The Journal-News

Golfer Charles Lovall watches as John Swain hits his tee shot on the par-three 18th hole at Indian Springs Golf Course in Fillmore. Lovall and Swain were among the handful of golfers hitting the links on May 20, after golf courses were able to reopen on May 1 following an extended shutdown due to COVID-19. “They’ve got the course immaculate,” said Swain, who said he has been golfing a few times since the re-opening. “It’s in good shape,” said Lovall, who added with a laugh, “but nobody’s been out here to tear it up in a month.”

Life Returns To The Greens In Montgomery County

American humorist Harold Segall once said, “Golf is not just an exercise; it’s an adventure, a romance... a Shakespeare play in which disaster and comedy are … more

by Mary (Galer) Herschelman | 5/26/20

Camren’s On The Mini Greens Set For Aug. 9

The Camren’s on the Greens committee has announced a new event this year, the first-ever, Camren’s on the Mini Greens, set for Sunday, Aug. 9, in Nokomis. It will be held in memory of … more

5/26/20

A three-sport athlete and Lincolnwood’s valedictorian, Evan Hopper was named the Chad Langheim Male Athlete of the Year by the athletic directors of the MSM Conference.

Hopper Named MSM Athlete Of The Year

On May 12, Lincolnwood’s Evan Hopper was named the 2020 Chad Langheim Male Athlete of the Year for the MSM Conference. The awards, named after the late Pawnee standout and Lincolnwood … more

5/21/20

NFHS Releases Guidance For Re-Opening Prep Sports

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has released guidance for its 51 member state high school associations to consider in re-opening high school athletics and other … more

5/21/20

The mental toughness that Litchfield grad Tessa Steffens showed as a member of the Purdue-Northwest softball team should serve her well in the future. Steffens is finishing up her first year of law school at Indiana University in Bloomington after four successful years in Hammond.

College Report: Pride Of Litchfield Excels With Pride Of PNW

From Tessa Steffen’s own lips regarding college softball, “it is much harder to hit the ball than in high school.” While it might be the statement of every college hitter … more

by Dan Chamness | 5/18/20

Dominic Ruppert's passion for bull riding has only grown since he first connected with the sport as a junior in high school six years ago. Ruppert, pictured during the Shop Creek Cattle Company's Gateway to Danger event in Raymond last summer, recently graduated from Kansas State University and plans to pursue a professional career in bull riding.

Ruppert Along For The Ride

The last few years of Dominic Ruppert’s life have been unforgettable. He’s been able to meet new people, see new places and do things he never thought he’d be able to do... like be … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 5/14/20

Guest Editorial: Quarantine Puts Sports In Perspective

The following is from Carlinville High School Athletic Director Darrin DeNeve’s “Today in Carlinville Athletics” newsletter from Wednesday, May 13. Good morning, CHS … more

by Darrin DeNeve | 5/14/20

In addition to high school athletes all over Illinois, the COVID-19 pandemic has also put youth sports on the sidelines for the spring. The Impact FC soccer club, which has 200 players and 12 teams from Montgomery and Macoupin counties, had several tournaments and their league play cancelled for the spring season.

COVID-19 Impacts Local Soccer Club

by Kyle Herschelman High schoolers haven’t been the only athletes to take a hit due to cancellations over the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it be soccer, basketball, baseball and … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/30/20

Derick Bell (left) and Austin Akre took first place in the inaugural Nokomis Bass Fishing Tournament on Sunday, April 26. Bell and Akre weighed in atop the standings at 14.6 pounds, with their largest fish weighing 4.3 pounds.

Bell, Akre Win Nokomis Bass Tourney

Sixteen young anglers hauled in almost 65 pounds of fish in the inaugural Nokomis Bass Fishing Tournament on Sunday, April 26. “I was looking for a good way to have a fun activity while … more

4/30/20

Grace Cup All-Star Games Cancelled For 2020

The 2020 Grace Cup All-Star Soccer Games were scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 6, but continued concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic have forced the cancellation of this year’s … more

4/30/20

Members of the Morrisonville-Lincolnwood co-op baseball team huddle up during the Mohawks’ game at Busch Stadium last June in St. Louis. This year’s season was stopped before it could even get started due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced schools to close and the IHSA to cancel all spring sports state series this past Tuesday, April 21.

Unknown Keeps Mohawk Baseball Family Apart

Mark Ferrill is in uncharted territory this spring. For the last 22 years, spring has meant Mohawk baseball for Ferrill, who served first as an assistant, and now as head coach, in addition to … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/23/20

IHSA Cancels Spring State Tournaments For 2020

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for their April meeting via a video conference call on Tuesday, April 21, where the Board of Directors announced its decision to … more

4/23/20

Center & Guard: 'Who Was The Best?' Provides Escape From Quarantine Blues

Just over a week ago, I threw out a question on social media that I hoped would draw some discussion: If you went to school in Montgomery County, what year was the best boys basketball team in your … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/23/20

The lights were on at football fields and other sports fields across Montgomery County and the state on Friday night, but not for the usual reason. Schools throughout Illinois turned on the lights at their playing fields as a part of Lights For The Fight, a show of support for the Class of 2020, who had their senior year cut short on Friday by order of Governor J.B. Pritzker. The lights glowed from 8:20 (20:20 military time) to 8:40 at Nokomis (above), Litchfield, Lincolnwood and Hillsboro on Friday, with the project also a way for those communities to show support for healthcare workers, first responders and all other essential workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lights Out For Sports For 2020?

Whatever slim hopes there were for even a short sports season for Illinois high school athletes may have been dashed on Friday, April 17, with Governor J.B. Pritzker’s declaration that school … more

4/20/20

Illinois College senior Carly Cameron goes up for a block during a game against Lake Forrest. Cameron overcame an ACL tear during her time with the Lady Blues to average 10 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

The College Report: Cameron Overcomes Injuries At IC

The success of any athlete, especially a college athlete, is a team effort. Team Carly Cameron was easily identified. Not only did it include the Hillsboro graduate’s Illinois College … more

by Dan Chamness | 4/20/20

Despite being sidelined with a broken ankle for all but 13 games of his senior season, Litchfield sharp-shooter Brady Bishop's work ethic and leadership was enough to earn him a shot at college basketball with Judson University.

Journal-News On The Line: Extra Work Leads To Bishop's Big Break at Judson

In the 2017-2018 season, Brady Bishop played in just nine varsity games and scored eight points for the Litchfield High School boys basketball game. Far from eye popping numbers by any … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/16/20

Center & Guard: Tough Break Can't Stop Bishop

All across the country, high school seniors are trying to wrap their heads around having their final seasons taken away from them by this invisible enemy known as COVID-19, but Litchfield senior … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/16/20

Control Disappears For Coaches, Athletes

Control. It’s important in all sports, including track and field. You have to control your breathing, your pace, your emotions and even your temper sometimes. But what happens when that control … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/16/20

Hillsboro High School Baseball Coach Bob Allen, pictured congratulating former Topper Landon Carroll during a game in 2017, said that the connection with his players has been what he misses most during the shutdown due to COVID-19.

Baseball A Catharsis For Toppers' Allen

Ever since his daughter, Danielle, was killed by a drunk driver in October of 2014, Bob Allen has found some kind of solace in coaching. That has made this year’s delay in the 2020 season due … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/16/20 | 1 comment

Layoff Unfamiliar Territory For Lang

By the end of this week, Montgomery County teams will have had 161 games cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coffeen official Louis Lang knows their pain all too well. With 43 years of … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 4/16/20