The Journal-News

Sixteen teams joined together to not only play for the top spot at the Montgomery County Invitational Tournament, but also to raise awareness for infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) in honor of eight-year-old Grace Herschelman of Hillsboro. This was the third edition of the tournament, which has also raised thousands of dollars for INAD research. The namesake of the "Grace Filled Tourney" was on hand for the championship and third place games on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Lincolnwood, taking a picture with the eight teams in Raymond before the start of the title game. Staunton would win this year's championship in three games over fellow South Central Conference team, Roxana.

Bulldogs Take Title At 3rd Annual Montgomery County Invitational

If the third edition wasn't the best version of the Montgomery County Invitational Volleyball Tournament, it may have been the most competitive. Ten of the 40 games played at the four gyms in … more

9/16/19

Lincolnwood's Sidney Glick (left) and Katelyn Payne try to block a hit from the South County side of the net during the third place game at the Montgomery County Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Lancers would win their final game of the tournament to finish 4-1, with their only loss coming to eventual champion Staunton.

Lancers Go 4-1 At Grace Tourney

For the second year in a row, the Lincolnwood volleyball team came away with a win in their final game of the Montgomery County Invitational - A Grace Filled Tourney. After going 4-1 last year … more

9/16/19

Hillsboro's Emma Miller (#12) and Kayli Ward (#13) go up for a block during the Toppers' Montgomery County Invitational pool play game against South County on Friday, Sept. 13, in Nokomis. Hillsboro swapped out their orange and black jerseys for purple "Team Grace" ones in honor of eight-year-old Grace Herschelman, who is battling infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD). The 16-team tournament raises money and awareness for INAD research in Grace's name.

Toppers Battle At Grace Tournament

It was a roller coaster weekend for the Hillsboro volleyball team as they went 2-3 and finished in eighth place at the Montgomery County Invitational - A Grace Filled Tourney on Sept. 13-14. All … more

9/16/19

Nokomis' Pressley Lamb keeps her eye on one of the special purple volleyballs used during the Redskins' game at the Montgomery County Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 14. Nokomis was the co-host of this year's tournament, welcoming eight teams on both Friday and Saturday to the event that raises money and awareness for infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD) research.

Skins Score First Win In Tourney Opener

Sixteen teams came together and dedicated Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14 for a great cause, and even greater family, the family of Grace Herschelman and her battle with INAD. This annual … more

by Macee Eisenbarth | 9/16/19

Panthers Keep It Close At Grace Tourney

The Litchfield volleyball team would go 1-4 at the Montgomery County Invitational - A Grace Filled Tourney on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14, as the Lady Panthers finished 14th in the 16-team … more

9/16/19

Hillsboro's Jude Bertolino looks for a way over or through a Roxana defender during the Toppers' home game against the Shells on Friday, Sept. 13. Bertolino had four catches for 28 yards in the Toppers' 42-12 loss to Roxana.

Roxana Leaves Toppers Shell Shocked

Hillsboro's varsity football team must feel like the troll in the children's story who hid under the bridge hoping to convert a goat into dinner. As the goats came across the bridge, they were … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/16/19

Litchfield receiver Colin Becker hauls in a 40-yard pass from Clayton Walch to set up the Panthers' first touchdown, a 30-yard pass that also went to Becker. The Panthers also scored in the fourth quarter, but Southwestern rolled to a 54-12 victory at Lloyd Hill Field in Litchfield on Friday, Sept. 13.

Piasa Birds Soar Against Purple Panthers

There were plenty of highlight reel moments at Lloyd Hill Field on Friday, Sept. 13, but unfortunately for the host Litchfield Purple Panthers, too many of them were performed by the visitors from … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/16/19

Soccer Toppers Improve To 2-0 In SCC Play

After taking care of the Roxana Shells Tuesday afternoon on the road by a score of 5-0, the Hillsboro High School boys soccer team returned to the Hillsboro Sports Complex for their first home match … more

9/16/19

Hiltoppers Best Competition At Mattoon Boys Golf Invite

Only one word can describe the Hillsboro boys golf team on Saturday, Sept. 14 - best. Not only did the Hiltoppers have the best overall score at the Craig Dixon Mattoon Invitational, but they … more

9/16/19

Lancers Take MSM Conference Crown

The Lincolnwood boys and girls golf teams swept the MSM Conference Tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 11, with eight players finishing in the top six. On the girls’ side, Lincolnwood had the top … more

9/16/19

Lady Panthers Improve To 12-4; Vandals Hold Off Purple Panthers, Christ Our Rock

The Litchfield girls golf team picked up three more wins on Thursday, Sept. 12, as they finished second in a five-team meet at Clover Leaf Golf Course in Alton. The Lady Panthers would shoot a 194 … more

9/16/19

Lady Lancers Topple Hiltoppers In County Clash

The Lincolnwood girls golf team scored a win over a Montgomery County foe on Friday, Sept. 13, when they defeated Hillsboro on the Lady Hiltoppers’ home course. The Lady Lancers shot a 205 … more

9/16/19

Jacob Volentine checks in on Smuckers, a freshwater jellyfish he found while fishing in his family's pond on Sunday, Sept. 8. According to the United States Geological Survey, there have been fewer than two dozen verified sightings of Craspedacusta sowerbyi in Illinois since 1915, and none in Montgomery County in that span.

Totes Jelly: Litchfield Sixth Grader Finds Rare Freshwater Jellyfish

Eleven-year-old Jacob Volentine has fished often in his family's pond north of Litchfield, but on Sunday, Sept. 8, something special caught Litchfield sixth grader's attention. "I was fishing … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/12/19

Toppers Win Big In SCC Opener

After a 1-1 draw Saturday at St. Anthony that extended the Hillsboro High School boys soccer team’s unbeaten streak to seven games and two calendar weeks, the orange and black traveled to … more

9/12/19

Lincolnwood's Jordyn Gerlach tees off at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur during the Lancers' match with Pana and Decatur Eisenhower. Gerlach would shoot a 58 to help the Lancers to 215 and a sweep of both opponents.

Lady Lancers Earn Sweep At Red Tail Run In Decatur

The Lincolnwood girls golf team picked up two more wins on Tuesday, Sept. 10, with a sweep of Decatur Eisenhower and Pana at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur. The Lady Lancers put together a … more

9/12/19

A Grace Filled Tourney Kicks Off Friday

Montgomery County's volleyball teams will paint the county purple once again on Sept. 13-14 for the third annual Montgomery County Invitational - A Grace Filled Tourney. The event, which benefits … more

9/12/19

Owen Owns 'Em At Indian Springs

Owen Mally shot a 1-under-par 34 at Indian Springs on Tuesday, Sept. 10, to lead the Hillsboro boys to a victory over Greenville and Teutopolis. Malloy's round was one of three in the 30s by the … more

9/12/19

The College Report: Topper Tandem Scores For Blackburn

Tess Saathoff and Lexi Lusk, both Hillsboro graduates, were each only one goal from a hat trick against Lincoln Christian University. In the 8-0 Greenville win, Saathoff, a freshman … more

by Dan Chamness | 9/12/19

Trouble At Home For Lady Redskins

The Nokomis Lady Redskins had the home court advantage Tuesday night, Sept. 10, as they hosted the Metro-East Lutheran Lady Knights. The Skins were still looking to gain their first win of … more

by Macee Eisenbarth | 9/12/19

Pawnee Sneaks Past Purple Panthers

The Pawnee Indians downed Litchfield in a three-set nail biter that rivaled the energy of a boxing match as both teams threw their best punches and absorbed their opponents best shots before the … more

9/12/19