Features 5/10

“Phenomenal kid”: Morton’s Burns overcomes father’s passing with help from coach

May 8

“Phenomenal kid”: Morton’s Burns overcomes father’s passing with help from coach

MORTON — Morton’s baseball team has made many in Potter Nation feel proud. The Potters carry a 21-5 record as of Wednesday morning while...

Eureka track and field boasts history with lots of medals and a present with many state contenders

Caden Sexton

May 2

Eureka track and field boasts history with lots of medals and a present with many state contenders

Eureka High School’s track and field program has boasted some of the best runners in the state. The Hornets have built and grown off one...

“We’re ready for anything”: Illinois commit Danika Frazier hoping to lead Olympia softball to best season yet

Dalton Carmien

Apr 26

“We’re ready for anything”: Illinois commit Danika Frazier hoping to lead Olympia softball to best season yet

“Down goes Frazier!” is an iconic line in sports lore, uttered by Howard Cosell when broadcasting a heavyweight boxing match between Joe...

Washington foreign exchange students embrace ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity with lacrosse

Michael Savoie

Apr 22

Washington foreign exchange students embrace ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity with lacrosse

Sports can provide opportunities of a lifetime for anybody. That was the case when Washington High School welcomed four new students to...

Alwan keying big season for PND baseball

Owen Dimpfl

Apr 20

Alwan keying big season for PND baseball

Walking into the Peoria Notre Dame gym on a stormy Thursday night, the Irish baseball team was going through their end-of-practice...

“I feel like a fighter”: How a chain has helped define Canton softball

Dalton Carmien

Apr 19

“I feel like a fighter”: How a chain has helped define Canton softball

Over the past few years, the usage of props on sidelines and in dugouts have become more and more common. In college baseball, teams will...

“Surreal”: How Delavan and Tremont relished the opportunity to play at Busch Stadium

Jonathan Michel

Apr 17

“Surreal”: How Delavan and Tremont relished the opportunity to play at Busch Stadium

Only a very small percentage of high school and college baseball players are drafted by an MLB team. Even fewer are able to play their...

Pekin girls soccer exemplifying sportsmanship through “Woman of the Match” honor

Jonathan Michel

Apr 12

Pekin girls soccer exemplifying sportsmanship through “Woman of the Match” honor

It’s fairly common to see a high school athlete being named the player of the game, either by their own team or by the media. But Pekin...

“Embrace the gift you were given”: Inside Sawyer Drury’s ‘diligent’ life with hearing loss

Michael Savoie

Apr 11

“Embrace the gift you were given”: Inside Sawyer Drury’s ‘diligent’ life with hearing loss

BRIMFIELD — Sports are all about overcoming obstacles. Whether it's overcoming a defense to score in basketball or a hazard to score in...

Normal Community pitching proves depth while staying undefeated: "A huge blessing"

Dalton Carmien

Apr 9

Normal Community pitching proves depth while staying undefeated: "A huge blessing"

NORMAL — In the game of baseball, games are often won on the mound. Pitching will make or break any team across any level. They say that...

Dunlap tennis continuing to be factory of success

Caden Sexton

Apr 5

Dunlap tennis continuing to be factory of success

A large majority of IHSA tennis teams call the Chicago area home. Similarly, many state title winners hail from up near the Windy City....

Softball, smarts and chess: East Peoria’s Terry brings talents, leadership to Raiders softball

Gavin Russell

Apr 5

Softball, smarts and chess: East Peoria’s Terry brings talents, leadership to Raiders softball

East Peoria softball has proven to be one of the most consistent teams on the softball diamond over the years. But the Raiders aren’t...

Bundle of sticks: How Normal U-High girls soccer harvested success last season and how they plan on doing it again

Rodrigo Perez

Apr 2

Bundle of sticks: How Normal U-High girls soccer harvested success last season and how they plan on doing it again

Midway through the 2023 season, after coming out of its third game without a victory and a 3-1 loss to Belleville West, it was safe to...

East Peoria baseball reaching new heights with new depths amidst hot start

Gavin Russell

Mar 29

East Peoria baseball reaching new heights with new depths amidst hot start

When spring rolls around, the chirping of birds is a welcome sound of the season for many. When the “ping” of the bats and the pop of the...

PND girls soccer making noise with reloaded roster

Owen Dimpfl

Mar 28

PND girls soccer making noise with reloaded roster

You’ve probably heard a lot of noise from the Peoria Notre Dame girls basketball team this past winter. They were one of the top teams in...

How Central Illinois’ college hoopers fared in 2023-24: A recap of over 70 area natives’ seasons

Larry Larson

Mar 20

How Central Illinois’ college hoopers fared in 2023-24: A recap of over 70 area natives’ seasons

Central Illinois has a great basketball tradition. While this is evident in looking at IHSA super-sectional and state finalists every...

‘Redemption tour’ continues for Illini Bluffs in super-sectionals

Dalton Carmien

Mar 4

‘Redemption tour’ continues for Illini Bluffs in super-sectionals

The small town of Glasford has seen its beloved Illini Bluffs Tigers have plenty of success across many different sports recently. From...

Grieves ends Metamora coaching era with head held high

Owen Dimpfl

Mar 4

Grieves ends Metamora coaching era with head held high

Few coaches have left the impact legacy that Danny Grieves has. After 13 seasons, five regional titles, two trips to state and a...

Peoria Notre Dame girls basketball wins first-ever state title after Wardle’s heroic jumper

Jonathan Michel

Mar 2

Peoria Notre Dame girls basketball wins first-ever state title after Wardle’s heroic jumper

Peoria Notre Dame’s run of destiny ended as it deserved to. With a state championship. The No. 1 Irish defeated No. 3 Nashville 48-46 in...

“Now is when the fun starts”: Peoria Notre Dame reaches state’s biggest stage

Jonathan Michel

Feb 28

“Now is when the fun starts”: Peoria Notre Dame reaches state’s biggest stage

It’s been a goal since the summer months, now it’s a reality. Peoria Notre Dame girls basketball has reached state with one of the most...