Sports | The Journal-News

Seventeen members of the Litchfield Middle School/High School trap shooting team competed in Illinois State High School Clay Target League State Tournament on June 1, in Bunker Hill. Team members, in front, from the left, are Hanna Abel, Cam Bone, Ryan Gray, Kaylee Belusko, Jace Pennock and Leo Woodring. In the back are Coach Kyle "Hootie" Sutton, Allison Belusko, McKenna Harmon, Cal Frerichs, Tyler Belusko, Hudson Walker, Lee Johnson, Ethan Rosado, Dean Gibbs, Wyld Gilmore, Jaida Biechler, Adia Melchert and Coach Tommy Melchert.

Litchfield Trap Team Shoots Their Shot At State Tourney

Seventeen members of the Litchfield Middle School/High School trap shooting team made the trip to the Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill on June 1, for the Illinois State High School Clay Target … more

6/19/25

After missing round seven of the Grand National Cross Country Series, Walshville’s Travis Lentz was back in a familiar spot on May 30, as he took the top spot in his class and overall in Youth Bikes at the Mason-Dixon in Mount Morris, PA.

Lentz Back On Top In GNCC

So far this season, the only thing that has been able to stop Travis Lentz from the top of the podium in the Grand National Cross Country Series is a tree stump, and even that didn’t sideline … more

6/19/25

Pictured above is the winning team from the sixth annual Roy L. Hertel Foundation for Better Communities golf outing on Saturday, June 14. From the left are Dylan Richter, Katie Homa, Brooke Lynch and Nathan Lynch.

Sixth Annual Hertel Golf Outing Raises $7,000

On Saturday, June 14, the Roy L. Hertel Foundation for Better Communities held its sixth annual golf outing at Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore. The winner of this year’s tournament was … more

6/19/25

Half Dozen From Montgomery County Land On All-SCC Team

Six players from Montgomery County snagged seven of the 35 spots on the South Central Conference all-conference baseball team, which was voted on by the coaches of the conference. … more

6/16/25

Litchfield To Host Free FCA Sports Camp On June 23-25

Young athletes from all over the area will once again be in Litchfield on June 23 through June 25 for this year's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Power Camp at the Litchfield High School and … more

6/16/25

State Champs Recognized By State Legislators

The 2025 season was a special one for the Morrisonville-Lincolnwood seventh grade volleyball team that won the IESA Class 2A state championship, and now the Lady Mohawks have another souvenir from … more

6/16/25

Mark Mattson of Hillsboro returns a shot during his and Aubrey Reincke’s match with Chloe Martincic and Zoey Spinner (right) during the 2024 Old Settlers Tennis Tournament at the Hillsboro Sports Complex. Mattson and Reincke went on to win the eight-team doubles tournament, which will be just doubles this year, on Aug. 2-3, in Hillsboro.

Old Settlers Tennis Back For Round Two

After a successful launch last year, the Old Settlers Tennis Tournament is back for round two on Aug. 2-3, with an emphasis on the “two” this time around. This year’s … more

6/16/25

Youth, Matoush The Story For Toppers

On one level, the 2025 Hillsboro baseball season was easy to assess; the record (4-19) was less than impressive because the team didn’t hit on field or pitch (with a few exceptions) well. On … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 6/16/25

MSM Baseball Hands Out Awards At Season’s End

The Lincolnwood/Morrisonville and Nokomis baseball teams combined to make up almost half of the 28 players honored on this year’s MSM All-Conference baseball teams, which were released in May. … more

6/12/25

Pictured above is Cross Over Vice President, Wayne Wedekind, and Tony White, winner of the drawing for Raise the Bar monthly membership.

The Next Network Hosts Annual Golf Fundraiser

This year, Cross Over Ministries and The Next Network joined forces to host their annual golf tournament at Shoal Creek Golf Course in Raymond on Saturday, May 17. The organization thanks all of … more

6/12/25

Coach Luke Lyerla, Wyatt Noyes, Rhys Riggs, Coach Mike Kershaw

Hiltoppers Fish At State Finals

After getting their feet wet (figuratively) last year, the Hillsboro High School bass fishing team was at state for the second year in a row and third time in the program's history when 61 boats … more

6/9/25

Two Toppers, Three Panthers Make All-SCC Softball Squad

The Hillsboro and Litchfield/Mt. Olive softball teams combined to put five players on this year’s South Central Conference all-conference team, which was voted on by the coaches of the … more

6/9/25

Golf Scramble To Benefit Coffeen Fire

The Coffeen Fire Protection District is hosting their 2nd Annual Golf Scramble Fundraiser on Sept. 13, at the Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore. The fundraiser will help purchase new turnout … more

6/9/25

St. Francis Golf Benefit Set For June 27

The HSHS St. Francis Foundation invites the community to join them at a golf benefit on Friday, June 27,at the Litchfield Country Club. This special event is one of the many activities being … more

6/9/25

Thirteen From County Make All-SCC Soccer Team

Thirteen Montgomery County soccer players were among the 36 honored with all-conference recognition by the coaches of the South Central Conference recently, as the nine teams in the SCC wrapped up … more

6/5/25

Nokomis, Lincolnwood Snag Spots On All-MSM Team

Montgomery County players made up half of this year’s MSM All-Conference softball list, which was released on May 21. Six Nokomis and four Lincolnwood/Morrisonville players were honored … more

6/5/25

Nearly 300 Join Annual Monisa Clark Fun Run

Around 300 registered for the annual Monisa Clark Irish Days Breast Cancer Fun Run/Walk, held on Saturday morning, May 31, in Farmersville, as part of this year’s Irish Days celebration. Both … more

6/5/25

Litchfield's Jaxon Ray reaches back to take the handoff from Martavious Jones during the Panthers' 4x200 meter run at the IHSA State Finals on Thursday, May 29. The pair also ran the 4x100 with teammates Will Cress and Alec Roach, finishing in the program's second fastest time ever, a 43.92.

Litchfield 4x100 Saves Best For State

The Litchfield boys 4x100 relay team saved their best performance for last as they ran the second fastest time in the program’s history to highlight the Panthers’ trip to the IHSA State … more

6/2/25

Elijah Patton made the trip to state with Hillsboro track coaches Joe Reed (left), Zach Reed and Katie Homa, running a 2:04.17 to finish 27th in the 800 meters.

Patton’s Trip To State The Next Step For Topper Track

Hillsboro’s Elijah Patton made his state debut on Friday, May 30, joining 39 other athletes in running the 800 meters at the Class 2A IHSA State Finals in Charleston. After running a personal … more

6/2/25

State Tourney A Learning Experience For Mattson

As an all-conference soccer player, a starter on the basketball team and an all-around good athlete, Hillsboro’s Mark Mattson is a pretty good tennis player. But the competition at the IHSA … more

6/2/25