looking out had a comthe windplementary shield; we’re role last season as juniors not looking in the rearthat now are stepping to view mirror,� said veteran the forefront. They’ve emPirates coach Mark Cooper, braced their opportunity now in his 16th season at to lead the program this the helm (259-150 record — winter,� Cooper said. .633 winning percentage). “We have a blueprint of “Last season’s team did how we want to go about a lot of great things, but doing things, and our kids we’d be doing a disservice

‘We’relookingout thewindshield; we’renotlooking intherearview mirror.’

KYLE NEVINS knevins@shawmedia.com 815-431-4085 The Ottawa Pirates are looking ahead, not behind.

Last season, Ottawa went 25-5 — its most wins in a campaign since 1982-83 — won the final Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference West Division championship and claimed the program’s first regional plaque in 12 years.

Gone to Pomp and Circumstance from that team is a pair of players who garnered all-state recognition: facilitator Wyatt Hill — a varsity mainstay who played in a program-high 114 games during the previous four seasons and

will be ready. “I think it’s a skilled team — we have a number of players that can handle it, pass it, shoot it — and that makes things much easier on the offensive end, but we’re going to have to really work on the defensive end and rebounding to be successful.�

The lone starter back is a good one in standout senior guard Myles Tucker (12.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.8 spg in 2018-19; firstteam all-conference), a third-year vet and proven scorer at the varsity level.

Tucker — who has a scholarship offer courtesy of North Iowa Area Community College, while Sauk Valley CC and Joliet Junior College are very interested, according to his Illinois Ambush AAU coach Erik Walton — enters his final campaign with 713 career points (12.5 per game) and 102 3-pointers made.

OTTAWA PIRATES

The Times | file

Myles Tucker (2), shown here throwing down a dunk early in the 2018-19 campaign, is the lone returning starter from last winter’s 25-5, conference- and regional-championship Ottawa squad.

See OTTAWA, page 3

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Sandwich will turn to ‘a whole new group’ in ‘19-20

Ottawa From page 2

CHRIS WALKER For Shaw Media

‘It’sgoingtobe differentthisseason (forMyles).Asa senior,he’sgoing to have to be a stablizingforceon thefloor.It’svital for us.’

SCHEDULE

INSIDETHEGAME with Charlie Ellerbrock Thursdays

Times Columns

Shaw Media | file

dish said. “Last year Jimmy (Braddish, the coach’s son and team leading scorer) carried the load, and the other guys picked up the defense. This year we hope to play the same style but a lot more spread out and balanced scoring-wise.”

The Indians will open the season in Sycamore’s Strombom Thanksgiving Tournament against the hosts on Nov. 25.

ROSTER PLAYER NO. HT. YR. Evan Wilson 1 6-1 Jr. Cade Miller 3 5-10 Jr. Ian Kelson 4 5-9 Jr. Kyle Theurer 5 5-11 Sr. Lyphus Washington 13 5-11 Jr. Drew Theurer 15 6-1 Jr. Owen Sheley 20 6-4 Fr. Jacob Heilemeyer 21 6-3 Jr. Saolo Rodriguez 22 5-8 So. Jack Theurer 23 6-0 Sr. Rex Avery 24 6-3 Sr. Sam Golinski 30 6-4 Sr. Sawyer Allen 32 6-4 Sr. HEAD COACH: Jim Braddish

with J.T. Pedelty Tuesdays

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played significant minutes of varsity basketball, so they have an excitement,” Coach Cooper said.

“They want to grab the baton from last season’s group and see if they can continue on the strong tradition of success that this program has had for decades.

“We have a lot of confidence in them. I’ve just been very pleased with how ready our kids are in terms of getting the season going.”

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DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME 11/25-30 DEAN RILEY TOURNEY pg.12 12/6 MORRIS 7 p.m.

12/10 at Kaneland 7 p.m.

12/13 PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN 7 p.m.

12/20 at Plano 7 p.m.

12/26-30 at Plano Tourney TBD 1/7 at Sycamore 7 p.m.

1/10 ROCHELLE 7 p.m.

1/14 PRINCETON 7 p.m.

1/17 at La Salle-Peru 7 p.m.

1/18 at Moline 7 p.m.

1/21 SANDWICH 7 p.m.

1/24 at Morris 7 p.m.

1/31 STREATOR 7 p.m.

2/1 PLANO 6 p.m.

2/7 KANELAND 7 p.m.

2/12 at Rochelle 7 p.m.

2/18 SYCAMORE 7 p.m.

2/21 LA SALLE-PERU 7 p.m.

2/22 ROCK ISLAND 6 p.m.

2/28 at Sandwich 7 p.m.

Sandwich’s Rex Avery (30), pictured here launching a 3-pointer last postseason against Coal City, was expected to be one of Sandwich’s leading scorers this season but is likely to miss a sizable chunk of the season due to injury.

varsity experience goes for the Indians.

“The lineup can change each game,” Jack Theurer said. “We don’t have too many people that stand out, so we’ll need the right balance on our offensive attack, and we have a lot of shooters. We’ll need to stay within ourselves, and we always take pride in our defense.”

Younger brother Drew Theurer along with Jacob Heilemeyer, Ian Kelson, Sawyer Allen, Evan Wilson and Lyphus Washington are among the juniors, while 6-4 senior center Sam Golinski is in the mix as well. AlSCHEDULE len and Heilemeyer DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME also offer some 11/25-30 at Sycamore Strombom pg.12 solid size.

12/3 at Yorkville Christian 6:45 p.m.

“There will be 12/6 SYCAMORE 6:30 p.m. more opportuni12/10 at Morris 6:30 p.m. ties, but it’s also a 12/13 at Kaneland 5:30 p.m. big jump for these 12/14 at Newark 3 p.m. guys from soph12/20 PARKVIEW 6:45 p.m. omore to junior 12/26-30 at Plano Classic TBD year,” Braddish 1/4 at Serena 2:45 p.m. said. “It’s a lot 1/7 PLANO 6:30 p.m. more physical and 1/10 at La Salle-Peru 6:45 p.m. a quicker game, so 1/17 ROCHELLE 6:45 p.m. one thing we’re try1/21 at Ottawa 6:45 p.m. ing to do now is get 1/24 at Sycamore 6:45 p.m. them up to speed.”

1/31 SOMONAUK 6:45 p.m.

The Indians went 2/1 KANELAND 5:45 p.m.

21-10 and won the 2/4 at Marquette 6:45 p.m.

Interstate Eight 2/7 MORRIS 6:45 p.m.

Conference last 2/11 COAL CITY 6:45 p.m. year. Now they’re 2/14 LA SALLE-PERU 6:45 p.m. basically starting 2/18 at Plano 6:45 p.m. over.

2/21 at Rochelle 6:45 p.m.

“We’re going 2/25 DIXON 6:45 p.m. to have to find 2/28 OTTAWA 7:00 p.m. scoring,” Brad-

Times Sports Columns

ROSTER

3

“It’s going to be difPLAYER YR. ferent this season (for Tyler Arroyo Jr. Myles),” Cooper said.

Anthony Bianchi Jr. “He’s going be the player Kaylor Brent Sr. that a lot is going to be Anthony Cooper Jr. asked of, not just from a Evan Evola Jr. production standpoint, Kenrik Gage Jr. but from a maturity and Jamarion Jones Jr. leadership standpoint.

Drew Kaufman Sr. As a senior, he’s going to TJ McDonnell Sr. have to be a stabilizing Earl Pantig Jr. force on the floor. It’s Brody Roether Sr. vital for us.

Levi Sholders Jr. “He’s capable of scorMyles Tucker Sr. ing, but the big thing John Vandervort Sr. for Myles (is) he needs Zach Vogel Jr. to find a way to make HEAD COACH: Mark Cooper the game easier for his teammates, and he’s very capable of doing that. er, according to Coach Myles has high-level viCooper — and Kaylor sion to pass the ball ...

Brent.

“Myles just has to be A few Myles. His potential ability levimpact el is high juniors are enough sharpshootthat if he ing Anthoplays the ny Cooper right way — Mark’s and does nephew, the right who led things, he the sophowill have more team a very in scoring good and last season productive — “mobile season.” big” Zach Seniors Vogel, enerTJ Mcgetic guard Donnell Levi Shold(0.8 ppg), a ers and big “stabilizing MARK COOPER Evan Evola. force on The Ottawa coach the floor,” remaining and Drew 11th-graders Kaufman are Tyler (2.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg), who Arroyo, Anthony Bianwill be relied upon for chi, Kenrik Gage, Jamarirebounding, saw some on Jones and Earl Pantig. action as juniors.

The ‘19-20 Pirates are The other 12th-graders eager for their chance to are Brody Roether, John maintain OHS’s standard Vandervort — who may of hoops success. be the team’s best defend“Most of them have not

Injuries, graduation have Indians relying on fresh faces Graduation depleted Sandwich of its starting five, including all-time leading scorer Jimmy Braddish, but losing seniors is part of the cycle of high school basketball.

What the Indians weren’t prepared for were a couple of huge injuries that will sideline top returner Rex Avery (ACL) indefinitely, although he hopes to return before the season is over, and up-andcoming point guard Cade Miller (meniscus) who will be out until sometime in December.

As a result, a new class of juniors has an even greater opportunity to contribute, and the Indians are going to need them.

“It’s a whole new group, really, but we didn’t call up anyone from the sophomore team last year, so they got to play together,” Sandwich coach Jim Braddish said.

“They had 20 wins and won the old (Interstate Eight) Conference, so this group is used to always winning.

“I’m hoping these guys, coupled with the seniors and a sophomore (Saolo Rodriguez), can help us.”

Avery (8 points per game, 42% 3-pointers) had a great summer and had some games where he poured it in from long-range last winter. If and when he returns, it’ll be almost like a GM making a great acquisition.

The 5-foot, 10-inch Miller has shown that he will be the quickest point guard to wear an Indians uniform in a long time. The sooner he returns, the better.

