Sports | The Journal-News

Hillsboro's Jace Stewart (#30) and Carlinville's Sawyer Smith (#23) go up for the tip to start the South Central Conference game in Hillsboro on Friday, Jan. 5. Stewart had 14 points in the Toppers' 50-47 victory over Carlinville, Hillsboro's second SCC win of the year.

Toppers Knock Off Cavies In Conference Play

Two rather evenly matched boy’s basketball teams clashed in the Toppers’ under-reconstruction gym Friday, Jan. 5. The result? A 50-47 Hillsboro win over the Carlinville Cavaliers. The … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 1/8/24

Hillsboro Girls Walk It Off Against Aces

The Hillsboro Lady Hiltoppers picked up the fifth win of the season on Thursday, March 21, as they defeated Mulberry Grove 5-4. The Toppers picked up the go-ahead run in the bottom of the … more

3/25/24

Nokomis' Reaghan Jonas waits her turn in the on-deck circle during teammate Presley Mehochko's at-bat in the seventh inning of the Redskins' game in Hillsboro on Thursday, April 18. After falling 3-2 to the Redskins at the Montgomery County Softball Tournament, Hillsboro avenged the loss with a 6-3 victory, with senior catcher Sophia Blankenship driving in two runs for the Toppers.

Hillsboro Avenges Loss To Nokomis

Five days after facing off in the Montgomery County Softball Tournament, the Nokomis and Hillsboro softball teams met up again on Thursday, April 18. The game was moved up an hour to try to beat the … more

4/22/24

Nokomis' Natalie Brownback closely guards Lincolnwood's Sophia Foster during the Battle On The Blacktop on Friday, Jan. 5, in Nokomis. Brownback and the Redskins scored a 45-19 victory in the day game, which was played in front of students from both school districts.

Nokomis Girls Hold On To Blacktop Bragging Rights

The second meeting between the Nokomis and Lincolnwood girls basketball programs ended the same way the first meeting did, with the Lady Redskins out in front, but both teams were able to take some … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 1/8/24

Pawnee Holds Off Litchfield Rally

A late surge by the Litchfield-Mt. Olive softball team nearly gave them a come-from-behind win on the road on Friday, March 22, in Pawnee, before the host Indians held on for an 8-6 victory. … more

3/25/24

Hillsboro catcher Landon Summers jumps to snag a high throw and avoid Lincolnwood's Brodey Vanhooser as the sophomore from Morrisonville slides into home plate during the second inning of the game on Saturday, April 20. Vanhooser's run was one of 11 in the inning for Lincolnwood, who defeated the Toppers 13-0 in five innings.

Lincolnwood Slides Past Toppers

Different dates but same teams equals same result, at least in high school baseball. That theory was tested and proven true Saturday morning, April 20, when the Lincolnwood-Morrisonville co-op team … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 4/22/24

Nokomis' Mason Stauder, right, defends Donny Daugherty of Lincolnwood during the Battle On The Blacktop on Friday, Jan. 5, in front of sixth through 12th grade students from both schools. The students were treated to a show by their classmates as Nokomis scored a 47-46 victory over the Lancers thanks to a go-ahead basket by Reece Lohman in the final six seconds.

Redskins, Lancers Battle It Out

by Kyle Herschelman After handing the Lancers a 59-36 loss in a packed gym in Raymond last year, the Nokomis boys basketball team had the opportunity to host this year’s day … more

1/8/24

Litchfield's Daphney Hartel (#13) splits a pair of Jerseyville defenders en route to her first goal of the season during the Purple Panthers' season opener on Wednesday, March 13, at Lloyd Hill Field. Hartel and Madi Mix (#14) had a goal apiece in Litchfield's 4-0 win, with Chloe Law accounting for the other two scores.

