Free Press Advocate

WBSA cancels season, CCAYBS, BBSA still hold onto a chance

Published by admin on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 4:22pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington Baseball and Softball Association waited until the final inning before calling off its 2020 season.
The final pitch was a curveball thrown by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker who extended the stay-at-home order through the end of May.
WBSA President Van Holman noted they held out as long as they could but there was nothing more they could do with the statewide mandate.
Holman noted it’s the first time in 112 years the WBSA has canceled its season.

WHS sports seniors told they won’t get to compete

Published by admin on Tue, 04/21/2020 - 4:59pm

by shawn long
staff writer
It’s official, there will not be any spring sports for Wildcat athletes.
The Illinois High School Association announced the ruling Tuesday following Friday’s announcement that all in person classes have been canceled for the remainder of the school year.

WBSA opening day pushed back until at least May

Published by admin on Tue, 04/14/2020 - 4:03pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington Baseball and Softball Association was supposed to have its opening day parade and ceremonial first pitch a little more than a week away. But the state’s stay-at-home order is delaying the season until at least May.
WBSA president Van Holman fears if they don’t get opening day in by the end of April or early May, they won’t get to have a season.

Gaming challenges: Parents vs. kids

Published by admin on Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:59pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The statewide stay-at-home order means kids are spending more time playing video games with little else to do.
According to Verizon, online gaming usage is up 75 percent nationwide, and gaining.
The most popular game among children ages, 10-12, is Fortnite, according to iTech Post.com. Fortnite is an online open-world survival game, in which players collect resources, make tools and weapons, and try to stay alive as long as possible. The game was launched in 2017 and has seen a sharp increase in usage among local youth.

Wilmington meetings moved to online platform

Published by admin on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 3:41pm

The city of Wilmington will continue to conduct public business as scheduled, but it will hardly be business as usual.

The city will conduct public meetings of the city council and its related committees electronically via Zoom, an online meeting portal.

The city’s workshop, city council, and commission meetings will be held remotely in an effort to keep the community safe.

ICE honors hard-working student-athletes

Published by admin on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 2:54pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Student-athletes who excelled in the gym as well as in the classroom are being recognized by the Illinois Central Eight Conference who bestowed them with All-Academic All-Conference honors.
To earn Academic All-Conference, a student must maintain a 3.5 GPA while participating in a winter sport.
Coal City
In boys basketball, Austin Pullara, Cade Mueller, Riley Ponio, Kyle Burch and Thomas Park were all named to the All-Academic All-Conference list.

Godley Park District reaches community with live videos

Published by admin on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 2:49pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Godley Park District has gotten creative by reaching out to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Young clients stuck at home through at least April 30 can have the park district come to them by Facebook Live.
Godley Park District child care Director Jill Vollmer commented how much the staff has missed seeing children that they thought it would be fun to video-chat to them through Facebook.

Still hope for spring sports season

Published by admin on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 2:49pm

by shawn long
staff writer
There may be a glimmer of hope for the Wildcats, Coalers and Comets in playing some type of a spring sporting seasons.
The Illinois High School Association said last week it will speed things up if schools return to session May 1.
IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson released a statement Wednesday outlining their stance in the statewide shutdown and their plans for a shortened season that would include an acclimization practice period.

Cubs fan is living his baseball dream

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 4:43pm

by shawn long
staff writer
On Thursday Wilmington High School graduate Lonnie Wilkins should have been been at Wrigley Field preparing for the Chicago Cubs home opener.
But with the Major League season postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilkins was parked in front of the TV watching baseball reruns.

Proposal sent to IHSA for girls wrestling to be sanctioned sport

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 4:41pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Minooka Community High School recently drew up a proposal and sent it to the Illinois High School Association to get girls wrestling sanctioned by the state.
Right now, the girls state finals are put on by the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA).
The reason is there has been an uptick in the number of girls going out for high school wrestling.
During the 2017-18 season, there were 424 girls. Last year, that number jumped to 633.