“Sometimes I feel angry about this whole situation and why it had to happen,” Avery said. “I’ll try to help the guys as much as I can while I’m rehabbing. I know they haven’t had a ton of experience, but I didn’t have any either during my first year on varsity, so it’s tough. If they play like themselves and play strong and confident, we could have as good a season as last year.”

Senior twin guards Jack Theurer and Kyle Theurer saw a little time last year, but that’s about it as far as

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PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Times - Delivering Your Community

Graduation, injuries lead to an entirely different Cru But cabinet is not bare for Marquette this winter CHARLIE ELLERBROCK cellerbrock@shawmedia.com When the Marquette Academy boys basketball season begins next week, there will probably be more buzz about who is missing from the starting lineup than who’s in it ‌ and we’re not even talking about two-time Times Player of the Year and two other Times All-Area honorees.

It pretty much goes without saying that the Crusaders will miss the talent, scoring and all-around ability of 2019 POY Jack Snook, the strong interior play of Second Team choice Chase Thumm and the leadership and sharpshooting of Logan Komater and Nate Melvin.

The Times | file Hey, graduations happen.

Sean Kissel (25), shown here shooting a leaner versus Peoria But what really hurts Christian last season, is the lone returning and healthy proven is who’s hurt, specifically commodity for a reloading Marquette team coming off a 28-3 would-be starters Luke Couch season. and Victor Mullen. Couch will

miss the entire season following surgery on his hand, and Mullen is out indefinitely after tweaking a shoulder, both injuries occuring during football season..

That leaves coach Todd Hopkins’ Cru with a very different look than what was expected after last season’s 28-3 season that included Tri-County Conference regular-season and tournament championships, a regional title and a runner-up finish at the Marseilles Holiday Tournament.

Fortunately, there’s a passel of quality players coming up from a successful JV squad and a few key returnees — among them proven scorer Sean Kissel — who should provide enough quality action to make MA a contender yet again. “I can’t walk down the street without someone coming up to tell me how bad we’re going to be, so we’ll see how it goes,� said the usually-pessimistic Hopkins. “The two guys we lost this year are

the kind of players you can build an offense around, but they’re not here, and all the stuff we worked on over the summer, you can throw that out the window. “We’ll start over. I have an idea how we’re gonna play, probably walking the ball up the floor and being really slow, but we’ll see how that goes. “We have only one guy coming back who has any significant varsity experience, and that’s Sean Kissel, and we’re going to lean on him a lot.

Where the points will come from besides him, I have no idea. It’s obviously going to be a work in progress, and right now, honestly, I have no idea what to expect.�

What the Crusaders fans gathering in Bader Gym can expect is Kissel, a slasher type of forward who can drive the lane or shoot the 3, and the hustle and grit displayed by the JV club on its way to a 21-1 record and first place in the Tri-County.

Nick Melvin, whom Hop-

‘Ican’twalkdown thestreetwithout someonecomingup totellmehowbad we’regoingtobe,so we’llseehowitgoes.’ TODD HOPKINS Marquette coach kins pointed out may not have had much varsity experience last year but had to line up against Snook every day in practice, is one of the top candidates for a guard slot, as are juniors Lucas Hoffman, Nate Nelson, Jake Thomas, Gabe Johnson and senior Jalen Flavel, a feisty defender and shooter and “an extra coach out on the floor.�

See MARQUETTE, page 6

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Thursday, November 21, 2019

n

5

Five seniors, aggressive approach the blueprint at Woodland Coach Kaminke cites depth, leadership as team strengths J.T. PEDELTY jtpedelty@shawmedia.com 815-431-4043

implement somewhat of a new system.

“Our guys show up ready to compete and get better each day. Our returning varsity guys, seniors especially, have done a nice job of buying into what we are trying to build and have showed some positive leadership qualities.”

In all, seven players are back from last year.

That includes five seniors, namely Trevor Derossett (“Someone we will rely on on both ends of the floor,” Kaminke said), Mason Ewing (“Has the ability to take a major jump going into his senior year and will be given many opportunities”), Brad Simpson (“Will set the tone each night with his energy on the defensive end”), Christian Miller (“Great leader and teammate ... will give us an inside/ outside threat”) and Cody Dodge (“Will bring some athleticism, toughness and hustle”).

Then there is junior point guard and returning leading scorer at 3.6 ppg Sean Bundy (“Look for him to

Ten young men including five seniors — many of them with sizable on-thefloor varsity experience The Woodland Warriors — will start the 2019-20 lost a lot, including both campaign dressing varsity of their Times All-Area for the Black, White and performers and some 40 Red and head coach Connor points per game, from last Kaminke as the Warriors winter’s squad to Pomp and aim to build upon a 10-20 Circumstance, it’s true. season a year ago.

Also “If you were to walk into true? The one of our practices these Woodland first couples weeks, you Warriors probably wouldn’t guess have a lot that this is a team that coming graduated a major chunk of back to our scoring from last seabe excited son,” said Kaminke, himabout. self a Woodland graduate and standout Warriors basketball player.

SCHEDULE “I have been DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME very pleased 11/25-30 ROUTE 17 CLASSIC pg.12 with our 12/3 at LaMoille-Ohio, 7 p.m. energy, effort 12/6 at DePue 7:30 p.m. and attentive12/12 CORNERSTONE 7:30 p.m. ness to start 12/13 at Lowpoint-Washburn 7:30 p.m. the year as we 12/17 EARLVILLE 7:30 p.m.

12/20 MIDLAND 7:30 p.m.

12/26-30 at Marseilles Tourney TBD 1/7 at Leland 6 p.m.

ROSTER 1/10 at Marquette 7:30 p.m.

PLAYER NO. HT. 1/17 SENECA 7:30 p.m.

Trevor Derossett 1 6-0 1/18 vs. Dwight (United Center) 2 p.m.

Sean Bundy 11 5-10 1/21 TRI-POINT 7:30 p.m.

Chris Stasko 15 6-0 1/24 at Henry-Senachwine 7:30 p.m.

Brad Simpson 20 5-10 1/25-31 at Tri-Co. Tourney TBD Mason Ewing 30 6-0 2/4 at Gardner-S. Wilmington 7:30 p.m.

Cody Dodge 33 6-4 2/7 at Roanoke-Benson 7:30 p.m.

Phoenix Cooper 35 6-3 2/11 SERENA 7:30 p.m.

Justin Pitte 43 5-11 2/14 PEORIA CHRISTIAN 7:30 p.m.

Chase Pavlick 45 6-0 2/15 FLANAGAN-CORNELL 7:30 p.m.

Christian Miller 55 6-2 2/18 at Lexington 7 p.m.

HEAD COACH: Connor Kaminke 2/21 PUTNAM COUNTY 7:30 p.m.

YR. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr.

take a big jump”) and sophomore Phoenix Cooper (“Has the ability to be a big part of our production this year and especially moving forward”).

Kaminke sees all of them being heavy contributors, and expects quality minutes will also go to varsity newcomers such as sophomore Chris Stasko (“Had a tremendous summer”) and juniors Justin Pitte and Chase Pavlick (“Both have developed and improved and can give some valuable minutes”).

“As a staff, we have an idea of what some potential lineups could look like moving towards the (season-opening and Woodland-hosted) Route 17 Classic, but realistically Nos. 1-11 could contribute positive minutes,” the young coach said. “I think being able to go deeper The Times | file into our bench this season will allow Trevor Derosset (with ball), shown here rising for a shot against guys to sustain Marquette last season, is one of five seniors on this season’s Woodland their level of inWarriors roster. tensity throughout the entire game. complement this roster’s responded well to it.”

“We have made it pretty strengths and depth.

Kaminke also hinted at clear that these first couple “ ‘Get to what’s next, trying out a faster, more-agweeks of practice will defirst’ is the motto we have gressive, perhaps more-baltermine how we establish sort of adopted,” he said. anced style for this group a depth chart and player than the team has shown See WOODLAND, page 10 roles, and the boys have in recent seasons to better

WOODLAND WARRIORS

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PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Times - Delivering Your Community

‘Every day is going to be a learning experience’ for Fighting Irish Seneca graduated a lot, but depth this year a plus BRIAN HOXSEY bhoxsey@shawmedia.com 815-431-4052 When asking Seneca boys basketball coach Russ Witte his thoughts as he prepares to lead the Fighting Irish for his 11th season, he likens this year’s group to the first couple he had that donned the Green and White.

A little inexperienced, but a group of six seniors, five juniors and a sophomore who he feels will get better and better as the season goes on. “We graduated nine seniors last year, including all five starters and our sixth-man,� Witte said. “We are 100% green behind the ears going into this season, but we have a group of kids returning that we’re excited to have “They are good players, they are all here for the right reasons, and they know what this program is about.�

Seneca finished last season 18-13 overall, and in its first year in the Tri-County Conference second to only champion Marquette in the regular season (7-2) and league tournament. The

ROSTER PLAYER POS. Brayden Roe G Creighton O’Boyle G A.J. Stiegler G Tommy Cahill F Cole Underhill G Noah Quigley G Ben Krause G Trey Hauch F T.J. VanNess G Cody Carey G Chase Hauch F Trey Thorsen F HEAD COACH: Russ Witte

Creighton O’Boyle (5-9), T.J. SCHEDULE Van Ness (5-10), DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME junior Brayden 11/25-30 SENECA TURKEY pg.12 Roe (who will 12/3 at Morris 7 p.m. miss the sea12/6

at Henry-Senachwine 7:30 p.m. son with a torn 12/13 MIDLAND 7 p.m. labrum in his 12/14 PEORIA CHRISTIAN 4:45 p.m. shoulder) and 12/17 DWIGHT 7 p.m. sophomore guard 12/20 MENDOTA 7 p.m.

Noah Quigley 12/26-30 at Marseilles Tourney TBD (5-9).

