Lady Rockets Capture 2020 Belleville Diocesan 7th/8th Grade Title

From Coach Walker, Coach Stevens, Coach Jent, and SMS/AJH Athletics: St Mary’s hosted 22 teams this weekend for the 2020 Belleville Diocesan Girls Basketball Tournament. 31 games played in three days between the Junior (5th/6th) division and Parochial (7th/8th) division. 

Tournament Results:

5/6 consolation champs All Saints, runner up Immaculate Conception

7/8 consolation champs Our Lady Queen of Peace, runner up St James

5/6 3rd place Blessed Sacrament 5/6 4th place St Teresa (29-15) 7/8 3rd place Holy Trinity

7/8 4th place Holy Childhood (27-11)

5/6 1st place St Clare 5/6 2nd place St James (22-9)

7/8 1st place St Mary’s Mount Carmel

7/8 2nd place St Peter and Paul (39-32)

SMS/AJH JV girls lost their first game Friday night to St James who would go on to be tournament runner ups. Saturday they played a well fought game against Immaculate Conception. Tied 18 all going into the fourth, the girls would eventually fall to ICS.

The varsity team was seeded dead last for the tournament. The girls won Friday night vs St Teresa. Saturday they played the number 2 seed, St Clare and would win. In their second game Saturday they would take down Holy Trinity to advance to Sunday’s Championship game. The Championship was played at 4:30 in Allendale. With a record setting crowd the girls would beat the number one seeded Saint Peter and Paul 39-32.

Nora Jones would foul out mid 4th quarter scoring 4 points, 1 steal, 2 rebounds, 3 loose balls, and 1 deflection. Kali Walker would have 1 point, 1 rebound, 2 loose balls, 1 deflection and playing her best defense lock down SPPS best offensive player holding her to 4 points in the second half. Chandler Cusick would have 1 assist, and 4 rebounds. Lily Keepes would play hard defense and have 1 rebound. Sarah McCorkle would have 12 points, 2 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 loose balls, and 1 deflection. Madison Stevens would again near a triple double with 22 points, 5 blocks, 18 rebounds, and 2 loose balls. Also playing their roles and helping push SMS/AJH to victory was Lauren Fisher and Jordis Riley.

The entire team played the whole weekend with determination and every single girl contributed to each win executing their roles well. Tournament MVP goes to Madison Stevens who averaged over 20 points and 20 rebounds each game. Congratulations ladies.

A special thank you to all the fan support shown at every game but especially the championship game.

Lady Rockets Wrap Up Regular Season At Jasper

From Coach Walker, Coach Stevens, and Coach Jent:

On Thursday January 9th the SMS/AJH Lady Rockets travelled to Jasper for the last regular season game. The girls would go 1/3 on the night.

The 5th graders were the show stopper of the night during the c game having their best game of the season. The girls defense was on fire. The girls were anticipating passes and coming up with big stops. After halftime their offense followed suite allowing them to score a season high 23 points defeating Jasper Geff 23-4.

Ruby Newkirk had 9 points 3 deflections, 4 rebounds, and a steal. Hazel Earnest has coined the new defense phrase “PLH” which stands for play like Hazel. Closing in on a near double double she had 7 steals and 9 rebounds, a block, and several tie ups and loose balls. Linden Stevens would have 2 points and 6 rebounds. Lyla Keepes had 4 points 3 steals, and 4 rebounds. Kortney Hall had 4 points and 3 rebounds. Austin Steckler-Dee has a deflection, 2 rebounds, an assist, a loose ball and 2 points. This school year was the first time these six 5th graders played organized school basketball. They have really developed as individuals and as a team. Their understanding of the game is clicking and they are going to be a phenomenal defensive team.

