NUIC WEST BOYS' BASKETBALL

Several Starters Gone From Eastland & West Carroll

Graduation hit the West Carroll boys' basketball program extremely hard. The Thunder (23-7, 12-1 NUIC West) will look to remain a championship contender despite the departure of All-State player Chris Anderson and three other starters. Somewhat inexperienced? Yes. Not ready for the basketball season? Absolutely not. With one starter in tow, West Carroll has reloaded for the upcoming season.

Seth Zickefoose (6-3 Sr. G/F) is the lone returning starter for the Thunder. Zickefoose averaged six points and six rebounds per game for West Carroll last season. Luke Ingersoll (6-4 Sr. F), Justin Ferguson (6-2 Sr. G/F), Jaron Ferguson (6-1 Jr. G), Dillon Prowant (5-10 Jr. G), Nathanial Law (6-4 Jr. C) and Riley Oostenryk (6-7 Sr. C) will all be looked to as player needed to step up and contribute right away.

Eastland had a great hardwood season of its own last winter. The Cougars finished the 2007-08 campaign 26-6 overall and 10-3 in the NUIC West. Jared Shellhause, Justin Witt and Billy Hammer all graduated from last season's Sectional Championship team. Still, Eastland's cupboard isn't bare. Tony Dunlap (5-10 Jr. G) and Tyler Zumdahl (6-1 Sr. F) are the returning starters for the Eastland boys' basketball team.

River Ridge (19-13, 10-3 NUIC West), Stockton (19-13, 10-3 NUIC West) and Lena-Winslow (15-13, 7-6 NUIC West) are other NUIC West teams to watch.

Last season, Pearl City struggled to a 5-24 overall record. The Wolves finished 2-11 in the NUIC West. Four starters ­ Cole Miller (6-0 Sr. G), Brock Musser (5-11 Sr. G), Jared Slick (6-3 Jr. F) and Collin Talbert (5-11 Jr. G) ­ are back for Pearl City. Chad Johnson is in his first year as head coach.

Galena (12-10, 7-6 NUIC West) Returning players for the Pirates include Michael Staver (6-0 Sr.), Skyler Gebhard (6-2 Sr.), Matt Hillard (6-0 Sr.), Adam Hocking (6-1 Sr.), Nathan Bingham (6-3 Sr.), Scott Johnston (6-1 Sr.) and Justin Hughes (6-3 Jr.).

East Dubuque (9-16, 6-7 NUIC West), Scales Mound (8-18, 3-7 NUIC West) and Warren (2-24, 0-13 NUIC West) also play out of the NUIC's West Division.

NUIC EAST BOYS' BASKETBALL

Missiles Expected

to Contend for

NUIC East Title

More than one Milledgeville High School boys' basketball player is fresh off of a sensational gridiron season. Two starters ­ Kirk Engelkens and Jake Workman ­ are back for a Milledgeville basketball team that is touted as an NUIC East championship contender. The Missiles finished last season 21-5 overall and 11-2 in the conference. Forreston is the defending NUIC East champion.

Engelkens (6-1, Sr., G) averaged 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season for the Missiles. Jason Gelwicks (5-8 Sr. G), Levi Harris (6-2 Jr. F) and Kurt Landis (6-0 Jr. F) are other top players back for Milledgeville along with Engelkens and Workman. Brian Rahn is in his fifth season as Milledgeville head coach.

Forreston, which claimed its third straight conference championship last season, returns leading scorer Michael Schneiderman (14 ppg), a 5-10 senior guard. Additional key players back for Forreston include Chad Hefner (6-0 Sr.), Kevin Strautz (5-11 Sr.), Matthew McCoy (5-11 Sr.), Zack Reining (5-11 Sr.) and Jordan Bagley (6-6 Jr.).

Dakota (19-6. 11-2 NUIC East) and Aquin (16-10, 7-6 NUIC East) are also expected to make some noise in the conference.