1/7 at Serena 7 p.m. “I like this 1/10 at Putnam County 7:30 p.m. group. ... We have 1/11

at Clinton Shootout TBA 12 kids that all 1/14 NEWARK 7 p.m. are capable of 1/17

at Woodland 7:30 p.m. seeing not only 1/24 LOWPOINT-WASHBURN 7 p.m. significant time, 1/25-31

at Tri-County Tourney TBD but meaning2/1 at St. Bede 7 p.m. ful time on the 2/4

at Coal City 7 p.m. floor,� said Witte.

2/7 DEPUE 7 p.m. “This is a group 2/8

WILMINGTON 7 p.m. that is going to 2/14 at Roanoke-Benson 7:30 p.m. push each other 2/18

STREATOR 7 p.m. day in and day 2/21 MARQUETTE 7 p.m. out. It was a great thing for Hopefully sooner and the kids to make later, but if anytime the the playoffs in football, and Fighting Irish coach hopes I’m hoping that success it happens toward the end will carry over into basof the regular season. ketball. We just have to get “I say this every year, but into basketball shape. it’s true: We want to be the “Our goal is at the end of best we can be come the every 32 minutes we play, end of February and the regardless of the outcome, postseason,� Witte said. we want the other team to “We’ve talked to the kids know they were in a fight. about ‘Where are we going We’re not a tall team, so we The Times | file are going to have to be five to eat at ... what are we Seneca’s Cody Carey (23) is one of the few returnees for this winter’s Fighting Irish, who are going to hang our hat on?’ bulldogs on the floor, and I Really that is all going to fully expect that to be the coming off an 18-13 season in 2018-19. start at the defensive end case.� stretch,� while Carey, who play, and I think every day Irish also reached a Class of the floor.

When will everything played “significant minis going to be a learning 2A regional title game, fall“That is the one thing fall into place for Witte and utes,� will be counted on experience.� ing to El Paso-Gridley. that we can 100% control.�

Seneca? for even more production.

Witte, while he feels “The guys are really Thorsen and Cahill will every one of the 12 players working hard and learning need to be big on the roster to play the right way. They options in both will have an get along well, and they scoring and opportunity understand Streator - Woodland rebounding. to contribute what we’re doOttawa - Marquette The Fighting in one way ing,� Witte said.

Flanagan - Dwight Irish will also or anoth“They are also HT. YR. be counting er, will be a group that 5-8 Jr. on juniors looking for sticks around 5-9 Sr. Trey Hauch bigger conafter practice, 5-9 Jr. (6-1) and Chase tributions playing 1-on-1 6-1 Sr. Hauch (6-1) from senior or getting extra 5-11 Jr. — both good guards 5-10 shots up. I’ve 5-9 So. scorers on the Ben Krause, already had to 5-10 Sr. FREE EE junior-varsity team last 6-1 Cody Carey and 12thtell them, ‘Hey 6-1 Jr. Lay-A-Ways season — another good grade forwards 6-1 Trey guys, go home.’ 5-10 Sr. for Christmas! shooter in 5-11 Cole UnderThorsen and 5-1 Tommy “We don’t 6-1 Sr. hill and fellow 11th-grader Cahill. Krause was the have a super6-1 Jr. A.J. Stiegler (5-8). backup point guard as a star, but we 6-1 Sr. Seneca’s roster rounds junior and “had some rehave a lot of DOWNTOWN STREATOR • 815-672-1426 out with senior guards ally good games down the kids that can

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From page 4 An intriguing addition to the backcourt will be freshman Logan Nelson, a key player on Marquette junior high’s IESA 1A fourth-place club. “All of those (returning) guys’ playing last year’s team in practice all the time has to mean something,� Hopkins said. “I don’t think they’ll be awed by anybody after having played against that team every day for three and a half months.�

In the paint there is some depth, too. Caleb Boucher, a 6-3, 290-pound senior, could be an answer for the Cru in the interior, at least defensively, with senior Gabe Amicon and juniors Shane Reynolds, Evan Mann and Pat McGrath vying for time in the post.

Another player who

PLAYER POS. YR. Sean Kissel F Sr. Gabe Amicon F Sr. Caleb Boucher C Sr. Jalen Flavel G Sr. Nick Melvin G Jr. Shane Reynolds F Jr. Lucas Hoffman G Jr. Nate Nelson G Jr. Jake Thomas F Jr. Evan Mann C Jr. Luke Couch G Jr. Victor Mullen C Jr. Grant Waldron F Jr. Patrick McGrath F Jr. Gabe Johnson F Jr. Logan Nelson G Fr. HEAD COACH: Todd Hopkins

might have been a big help in the lane but unfortunately is also out with an injury is Grant Waldron, the sophomore team’s leading rebounder and a real ball magnet defensively, according to Hopkins. “I’ve been doing this quite a while, and this is the biggest rebuilding process that I’ve seen here in 22 years as a coach and observer,� Hopkins SCHEDULE said. “It’s going DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME to be a process.

12/3 at St. Bede 7 p.m.

It’s likely to be 12/6 at Midland 7:30 p.m. ugly at times 12/7 LAMOILLE 6 p.m. and will look 12/9-14 at Colmone Classic pg.12 good at times.

12/17 at Amboy 7 p.m.

It’s one of those 12/20 PUTNAM COUNTY 7:30 p.m. things where 12/21 ASHTON-FC 6:30 p.m. we could lose to 12/26-30 MARSEILLES TOURNEY TBD the worst team 1/7 JOLIET CATHOLIC 7 p.m. on our schedule 1/10 WOODLAND 7:30 p.m. and maybe beat 1/11 at Roanoke-Benson 6:30 p.m. somebody we 1/14 EARLVILLE 7 p.m. shouldn’t. It’ll 1/17 DEPUE 7:30 p.m. be hit or miss 1/18 at Serena 2:45 p.m. until we get our 1/24 at Peoria Christian 7:30 p.m. feet under us.

1/25-31 at Tri-County Tourney TBA “I’m confident 2/4 SANDWICH 7 p.m. the kids will step 2/7 HENRY-SENACHWINE 7:30 p.m. up. They have 2/8 at Yorkville Christian 7:30 p.m. some toughness 2/11 NEWARK 7 p.m. and grit to them, 2/14 at Lowpoint-Washburn 7:30 p.m. and we’re going 2/18 at Somonauk 7 p.m. to work our 2/21 at Seneca 7:30 p.m. butts off.�

Times Sports Columns INSIDETHEGAME with Charlie Ellerbrock Thursdays

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

Thursday, November 21, 2019

n

7

How well pieces fit together a key to Bulldogs season Streator has experience, depth, talent spread across three classes J.T. PEDELTY jtpedelty@shawmedia.com 815-431-4043

returning starters who appear to be in line for bigger and better things in 2019-20.

That list starts with There are intriguing, talsenior leading scorer Maented, experienced pieces son Benning (13.4 ppg last spread throughout three season; Interstate Eight classes of student-athletes First Team, Times All-Area on Streator boys basketThird Team) and continues ball’s 2019-20 varsity roster. with the likes of 6-4 paint How well they come topresence Jimmy Tredway gether may be the deciding (7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg; Times factor as to how much this All-Area Honorable Menwinter’s Bulldogs improve tion), explosive junior wing on last winter’s 11-16 seaAmarion Ford (8.0 ppg) and son. all-around complete player “We knew (last season) Christian Bedecker (6.0 there were going to be some ppg, 4.1 rpg). growing pains, especially “We’re obviously expectwith the ing big schedthings ule we from ROSTER played our sePLAYER NO. POS. HT. YR. early niors,” Christian Bedecker 1 F 6-3 Sr. on,” Doty Jack Starkey 2 G 5-11 So. 11th-seasaid.

Amarion Ford 3 G 6-1 Jr. son SHS “We’re Sawyer Good 4 G 6-1 Jr. head expectMason Benning 5 G 6-0 Sr. coach ing a A.J. Benning 12 G 5-10 Jr. Beau lot in Payton Benning 13 G 5-10 Jr. Doty terms Alexander Ward 21 G/F 6-1 So. (146-136) of leadLogan Williamson 22 F 6-1 Jr. said, ership Jack Haynes 23 F 6-4 So. “but we from Isaac Beals 24 F 6-0 Sr. picked it Mason Jimmy Tredway 30 F 6-4 Sr. up and and Max Baker 33 C 6-5 Jr. really underJason Houch 44 C 6-9 Sr. played standHEAD COACH: Beau Doty well ing in late he’ll January need to and February. ... It was nice share the load a little bit, to see us finish strong and that it’s not going to be on build towards something. his shoulders every night to “We played a pretty produce and score as much. challenging schedule over We have other weapons this the summer and had really year. good dedication from our “We have Christian Bekids. We had to improve decker returning with a lot between the lines in a basof experience, Jimmy Tredketball sense, but we also way and Jason Houch and had to grow individually Isaac Beals, who’s new to mentally and as a group, the roster. And our junior develop that bond. That’s class we’re excited about. what a lot of the offseason ... I can see (our rotation) stuff is for.” being 10 strong this season, A robust 12 members which is more than it’s of this season’s Bulldogs been in a while.” squad saw at least a little Senior Isaac Beals and varsity action last season, the 6-9 Jason Houch are inled by cluded in that conversation, four as are juniors Sawyer Good, Logan Williamson, the 6-5 Max Baker and the Benning twins, A.J. and Payton. A trio of promising sophomores round out the expected opening-day varsity roster — wing Alexander SCHEDULE Ward, the 6-4 Jack Haynes DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME and last but 11/25-30 at Ottawa Riley Tourney pg.12 certainly not 12/6 REED-CUSTER 6:45 p.m. least, 10th12/10 at Wilmington 6:45 p.m. grade point 12/13 PEOTONE 6:45 p.m. guard Jack 12/20 at Coal City 6:45 p.m.

Starkey.