In the JV game the Lady Rockets would fall 17-14 playing one of their best defensive games also all season. Using nearly only the five 6th graders the entire game, they stayed on par with Jasper/Geff in the first half down 2-3 coming into the third. JG would go on a run scoring 12 points in the third while our girls offense couldn’t find a way to score. After settling down, they’d go into the fourth and make a late charge scoring 12 points and holding JG to only 2 points to close the gap and lose 14-17. Ava Jent would have 3 rebounds a block a steal a deflection and 9 points. Bella Jent 6 rebounds a deflection, a loose ball, 0/2 at the line, and score 4 points. Natalie Hedge would have 4 rebounds and a deflection. Madeline Mann would be all over defensively having 5 rebounds, a deflection, 2 loose balls, 2 steals, and go 1/2 at the line. Cortney Jones would have 3 rebounds a steal a loose ball and a deflection. Ruby Newkirk also saw playing time.

This JV teams record does not accurately reflect their skill, talent, or effort displayed this season. They went the whole season playing all but 2 games with only 5th and 6th graders while their opponents were mostly taller larger 7th graders. They maintained a positive attitude even when down several points making the most of the games and learning and developing as a team. They faired extremely well learning all new plays and a new system under a novice coaching staff. Coach Jent Coach Stevens and Coach Walker are very excited to see the 6th graders move up to varsity next year. The varsity team fell 34-20 after struggling offensively in the first half scoring only 4 points to JG 14. They’d find their offense in the second half allowing JG to only outscore them by 4 points. Our girls stamina would come in handy and by the fourth quarter JGs leaders were tired and struggled to keep up with the Lady Rockets. Nora Jones would have 3 points, 3 steals, 1 block and 2 rebounds. Kali Walker would have 2 rebounds. Sarah McCorkle would show up defensively, learning this season how to be more of a presence under the basket and driving to the rim. She’d have 4 points 1 assist 1 block 7 rebounds and 1 steal. Lily Keepes would have 1 rebound. Chandler Cusick had 3 rebounds and great defense. Lauren Fisher had 1 rebound. Jordis Riley played hard defense. Madison Stevens was the mvp of the game and neared a triple double with 14 rebounds, 14 points, and 7 blocks.

The varsity team found fast chemistry adding in Chandler and Jordis from Allendale playing with girls for the first time and Lauren Fisher having never played before. The seasoned girls all had to learn new offense and a new system under Coach Walker and excelled. It will be very sad to lose the 8th grade class as they are full of talent, effort, and Nora Jones’ leadership and aggressive style of play.

The girls play next Wednesday at New Hope versus St Joe in the first round of Regionals.

Lady Rockets Spoil New Hope's 8th Grade Night

From Coach Walker, Coach Stevens, and Coach Jent

On Tuesday January 7th the SMS/AJH Lady Rockets traveled to New Hope in a conference match up. The Lady Rockets would go 2 for 3 on the night.

In the varsity game, SMS/AJH would defeat New Hope on their 8th grade night 30-27. The entire game was played close with the largest lead being 5. At the end of the first New Hope and SMS/AJH would be tied at 6. Going into the half, New Hope would be up 13-12. SMS/AJH would only have 3 fouls the first half. The third quarter was again a back and forth but SMS/AJH would play amazing defense and keep up with New Hope. They’d end the third still down by 1, 20-21. In the fourth, the Lady Rockets would start to inch away from New Hope and eventually outscore New Hope 10-6 to clinch the win 30-27. Madison Stevens would again lead the team with another double double. 14 points, 14 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 deflection. Nora Jones would have 6 points and go 0/7 at the line. She’d also add 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 deflections, 1 loose ball and 1 charge. Kali Walker would have 5 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 deflections, and 3 loose balls. Sarah McCorkle would have 4 points, 1 assist, and using her speed have 3 steals, 5 rebounds, 2 loose balls, and 6 deflections. Chandler Cusick would have 1 steal, 1 rebound, and 1 loose ball. Jordis Riley would have 1 loose ball and play aggressive defense. Lauren Fisher would have 1 point and play her role on defense keeping key players away from the b-ball. Lily Keepes would play her best defense all year and keep her players from getting the ball limiting New Hopes scoring options.

