The Journal-News

Several times this season, the Nokomis High School softball seniors Emma Hill, Karlie Wanger, Baylee Cesaretti and Aubrie Jaros wore their late classmate, Ayden O'Malley's name on their back. On Monday, May 23, they carried O'Malley's legacy in their hearts as they played their final game of their high school careers in a 6-3 loss to Carrollton in the regional championship game at Bunker Hill.

A four-run fifth inning was the difference maker in Bunker Hill on Monday, May 23, as the Carrollton Hawks defeated the Nokomis Lady Redskins 6-3 in the championship game of the Class 2A … more

Kyle Herschelman | 5/26/22

Lincolnwood’s Nate Brockmeyer snags a line drive during the fourth inning of the regional championship game against Greenfield-Northwestern on Monday, May 23, in Raymond. The Lancers, the lower seed and guests on their home field, scored two in the next inning, but Greenfield-Northwestern answered and came away with a 7-2 victory.

Tiger Three-Peat Sinks Lancers

In four of the seven innings of Monday’s Class 1A regional championship in Raymond, the host Lincolnwood Lancers held Greenfield-Northwestern to just three hits and no runs. Unfortunately, it … more

5/26/22

After one of the most prolific seasons in the last 10 years, Hillsboro High School senior Drake Vogel will be continuing his basketball and educational pursuits at Fontbonne University in St. Louis this fall. A key part of the Toppers’ golf team, Vogel was also offered a spot on the Griffins’ golf team as well. Above are 2021-22 Hillsboro Boys Basketball Coach Kyle McBrain, Rick Vogel, Drake Vogel and Barb Vogel.

Ball Continues To Be Life For Toppers’ Vogel

Of the seven players who are listed ahead of Drake Vogel on the Hillsboro High School boys basketball all-time scoring list, six played basketball in college. Now, the Topper sharpshooter can add his … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/26/22

Ethan Lentz (seated), recently made his decision to play soccer for Lewis and Clark Community College official once his time at Hillsboro High School is complete. Joining Lentz were his sister, Reagan Lentz, parents Brandi and Matt Lentz, and Hillsboro High School boys soccer coach, Jason Burke.

Lentz Blazes Own Trail To Lewis And Clark

For the last four years, Ethan Lentz has been a fixture on the pitch for the Hillsboro High School soccer team. Now, Lentz has the opportunity to blaze a new trail in the college ranks. After … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/26/22

The College Report: Bishop To Return To PNW

While this year was not perfect for Litchfield graduate and Purdue University-Northwest golfer Alex Bishop, it gives him a solid base for next year. He became the first ever PU-Northwest golfer to … more

5/26/22

Kayla and Will Adkins had a ball in St. Louis on May 4-8, winning the bronze in the Mixed Doubles 4.0 19+ at the APP professional pickleball tour stop. Kayla also took silver in the Women’s Doubles 4.0 19+ division, while Will officiated 17 pro level matches at the event.

Adkins Couple Earns Top Spots In St. Louis

The APP (Association of Pickleball Professionals) pickleball tour made a stop in St. Louis May 4-8, with Will and Kayla Adkins of Hillsboro both competing. Kayla played Saturday alongside Olivia … more

5/26/22

For the second time in her career, Hillsboro's Kaci Papin landed on the medal podium at the IHSA State Finals track meet, taking a third place finish in the high jump on Saturday, May 21, after finishing second in Class 2A last year.

Papin Etches Name In Record Books

It’s not only been a challenging year for Hillsboro High School senior Kaci Papin, it’s also been a challenging career for the Toppers’ standout high jumper. Still, Papin managed … more

5/23/22

For the second time in her career, Litchfield's Carly Guinn finished the season on the podium at the IHSA State Finals track meet. After taking eighth in the high jump last year, Guinn placed eighth in the 300 meter hurdles on Saturday, May 21, despite picking up the event just a month and a half earlier.

Guinn Bounces Back To Earn Second Medal

After finishing eighth in the high jump at the IHSA Girls State Finals last year, it was easy to expect Litchfield senior Carly Guinn to be in the hunt for another state medal when the 2022 version … more

5/23/22

It was a banner day for the Litchfield Middle School track team as they brought home 12 medals in four events, including a state championship in the 400 by Amari Vickery. Competing in the seventh grade state tournament, from the left are Alexis Middleton, Leighton Warchol, Nick Fetter, Emma Weidner, Jada Carroll, Amari Vickery and McKenna Harmon. Not pictured is Darby Braasch, who ran both the 800 and 1600 in the eighth grade state finals.