12/26-30 at Plano Classic TBD Dwayne Nu1/10 at Manteno 6:45 p.m. tall will unfor1/11 ST. BEDE 6 p.m. tunately miss 1/14 HERSCHER 6:45 p.m. the entirety of 1/17 at Lisle 6:45 p.m. the season due 1/21 at Reed-Custer 6:45 p.m. to a preseason 1/24 WILMINGTON 6:45 p.m. injury, but 1/28 at Peotone 6:45 p.m. even without 1/31 at Ottawa 7 p.m. him it’s a 2/1 WASHINGTON 5:45 p.m. group offering 2/4 PUTNAM COUNTY 6:45 p.m. impressive 2/7 COAL CITY 6:45 p.m. promise.

2/8 LA SALLE-PERU 5:45 p.m.

“We have 2/11 MANTENO 6:45 p.m. some healthy 2/14 at Herscher 6:45 p.m. competitions 2/15 at Dixon 6 p.m. going on right 2/18 at Seneca 6:45 p.m. now. We have a 2/21 LISLE 6:45 p.m. lot of depth,” 2/25 at Morris 7 p.m. said Doty.

The Times | file

Bulldogs post player and Times All-Area Honorable Mention performer Jimmy Tredway (with ball) is one of 12 returning players who saw some varsity court time for Streator during last season’s 11-16 campaign.

The key to a good start beginning in next week’s Ottawa Dean Riley “Shootin’ the Rock” Tournament, competing for the inaugural Illinois Central Eight Conference title and putting themselves in a position to score a regional title come season’s end?

Doty believes it depends on things coming together — both on and off the court — and his seniors taking ownership of their last goround as Bulldogs.

“For that to happen, I think our seniors really have to emerge in a lot of ways,” Doty said.

“It’s not just from a physical/statistical/production standpoint. You look at probably the three best teams we’ve had since I’ve been here, they’ve all been senior-dominated and senior-led. We’ve had younger guys who contributed ... but (the seniors) have set the tone in practice, accepted roles and had that mentality that they want to do something special.

“Our seniors need to take the reins.”

Join WCMY Sports team for coverage of the Ottawa Pirates and Marquette Crusaders all season long on 1430 WCMY and 1430WCMY.com!

2019-2020 HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE Mon.

Nov. 25

B

Dixon at Ottawa ................................. 6:30

Thurs. Jan. 9

G

Tues.

Nov. 26

B

Marengo at Ottawa............................ 6:30

Fri.

Jan. 10

B

Rochelle at Ottawa ............................ 7:00 Rochelle at Ottawa ............................ 7:00

Fri.

Nov. 29

B

Metamora at Ottawa ......................... 7:00

Sat.

Jan. 1

B

Marquette at Roanoke-Benson ........ 6:30

Sat.

Nov. 30

B

TBD at Ottawa.....................................TBD

Tues.

Jan. 14

B

Princeton at Ottawa .......................... 7:00

Tues.

Dec. 3

B

Marquette at Saint Bede ................... 7:00

Fri.

Jan. 17

B

Ottawa at La Salle-Peru.................... 7:00

Wed.

Dec. 4

G

Marquette vs. Gardner-S.W. ............. 6:45

Sat.

Jan. 18

B

Marquette at Serena ......................... 2:45

Fri.

Dec. 6

B

Morris at Ottawa................................ 7:00

Tues.

Jan. 21

B

Sandwich at Ottawa .......................... 7:00

Sat.

Dec. 7

B

La Moille-Ohio at Marquette............. 6:00

Fri.

Jan. 24

B

Ottawa at Morris................................ 7:00

Mon.

Dec. 9

B

Marquette at Hall Tournament ..........TBD

Sat.

Jan. 25

G

La Salle-Peru at Ottawa.................... 2:30

Tues.

Dec. 10

B

TBA...................................................... 7:00

Mon.

Jan. 27-31 B

Marquette at TCC Tourn.....................TBD

TBD.......................................................TBD

Fri.

Jan. 31

B

Streator at Ottawa............................. 7:00

G

Ottawa at Seneca .............................. 7:00

Sat.

Feb. 1

B

Plano at Ottawa ................................. 6:00

Fri.

Dec. 13

Mon.

Dec. 16

Tues.

Dec. 17

B

Marquette at Amboy.......................... 7:00

Tues.

Feb. 4

B

Sandwich at Marquette..................... 7:00

Thurs. Dec. 19

G

Seneca at Marquette......................... 7:30

Thurs. Feb. 6

G

Roanoke-Benson at Marquette ........ 7:30

B

Ottawa at Plano ................................ 7:00

Fri.

Feb. 7

G/B

Kaneland at Ottawa.................. 5:30/7:00

TBD.......................................................TBD

Sat.

Feb. 8

B

Marquette at Yorkville Christian...... 7:30

Fri.

Dec. 20

Sat.

Dec. 21

Mon.

Dec. 23

G

TBD.......................................................TBD

Mon.

Feb. 10

G

Streator at Ottawa............................. 7:00

Thurs. Dec. 26

B

Christmas Tournaments.....................TBD

Tues.

Feb. 11

B

Newark at Marquette ........................ 7:00

Fri.

Dec. 27

B

Christmas Tournaments.....................TBD

Wed.

Feb. 12

B

Ottawa at Rochelle ............................ 7:00

Sat.

Dec. 28

B

Christmas Tournaments.....................TBD

Tues.

Feb. 18

B

Sycamore at Ottawa.......................... 7:00

Mon.

Dec. 30

B

Christmas Tournaments.....................TBD

Fri.

Feb. 21

B

TBD............................................. 7:00/7:30

Sat.

Jan. 4

G

Serena at Marquette ......................... 3:15

Sat.

Feb. 22

B

Rock Island at Ottawa....................... 6:00

Tues.

Jan. 7

B

Joliet Catholic at Marquette............. 7:00

Fri.

Feb. 28

B

TBD...................................................... 7:00

SM-CL1723555

*Schedule subject to change

Good luck this season!

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8n

PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The Times - Delivering Your Community

The Times 2018-19 Boys Basketball All-Area Team The Times 2018-19 Boys Basketball All-Area Team was an impressive one.

It was also one which leaves plenty of vacancies for the players you’ll find in this section, as all five of our First Team selections, 12 of our top 15 players and all but three members of our Honorable Mention list were 12th-graders who have since moved on from the high school game.

Who will step up and claim their place on this season’s team?

Here is last season’s all-area team, chosen via vote by The Times Sports staff:

u JAKOB SETCHELL (Serena, senior) u JACK SNOOK (Marquette, senior) --

SECOND TEAM u JEREMY DURDAN (FlanaganCornell, senior) u WYATT HILL (Ottawa, senior) u DEREK MAY (Fieldcrest, senior) u BRETT MYRE (Newark, senior) u MYLES TUCKER (Ottawa, junior) --

THIRD TEAM u MASON BENNING (Streator, junior) u SAM GRUSHKIN (Seneca, senior) u LIAM ROBERTS (Somonauk, junior) u CHASE THUMM (Marquette, senior) u KYLE VOYTKO (Woodland, senior)

FIRST TEAM u JIMMY BRADDISH (Sandwich, senior) u TYLER CARSON (Ottawa, senior) u DAKOTA DEVERTEUIL (Ottawa, senior)

--

HONORABLE MENTION u TYLER BRETSCH (Earlville, senior) u CARTER CECH (Sandwich, senior) u JACKSON CUSACMCKAY (Fieldcrest, sophomore) u NOAH GOULD (Ottawa, senior) u CONNOR GREVE (Seneca, senior) u COLLIN HJERPE (Woodland, senior) u COREY JACOBSON (Newark, senior) u KARSON KIMPLING (Flanagan-Cornell, senior) u LOGAN KOMATER (Marquette, senior) u LANDON LARKIN (Earlville, junior) u CONNOR SWANSON (Newark, senior) u JIMMY TREDWAY (Streator, junior) u NOLAN WEGENER (Somonauk, senior)

Marquette’s Jack Snook was The Times 2018-19 Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

The Times | Tom Sistak

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The Times - Delivering Your Community

PREP BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Thursday, November 21, 2019

n

9

It’s a near-total overhaul for this winter’s Norsemen Five new starters will take the court in Newark

AT LEFT: Nate Christian (left), pictured here boxing out Somonauk’s Cameron Davis as the two chase a loose ball last season, will be asked to step into a leading role this season for the Newark Norsemen.

Shaw Media | file

BILL LIDINSKY For The Times

throughout his successful tenure.

But this fall, Tollefson Even the most successful is facing something he high school athletic conhas never encountered at tingents go Newark — the through ebbs departure of and flows over all five of his the years. starters. Last For the year’s squad Newark boys finished the basketball season with program, the a 26-6 overall flowing patrecord before tern of winfalling in the ning throughSerena Class out the many 1A Sectional seasons has title game been far greatto Yorkville er than the Christian. ebbing tide of The Norsethe contrary. men also went Nobody is unbeaten to RICK TOLLEFSON win the Little more aware of that than NHS Ten ConferNewark coach veteran bench ence reguboss Rick lar-season Tollefson, title for the who has amassed a remarkfourth consecutive campaign able 297-103 record entering as well as capturing the LTC his 14th season leading the Tournament championship Norsemen, including a Class for the fifth year in a row.

1A state championship in Tollefson, however, is now 2011, a fourth-place trophy in tasked with the unenviable 2017, and six sectional titles job of finding a way to reand nine regional crowns place a collective 55.9 points

‘Eventhoughwe don’thavevery muchsizeorvery manykidsonthe varsityroster,Ithink this group will competeveryhard.’

per game and 23.6 rebounds per contest. Those totals represent 81 and 76 percent, respectively, of the overall points and rebounds record-

ed all of last year by 2018-19 starters Brett Myre, Corey Jacobson, Beau Brown, Jacob Slivka and Connor Swanson, who finished their prep

hoop careers last March.