For Polo (16-11, 5-8 NUIC East), four starters are back. Senior forward Matt Scholl (6-3 is the leading player back for the Marcos. Scholl averaged 18,8 points per game last season. Other key performers back for Polo are Garrett Scholl (6-4 Jr. F), Connor Lincoln (6-3 Jr. G) and Matt VanOosten (5-10 Sr. G). Polo will feature a deep roster under the guidance of head coach Matt Messer.

Pecatonica (10-6, 7-6 NUIC East), South Beloit (12-14, 6-7 NUIC East), Orangeville (10-17, 4-9 NUIC East), A-FC (4-22, 2-11 NUIC East) and Durand (7-21, 0-13 NUIC East). also compete out of the NUIC East.

WOMEN'S JUNIOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Highland Ladies Defeat SE Iowa

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa ­ Following a loss one day earlier, the Highland Community College women's basketball team returned to the win column in convincing fashion Saturday, defeating Southeastern Ioward 76-58 at the Marshalltown Tournament.

Jaclyn Barton paced Highland offensively, connecting on five three-pointers nad scored a game-high 23 points.

The Cougars enjoyed a balanced offensive effort. Alexi Tann tossed in 15 points for the Highland women's basketball team. Mallory Magee narrowly missed double figures for the Cougars, scoring nine points.

Highland (7-2) finished the Marshalltown Tournament with a 1-1 record.

EHS Grad Helps Kish Win 3rd Staight Title

WISCONSIN DELLS, WI - The Kishwaukee Kougars made history last week, becoming the first NJCAA Division II volleyball team to win three consecutive National titles. The Kougars beat Johnson County in four games, 22-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18.

Freshman middle blocker Ashley Kimball experienced an asthma attack during a timeout midway through the fourth game. Just moments after her attack subsided, Kimball smacked the game-winning kill, making a mark for Kishwaukee in the NJCAA history books.

The Kougars were immediately mobbed on the court by exuberant fans in a national title celebration that lasted nearly five minutes before officials could clear the court.

The victory completed a whirlwind 3-day national tournament for the Kougars. Kishwaukee opened tourney play with 2 victories on Thursday before getting a scare from Parkland in the semi-final match Friday.

Saturday, Johnson County attempted to get revenge for losing last year's national championship by winning the first game. But the Kougars overcame the slow start and won the last 3 games handily.

Freshman outside hitter Ashley Beyer took Tournament MVP honors to become the third straight Kishwaukee player to accomplish the feat. Beyer finished with 22 kills.

Ari Smith (Eastland-Shannon) chipped in eight kills and two blocks.

Beyer, Kimball and libero Darcie Faylor earned All-Tournament Team honors. Beyer will play at georgia Tech next season.

Chesney Helps Murray State to Conference Runner-up Finish

MURRAY, Ky. ­ In a hard fought five-set match the No. 3 Murray State volleyball team fell to No. 1 Tennessee Tech, 3-2 (25-23, 15-25, 20-25, 26-24, 12-15) in the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship match Saturday, Nov. 22 in Cookeville, Tenn. The Racers, who end the season 18-13 overall and 13-5 in the OVC, were led by sophomore Sara Hayden for the third match in a row. Hayden tallied 17 kills and a .419 (17k-4e-31ta) attack percentage for MSU. Freshman Logan Su added 16 kills and two blocks, while sophomore Becca Lamb was the third Racer with double-digit kills, with 10.

2008 OVC Freshman of the Year Jade Guo recorded her team-leading 12th double-double of the season with 45 assists and 10 digs, while adding four blocks. Defensively MSU saw double-digit digs from five players, including a team-high 24 from rookie Kayleah Sauer. Seniors Alison Mugler and Heather Norris also had over 10 digs for the Racers, with 15 and 10 respectively.

This was the ninth five-set match for the Racers this season winning five of them

Junior Cassie Chesney (Eastland-Lake Carroll) had 10 digs and a kill for MSU against TTU. She finished the season with 182 digs and 64 assists. The junior from Lake Carroll appeared in 27 matches and started eight.

Shannon's Wilkens Helps Tigers Advance to Sioux City

BOURBONNAIS ­ The Olivet Nazarene University volleyball team made the most of their home court advantage in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament, easily sweeping the Eagles from Asbury College (Ky.) Saturday, Nov. 22, 25-11, 25-11, 25-12.