In the JV game, the Lady Rockets would fall 36-11. Ava Jent had 6 points 1 rebound and 0/2 at the line. Bella Jent had 3 rebounds and 2 points. Natalie Hedge, Madeline Mann, Cortney Jones, Lyla Keepes, and Hazel Earnest would all have rebounds for the night. Ruby Newkirk would show her shooting range and drill down another 3 for the season. Also seeing playing time was Linden Stevens, Austin StecklerA-Dee and Kourtney Hall.

In the C game the Lady Rockets would win 10-6. Lyla Keepes would have 2 for the night with several loose balls and one steal. Ruby Newkirk would have 2 points. Hazel Earnest would again show her strong defense and end with 5 rebounds. Ava Jent would have 2 and go 0/1 at the line. Bella Jent would have 2. Madeline Mann would also have 2. Cortney Jones would have 2 rebounds. Also seeing playing time was Natalie Hedge, Austin Steckler-Dee, Kourtney Hall, and Linden Stevens.

The Lady Rockets are back in action for their last regular season game at Jasper/Geff Thursday January 9th starting with the c-game at 5:15.

Jackets Fall In WEAA Semis; Kelsey Advances To 3-Point Finals

On Tuesday, January 7th, Yellow Jackets basketball played in the WEAA Conference semi-finals against the #1 seed Cisne Bullets.  Cisne defeated the Yellow Jackets 64-25, which now has the Yellow Jackets playing on Thursday in the 3rd place game.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Elliott Acree with 10 points, Matt Jackson with 8 points, Trent Casburn with 3 points, Carlos Monroy with 2 points, and Reed Stinson with 2 points.

In the 3-point competition, Kollin Kelsey made 8 and Elliott Acree made 7.  Kollin will shoot in the Finals on Thursday at 4:30 pm.

Next up:  3rd Place Game in the WEAA Conference Tournament vs. Jasper at 6:15 pm at Cisne Middle School.  

Acree & Kelsey Advance In WEAA 3-Point Shootout

In the three-point competition, Elliott Acree will move on to shoot Tuesday night as he led his group with 7 made.  Kollin Kelsey and the two shooters from Grayville all tied at 5 in the original round, so all three of them had to go to a tie-breaker to see who would be the second contestant to move on to Tuesday.  After the first round of the tie-breaker, Kollin and both of the Grayville shooters tied again by making 5 shots.  In the second tie-breaker, Kollin made 9 out of 10 shots from the corner in order to move on to Tuesday night.  So Elliott Acree and Kollin Kelsey will shoot before the game on Tuesday to try and make the final four.

Jackets Hold On To Beat Grayville In WEAA Tourney

On Monday, January 6th, the Yellow Jackets entered WEAA Conference Tournament play as the 4-seed vs. the 5th-seeded Grayville Bison.  In the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets jumped out on top 15-8.  But Grayville outscored the Yellow Jackets by one point in the second quarter, which still left the Yellow Jackets on top at halftime 30-24.  The third quarter saw the Yellow Jackets nearly double up the Bison and take a lead with 7 minutes to play at 43-31.  Just as Grayville did in the second quarter, they came storming back to within one-point with less than a minute to play.  In the end, the Yellow Jackets hung on to win 53-51 and move into the winners bracket.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets:  Matt Jackson with 16 points, Carlos Monroy with 14 points, Trent Casburn with 12 points, Kollin Kelsey with 6 points, and Elliott Acree with 5 points.

Next up:  WEAA Conference Tournament action on Tuesday, as the Yellow Jackets will play the one-seed Cisne in the semi-finals at Cisne Middle School at 6 pm.

Jackets Win 2 Of 3 From New Hope

On Thursday, December 20th, Yellow Jackets Basketball hosted New Hope in WEAA Conference action.  In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated New Hope by the final score of 21-19.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Will Freeland with 8 points, Brendan Bowser with 7 points, Cameron Kolb with 2 points, Tim Harness with 2 points, and Brady Porter with 2 points.  The C-team is now 7-3 on the season.