“Those five guys meant a lot to this program, and unfortunately we just fell a little short last year of getting

to where I thought we could go,” Tollefson said. “This is the first time I’ve ever had all five starters graduate, but sometimes that’s how it works, especially in schools the size of Newark.

“I wish I could’ve had Newark 1 and (Newark) 2 last year, because this year’s group that follows them up are pretty talented as well.

Even though we don’t have very much size or very many kids on the varsity roster, I think this group will compete very hard.”

The Norsemen will find only seven players on the varsity roster to begin the season, three of which saw significant minutes off the bench last year.

Despite an injured shoulder suffered in summer basketball, 6-foot senior guard/ forward Nate Christian will return, leading the way after registering 7.5 ppg and 2.8 rpc including 37 3-pointers as a junior.

See NEWARK, page 10

New faces taking the floor for this year’s Leland Panthers All 11 on roster will dress varsity for Coach Abbott JAMIE NEWELL For The Times Last year was a struggle for first-year Leland High School head basketball coach Chris Abbott and the Panthers, as they completed their first post-co-op season with a 2-24 record.

“Last year, we were working towards goals of getting better,” Abbott said. “Our record doesn’t indicate how well we did. We practiced hard, and that has continued over to this year.”

Now in his second year at the helm, Abbott was greeted by 11 varsity hoops candidates for the beginning of practice. With those 11 players, however, there is very little varsity experience on

the roster.

“We have very SCHEDULE limited expeDATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME rience on our 11/25-30 at AFC Tourney pg.12 team this year,” 12/4 DEPUE 6 p.m.

Abbott said. “We 12/6 at Indian Creek 5:30 p.m. lost quite a few 12/7

at IMSA 3 p.m. of our experi12/9 at Rockford Sacred Heart 6 p.m. enced guys from 12/13

at Newark 5:30 p.m. last year.”

12/14 at Annawan 5 p.m.

The one player 12/20 SOMONAUK 5:30 p.m. who is return12/27 at LaMoille Tourney TBD ing to Leland’s 1/7 WOODLAND 5:30 p.m. varsity team 1/9 at Christian Life 5:30 p.m. this season with 1/10

at Kirkland Hiawatha 5:30 p.m. court experi1/13 YORKVILLE CHRISTIAN 5:30 p.m. ence is senior 1/15

ROCKFORD SACRED HEART 6 p.m. forward Josh 1/17 at Parkview Christian 5:30 p.m.

Creager. Anoth1/21

SERENA 5:30 p.m. er senior, Eddie 1/31 LAMOILLE-OHIO 5:30 p.m.

Silva Moctezu2/3-7

at Little Ten Tourney TBD ma, and junior 2/10 AMBOY 5:30 p.m.

Cam Rodriguez 2/14

at Earlville 5:30 p.m. return with little 2/15 at Indian Creek Shootout TBD experience on 2/18

at Midland 6 p.m. the varsity level.

2/20 at Mooseheart 5:30 p.m.

Seth Schultz, 2/21

HINCKLEY-BIG ROCK 5:30 p.m.

Eddie Silva and Blain Pfortmiller Fernando Silva are juniors. join Creager and One sophomore, Andrew Silva to make up the senior Salisbury, joins three Class of portion of the Panthers ros2022 players in Ian Cameron, ter, while Chase Blocker and

we have gotten to.”

ROSTER Abbott also PLAYER POS. YR. noted that all 11 Ian Cameron G Fr. players will be in Matt Grzanich G Fr. varsity uniforms, Mythys Pinnel F Fr. so the school is Andrew Salisbury G So. forgoing having Chase Blocker F Jr. a junior-varsity Cameron Rodriguez G Jr. team this season.

Fernando Silva G Jr. “It’s very, very Josh Creager G Sr. nice to see the Seth Schultz G Sr. boys coming in Blaine Pfortmiller F Sr. and working Eddie Silva Moctezuma F Sr. hard and taking HEAD COACH: Chris Abbott this seriously,” Matt Grzanich and Mythys Leland’s coach Pinnel as the Panthers’ undersaid. “Most of class. them are listening Despite the limited experiand learning. Most ence on the floor, Abbott likes of the time has what he has seen from his been spent with players. conditioning. We “These guys have come in, did some drills stretched out and warmed up, with some layups ready to go before practice and had some starts,” Abbott said. “They expectations, and are taking this very seriously they met them, so and working hard. we raised those “We have a lot of goals that expectations.” we started off with, and we The Panthers have met all of our goals that

open the 2019-20 season at the Ashton-Franklin Center Tournament on November 25 against Durand, then face Midland and the host Raiders before playing a crossover game on November 30. LHS jumps right into Little Ten Conference play on December 6 when the Panthers are at Indian Creek.

“I hope we have good, sound, fundamental kids running an offense this season,” Abbott said.

Plenty of upperclass leadership for this season’s Red Raiders Earlville roster boasts 10 seniors

up in the (Little Ten) Conference will definitely have depth, and standings. as with anything we need to “I haven’t spoken with the come together as a team, which team yet, as we we hope happens usually sit down right out of the and discuss our gate, but we are ROSTER DON BALDIN goals, and we will realistic as well.”

PLAYER YR. For Shaw Media do that here soon.

Landon Landon Larkin Sr. I think they will Larkin, Evan Evan Aviles Sr. Earlville head boys hoops have the same Aviles, Michael Michael Sansone Sr. coach Gerald Fruit will have a goals and some Sansone, Jared Jared Fries Sr. senior-laden team to rely on this others as well. We Fries, Logan Nate Sachse Sr. winter. want to set them Wesson and Nate Logan Wesson Sr. “We have a lot of seniors,” higher rather than Sachse are some Elyot Ohme Sr. Fruit said. “We will fill out the lower, but we also of the seniors Danny Tarrance Sr. 15-man varsity roster primarily want to be realistic the Red Raiders Branson Vahl Sr. with seniors and juniors. We and have goals we will rely on for Dawson Whittaker Sr. can reach as well.” their experiDavis Sweeney Jr. The Red Raiders ence and Noah Lemke Jr. SCHEDULE may play a faster leadership Connor Cook Jr. style than years — a handful DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME Mason Shannon Jr. past while mixof those 11/25-30 at Route 17 Classic pg.12 Jeremy Gomez Jr. ing things up on coming over 12/2 CHRISTIAN LIFE 7 p.m.

HEAD COACH: Gerald Fruit defese. after having 12/4 MOOSHEART 7 p.m.

“We tend to slow played at 12/6 HINCKLEY-BIG ROCK 7 p.m. it down offensiveformer co12/9 at IMSA 7 p.m. ly and like to conop partner 12/11 at Amboy 7 p.m. trol the tempo, but this year we Leland last season.

12/12 ASHTON-FC 7 p.m. have the athletes that we may Juniors looking to 12/13 at LaMoille-Ohio 7 p.m. run more and fast break some push the senior class and 12/17 at Woodland 7:30 p.m. if it’s there,” Fruit said. “Demake an impact are Davis 12/20 SERENA 7 p.m. fensively, we play mainly manSweeney, Noah Lemke and 12/26-30 at Marseilles Tourney TBD to-man but will also employ Dawson Whittaker.

1/7 PARKVIEW 7 p.m. some zone and other types of With a mix of experi1/8 at Mendota 7 p.m. defense where we think it may enced and athletic players, 1/13 MIDLAND 7 p.m. be needed. We have to go on a the Red Raiders are hoping 1/14 at Marquette 7 p.m. game-to-game basis depending for good things this season 1/17 at Somonauk 7 p.m. on the opponent and how we and look to improve on last 1/21 at Newark 7 p.m. match up with them. year’s 12-13 record.

1/27 ELGIN ACADEMY 7 p.m.

“But right now, after a week “This year they are look1/31 INDIAN CREEK 7 p.m. of practice, I am happy about ing to win more ballgames 2/3-7 at Little Ten Tourney TBD where we are at and think that and finish well above the 2/10 DEPUE 7 p.m. the roles will get more defined .500 mark,” Fruit said. “We 2/14 LELAND 5:30 p.m. and we will jell better as the feel we can definitely win 2/21 at Kirkland Hiawatha 7 p.m. season moves along.” more ballgames and move

The Times | file

Landon Larkin (3), shown here on the drive during regionals last season, returns for a senior-laden Red Raiders squad in 2019-20.

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Serena hoping to put together puzzle for winning season Huskers seeking just the right combination at both ends of floor BRIAN HOXSEY bhoxsey@shawmedia.com 815-431-4052

ell’s talents, but he feels over time his 15-man roster consisting of eight seniors, six juniors and a sophoThis season, at least early more will find its groove. on, will be a little like put“I don’t want to use the ting together a jigsaw puzzle term ‘transition year,’ for Serena sixth-year boys because I think that is a basketball coach Dain Twait. disservice to the seniors The Huskers, which and juniors that have been finished 14-15 a year ago, working their tails off lost a handful of seniors, since the end of last season, including the school’s but we will have to find our all-time leading scoring identity,” said Twait. “This Jakob Setchell — and his group of kids played at the Times-area leading 24.4 junior-varsity level without points per game last season Jacob or Dawson (Fuller, a — to graduation.

(1,000-point scorer and 2018 Twait admits you can’t graduate) and were fairly replace a player with Setchsuccessful at that level, so it really isn’t a big issue.

SCHEDULE “It’s my job to find out what DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME kind of style we 11/25-30 at Coal City Tourney pg.12 are going to be 12/3 IMSA 7 p.m. able to play. I 12/6 NEWARK 7 p.m. know what I like 12/9 AMBOY 7 p.m. and what we con12/13 SOMONAUK 7 p.m. sider our 12/20 at Earlville 7 p.m. program’s 12/26-30 at Marseilles Tourney TBD style, but 1/4 SANDWICH 1 p.m.

I don’t 1/7 SENECA 7 p.m. know if 1/10 at Indian Creek 7 p.m. this group 1/11 at Plano 7 p.m. fits into 1/14 HENRY-SENACHWINE 7 p.m. that.