The Tigers came out of the gate like a team on a mission, using a 9-2 run in the opening moments to foreshadow things to come. Asbury made a valiant defensive effort to close the deficit to 12-7, but the Tiger offense took control, overpowering the visiting Eagles with 17 kills in the first set alone.

In the second set, Asbury took an early 6-5 lead before the Tigers used a 9-0 run to put things again out of reach. The Tiger offense continued to flex its muscle, pounding 18 kills in the lopsided win. Michelle McFadden (Lincoln) and Stephanie Smith (Bourbonnais) highlighted the set with a combined eight kills.

The third and final set saw much of the same, as the Tigers built a commanding 17-7 lead on a pair of kills from Molly Goldbach (Redondo Beach, Calif.). Asbury made one final push to cut the lead to 17-10 only to see the Tigers go on a backbreaking 8-2 run to end the match. Goldbach sealed the sweep with an ace on the final point.

Smith led the offensive barrage with 15 kills as McFadden added 11 kills. Terese Byrne (Downers Grove) and Tara Schmidt (Olathe, Kan.) also chipped in with a combined 12 kills. Erin Sikora (Elgin) posted her 14th double-double on the season with 30 assists and 17 digs, leading the Tigers in both categories. Overall, the Tigers attacked at a .457 clip with 47 kills, while holding Asbury to only 22 kills and a .149 hitting percentage.

DeeAnn Garvin (Bloomington, Ind.) anchored the defense and serve receive with 13 digs and 10 receptions, while Smith and Laura Wilkens (Eastland-Shannon) added eight digs apiece. Wikens is a former Eastland Cougar standout. Schmidt and Sara Byrne (Downers Grove) led the frontcourt defense with four of the Tigers' five blocks in the match. Five freshmen registered aces in the match, lead by Terese Byrne's three aces, as Lauren Comfort (Joliet) and Danielle Vander Schaaf (Baraboo, Wis.) contributed two each.

ONU improved to 37-9 overall and finished with a perfect 17-0 record at home. The Tigers now advance to the final site of the NAIA National Tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.

Cardinals' Playoff Run Ends

Kniss' rally falls short

NAPERVILLE The North Central College football team was unable to slow down one of the most prolific passing attacks in NCAA Division III on Saturday, as the No. 2-ranked Cardinals saw their season end in the second round of the Division III Playoffs at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.

The Franklin College (Ind.) Grizzlies shook off an early 14-3 deficit and rallied to defeat the hosts, 38-28, and move on to host Wheaton College (Ill.) in the North Region final next Saturday.

With 7:19 left in the game, Franklin owned a 17-point lead at 38-21.

Kyle Kniss (Sr., Lanark/Eastland-Pearl City), taking over at quarterback for an injured Fanthorpe, valiantly attempted to rally the Cardinals for a comeback attempt, leading the offense down the field for a touchdown on the following drive. He engineered an 11-play, 74-yard trek, throwing a seven-yard touchdown pass to Joe Sosinski (Sr., New Carlisle, Ind./New Prairie) with 5:22 left.

An interception by Matt Wenger (Jr., Davis/Dakota) gave North Central one more chance to cut into the lead with 2:34 remaining, but an interception by Franklin defensive back Scott Martin cut the drive short.

Fanthorpe threw for 215 yards, completing 15 of 25 throws. Sulo ran for 83 yards on 19 carries, and Hlavac caught nine passes for 138 yards. Joe Schneiderbauer (So., Sterling/Sterling) and David Treglown (Sr., Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) led the Cardinals with eight tackles each.

Sulo now has 212 career points, making him the Cardinals' all-time leading career scorer, and became the first player in school history to record three straight seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards (1,070). Wenger's interception was his eighth of the season, tying the North Central College single-season record.