In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated the Panthers by the final score of 47-39.  Scoring for the B-team was:  Chase Gher with 17 points, Elliott Acree with 10 points, Reed Stinson with 7 points, Brady Porter with 6 points, Kollin Kelsey with 5 points, and Brendan Bowser with 2 points.  The B-team is now 6-5 on the season.

In the A-game, New Hope came out strong in the 3rd quarter and ended up defeating the Yellow Jackets by the final score of 44-28.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Matthew Jackson with 10 points, Elliott Acree with 8 points, Kollin Kelsey with 6 points, Trent Casburn with 2 points, and Clay Morgan with 2 points.  The A-team is now 6-5 overall and 5-3 in WEAA Conference play.  

Next up:  WEAA Conference Tournament starting January 6th at Cisne.

Jackets Host Jasper In Non-Conference Play

On Monday, December 16, Yellow Jackets basketball hosted the Jasper Polecats in non-conference action.  In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated Jasper 19-15.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Will Freeland with 6 points, Brady Porter with 5 points, Cameron Kolb with 4 points, Brendan Bowser with 2 points, and Michael Medler with 2 points.  The C-team is now 6-3 on the season.

In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets came out sluggish in the cold weather and fell in defeat to the Polecats by the final score of 32-15.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Chase Gher with 8 points, Reed Stinson with 2 points, Elliott Acree with 2 points, Mark Vaupel with 2 points, and Cameron Kolb with 1 point.  The B-team is now 5-5 on the season.

In the A-game, Jasper defeated the Yellow Jackets by the final score of 45-37.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Kollin Kelsey with 9 points, Matt Jackson with 8 points, Trent Casburn with 8 points, Elliott Acree with 7 points, and Carlos Monroy with 5 points.  The A-team is now 6-4 on the season.  

Next up:  Yellow Jackets will host New Hope for WEAA Conference play on Thursday, December 19th.  C-game at 5:15 pm.

Now What? Football Districts Rescinded as Member Schools Approve 10 Proposals

Illinois High School Association (IHSA) member schools approved 10 amendment proposals in the annual by-law referendum that ended December 16, 2019, including a proposal to rescind a football district scheduling system that was approved a year ago, and slated to begin in 2021. As a result, regular-season football scheduling and the IHSA Football Playoffs will remain unchanged from their current format.

“There is incredible passion for high school football in our state, and the subject of football district scheduling has been no exception,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Many coaches and communities were excited about the prospect of district scheduling when the vote passed a year ago, just like many are excited today that it will ultimately not occur in 2021. We do not expect the discussion surrounding football regular-season scheduling and the playoff structure to dissipate, so we will be charged with continuing to facilitate discussion and ideas among our member school coaches and administrators.”

Based on the football district plan, Mt. Carmel left the Big 8 Conference and is now left without a conference and without the football district scheduling system.

The online ballots were tabulated and certified in the IHSA Office on Tuesday, December 17. 

Here is a summary of the proposals and the vote totals. (The numbers in parentheses indicate the total of yes, no, and no opinion votes. For an amendment to pass, yes votes must outnumber no votes.)

• Proposal 1 (passed 448-181-73): Expands the opportunity for approved schools to participate in invitational tournaments during the regular season.

• Proposal 2 (passed 592-80-28): Expands the administrators permitted to serve on the IHSA Board of Directors to include the administrators designated as the Official Representative of their schools.

• Proposal 10 (rejected 328-349-24): Reduces the number of summer contact days from 25 to 20.

• Proposal 11 (passed 489-149-62): Eliminates a required annual determination of classification which therefore permits the two-year classification cycle.

• Proposal 13 (passed 206-133-362): Moves the start of the Fall Baseball season one week earlier for practices and contests.

• Proposal 14 (passed 428-246-25): Moves the start and ending dates for the IHSA spring baseball and softball seasons (practices and contests) a week later.