1/17 KIRKLAND HIAWATHA 7 p.m.

“That’s 1/18 MARQUETTE 1:30 p.m. not a 1/21 at Leland 6 p.m. knock by 1/25 at Hall 6:30 p.m. any means, it just 1/28 ASHTON-FC 7 p.m. means we’re go1/31 at Mooseheart 7 p.m. ing to have to find 2/3-7 at Little Ten Tourney TBD out what works 2/11 at Woodland 7:30 p.m. the best and what 2/13 at Hinckley-Big Rock 7 p.m. will help us be as 2/15 at Indian Creek Shootout TBD successful as we 2/21 LAMOILLE-OHIO 7 p.m. can be.”

WoodlandFrompage5 “We want to be the aggressors and set the tempo on both ends of the court. We have some tough kids who like to get after it, so we definitely want to use that to our advantage.

“As we slowly integrate these changes, I am sure there will be some times where it can get sloppy, but that is expected. As a whole, we will not really have one specific person to rely on for production, but will look for more of a balanced attack.

“We preach to our guys that our goal is to get 1% better each day — as a player and as a team. If we can do that, compete with maximum effort each night and grow as individuals day by day, I think we will all be satisfied with the results. We ultimately want to be a team opponents do not look forward to playing because of our tempo and relentlessness. ...

“I think we can surprise some people.”

ROSTER PLAYER NO. POS. Jacob Chapman 13 G Grandon Mitchell 14 F Nathan Christian 15 G/F Alex Tollefson 20 G Jared Slivka 21 G/F Tanner Kunkel 22 F Austin Tollefson 24 G HEAD COACH: Rick Tollefson

Newark From page 9

HT. 5-9 6-0 6-0 5-11 5-11 6-1 5-11

YR. Sr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So.

senior guard knows he’ll have to step things up as a leader this season.

“It’s a completely new “I think it’s gonna be position for our team to be how well this team plays in, having lost five senior together with not many starters off last year’s teammates to rely upon,” club,” Alex Tollefson said.

Christian said. “I believe “We’ll miss those guys, we’ll shoot the ball very but I know I have to adapt well, and the injury that I to a leadership role, and have hasn’t given me many I’m really looking forward problems as far as I’m to that challenge.” concerned. I’m not really Senior Jacob Chapman worried about it, and I plan (5-9) will take on the role on being around the whole as the team’s point guard, year and being the best while senior Tanner Kunteam player I can be.” kel (6-1) will compete at the Alex Tollefson (5-11) forward position. registered a fine year as Junior Jared Slivka a junior, scoring 5.2 ppg (5-11) along with promisand nailing 37 3-balls. The ing sophomores Austin Tollefson (5-11) and GranSCHEDULE don Mitchell DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME (6-0) round out 11/25-30 Seneca Tourney pg.12 the small-but12/3 PLANO 7 p.m. mighty Norsemen 12/4 at Dwight 7 p.m. who will hope to 12/6 at Serena 7 p.m. continue New12/13 LELAND 7 p.m. ark’s legacy of 12/14 SANDWICH 2:30 p.m. excellence in prep 12/17 at Fieldcrest 6:45 p.m. hoops.

12/19 MOOSEHEART 7 p.m.

“Tanner’s our 12/20 HIAWATHA 7 p.m. tallest player at 12/26-30 Plano Classic TBD 6-1, but in reality 1/7 SOMONAUK 7 p.m. we’ll have five 1/10 at LaMoille 7 p.m. guards on the 1/11 at Annawan 6:30 p.m. floor this year,” 1/14 at Seneca 7 p.m.

Coach Tollefson 1/17 at Hinckley-Big Rock 7 p.m. said. “We’re cer1/18 at Lisle 6:45 p.m. tainly not deep 1/21 EARLVILLE 7 p.m. at all, but I think 1/28 at Morris 6:30 p.m. this might be the 2/3-7 at Little Ten Tourney TBD best shooting 2/11 at Marquette 7 p.m. potential team 2/14-15 at Indian Creek Shootout 7 p.m. we’ve ever had.

2/18 PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN 7 p.m.

“We shall see.”

Brandt Faivre.

Twait returns senior “Brandt is not always a guard and last year’s secscoring threat, but he is one ond leading scorer, Tony of the hardest working kids Pusateri — a three-year in the program and a good varsity player who spaces defender,” the floor and said Twait. shoots the 3.

“When it “I think ROSTER comes down Tony has PLAYER YR. to it and we improved Brandt Faivre Sr. need stops, getting to the Porter Arneson Sr. he’s the guy. basket over Jack Rogers Sr. He is a physthe summer,” Connor Baker Sr. ical player, Twait said. “I Tony Pusateri Sr. and that is really feel he Wesley Hermann Sr. something I has much of Joel Ewing Sr. feel we were the same skill Ethen Calvert Sr. missing from set as Jakob Tyler Shannon Jr. last year’s did, but we Hunter Posner Jr. team and need him to Conner Holdiman Jr. really since be aggressive Dakota Burrell Jr. 2016.” and not defer Lane Stegman Jr. The Huskin certain Ivan Stafford Jr. ers roster situations. He Ben Shugrue So. rounds out going to have HEAD COACH: Dain Twait with seniors to step up for Porter Arneus in a big son, Wesley way.”

Hermann, Joel Ewing and Senior guards Connor Ethen Calvert, as well as Baker and Jack Rogers will juniors Tyler Shannon, also have bigger roles this Hunter Posner, Conner year — the former entering Holdiman, Dakota Burrell, his third varsity campaign, Lane Stegman and Ivan the latter a player Twait Stafford. feels can have a “breakout “We have what I feel will season” after be the top couple conferhis offseason ence opponents (Indian work. SophoCreek and Somonauk) right more center off the bat, and I think Ben Shugrue we’ll have to do whatever returns in the we can in those games,” post, and acsaid Twait, who added his cording to his club will need to take care coach could of the ball better then last be a 10-point, season and be efficient in 10-rebound the halfcourt. “We are goguy every night with a little ing to do what we do. more work on his mid“We have a smart bunch range jump shot and will be of kids that know the game. an athletic player on the top I think we are going to have of the Huskers’ ballpress. to adjust how we play to our A player who has also opponents, at least until impressed Twait in early Christmas time when I feel practices is senior forward

we’ll have a better idea of what works best for us.”

Serena opens the season at the Coal City Turkey

Tournament before enjoying a four-game homestand in the first two weeks of December.

The Times | file

Serena lost some key components from last winter’s roster, but the likes of Tony Pusateri (42) return to lead the Huskers in 2019-20.

Alsvig, new regime set to up the ante for Bobcat buckets Somonauk will look to replace 10 graduated seniors BILL LIDINSKY For The Times Replacing a successful and well-respected coach is never easy for the new guy coming in to do the replacing.

But Curt Alsvig finds himself in that role, having to step up as head coach of the Somonauk boys basketball program after longtime Bobcats bench boss Ron Hunt retired after 15 fine years at the SHS helm.

Alsvig — who has coached in the Somonauk basketball program for 10 years, the first five as the Bobcats freshman coach and the last handful alongside Hunt as a junior-varsity mentor — was hired last May to pick up the reigns vacated by his highlythought-of predecessor. SHS also added former Earlville High School and Monmouth College basketball standout Reed Goodbred to Alsvig’s coaching mix as a varsity assistant and JV leader in order to bolster the Bobcats’ hard ourt efforts after Hunt’s departure.

“We’re calling this new era ‘AR,’‘After Ron,’ and I would’ve coached with him forever, but his accomplishments certainly have allowed him to go on a well-deserved vacation of sorts after an amazing coaching career,” Alsvig said.

“To have someone like Reed with me who’s played

The Times | file

Liam Roberts (42), shown here defending an opponent during the 2018-19 season, was Little Ten All-Conference and earned a place on The Times All-Area Third Team a year ago.

at a very high level in high school and in college is surely a blessing, and I couldn’t be more excited about taking over for a legendary coach such as Ron.” Alsvig’s coaching task won’t be easy having to replace SCHEDULE 10 seniors who graduated after DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME the Bobcats ended 11/25-30 at Seneca Turkey pg.12 2018-19 with a 1312/6 HIAWATHA TBD 14 overall record 12/11 at Mooseheart 7 p.m. and a 5-3 mark 12/13 at Serena 7 p.m. in the Little Ten 12/19 PUTNAM COUNTY 7 p.m.

Conference.

12/20 at Leland 6 p.m.

One key starter 12/26-30 at Marseilles Tourney TBD does return to 1/4 PLANO TBA lead the way off 1/7 at Newark 7 p.m. of last year’s 1/10 HINCKLEY-BIG ROCK 7 p.m. ballclub. Senior 1/15 at Mendota 7 p.m.

6-foot, 5-inch 1/17 EARLVILLE 7 p.m. forward Liam 1/25 at Fulton Shootout 2 p.m.

Roberts was an 1/27 at Genoa Kingston 7 p.m.

LTC All-Confer1/28 IMSA 7 p.m. ence performer 1/31 at Sandwich 7 p.m. and a Times 2/3-7 LITTLE TEN TOURNEY TBD Third Team 2/14 at LaMoille 7 p.m.

All-Area choice 2/18 MARQUETTE 7 p.m. after pacing 2/21 INDIAN CREEK 7 p.m.

Somonauk with

a club best 389 points (14.4 ppg), 179 rebounds (6.6 rpg), and 37 3-pointers.

Roberts has amassed 860 tallies in his prep career — his last two years a starter — with 1,000 points seemingly knocking at his door.

“I know I can get there, and I’ve been working hard since I was little to have the chance to score a thousand points in high school,” Roberts said. “But that’s secondary to what I want

us to accomplish as a team.

Basketball’s a team sport, and that’s how it works.

