The Journal-News

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.

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

Monday’s season opener for the Lincolnwood High School golf teams was hardly typical as the Lancers teed off at Shoal Creek Golf Course in Raymond. The match on Aug. 17 was the first varsity contest in Montgomery County since February after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the spring sports seasons all across the state in March. Evidence of the pandemic still lingers as teams are restricted to playing teams in their own conference and geographic region and players must wear masks on the golf course when not playing. Above, masked and socially distant, Lincolnwood’s Braxton Schmedeke and Nate Brockmeyer watch teammate Devin Brown’s drive off the first tee.

Lancers Go Low To Top South County, Mt. Olive

The Lincolnwood High School boys golf team got off to a strong start on Monday, Aug. 17, as all seven Lancers shot 50 or better on their home course at Shoal Creek. Taking on South County and Mt. … more

8/20/20

With no seniors in the lineup, the Litchfield boys golf team turned in a solid performance and took third at the South Central Conference Tournament. From the left are Ian Otto, Zach Boston, Tug Schwab, Allen Schneider, Keagan Marten and A.J. Odle.

Young Panthers Place Third

With three freshmen, two sophomores and a junior teeing off for Litchfield at the South Central Conference Tournament on Tuesday, Sept. 29, it was hard to know what to expect. But as they have … more

10/1/20

Masked up and ready to go, Lincolnwood’s Dorie Krager chips onto the green at the par-5 ninth hole at Shoal Creek Golf Course on Monday, Aug. 17. Krager would go on to take medalist honors with a 48, helping the Lancers to wins over South County and North Mac.

Lady Lancers Score Win In Fall Season Opener

It was the first win for a Lincolnwood High School team in nearly six months, a fact that sounds worse than it really is since the Lancers have been dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out … more

8/20/20

Vandalia and Hillsboro were the only two schools to land more than one player in the top ten. Dom Haggard (right) shot an 80 to claim fifth place in the talented field, while Preston Lyerla was tied for eighth overall with an 82.

Hillsboro Second To Vandals

If everything went absolutely perfect, going into Tuesday’s South Central Conference Tournament at Indian Springs there was an outside shot that the Hillsboro boys golf team could extend their … more

10/1/20

New Coach, New Start For Hillsboro Girls Golf

It was a return in every sense of the word on Tuesday, Aug. 18, as the Hillsboro girls golf team teed off at Timber Lakes Golf Course in Staunton. Not only was it the first varsity sporting event … more

8/20/20

Hailey Rentz’s sweatshirt said it all at the South Central Conference Tournament.

Litchfield Makes It Back-To-Back Titles

The Litchfield girls golf team thought they could make a run at the conference championship last year, a thought that came to fruition with a 27 stroke win over second place Carlinville. This … more

10/1/20

Lentz, Cruthis Boys Take Top Three At Crossroads

Three young motorcycle racers made the trip to the Tunnel Valley course in English, IN, for the fourth stop in the Crossroads Cross Country Series on Aug. 15. The trio represented Montgomery County … more

8/20/20

Hillsboro junior Meagan Jorn earned all-conference honors by virtue of her fifth place finish.

Lady Toppers Step Up Game At SCC

The Hillsboro girls golf team may have finished a spot lower in the standings compared to last year’s South Central Conference Tournament, but the Lady Hiltoppers were much improved at the 2020 … more

10/1/20

Local Racers Take On Macon, Fayette County, Charleston

The Hillsboro foursome of Evan and Brady Lynch, Kevin Rench and Justin Reynolds were on the track in Macon on Saturday, Aug. 15, for Macon Speedway’s Diane Bennett Memorial Race. The group … more

8/20/20

Lincolnwood Faces Tough Teams

It was a tough match against some familiar foes on Monday, Sept. 28, as the Lincolnwood girls golf team teed off at Edgewood Golf Course in Auburn. The Lancers would finish third at the four-team … more

10/1/20

Camren’s Mini Greens at Shane Cole Park in Nokomis was buzzing on Sunday, Aug. 9, for the inaugural Camren’s On The Mini Green Tournament. Kids fifth grade and under competed for the top prizes and bragging rights at the tournament, which supported Camren’s Causes in honor of the late Camren Neisler. In front, from the left, are four of the young players, Leander Jones, Leighton Jones, Alea West and one of Camren’s little buddies. Camren Buddies, who helped the littles, in the back, were Logan Ernst, Ryan Archibald, Ben Marley, Isaac Pearse, Austin Akre, Dalton Goldsmith, Kamden Ransdell, MaKynna Johnson and Hailey Engelman.

