Sports | The Journal-News

Topper Tennis Picks Up Two More Victories

The Hillsboro boys tennis team picked up a pair of wins over Roxana and Granite City on May 8 and 9 to improve to 9-4 on the season. The Toppers won five of the six singles matches on Monday, … more

5/11/23

Saathoff Bounces Back After Lima

In his own words, Chase Saathoff’s bike may have broke at the Progressive American Flat Track race at the Allen County Fairgrounds in Lima, OH, on June 24, but his spirits haven’t since … more

8/3/23

The Litchfield Wrestling Foundation will be hosting its third annual cornhole tournament on Saturday, Sept. 2, with the proceeds benefitting former Panther wrestler Aaron Roach and his recovery from a motorcycle accident in June.

Cornhole Tournament To Benefit Roach’s Recovery

The proceeds from the third annual Litchfield Wrestling Foundation Cornhole Tournament will be going to benefit one of their own this year as the event is set for Saturday, Sept. 2. Litchfield … more

8/3/23

Redskins Hand Pawnee Second MSM Defeat

A stellar outing on the mound and an RBI single in the top of the sixth by senior Hunter Broers gave Nokomis a 2-1 win over Pawnee on Wednesday, May 10, as the Redskins handed the Indians just their … more

5/11/23

Crue Anthony Walker (left) and Drew Austin Thomas got their middle names from their uncle Austin Krager, who passed away May 2019. Crue made his debut at the Austin Krager Golf Tournament last year, while Drew will be making his first appearance at the fundraiser on Sept. 10 at the fifth annual tournament.

Golf Tourney All About Austin’s Legacy

For the second year in a row, there will be a new addition to the Krager family photo at the golf tournament held in memory of Austin Anthony Krager, who passed away in May 2019. And once again, that … more

8/3/23

Nokomis senior Coree Keagy, pictured with her parents Angela and Brian on senior night, qualified for sectionals for the first time in her career on Thursday, Sept. 28, as she finished tied for 12th at the Effingham St. Anthony Regional at the Effingham Country Club.

Sectionals A Fitting Final Curtain For Keagy

Just by stepping onto the tee box at Lake Shore Golf Course in Taylorville, Nokomis senior Coree Keagy ended two streaks for the Ramsey-Nokomis golf program on Monday, Oct. 2, at the Taylorville … more

10/5/23

Despite Nokomis first baseman Jayde Gonet going all out for the catch, Lincolnwood's Jenna Matli managed to beat out the throw for an infield single during the county clash on Tuesday, April 30. The play at first was one of several impressive picks Gonet had during the game, in addition to picking up a hit and an RBI in the Lady Redskins' 8-3 win over the Lancers.

Five-Run Frame Pushes Nokomis Past Lancers

The Nokomis Lady Redskins snapped a six-game losing streak at the expense of county rival Lincolnwood on Tuesday, April 30, beating the Lancers 8-3. The Redskins went down in order in the first, … more

5/2/24

Pawnee Scores MSM Softball Win Over Lincolnwood

The Lincolnwood-Morrisonville softball team held a 2-0 lead after one inning on Tuesday, May 9, in Pawnee, but six unanswered runs by the Indians gave them a 6-2 MSM Conference victory over the … more

5/11/23

Fans of Hillsboro soccer will be able to see their teams in a whole new light thanks to the generosity of a community that raised $80,000 to light the high school soccer field at the Hillsboro Sports Complex. Thanks to donations of labor, knowledge and funds, kids in Hillsboro will have the opportunity to play more soccer as lights will allow the high school teams to play more junior varsity games and move game times back to allow for more time for parents and fans to get to the games.

Soccer Project Shines Light On Community Effort

As good as, “If you build it, he will come,” sounds great in Field of Dreams , but what Kevin Costner’s character manages to avoid in the classic film is how to pay for it. … more

8/3/23

Lincolnwood-Morrisonville's Carly Armentrout

Armentrout, Gerlach Go Out On A High Note

It was going to take a career day and then some for Lincolnwood’s Carly Armentrout and Kaylee Gerlach to advance to state out of a talented field at the Class 1A Roxana Sectional on Monday, … more

10/5/23

Nokomis senior Reece Lohman earned all-tournament honors at the Vandalia Holiday Tournament as he scored 20 or more points in three of the Redskins' five games. As a team, Nokomis finished fifth, beating Meridian 66-60 in their final game on Dec. 29.

Nokomis Rebounds To Finish Fifth At Vandalia

The Nokomis boys basketball team came home from the Vandalia Holiday Tournament with a fifth place finish and a .500 record as they rebounded from back-to-back losses to post wins over Cumberland and … more

1/2/24

Nokomis Warms Up With Chili, Sunny Jim

Baseball was in the air on Saturday, March 23, as the Bottomley-Ruffing-Schalk Baseball Museum in Nokomis hosted its annual Chili Warm-Up. The museum’s board of directors dished out bowls of … more

3/25/24

About 60 children from the Hillsboro School District and other local communities joined the fun with the Topper football staff and players to learn the fundamentals of football at the Troy Helton Memorial Youth Topper Football Camp.

Youth Enjoy Inaugural Troy Helton Football Camp

The family of the late Troy Helton, who passed away in January 2022, hosted the inaugural Troy Helton Memorial Youth Topper Football Camp June 7-9 at Hillsboro High School. About 60 children … more

6/12/23

Hillsboro Boys End Season At Sectionals

The Hillsboro boys golf team wrapped up its season on Monday, Oct. 2, with three players shooting for a spot in the IHSA Class 2A State Finals. Colton Weiss, Tycen Thacker and Carson Walker all … more

10/5/23

Toppers Gain Experience At Rumble

The Hillsboro High School wrestling team spent the last few days of 2023 gearing up for 2024 as they participated in the 60-team Abe’s Rumble dual team tournament. The Toppers went 1-6 in their … more

1/2/24

Hillsboro's Briar Kuhl locks up Tyler Gillman of Shelbyville during the 120-pound match on Tuesday, Jan. 9, in Hillsboro. Kuhl wasn't able to keep Gillman in bounds on this pin attempt, but eventually the Topper sophomore stuck his opponent to score a win by fall at the 2:32 mark of the match. While Hillsboro came up just short against the Rams, falling 46-30, they did beat Williamsville 57-18 to collect their eighth dual win of the season.

'Boro Boys Battle Rams, Bullets

The Hillsboro High School wrestling split a home dual on Tuesday, Jan. 9, as they defeated Williamsville 57-18 before falling to Shelbyville 46-30 in their second dual of the night. The Toppers … more

1/11/24

Vandalia Gets Past Hillsboro In 12th Inning

Baseball games can be exciting, even though the eventual result should never have a lasting effect on a person, a team, or a community. Most are brief chances for competition, to be enjoyed by … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/2/24

Hillsboro racer Chase Saathoff (#88) has finished in the top three in each of his last four Progressive American Flat Track Singles races.

Saathoff On A Hot Streak

Few riders in the Progressive American Flat Track (AFT) Singles class were better than Chase Saathoff in the month of May as the Hillsboro motorcycle racer upped his total to five podium finishes on … more

6/8/23

The College Report: Major, Blue Angels Post Postseason Wins

Haley Major , a Hillsboro graduate, and her Kaskaskia College teammates earned a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Softball World Series. The Kaskaskia College … more

by Dan Chamness | 6/12/23

Nokomis Nabs Another MSM Conference Win

Nokomis served up a loss to Pawnee on Monday, Oct. 2, as the Lady Redskins edged closer to a 20-win season for the first time in at least 20 years. Playing on the Indians’ home court, Nokomis … more

10/5/23