“So I’m not going to focus on any individual goals of mine. It’s all about this team and this year and what we can get done as a group.”

Besides Roberts, Somonauk has some impressive size. The Bobcats will have to wait a while to see senior center Hunter Wilkinson (6-4) back on the court due to a previous injury, but senior forward Garrett McNurlan (6-3) and junior forward Steven Lawson (6-4) should provide dividends in the paint along with Roberts.

Alsvig will also look for solid contributions from juniors Brady Olson (5-9), Julilo Salgado (5-10), Parker Sexton (5-11), Ryan Johnson (5-8) and Uriah Riffell (5-9).

Up-and-coming sophomore forwards Brendan Roberts (6-2) and Alex Krejci (62) will also contribute to Alsvig’s mix of 11 varsity competitors trying to usher Bobcat basketball into a new era.

“We don’t want to be just over .500 this season, we want to win a regional,” Alsvig said. “We haven’t won a regional here since 1992, and since then all the Little Ten teams that have won a regional in that period is about 30 combined. I want to do something here at Somonauk we haven’t done in a very long time in terms of boys basketball.

“I’m hoping to build a new culture moving forward by not just building on but building up, and I think we can start that culture right now.”

ROSTER PLAYER NO. Parker Sexton 2 Uriah Riffell 4 Brendan Roberts 10 Alex Krejci 11 Garrett McNurlan 12 Steven Lawson 20 Ryan Johnson 22 Julilo Salgado 24 Hunter Wilkinson 34 Brady Olson 41 Liam Roberts 42 HEAD COACH: Curt Alsvig

POS. F G F F F F F G C G F

HT. 5-11 5-9 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-8 5-10 6-4 5-9 6-5

YR. Jr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

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Fieldcrest returning one starter, pair of seniors for Winkler Knights will be up to full strength after football run BRIAN HOXSEY bhoxsey@shawmedia.com 815-431-4052

football playoffs. But again, that’s nothing new for the coach who guided his team to a 22-10 mark (7-4 Heart of As Fieldcrest coach Matt Illinois Conference) in 2018Winkler begins his 28th 19 as well as a 2A regional season on the bench for the title, the 13th in the proKnights, there isn’t a whole gram’s history. bunch the Illinois Basket“We had the same situaball Coaches Association tion when the football team Hall of Famer hasn’t seen made it to the semifinals in or had to deal with.

2014,” said Winkler. “That Heading into this year’s basketball season we actucampaign, much of his ally got off to a fast start expected roster is still comwin/loss-wise, hit a little peting in the IHSA Class 2A lull during the midseason, but then ended up playing well at the end of the year and SCHEDULE won a regional.

DATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME “So for me, you 12/3 LEXINGTON 6:45 p.m. do what you can 12/6 at Tri-Valley 6:45 p.m. do as a basketball 12/7-14 at Colmone Classic TBA coach, you root for 12/16 at Dwight 7 p.m. the football team 12/17 NEWARK 6:45 p.m. and root for suc12/21 at Flanagan-Cornell 6:45 p.m. cess. You hope the 12/26-30 at State Farm Classic TBD success in football 1/3 at Peoria Christian 7:30 p.m. will carry over 1/10 LEROY 6:45 p.m. to basketball and 1/14 at Roanoke-Benson 7:30 p.m. that they are still 1/17 at El Paso-Gridley 6:45 p.m. hungry and want 1/18-25 at McLean Co. Tourney TBD to work hard in a 1/28 at Tremont 6:45 p.m. different sport.”

1/31 RIDGEVIEW 6:45 p.m.

When the grid2/4 GIBSON CITY-M-S 6:45 p.m. iron squad does 2/7 DEE-MACK 6:45 p.m. finally end its 2/11 PUTNAM COUNTY 6:45 p.m. season — hope2/14 HEYWORTH 6:45 p.m. fully the day after 2/18 at Eureka 6:45 p.m.

Thanksgiving with 2/21 at Fisher 6:45 p.m. a state-championship trophy in hand — ROSTER Winkler PLAYER POS. HT. YR. expects Matt Lorton G 6-2 Sr. to have Garrett Nix C 6-2 Sr. a squad Jaxon Cusac-McKay G 5-10 Jr. of 15, inCory Land G 6-0 Jr. cluding Koy Allen F 6-1 Jr. a pair of Travis Sunken C 6-2 Jr. seniors Henry Lorton G 6-1 Jr. and 13 Landon Cook F 5-11 Jr. juniors.

Andrew May G 5-11 Jr. The Noah Nordstrom F 5-9 Jr. lone reBryce Nordstrom F 5-11 Jr. turning Gage VanCoppenolle C 6-2 Jr. starter Lucas Sidebottom F 5-11 Jr. from last Jacob Joyal F 5-9 Jr. season Caleb Karn Peet G 5-8 Jr. will be HEAD COACH: Matt Winkler junior

shooters in Hayden Carls and Ryan Naas,” Winkler said. “We have some points we need to take care of, we averaged about 59 points a game last year and 35 of those are gone.

“Some guys are going to have to step up this year, but we do have two really good seniors coming back in guard Matt Lorton (6-2, 1.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg) and center Garrett Nix (6-2, 3.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg) and a really big junior class.”

Juniors Cory Land (G, 6-0, 3.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg) and Travis Sunken (C, 6-2, 1.4 ppg) return with the most varsity experience off the bench and will be expected to fill bigger roles this season.

Rounding out the Knights roster will be juniors — many of them keys to the junior-varsity team going undefeated last year — Koy Allen (F, 6-1), Henry Lorton (G, 6-1), Landon Cook (F, 5-11), Andrew May (G, 5-11), Noah Nordstrom (F, 5-9), Bryce Nordstrom (F, 5-11), Gage Van Coppenolle (C, 6-2), Lucas Sidebottom (F, 5-11), Jacob Joyal (F, 5-9) and Caleb Karn Peet (G, 5-8). Cook, Henry Lorton, Allen, May and the Nordstroms all had cups of coffee on the varsity level last year.

“Our strengths are going to be our depth, we will have good shooters and a great point guard. Our weakness is going to be we’re not very tall, with Shaw Media | file our biggest guy being 6-2, The only varsity boys basketball coach in Fieldcrest history, Matt Winkler, pictured here after so defending the post will his team won the Princeton Class 2A Sectional in 2012, returns for his 28th season guiding the be a challenge for us,” said Knights.

Winkler.

“We will have to mass point guard Jaxon CuTeam HOIC and Times Honin a Second Team all-conrebound as a team, and sac-McKay (12.5 points, 2.8 orable Mention selection. ference player in Derek everyone is going to have to rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.9 “Will have some gaps to May, our big guy 6-5 Clay do their job if we want to steals per game), a Second fill with losing four starters Wells and two really great push the ball up the floor.”

Flanagan-Cornell hoping to piggyback on pigskin success Falcons will rely on seniors to replace graduated all-stater BILL LIDINSKY For The Times

have all competed together since they were freshmen,” Yoder said in an interview conducted before the close of FCW football’s playoff run. “Leadership will be a key with those guys, and I’m thinking it’ll come down to a year where I believe we can be successful.”

Senior 6-foot, 4-inch center Tyler Harms will be the key returnee after averaging 6.8 ppg and 6.2 rpc as a junior.

He’s an old-fashioned post player, according to Yoder.

“Tyler had a really good summer, worked his butt off and has expanded his game,” Yoder said. “I’m looking for him to command the paint both offensively and defensively with kind of an old-school presence in the low post.”

Senior guards Braden Wallace (6-2) and Drew Eckhoff (6-0) both can put up solid points, as can classmate Kam Tower (5-9), who will also join Wallace and Eckhoff in the backcourt.

Those three along with Harms should give the Falcons a pretty strong scoring punch both inside and out.

Yoder will also count on promising sophomore guards J.D. Ruddy (5-10) and Sam Jones (5-10) joining sophomore forward William Weber (6-0) within the varsity mix.

seniors, one junior and four sophomores after the FCW football playoff run concludWhen veteran Flanaed. gan-Cornell head basketball Yoder — in his 11th season coach Brian Yoder opened leading F-C on the bench his first practice of the 2019— brings a career coaching 20 campaign, he might just record of 155-142 after last have been a little lonely. season’s 19-11 mark Yoder was missing five which included a of his 11 projected varsity 4-8 ledger within competitors, with the absent the ultra-tough five still on the field as the Heart of Illinois Falcons’ gridiron co-op Conference. with Woodland was getting He’ll have a ready for its Illinois 8-Man challenge replacing Football Association state the 20.2 points per semifinal matchup with game and 9.4 rebounds per Milford-Cissna Park. contest posted by Jeremy But Yoder didn’t mind one Durdan — a Times All-Area bit knowing the potential Second Team selection — as glory that a handful of his well as Karson Kimpling’s hoopsters could still realize 11.2 ppg and 4.6 rpc that on the field. earned a Times Honorable So with that in mind, YodMention nod. Both Durdan er moved on with a skeleton and Kimpling graduated last hardcourt bunch before spring. just this week finally seeing But Yoder is still confident a club that consists of six moving forward with this year’s squad now that he has all his SCHEDULE players unDATE OPPONENT/EVENT TIME der one roof.

11/25-30 at Route 17 Classic pg.12 “I’m 12/3 REED-CUSTER 5:30 p.m. looking for12/6 GCMS 5:30 p.m. ward to this 12/10 RIDGEVIEW 5:30 p.m. season, and 12/17 at El Paso-Gridley 5:30 p.m. these seniors 12/20 at Dee-Mack 5:30 p.m.

12/21 FIELDCREST 5 p.m.

12/26-30 at Marseilles Tourney TBD ROSTER 1/7 at Heyworth 5:30 p.m.

1/10 at Delavan 5:30 p.m.

PLAYER NO. 1/14 at Tri-Valley 5:30 p.m.

Isaac Weber 1 1/17 at Olympia 5:30 p.m.