Kiddos Hit Camren’s Course With Buddies

The big kids got their shot earlier in the summer, but on Sunday, Aug. 9, it was the youngsters’ turn to hit the greens in memory of the late Camren Neisler. The inaugural Camren’s On … more

8/20/20

For the fourth consecutive year, the Lincolnwood boys golf team took first in the MSM Conference Tournament, held this year at Edgewood Golf Club in Auburn on Sept. 9. From the left are Braxton Schmedeke, Devin Brown, Michael Graham, Michael Jones, Nate Brockmeyer and Will Jenkins.

Lancers Claim MSM Conference Crown

The Lincolnwood boys golf team put four players in the top six to pick up their fourth straight conference championship on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Edgewood Golf Club in Auburn. The Lancers would … more

9/10/20

2019-2020 Nokomis High School Boys Basketball Statistics

2019-20 End Of An Era For Skins

It’s difficult to not sound like a broken record when recapping a season for the Nokomis Boys Basketball team. Twenty win season? Check. Mohawk Classic title? Check. Opponents average fewer … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/9/20

The Lincolnwood girls golf team put three players on the all-conference team at this year's MSM Conference tournament, held Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Edgewood Golf Club in Auburn. From the left are Jordyn Gerlach, Shelby Hattenbach, Dorie Krager, Marisa Webb, Micah Gehlbach and Jhia Walker. Gerlach, Krager and Gehlbach all earned all-conference honors as the Lancers shot a 470 to finish second to South County by 12 strokes.

Krager, Gerlach, Gehlbach Make All-MSM

The three senior members of the Lincolnwood girls golf team all earned all-conference accolades at the MSM Conference Tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Edgewood Golf Club in Auburn. Dorie … more

9/10/20

2019-2020 Nokomis High School Girls Basketball Statistics

Lady Redskins Gain Experience

The 2019-2020 season was the year of the youth movement for the Nokomis girls basketball team as nine of the 13 players on this year’s roster were freshmen. While there were some growing … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 3/9/20

Lady Panthers Continue Win Streak

After picking up the program’s first South Central Conference championship in 2019, the Litchfield girls golf team seems poised to repeat the feat later this month. The Lady Panthers’ … more

9/10/20

Crawford Picked For Pro Matches

Kayla Crawford of Hillsboro will be participating in the Midwest Indoor Pickleball Championships Pro Exhibition Matches in Charleston, Illinois, on the campus of Eastern Illinois University on March … more

3/9/20

Jhorjie Walker of Morrisonville gets some help from big brother Jhadyn during the 50cc race at the Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders Charity Hare Scramble on Sunday, Nov. 8, in White City. It would be a good day for the Walkers, with Jhorjie finishing seventh and Jhadyn finishing third in the A team race with teammate Skyler Harless. Jhenner (first in 50cc), Jhordyn (11th in 50cc) and Jhak (1st in B team with Gavin Minnaert) also raced on Sunday.

Hare Scrambles For The Holidays

With 128 entries and 192 riders on Sunday, Nov. 8, the Cahokia Creek Dirt Riders Charity Hare Scramble didn’t just mean a lot of racers had a good time, it meant a lot of kids were going to … more

11/12/20

Good Things Come In Threes In Junior High Volleyball

It's the postseason for seventh grade volleyball and three area teams are still alive in three different classes. In IESA Class 7-3A, Hillsboro picked up a regional championship in Divernon, while … more

3/9/20