Free Press Advocate

Illinois Central Eight names All-Conference for volleyball

Published by admin on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 8:32pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Illinois Central Eight conference ended with Herscher as champions of the volleyball standings, with six players from area schools named All Conference.
From Coal City (18-15, 9-5), Abbie Cullick, McKenna Fitzpatrick and Luci Hakey were honored.
Cullick was their senior libero leader that was one of the reason the Lady Coalers had another double digit win season.
In 75 sets, Cullick led the Coalers with 263 digs with nearly four digs per set. She also had three aces, a kill and added 13 assists.

Illinois Central Eight conference names all-conference, all-state

Published by admin on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 8:32pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Sixteen football players from Wilmington, Coal City and Reed-Custer have been named recipients of Illinois Central Eight all-conference honors. There were also five players who received all-state.
Wilmington running back, Jake Rodawold was one of 18 players to receive Class 3A All-State honors.

Lady 'Cats fall to Lady Coalers

Published by admin on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 8:30pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington girls basketball team played neck-and-neck with Coal City on Monday but lost 40-38.
“We just made too many mistakes,” said WHS coach Eric Dillon. “They were little things. Passing-wise, we were trying to thread the needle too much and we just made some passes that we shouldn’t be making and it costed us. There were several possessions where we’d turned the ball over and they’d get points off of it so that kills us.

Wrestling Wildcats look to get back to making history

Published by admin on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 8:26pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Wilmington’s wrestling season hasn’t started and already the field has gotten tougher.
That’s because there are 30 schools across the state that have dropped down into Class 1A, including Coal City who placed second in 2A during the dual team championship in February.
That means there will be more competitors overall during the individual and dual team state finals, plus the Coalers who are returning with an even stronger roster than a year ago.

Cats start with two straight wins for first time in 10 years

Published by admin on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 8:20pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington Wildcats boys basketball team is 2-0 for the first time since the 2012-13 season when Matt Hines led the ‘Cats to a 12-17 record. Their best season in recent history was in 2009-10 when Hines led them to a 19-8 season.
With two straight wins, things are looking up.
Wilmington downed Illinois Lutheran 52-29 on Saturday during their home opener.

Seven multiple title winners, Williamsville only new winner

Published by admin on Tue, 12/03/2019 - 8:18pm

by shawn long
staff writer
There was a mix of high powered offenses and great defenses who took care of business during the 2019 state football finals.
4A
The top seeded Coalers (12-1) should not feel bad at all as the team that blanked them, Richmond-Burton (14-0) absolutely dismantled Murphysboro (11-3), 50-14 behind 106 yards from Dalton Wood and two touchdowns. The Rockets win their second state title and the first under coach Mike Noll.
3A

Wildcats earn first win of year

Published by admin on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 6:27pm

One game and one win for Wilmington coach Bill Karavites as the Wildcats cruised past Clifton Central 64-56 on Monday to start the season.
The ‘Cats (1-0) were scoring early and often with four Wilmington players reaching double digits in points.
Ben Kreitz scored 18 points to spark them while Tysen Meents, Kyle Humphries and Tyler Willis all scored 14 points.
The ‘Cats will be at home on Saturday hosting Illinois Lutheran.

Mann signs letter of intent to play volleyball at JJC

Published by admin on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 6:26pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Wilmington volleyball player Megan Mann won’t have to change wardrobe now that she’s signed a letter of intent to play college ball at Joliet Junior College.
Purple and white reign at Joliet Junior College too.
Mann, a three-sport athlete, has been playing volleyball since she was in sixth grade. She also plays basketball and softball but volleyball was not only a family favorite, Mann was drawn to it the second she hit the court.

Lady ‘Cats finish middle of the road in Lady Comet Classic

Published by admin on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 6:25pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The ‘Cats had a great game shooting the basketball on Saturday during their game with Grant Park, taking a 61-44 win to place third in the Comet Classic tournament.
They made 41.5 percent of their shots from the floor.
And it started early as the ‘Cats (2-2) grabbed a 14-4 lead and outscored the Dragons in the second quarter, giving them a 34-22 half-time margin.
After the half, the ‘Cats continued right where they left off, outscoring the Dragons, 27-22 to finish with a victory.

Top teams are headed to DeKalb for finals

Published by admin on Tue, 11/26/2019 - 6:11pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The football playoffs are down to just two teams as the semi-final round left few surprises as to which teams will play in DeKalb during Friday and Saturday’s state champions.
4A