Free Press Advocate

Lady ‘Cats place fourth at Manteno Invitational

Published by admin on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 5:55pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington volleyball team competed in the Manteno Invite over the weekend and ended up finishing fourth.
Wilmington avenged a loss to Coal City just a week ago by beating the Lady Coalers, 25-13, 25-23, to start the tournament,
The Lady ‘Cats 8-12 (2-5) came up short in a two-game loss to Homewood Flossmoor, 7-25, 16-25.
But they came right back to defeat Crete-Monee in three games to improve to 2-1 in the tournament.
They ended the tournament with a loss to a tough Timothy Christian team, 12-25, 13-25.

‘Cats will get a playoff berth if they ousted Herscher

Published by admin on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 5:50pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The state-ranked Wildcats are 5-0 for the first time since 2016 when they finished 11-1 overall making it to the 3A quarterfinal game against IC Catholic.
Their most recent victim was Lisle on a Sunday night when their run game totaled 336 during a 27-6 finish.

Wildcats cage the Lions during a first-ever Sunday game

Published by admin on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 5:48pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Friday night lights went dark until Sunday, thanks to some wicked weather, causing the Wildcats to finish their football game at Lisle on a day normally intended for rest.
Wilmington went to Lisle on Friday for a 5 p.m. varsity only start but thunderstorms rolled in and like most all football games across the state, play was suspended.
And with Benedictine University controlling the field on a Saturday for collegiate events, their next chance to play was Sunday night.

BREAKING NEWS - Football game times moved up

Published by admin on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 11:08am

The threat of thunderstorms tonight has caused freshmen football games to be canceled and varsity contests to be moved up.
Wilmington will have a varsity only matchup at Benedictine University at 5 p.m. against Lisle.
Reed-Custer will have a varsity only matchup at 5:30 p.m in Manteno.
The Coal City varsity contest at Streator will start at 6 p.m.

Local goalie drafted to National Women’s Hockey League

Published by admin on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 5:32pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Sonjia Shelley, a life-long hockey player from Braceville, has accepted a contract to play in the National Women’s Hockey League for the Connecticut Whales.
The NWHL starts its fifth season in less than two weeks with five female teams.
Shelley, at age 22, is thrilled she’ll be playing professional hockey. Like the long drive she was making to Connecticut last week with her father, she’s taken the long road in life to achieve her dream.

Lady 'Cats beat Dwight, Romeoville, scratched by Reed-Custer

Published by admin on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 5:30pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington volleyball team was successful in a two level sweep of Dwight on Monday.
The varsity Lady ‘Cats came out fired up and flew past the Lady Trojans in set one, 25-9. The Lady Trojans fought back but Wilmington came out on top by three to seal the victory at the varsity level, 25-22.
There was production up and down the lineup for the Lady ‘Cats (6-9, 2-4) with their senior libero Megan Mann leading the way with seven digs and an ace.

Undeated ‘Cats look to avenge last year’s loss to the Lions

Published by admin on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 5:28pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wildcats have taken care of business every week but they’re a little banged up as they travel to Lisle Friday seeking to avenge a loss a year ago.
Wilmington is dealing with injuries in the defensive backfield with three starters out. But others players stepped up against Manteno Friday with three interceptions as the ‘Cats improved to 2-0 in the Illinois Central Eight conference and 4-0 overall to rank second in the state in 3A behind Williamsville.
It helps too to have linemen who have so far controled the line of scrimmage.

Coalers, 'Cats stay undefeated, Comets fall

Published by admin on Sun, 09/22/2019 - 2:52pm

The Coalers and Wildcats stayed undefeated during Week 4 of the football season, while the Comets lacked enough fight in the second half to get a victory.
Coal City’s Daniel Jezik compiled 226 all-purpose yards, his third 200-yard performance of the season, to help the Coalers shutout Peotone 20-0.

‘Cats kickers edged by Westmont

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 6:04pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington soccer team lost 4-1 to Westmont Monday in a contest that was closer thatn the score indicated.
Erik Ostheim picked up the lone unassisted goal for the ‘Cats.
The ‘Cats kept it close throughout the first half, getting four steals from Wes Jewell on the defensive side of the ball.
Sam Dennis also played well in his 56 minutes in goal, nabbing eight of the 11 kicks shot his way.

Coalers, ‘Cats rise, Comets crumble

Published by admin on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 1:03pm

The Coaler and Wildcat football teams celebrated victories last night while the Comets suffered their second setback during the start of Illinois Central Eight Conference competition.
The Coalers and ‘Cats stayed undefeated in the conference standings while the Comet defense gave up too many points to Peotone.
The Coalers dismantled the Herscher Tigers on the road, 42-0, which was the score at halftime. They ran for 209 on the ground with three touchdowns and the defense held the Tigers to just 12 yards of total offense. The Coalers remain perfect at 3-0.