• Proposal 15 (passed 374-241-87): Removes the by-law directing the IHSA to implement a football scheduling system for regular-season varsity games, impacting the current ability for schools to schedule games AND qualify for the playoffs as it is currently administered.

• Proposal 17 (passed 244-31-422): Modifies the contest limitations for boys and girls lacrosse to 20 matches in the regular season as opposed to a match and tournament limitation.

• Proposal 18 (passed 410-85-202): Modifies the team dates limitation in wrestling to a fixed number of dates (25) rather than a combination of dates and tournaments. Modifies the individual match limitation in wrestling to a set number of matches (45) rather than a combination of dates and tournaments.

• Proposal 19 (passed 343-38-318): Moves the ending date for the girls swimming season limitation one week earlier.

• Proposal 25 (passed 470-215-16): Permits schools an opportunity to appeal a player ejection when the player was ejected as a result of the misapplication of a playing rule by an official.

Elks Hoop Shoot Winners

2019 MT. CARMEL ELKS CLUB #715

“HOOP SHOOT” WINNERS

Competition was held at Mt. Carmel Grade School, Mt. Carmel, Illinois on Saturday, December 14, 2019.

1st and 2nd place finishers received trophies.

First place finishers will compete in the District Elks Hoop Shoot Contest on Saturday, January 4, 2020 in Salem, Illinois at Franklin Park Middle School. 

8-9 (BOYS)

1ST PLACE            CADEN SEATON (13 out of 25)

2ND PLACE           CARTER WILLINGHAM (12 out of 25)

8-9 (GIRLS)  

1ST PLACE           ALEAH NEWKIRK (4 out of 25)

10-11 (BOYS)

1ST PLACE            BRENDAN BOWSER (11 out of 25)

2ND PLACE           ELIAS KNAPP (7 out of 25)

10-11 (GIRLS)

1ST PLACE            SOPHIE BANKS (5 out of 25)

2ND PLACE           LYLA KEEPES (3 out of 25)

12-13 (BOYS)       

1ST PLACE            ELLIOTT ACREE (22 out of 25)

2ND PLACE           LEVI BANKS (18 out of 25)

12-13 (GIRLS)

1ST PLACE            EVIE KNAPP (9 out of 25)

2ND PLACE           MAYCEE RANDALL (7 out of 25)

First place L-R Aleah Newkirk, Evie Knapp, Sophie Banks, Elliott Acree, Caden Seaton, Brendan Bowser

Second Place L-R Maycee Randall, Lyla Keepes, Levi Banks, Carter Willingham, Elias Knapp

Yellow Jacket Basketball Report At Cisne

On Thursday, December 12th, Yellow Jackets Basketball traveled to Cisne for WEAA Conference action.  In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets won 25-16.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Brendan Bowser with 12 points, Brady Porter with 6 points, Cameron Kolb with 5 points, and Will Freeland with 2 points.  The C-team is now 5-3 on the season.

 In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets started hot in the first quarter, but fell in defeat to Cisne by the final score of 47-36.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Reed Stinson with 13 points, Chase Gher with 8 points, Brady Porter with 6 points, Kollin Kelsey with 5 points, and Elliott Acree with 4 points.  The B-team is now 5-4 on the season.

In the A-game, the Yellow Jackets definitely did not have a good night, as Cisne won the game 61-26.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Trent Casburn with 10 points, Matt Jackson with 8 points, Kollin Kelsey with 4 points, Elliott Acree with 2 points, and Chase Gher with 2 points.  The A-team is now 6-3 overall and 5-2 in WEAA Conference play.

Next up:  Yellow Jackets will host Jasper in non-conference action on Monday, December 16th.  C-game begins at 5:15 pm.

OCC Baseball Winter Camp Jan. 11

Olney Central College Baseball will host a Winter Camp on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the OCC Gymnasium and Britton’s Bullpen in Olney.