Sam Jones 4 1/18-25 at McLean Co. Tourney TBD JD Ruddy 11 1/31 at Tremont 5:30 p.m.

Kam Tower 14 2/4 FISHER 5:30 p.m.

Mason Grace 20 2/7 LEROY 5:30 p.m.

Drew Eckhoff 21 2/11 LEXINGTON 5:30 p.m.

Braden Wallace 24 2/14 at Georgetown-Ridge Farm 4:45 p.m.

Tyler Pfaff 30 2/15 at Woodland 5 p.m.

William Weber 42 2/18 ROANOKE-BENSON 5:30 p.m.

Tyler Harms 55 2/20 at Tri-Point 5:30 p.m.

Nick Egerstaffer 2/21 EUREKA 5:30 p.m.

HEAD COACH: Brian Yoder

POS. G G G G G G G G F F F

HT. 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-8 6-0 6-2 5-10 6-0 6-4 6-3

YR. Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Sr. Jr.

The one wild card Yoder is hoping plays out is the recovery of senior Isaac Weber (5-10), who scored 168 points as a junior and led the team at point guard with 238 assists and 68 steals.

Isaac Weber suffered a severe leg injury last summer and his return to the court is still in doubt.

“We’re praying for the best, and right now things are still up in the air in terms of his recovery,” Yoder said. “He’s mending the best he can, and we hope he can come back strong for some part of his senior The Times | file year.”

Tyler Harms (55) promises to be a force to be reckoned with in the paint this F-C will winter for the Flanagan-Cornell Falcons. open its season Monday other guys step up in his “That should be a battle at Woodland High School absence. to start the year, because versus HOIC opponent “But I’m pretty confident Ridgeview is always tough Ridgeview as part of the about what our guys will under Coach (Rodney) Kelannual Route 17 Thanksbe able to produce in what I lar,” Yoder said. “Overall, giving Classic that will be hope will be a fun season for looking ahead we’ll have to hosted by once again by us, especially after all the find a way to win at least Woodland and Dwight high success we’ve seen lately in in the short term without schools. football.”

Isaac, and we’ll have to have

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Thursday, November 21, 2019

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Get all your 2019 area turkey tournament schedules here!

J.T. PEDELTY jtpedelty@shawmedia.com 815-431-4043 Turkey, stuffing and high school hoops are all on the menu next week, and here is your onestop shop for where and when each of The Times area’s boys basketball teams will be taking the court ...

Monday, November 25 OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” TOURNAMENT — Metamora vs. Marengo, 5 p.m.

Dixon vs. Ottawa, 6:30 p.m.

La Salle-Peru vs. Streator, 8 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S LELAND G. STROMBOM HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT — Yorkville vs. Burlington Central, 6 p.m.

Sycamore vs. Sandwich, 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNEY — St. Anne vs. Somonauk, 5 p.m.

Reed-Custer vs. Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Mendota vs. Newark, 8 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC (AT WOODLAND) — Ridgeview vs. Flanagan-Cornell, 6 p.m.

Woodland vs. St. Bede, 7:30 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC (AT DWIGHT) — Momence vs. Grant Park, 5:30 p.m.

Earlville vs. Dwight, 7 p.m.

ASHTON-FRANKLIN CENTER THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — Leland vs. Durand, 6 p.m.

Midland vs. AFC, 6 p.m.

Hiawatha vs. LaMoille-Ohio, 7:30 p.m.

Amboy vs. Polo, 7:30 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF (AT COAL CITY) — Morris vs. Gardner-S. Wilmington, 5:30 p.m.

Coal City vs. Serena, 7 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF (AT MANTENO) — Peotone vs. IC Catholic, 5:30 p.m.

Manteno vs. Beecher, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26 OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” TOURNAMENT — Metamora vs. Dixon, 5 p.m.

Marengo vs. Ottawa, 6:30 p.m.

Pontiac vs. Oak Forest, 8 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S LELAND G. STROMBOM HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT — Sterling vs. Dundee-Crown, 6 p.m.

Belvidere vs. Rochelle, 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNEY — Hall vs. Mendota, 5 p.m.

Reed-Custer vs. Newark, 6:30 p.m.

Herscher vs. Seneca, 8 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC (AT WOODLAND) — Flanagan-Cornell vs. St. Bede, 6 p.m.

Woodland vs. Ridgeview, 7:30 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC (AT DWIGHT) — Earlville vs. Momence, 5:30 p.m.

Grant Park vs. Dwight, 7 p.m.

ASHTON-FRANKLIN CENTER THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — Midland vs. Leland, 6 p.m.

LaMoille-Ohio vs. Amboy, 6 p.m.

Polo vs. Hiawatha, 7:30 p.m.

Durand vs. AFC, 7:30 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF (AT COAL CITY) — Serena vs. Morris, 5:30 p.m.

Coal City vs. Gardner-S. Wilmington, 7 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF (AT MANTENO) — Beecher vs. Peotone, 5:30 p.m.

Manteno vs. IC Catholic, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, November 27 SYCAMORE’S LELAND G. STROMBOM HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT — Burlington Central vs. Sandwich, 3 p.m.

Belvidere vs. Sterling, 4:30 p.m.

Dundee-Corwn vs. Rochelle, 6 p.m.

Sycamore vs. Yorkville, 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNEY — Herscher vs. Somonauk, 5:30 p.m.

St. Anne vs. Seneca, 7 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC (AT WOODLAND) — Ridgeview vs. St. Bede, 6 p.m.

Woodland vs. Flanagan-Cornell, 7:30 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC (AT DWIGHT) — Grant Park vs. Earlville, 5:30 p.m.

Momence vs. Dwight, 7 p.m.

Thursday, November 28 Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 29 OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” TOURNAMENT — Streator vs. Pontiac, 11:30 a.m.

Oak Forest vs. La Salle-Peru, 1 p.m.

Marengo vs. Dixon, 2:30 p.m.

La Salle-Peru vs. Pontiac, 4 p.m.

Streator vs. Oak Forest, 5:30 p.m.

Metamora vs. Ottawa, 7 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S LELAND G. STROMBOM HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT — Dundee-Crown vs. Belvidere, 3 p.m.

Sandwich vs. Yorkville, 4:30 p.m.

Rochelle vs. Sterling, 6 p.m.

Sycamore vs. Burlington Central, 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNEY — St. Anne vs. Herscher, 3 p.m.

Reed-Custer vs. Mendota, 4:30 p.m.

Newark vs. Hall, 6 p.m.

Somonauk vs. Seneca, 7:30 p.m.

ASHTON-FRANKLIN CENTER THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — Durand vs. Midland, 6 p.m.

Amboy vs. Hiawatha, 6 p.m.

LaMoille-Ohio vs. Polo, 7:30 p.m.

Leland vs. AFC, 7:30 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF (AT COAL CITY) — Gardner-S. Wilmington vs.

Serena, 5:30 p.m.

Coal City vs. Morris, 7 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF (AT MANTENO) — IC Catholic vs. Beecher, 5:30 p.m.

Manteno vs. Peotone, 7 p.m.

ForTheTimes|CharlieEllerbrock

Saturday, November 30 OTTAWA’S DEAN RILEY “SHOOTIN’ THE ROCK” TOURNAMENT — 7th-place: 1 p.m.

5th-place: 2:30 p.m.

3rd-place: 4 p.m.

Championship: 5:30 p.m.

SYCAMORE’S LELAND G. STROMBOM HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT — 7th-place: 3 p.m.

5th-place: 4:30 p.m.

3rd-place: 6 p.m.

Championship: 7:30 p.m.

SENECA TURKEY TOURNEY — 7th-place: noon 5th-place: 1:30 p.m.

3rd-place: 6 p.m.

Championship: 7:30 p.m.

ROUTE 17 CLASSIC (AT WOODLAND) — 7th-place: 2 p.m.

5th-place: 3:30 p.m.

3rd-place: 5 p.m.

Championship: 6:30 p.m.

ASHTON-FRANKLIN CENTER

THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT — 7th-place: 6 p.m.

3rd-place: 6 p.m.

5th-place: 7:30 p.m.

Championship: 7:30 p.m.

COAL CITY/MANTENO THANKSGIVING TIP-OFF (AT COAL CITY) — 7th-place: 6 p.m.

3rd-place: 6 p.m.

5th-place: 7:30 p.m.

Championship: 7:30 p.m.

ILLINOIS VALLEY ORTHOPEDICS at Illinois Valley Community Hospital

Either home or away, IVCH helps you make the right call. We specialize in Sports Medicine to treat sports-related injuries with care and convenience. Let Dr. Robert Mitchell and Dr. Connor Kasik be part of your winning team!

What is an Emergency?

When to use CareToday?

925 West St. 24 hours/day

310 Walnut St. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. weekdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekends

Emergency Services for potentially life-threatening conditions.

Treatment is provided for: • Any sudden or severe pain • Changes in vision • Chest pain or pressure • Confusion or changes in mental status • Coughing or vomiting blood • Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath • Difficulty speaking • Severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting • Suicidal feelings • Uncontrolled bleeding • Upper abdominal pain or pressure

ivch.org

Urgent care for conditions or illnesses when your doctor isn’t available.

What injuries require Sports Medicine treatment?

815-223-2143 Concussion Clinic: 815-780-3509

Expert doctors and staff to help you get and stay healthy for the whole season!

Treatment is provided for: • • • • • • • • • •

Strep –Rapid Molecular Testing Sprains & strains Animal Bites Coughs, colds, and sore throats Ear & other infections Fever or flu-like symptoms Wounds requiring stitches Mild Asthma Minor burns and injuries Simple broken bones

Treatment is provided for:

• ACL & MCL injuries • Concussions • Stress fractures • Shoulder injuries • Knee injuries • Ankle injuries

• Non life-threatening allergic reactions Dr. Connor Kasik

Orthopedic Surgeon

Dr. Robert J. Mitchell Orthopedic Surgeon