NFL Schedule

Thurs. Dec. 4

Oakland at San Diego-7:15pm

Sun. Dec. 7

Jacksonville at Chicago-noon

Minnesota at Detroit-noon

Houston at Green Bay-noon

Cleveland at Tennessee-noon

Cincinnati at Indianapolis-noon

Atlanta at New Orleans-noon

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants-noon

Washington at Baltimore-noon

N.Y. Jets at San Francisco-3:05pm

Kansas City at Denver-3:05pm

Miami at Buffalo-3:05pm

St. Louis at Arizona-3:15pm

Dallas at Pittsburgh-3:15pm

New England at Seattle-7:15pm

Mon. Dec. 8

Tampa Bay at Carolina-7:30pm

IHSA State Football Championships

Memorial Stadium-Champaign

November 28

1A

Concord (Triopia Coop) 42 Stark County 7

2A

Elmhurst (Immaculate Conception) 36 Casey-Westfield 17

3A

Carthage (Illini West) 21 DuQuoin 14

4A

Bloomington (Central Catholic) 37 Aurora (Christian) 28

November 29

5A

Wheaton (St. Francis) 49 Metamora 35

6A

Springfield (Sacred Heart Griffin) 37 Lemont 15

7A

East St. Louis (Sr.) 33 Geneva 14

8A

Park Ridge (Maine South) 41 Hinsdale (Central) 21

H.S. Wrestling Results

Nov. 25

Fulton 57 West Carroll 27

Nov. 26

Rock Falls 41 West Carroll 21

Amboy 42 West Carroll 18

H.S. Varsity Basketball Schedule

Dec 3

(B) West Carroll at River Ridge

(B) Pearl City at Galena

Dec 4

(B) Rockford Christian Life at Eastland

(B) Milledgeville at Pecatonica

Dec 5

(G) Eastland at AFC

(G) Milledgeville at River Ridge

(G) Dakota at Pearl City

Dec 6

(G) EHS Shootout - Milledgeville vs Eastland

(B) EHS Shootout - Forreston vs Eastland

(B) EHS Shootout - Milledgeville vs Winnebago

(B) Stockton at West Carroll

(B) Pearl City at Le-Win

Dec 8

(G) Eastland at River Ridge

(G) Milledgeville at Dakota

(G) Prophetstown at West Carroll

(G) Pearl City at East Dubuque

Dec 9

(B) West Carroll at Eastland

(B) AFC at Milledgeville

(B) Pearl City at Dakota

H.S. Basketball Scores

(B) Oregon Tourney

Nov. 24

Genoa-Kingston-22-14-13-14-63

Milledgeville-2-7-18-10-37

Scoring

G-K (1-0): Bard 1 0-0 3; Lopez 3 2-2 8; McCarty 1 0-0 2; Menges 2 0-0 4; Muench 3 0-0 6; Muir 4 0-0 8; Smith 2 0-0 5; Suchy 9 2-2 24; Windau 1 0-0 3

Milledgeville (0-1): Allspaugh 0 2-2 2; Eich 0 1-2 1; Engelkens 3 10-13 16; Gelwicks 2 1-2 5; Harris 1 2-2 5; Neubauer 1 0-0 2; Silvius 0 2-2 2; Wagenknecht 0 2-2 2; Williams 0 2-2 2

3 Point FGs: G-K: 7 (Suchy 4, Bard 1, Smith 1, Windau 1)

Milledgeville: 1 (Harris)

(B) Oregon Tourney

Nov. 26

Milledgeville-12-14-9-9-44

Christian Life-16-4-8-7-35

Scoring

Milledgeville: Allspaugh 1 0-2 2; Engelkens 1 6-10 12; Gelwicks 3 0-2 7; Harris 3 0-0 8; Silvius 1 0-0 3; Wagenknecht 0 1-2 1; Williams 1 0-0 2; Workman 3 2-2 9

Christian Life: Bach 3 2-2 8; Chapman 0 1-2 1; DuBois 1 0-1 3; Hill 3 0-0 9; Nied 4 0-2 8; Reitmaier 1 1-3 4; Trotter 0 2-3 2

3 Point FGs: Milledgeville: 5 (Harris 2, Gelwicks 1, Silvius 1, Workman 1)

Christian Life: 4 (Hill 3, Reitmaier 1)