The camp, for ages 6 through 15, will meet from 9 a.m. to noon. Instructors will include the OCC coaching staff and players, along with Phil Britton, a two-time NJCAA All-American who played minor league baseball for seven years.

The cost is $60 and those attending will need to bring a bat, glove, helmet and shoes.

To pre-register or for more information, call Coach Dennis Conley at 618-395-7777, ext. 2131, or 618-843-0333. You also may contact him by email at conleyd@iecc.edu. Registration forms are available at www.iecc.edu/occ

Yellow Jackets Blow out Geff

On Monday, December 9th, Yellow Jackets Basketball hosted WEAA Conference foe Geff at St. Mary’s School. In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 12 point lead in the first quarter and never looked back to win the game 47-15. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Brendan Bowser with 10 points, Kollin Kelsey with 10 points, Elliott Acree with 9 points, Brady Porter with 5 points, Will Freeland with 4 points, Chase Gher with 3 points, Reed Stinson with 2 points, Cameron Kolb with 2 points, and Mark Vaupel with 2 points. The B-team is now 5-3 on the season.

In the A-game, the Yellow Jackets swarmed the Eagles in the first half with a first quarter of 20 points and second quarter of 23 points.  The Yellow Jackets would go on to win the game 64-30. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Trent Casburn with 18 points, Elliott Acree with 12 points, Clay Morgan with 8 points, Matt Jackson with 7 points, Carlos Monroy with 5 points, Eric Acree with 5 points, Kollin Kelsey with 4 points, Roland Foster with 3 points, and Reed Stinson with 2 points.  The A-team is now 6-2 overall and 5-1 in WEAA Conference play.  

Next up:  Thursday, December 12th at Cisne for WEAA Conference action.  C-game begins at 5:15 pm.

Elks Hoop Shoot Is This Saturday At MCGS

The MT. CARMEL’S ELKS LODGE #715 WILL HOST THE 48th ANNUAL ELKS HOOP SHOOT COMPETITION ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019 AT MT. CARMEL GRADE SCHOOL (FORMERLY MT CARMEL MIDDLE SCHOOL).  REGISTRATION WILL BEGIN AT 8:00 AM. AND COMPETITION SHOOTING WILL START AT 8:30 AM. THIS NATIONAL FREE THROW SHOOTING CONTEST IS FOR BOYS & GIRLS AGES 8-13.

            AGE GROUPS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THEIR AGE AS OF APRIL 1, 2020.  AGE GROUPS ARE:  

                                                            BOYS AGE 8-9                      GIRLS AGE 8-9

                                                            BOYS AGE 10-11                  GIRLS AGE 10-11

                                                            BOYS AGE 12-13                  GIRLS AGE 12-13

EACH CONTESTANT HAS 25 SHOTS AT THE HOOP.  THE WINNING BOY AND GIRL IN EACH GROUP WILL ADVANCE TO THE DISTRICT COMPETITION ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020 AT FRANKLIN PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN SALEM, ILLINOIS. 

BOYS AND GIRLS 8-9 WILL SHOOT FROM 11 FT AND WILL ALSO USE A GIRLS REGULATION BASKETBALL; ALL OTHERS WILL SHOOT FROM 15 FEET.  ALL GIRLS WILL USE A GIRLS REGULATION BASKETBALL, WHILE BOYS 10-13 WILL SHOOT WITH A REGULATION BOYS BASKETBALL.

DOORS WILL OPEN AT 8:00 AM TO SIGN UP FOR THE HOOP SHOOT. NO REGISTRATION FORMS ARE NEEDED THIS YEAR.  THE PARTICIPANTS NEED TO SIGN IN AT THEIR RESPECTIVE TABLE WITH THEIR CORRECT AGE.  

1ST AND 2ND PLACE WINNERS WILL NEED TO FILL OUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AFTER THE CONTEST.