Litchfield Gets Shutout Win In Debut

The Litchfield girls soccer team went 9-11-1 last season and lost two key players to graduation (Olivia Fleming and Olivia Mitchell), but if their opening game is any indication, the Lady Panthers … more

3/18/24

Lancers Hold Off New Berlin

After back-to-back mercy rule losses, the Lincolnwood-Morrisonville softball team was ready to release some frustrations as they defeated New Berlin 11-1 in Raymond on Thursday, March 21. Taryn … more

3/25/24

The Litchfield-Mt. Olive softball team huddled up at Casey's in Nokomis when tornado sirens sounded on their way home from their game in Pana on April 18, while the Purple Panther baseball team was just down the street doing the same at the Nokomis Fire Department and Police Department. The hospitality wasn't lost on the Panther parents, some of whom reached out to express their thanks for the hospitality and for helping to keep their kids safe.

Litchfield Falls To Pana In Odd Double Dip

It took two towns, two days and the hospitality of a Montgomery County gas station, but Litchfield and Pana finally got their non-conference game in the books on April 19. The two Panther … more

4/22/24

Hillsboro's Kinley Richardson works to get possession during the Lady Hiltoppers' season opener against Maryville Christian on Friday, March 15. Richardson had the Toppers' first goal and assisted on two of Reagan Lentz's three goals in Hillsboro's 4-3 win over the Lions.

First Win Friday For Hillsboro Girls Soccer

It was a day of firsts for the Hillsboro girls soccer team on Friday, March 15. Not only was Friday their first game of the 2024 season, but it was also the first time they had ever played fledgling … more

3/18/24

Homer Puts Mt. Pulaski Past Nokomis

Luke Martin hit a one-out two-run home run to give Mt. Pulaski a 5-3 win over Nokomis on Tuesday, March 19. Martin’s blast broke a 3-3 deadlock after the Redskins scored once in the sixth … more

3/25/24

Nokomis' Ella Huelson tracks her hit toward left field during the Lady Redskins' home game on Wednesday, April 17, against Litchfield. The Redskins scored first, but Litchfield came away with a 5-2 victory, with Litchfield catcher Bella Roach (pictured above) driving in one run and scoring another for the Panthers.

Litchfield Outduels Nokomis

It was a rematch of the championship game of the Montgomery County Softball Tournament on Wednesday, April 17, as the Nokomis Lady Redskins hosted Litchfield as they faced the Purple Panthers for the … more

4/22/24

Tennis Toppers Win 2024 Season Opener

The Hillsboro High School boys tennis team started their season off with a win on Tuesday, March 12, as they defeated Metro-East Lutheran 6-3. The two teams were tied at three wins each after … more

3/18/24

Lady Lancers Ground Hawks

The day after Taryn Clarke threw a one-hitter in the Lancers’ 11-1 win over New Berlin on Thursday, the Lincolnwood-Morrisonville softball team picked up another one-hitter, this time courtesy … more

3/25/24

Hillsboro's Annika Camp allowed three hits and struck out 11 batters to collect the win in the Toppers' 3-2 victory over New Berlin on March 30, in Springfield. The win was one of two for Hillsboro at the UIS Slam, with the other a 29-0 victory over Riverton that featured a perfect game by pitcher Kenzie Jarman.

Lady Hiltoppers Win 2-Of-3 At Slam

The Hillsboro High School softball team split a pair of close games and scored a blowout win in their three games at the UIS Slam in Springfield on Saturday, March 30, bringing their overall record … more

4/4/24

Lady Toppers Rebound At Carlinville

After dropping a close one to Greenville on April 16, the Hillsboro girls soccer team rebounded with a win over Carlinville on Friday, April 19, to improve to 4-2 in the South Central Conference. … more

4/22/24

Leitschuh Lights Out For Purple Panthers

After claiming their season opener win on Monday, the Litchfield/Mt. Olive baseball club traveled to Lebanon on Wednesday, March 13, to battle the Greyhounds. Lebanon, who was the winner of … more

3/18/24

Lancers Score Late To Push Past Rams

The Lincolnwood-Morrisonville baseball team received another strong pitching performance on March 21 as the Lancers defeated Shelbyville 8-2. Brodey VanHooser allowed just one earned run on six … more

3/25/24

Purple Panthers Beat Cruasaders In Shortened Game

After dropping their first game of the year on Saturday, the Litchfield-Mt. Olive baseball club would be back on the diamond Monday afternoon, April 1. This would be the third trip to … more

4/4/24