Panther Cubs Into Heavy Medal At IESA State

It was rainy, it was delayed and in the end, it was absolutely wonderful. The Litchfield Middle School track team had seven entries in the IESA State Track and Field Championships on May 20-21, … more

5/23/22

The Hillsboro Junior High track team went 3-for-3 at the IESA State Finals track meet on May 20-21, with all competitors bringing home medals. From the left are Jaida Linn, Izabell Fenton, Tytin Wells and Hillsboro Junior High girls track coach Brian Atkins. Not pictured is Hillsboro Junior High boys coach Tom Lunz.

Three Dragons, Three Medals At IESA State

The theory that if at first you don’t succeed, then try and try again worked pretty well for Hillsboro seventh grader Jaida Linn at the IESA State Finals, held May 20-21 at the Eastside Centre … more

5/23/22

Litchfield sophomore Keenan Powell (shown here during the long jump) will be one of three Panthers to make the trip to state on Thursday, May 26, after he finished second in the triple jump on Wednesday, May 18. Joining Powell will be Cameron Crow, who won the 400 and finished second in the high jump at Virden, and Camden Quarton, who won the 1600 and finished second in the 3200.

State Berths Worth The Wait For Panthers

Tom Petty said that the waiting was the hardest part and there was plenty of waiting going on at the Class 1A North Mac Boys Track Sectional on Wednesday, May 18. But once things got rolling, the … more

5/23/22

For the second straight year, Hillsboro senior Magnus Wells be going to the IHSA State Finals track meet after finishing third in the shot put and second in the discus at the sectional in North Mac on May 18.

Hillsboro Boys Make Progress At Sectional

With a new coach, a move back to Class 1A and several new additions to the roster, the Hillsboro boys track team is a work in progress, with the keyword “progress.” That progress … more

5/23/22

Redskins Take Down Aces In Two-Day Win

It took two days, but in the end, the wait was worth it for the Nokomis High School softball team as they defeated Mulberry Grove 5-2 in the Bunker Hill Regional semifinal on May 19. The game … more

5/23/22

Lady Lancers Get Tigers In Extra Innings

Going into the regional semifinal game against Greenfield-Northwestern on Wednesday, May 18, the Lincolnwood-Morrisonville softball team already owned a win over the Tigers, an 8-2 decision more than … more

5/23/22

Lancers To Take A Swing At Regional Title

The Lincolnwood-Morrisonville baseball team punched their ticket to the regional championship with a 2-0 win over North Greene on Thursday, May 19. The game was pushed back a day due to rain on … more

5/23/22

Hawks Down 'Skins In Regional Semifinal

Nokomis’ bid for a 17th regional championship in baseball ran into a road block on Thursday, May 19, as the Redskins fell to Carrollton 11-1 in the semifinals of the Hardin Calhoun … more

5/23/22

Many people think that sevens are lucky. After the IESA sectional in Virden, it turns out they are athletic too. The Litchfield Middle School track team is sending seven athletes to the IESA State Finals in East Peoria on May 20-21, with four entries coming from the seventh grade girls team, who shared the sectional title with North Mac. Going to state,from the left are Jada Carroll, Emma Weidner, Alexis Middleton, Leighton Warchol, Nick Fetter, Amari Vickery, Darby Braasch and McKenna Harmon.

Panther Cubs Take Seven To State Finals

Seven was the magic number for the Litchfield Middle School track team on Saturday, May 14, as the Panther Cubs not only qualified seven entries on to this week’s IESA State Finals, but they … more

5/19/22

Three members of the Hillsboro Junior High School track team won their events at the IESA Class 3A sectional in Virden on Saturday, May 14, earning a spot at this weekend's state finals in the process. From the left are Jaida Linn, Izabella Fenton and Tytin Wells.

Dragon Trio Earns Trip To State

Just a few days before his older brothers, Magnus and Xander, took their shot at making it to the state finals in track, Tytin Wells showed that the athleticism extends well beyond the high school … more

5/19/22

Hillsboro’s Ella Greenwood sprints to first to beat the throw from short by a step in the Toppers’ regional quarterfinal game against Vandalia on May 16. Playing on their home field, the Vandals scored in five of the six innings to end Hillsboro’s season with an 11-3 defeat.

Sun Shines On Vandals In Win Over Toppers

A long, rain-soaked season came to an end for the Hillsboro High School softball team on Monday, May 16, as the Toppers fell to Vandalia 11-3 on one of the few cloudless days in the 2022 … more

5/19/22

Litchfield pitcher Laynie Wyatt completes her delivery during the Purple Panthers' regional game against Greenville on May 16. The Comets used a six-run second inning to beat the Panthers 10-0 in six innings, their third win over their fellow South Central Conference member this year.

Third Time Not The Charm For Litchfield

For the third time this season, the Litchfield and Greenville softball teams squared off, this time for a spot in the regional semifinal. The Comets had beaten the Panthers twice before, by … more

5/19/22