1ST PLACE WINNERS WILL ADVANCE TO THE DISTRICT HOOP SHOOT CONTEST ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020 AT FRANKLIN PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL IN SALEM, ILLINOIS.

Yellow Jackets Vs. St. Joe Recap

On Thursday, December 5th, Yellow Jackets Basketball traveled to St. Joe (Olney) for WEAA Conference action. In the C-game, St. Joe (Olney) defeated the Yellow Jackets by the final score of 25-18. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Brady Porter with 8 points, Will Freeland with 4 points, Jax Gher with 2 points, Cameron Kolb with 2 points, and Michael Medler with 2 points. The C-team is now 4-3 on the season.

In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets made a big comeback and won the game over St. Joe (Olney) in the final seconds by the score of 40-38. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Chase Gher with 16 points, Reed Stinson with 11 points, Kollin Kelsey with 7 points, Elliott Acree with 4 points, Brady Porter with 1 point, and Roland Foster with 1 point. The B-team is now 4-3 on the season.

In the A-game, the Yellow Jackets used a strong second half to defeat St. Joe (Olney) by the final score of 63-31. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Elliott Acree with 20 points, Carlos Monroy with 15 points, Matt Jackson with 8 points, Trent Casburn with 8 points, Eric Acree with 6 points, Reed Stinson with 3 points, Kollin Kelsey with 2 points, and Brady Porter with 1 point. The A-team is now 5-2 overall and 4-1 in WEAA Conference play.

Next up: Monday, December 9th at St. Mary's against Geff in WEAA Conference action.

Jackets Sweep New Hebron

On Tuesday, December 3rd, the Yellow Jackets hosted New Hebron in non-conference action. In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated New Hebron by the final score of 16-14. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Will Freeland with 12 points, Jax Gher with 2 points, and Brady Porter with 2 points. With the win, the C-team is now 4-2 on the season.

In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets beat New Hebron by the final score of 40-25. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Chase Gher with 9 points, Brendan Bowser with 8 points, Brady Porter with 7 points, Reed Stinson with 6 points, Elliott Acree with 5 points, and Mark Vaupel with 5 points. The B-team is now 3-3 on the season.

In the A-game, the Yellow Jackets picked up their offensive game late in the third quarter, early into the 4th quarter, in order to put away New Hebron by the final score of 55-38. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: Matt Jackson with 18 points, Trent Casburn with 14 points, Carlos Monroy with 9 points, Elliott Acree with 6 points, Kollin Kelsey with 4 points, Clay Morgan with 2 points, and Chase Gher with 2 points. The A-team is now 4-2 on the season and 3-1 in WEAA Conference play.

Next up: Thursday, December 5th, at St. Joe (Olney) for WEAA Conference action. C-game begins at 5:15 pm.

IHSA Membership Voting Now On Proposals Including Eliminating Football Districting Plan

The Illinois High School Association's Legislative Commission voted Nov. 25 to refer 11 proposals to amend the IHSA Constitution and By-laws to a vote of the general membership. The Commission voted after hearing feedback from member school personnel at 28 town meetings held around the state during the month of November.

The ballot containing the proposals will be available to each member school's official representative in the IHSA's online Schools Center, beginning Monday, December 2. The deadline to submit the ballot is midnight, Monday, December 16. The ballots will be tabulated and the results posted on Tuesday, December 17. Schools will be able to vote "no opinion" on any of the proposals. A simple majority of yes or no votes cast will determine whether each proposal passes.

Here is a summary of the proposals on the ballot:

• Proposal 1: Expands the opportunity for approved schools to participate in invitational tournaments during the regular season.

• Proposal 2: Expands the administrators permitted to serve on the IHSA Board of Directors to include the administrators designated as the Official Representative of their schools.

• Proposal 10: Reduces the number of summer contact days from 25 to 20.

• Proposal 11: Eliminates a required annual determination of classification which therefore permits the two-year classification cycle.

• Proposal 13: Moves the start of the Fall Baseball season one week earlier for practices and contests.