Rockford Christian-13-11-11-21-56

West Carroll-10-22-23-23-78

Scoring

Rockford Christian: D. Anderson 6 4-4 16; G. Anderson 2 0-0 5; Crosby 1 0-1 2; Erickson 4 2-5 10; Larson 1 2-2 4; Ognibenc 3 0-0 8; Teuscher 4 1-1 9; Uhrig 1 0-1 2

West Carroll: Broshous 0 2-2 2; A. Ferguson 1 0-0 2; Ja. Ferguson 10 3-3 27; Ju. Ferguson 3 3-4 9; Getz 1 0-0 2; Hartman 1 0-0 2; Ingersoll 5 1-4 13; Prowant 3 0-1 6; Zickefoose 6 2-5 15

3 Point FGs: Rockford Christian: 3 (Ognibenc 2, G. Anderson 1)

West Carroll: 7 (Ja. Ferguson 4, Ingersoll 2, Zickefoose 1)

(B) Oregon Tourney

Nov. 28

Byron-13-13-20-25-71

West Carroll-15-18-10-25-68

Scoring

Byron: Bernhard 5 1-2 11; Boyle 4 3-4 11; Groharing 2 0-0 5; Head 7 2-5 16; Lillibridge 2 0-0 4; Lindsey 4 0-1 8; Rosecke 1 0-0 2; Smith 4 2-4 14

West Carroll: Ja. Ferguson 8 3-4 22; Ju. Ferguson 2 0-0 4; Ingersoll 3 3-6 11; Law 4 3-5 11; Prowant 2 3-3 7; Zickefoose 1 11-13 13

3 Point FGs: Byron: 5 (Smith 4, Groharing 1); West Carroll: 5 (Ja. Ferguson 3, Ingersoll 2)

Fouled Out: Byron 1 (Bernhard)

(B) Oregon Tourney Scores

Nov. 29

Milledgeville 65 West Carroll 54

Mendota 58 Milledgeville 38

Girls Basketball

Nov. 25

West Carroll-7-8-8-4-27

Milledgeville-9-8-10-7-34

Scoring

West Carroll: Fritz 4 1-3 9; Lucas 0 1-2 1; Miller 1 1-2 4; Schneider 2 0-0 4; Schreiner 1 0-0 2; Wiersema 3 1-3 7

Milledgeville: Carroll 1 0-2 2; Engelkens 2 1-2 5; A. Herin 2 0-0 4; B. Herin 2 0-1 4; Neubauer 44 1-2 9; Schleuning 5 0-3 10

3 Point FGs: West Carroll: 1 (Miller)

(G) Forreston Tourney

Nov. 25

Eastland-6-9-9-7-31

Rochelle-15-17-13-16-61

Scoring

Eastland (1-2): Blair 4 4-5 12; Borota 1 1-3 3; Cassens 2 0-0 4; Endress 0 2-2 2; Kniss 1 0-0 2; Koser 0 1-2 1; Landherr 2 2-2 7

Rochelle: Caron 1 2-4 4; Hurst 4 0-4 8; Meiners 6 2-3 14; Metzger 1 0-0 2; Miller 3 0-0 6; Newton 3 0-0 6; Risatti 1 0-0 2; Smith 3 0-1 8; Schwartz 5 0-0 11

3 Point FGs: Eastland: 1 (Landherr); Rochelle: 3 (Smith 2, Schwartz 1)

(G) Forreston Tourney

Nov. 26

Fifth Place Game

Eastland-10-6-12-15-43

Winnebago-15-16-10-15-56

Scoring

Eastland: Borota 1 0-0 3; Blair 7 1-5 15; Cassens 2 4-5 8; Endress 2 0-0 4; Judd 2 0-0 4; Nepean 2 5-8 9;

Winnebago: Ford 1 5-7 7; Hershberger 1 0-0 2; Langholf 1 0-2 2; Myers 9 4-5 26; Timm 5 0-0 10; Wakely 1 0-0 2; Woodard 3 1-2 7

