Free Press Advocate

Bulldogs run loose on Wildcats

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 6:19pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington boys basketball team let their game with Streator slip away in the second quarter and ended up losing 54-36, Tuesday.
    Wilmington was within striking distance early, trailing by six after the opening quarter.
    That’s when Streator turned the thought of a big game for Wilmington, up on its ears, scoring 21 points to extend their lead to 13 at the half.

Lady ‘Cats beat the Bulldogs, fall to Lions

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 4:13pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Lady Wildcat cagers  were unable to stave off an early Lisle run that eventually led to the 51-33 loss for Wilmington.
    The Lady Lions jumped to 16-4 lead, stealing the momentum right out of the starting gate.
    The ‘Cats (10-11, 3-6)  tried to cut the deficit by scoring 10 points of their own in the second quarter but Lisle outscored them again, extending their lead to 14 points at the half.

Wilmington matmen fourth in Comet Classic

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 4:11pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington wrestling team crowned one champion and finished fourth as a team during the Comet Classic tournament held Saturday at Reed-Custer.
    The top five teams in the 17-team tournament ended up being Seneca (166.50), Dwight (161.50), Tinley Park (148.50), Wilmington (142.00) and Peotone (139.50). Reed-Custer (106.5) placed sixth.

‘Cats hoops fall to Manteno after a close first half

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 4:09pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington basketball team was inflicted by a strong second half surge by Manteno last Tuesday, suffering a 56-32 conference loss.
    The game was somewhat close as the Panthers took a 26-18 lead at half-time.
    A third quarter burst by Manteno changed the flow into a lopsided affair as Manteno attacted the boards on a 20-5 run to take the lead and any hope of a comeback from the ‘Cats.
    The ‘Cats tried to claw their way back in the fourth but they could only muster nine points against the Manteno defense.

‘Cats close but can’t slay the Dragons

Published by admin on Tue, 01/08/2019 - 4:58pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington boys basketball team was on the cusp of winning Saturday against Grant Park but lost in overtime, 54-52.
    The Wildcats led at the half and things were going their way for really the first time this season, taking a 26-19 lead into the lockerroom.
    But Grant Park came out shooting, outscoring the ‘Cats, 12-10 in the third and 16-10 in the final quarter to tie the game. Grant Park edged out the ‘Cats, 8-6 in the overtime period to seal the game.

Lady 'Cats keep it rolling, winning three straight

Published by admin on Tue, 01/08/2019 - 4:54pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    On Monday night, the Lady ‘Cats basketball team made it three straight victories with a 39-30 win over Streator.
Wilmington 38
Grant Park 16
    On Saturday, the Wilmington girls cruised past Grant Park, thanks to a pressure defense that held the Lady Dragons to single digits in all four quarters.
    The Lady ‘Cats (10-10) started with a 8-2 run in the first quarter.
    They tallied 12 more points in the second while the defense held their ground as Wilmington took a 20-6 lead at half-time.

Is it time to trade in your Roark trading card?

Published by admin on Mon, 12/31/2018 - 5:48pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Now that former Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark has been traded to the Cincinnati Reds, is that autographed Roark card worth more or less?
    Dean Bapes, a 15-year sports memorabilia collector who owns Dean’s Dugout in Plainfield, said there plenty of factors that determine its value.

Lady 'Cats snag third place in Momence Tourney

Published by admin on Mon, 12/31/2018 - 5:47pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wilmington girls basketball team was four points away from winning Momence  Tournament. Instead they settled for third place after getting beat by Leroy 33-30.
    The Lady  ‘Cats had a comfortable lead to enter the third quarter, 22-17.
    But little by little, Leroy  hit key shots to get them back in it, outscoring the ‘Cats in the final two quarters to finish them off as they went on a 9-2 run in the fourth to seal it.

Wildcats get first win of the season

Published by admin on Mon, 12/31/2018 - 5:44pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wildcat boys basketball team fell 45-39 to Putnam County to finish in 13th place game in the Marseilles Tournament.
    The Wildcats couldn’t stop a late surge from Putnam, taking the six point loss.
    The game was pretty close with Wilmington leading by just three at half but Putnam would outscore the ‘Cats in the final two quarters to take the lead and the game.
    The ‘Cats were led by both Trey Shaw and Cameron Holman, who had 11 points. Shaw was 3-of-5 from the line while Holman made five two-pointers.

Westmont side-swipes 'Cats, wins tourney

Published by admin on Sat, 12/22/2018 - 5:31pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Wildcat boys basketball team was turned away by Westmont, suffering a 52-32 loss on Tuesday during the final round of their own tournament.
    Westmont’s defense was impressive, holding the ‘Cats to single digit points in all but one quarter.
    The ‘Cats (0-8, 0-2 conference)  were trailing 16-13 after one and were still in this game until a pressure defense became a factor.
    The visting Sentinels went on a 14-6 run in the second quarter to pull ahead 30-19 at half.