3 Point FGs: Eastland: 1 (Borota 1); Winnebago: 4 (Myers 4)

West Carroll Fall Sports Awards

Golf: Most Improved-Carissa Heath, Most Valuable (best average)-Joe Meade, All Conference-Joe Meade

Football: Players of the Week-Richard Houzenga, David Walter, Justin Ferguson, John Allen, Colby Lemm, Travis Morhardt, Nate Law, Travis Morhardt, Justin Ferguson, Garrett Eberle

Special Teams: Brandon Larson, Justin Ferguson, Michael Hartman, Adam Ferguson, John Allen, Jacob McGovern, Travis Morhardt, Ethan Baisden, Joe Sullivan

Scout Team: John Allen, Jacob McGovern, Colin Ross, Isaac Ritchie, David Raymond, Isaac Ritchie, David Raymond, Tyler French, Jacob McGovern

Post Season Awards: Jerry Rutchie Lineman of the Year-Richard Houzenga

Country Companies Special Teams: Travis Morhardt

Leadership/Inspiration: Ethan Baisden

NUIC Upstate Division All-Conference Football Selections

First Team Offense

(* denotes unanimous selection)

Quarterback: Kirk Engelkens-Milledgeville; Running Backs: * Jake Workman-Milledgeville; Matt Hillard-Galena; Cody Gallagher-Freeport Aquin; Drew Weber-East Dubuque; Offensive Line: * Drew Davidson-Milledgeville; Allen Nelson-Milledgeville; Chad Crawford-Galena; Jasper Henderson-Galena; Derek Weherenberg-Orangeville; Ends: Adam Hocking-Galena; Austin Cramer-Orangeville; Tight End: Ryan Stodden-Galena; Center: Matt Allen-Galena

First Team Defense

Defensive Line: *Josh Yaeger-Stockton; Drew Davidson-Milledgeville; Chad Crawford-Galena; Jasper Henderson-Galena; Scot Smith-Polo; Tim Berning-East Dubuque; Clayton Shick-Orangeville; Linebackers: *Matt Scholl-Polo; Ryan Stodden-Galena; Greg Fredericks-Milledgeville; Kyle Bridgeman-AFC; Riley Kubatzke-Orangeville; Drew Weber-East Dubuque; Defensive Backs: *Kirk Engelkens-Milledgeville; *Aaron Schmelzle-Freeport Aquin; Jake Workman-Milledgeville; Austin Cramer-Orangeville; Emanual Chacon-AFC;

First Team-Special Teams

Punter: Mitch Alberstett-Durand; Kicker: *Skyler Gebhard-Galena; Utility Player: Matt Scholl-Polo

Honorable Mention-Offense

Quarterback: Matt Scholl-Polo; Running Backs: Mitch Alberstett-Durand; Kyle Bridgeman-AFC; Riley Kubatzke-Orangeville; Offensive Line: Dane Bumsted-Polo; Matt Hoppman-East Dubuque; Brodie Myers-Freeport Aquin; Andy O'Brien-Milledgeville; Jake Peterson-Polo; P.C. RedfearnGalena; Ends: Tyler DeMus-Durand; Dan Hauser-Freeport Aquin; Tight End: Kurt Landis-Milledgeville; Brian O'Connell-AFC; Center: Luke Miller-Polo; Ben Heller-Freeport Aquin

Honorable Mention-Defense

Defensive Linemen: Kurt Landis-Milledgeville; Nathan Bingham-Galena; Will Francis-Durand; Eric Harweger- Freeport Aquin; Brett Henson-AFC; Jake Peterson-Polo; Linebackers: Connor Lund-Durand; Brodie Myers-Freeport Aquin; Tyler Reidl-AFC; Derek Weherenberg-Orangeville; Defensive Backs: Matt Hillard-Galena; Caleb Carr-Orangeville

Honorable Mention-Special Teams

Punter: Mitchell Phillips-Galena; Tyler Reidl-AFC; Utility Player: Brandon Wampfler-Stockton; Caleb Carr-Orangeville;

Conference MVP-Gordy Nesemeier Award

Kirk Engelkens-Milledgeville; Others Receiving Votes: Matt Scholl-Polo; Matt Hillard-Galena

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