• Proposal 14: Moves the start and ending dates for the IHSA spring baseball and softball seasons (practices and contests) a week later.

• Proposal 15: Removes the by-law directing the IHSA to implement a football scheduling system for regular-season varsity games, impacting the current ability for schools to schedule games AND qualify for the playoffs as it is currently administered.

• Proposal 17: Modifies the contest limitations for boys and girls lacrosse to 20 matches in the regular season as opposed to a match and tournament limitation.

• Proposal 18: Modifies the team dates limitation in wrestling to a fixed number of dates (25) rather than a combination of dates and tournaments. Modifies the individual match limitation in wrestling to a set number of matches (45) rather than a combination of dates and tournaments.

• Proposal 19: Moves the ending date for the girls swimming season limitation one week earlier.

• Proposal 25: Permits schools an opportunity to appeal a player ejection when the player was ejected as a result of the misapplication of a playing rule by an official.

The remaining proposals were rejected by the Legislative Commission. A total of 35 of the 35 commissioners attended the meeting, which was held at the IHSA Office in Bloomington.

Yellow Jackets Sweep West Salem

On Monday, November 25th, Yellow Jackets Basketball hosted West Salem in WEAA Conference action.  In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated the Warriors by the final score of 9-8.  Scoring for the c-team were:  Cameron Kolb with 6 points, William Freeland with 2 points, and Brady Porter with 1 point.  The C-team is now 3-2 on the season.

 In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated West Salem by the final score of 44-19.  Scoring for the b-team was:  Chase Gher with 17 points, Reed Stinson with 8 points, Elliott Acree with 5 points, Brendan Bowser with 4 points, Brady Porter with 3 points, Cameron Kolb with 2 points, Mark Vaupel with 2 points, William Freeland with 2 points, and Tim Harness with 1 point.  The B-team is now 2-3 on the season.

 In the A-game, the Yellow Jackets took control early and went on to defeat West Salem by the final score of 54-21.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were:  Elliott Acree with 15 points, Matt Jackson with 10 points, Trentin Casburn with 10 points, Carlos Monroy with 10 points, Kollin Kelsey with 4 points, Clay Morgan with 2 points, Eric Acree with 2 points, and Reed Stinson with 1 point.  The A-team is now 3-2 on the season and 3-1 in WEAA Conference action.

 Next up: Tuesday, December 3rd, at home against New Hebron in non-conference action. C-game will begin at 5:15 pm.

Jackets Fall In OT On Last Second 3 Pointer

On Thursday, November 21st, Yellow Jackets Basketball traveled to Jasper for WEAA Conference action. 

 In the A-game, Jasper defeated the Yellow Jackets, on a last-second three pointer in overtime, by the final score of 34-32.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Matthew Jackson with 10 points, Trentin Casburn with 8 points, Carlos Monroy with 6 points, Kollin Kelsey with 6 points, and Reed Stinson with 2 points.  The A-team is now 2-2 on the season and 2-1 in WEAA Conference play.

 In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets fell in defeat by the final score of 28-26.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Reed Stinson with 12 points, Chase Gher with 10 points, Brendan Bowser with 2 points, and Brady Porter with 2 points.  The B-team is now 1-3 on the season.

In the C-game, Jasper won the ballgame 28-16.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  William Freeland with 5 points, Brady Porter with 5 points, Cameron Kolb with 4 points, and Trenton Potts with 2 points.  The C-team is now 2-2 on the season.

 Next up: Monday, November 25th, at home against West Salem in WEAA Conference action. C-game begins at 5:15 pm.

Yellow Jacket Boys Fall To Grayville

On Monday, November 18, Yellow Jackets Basketball hosted Grayville for non-conference action. In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated Grayville by the final of 20-14. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was: William Freeland with 8 points, Cameron Kolb with 4 points, Brady Porter with 4 points, Jax Gher with 2 points, and Tim Harness with 2 points. The c-team is now 2-1 on the season.

In the B-game, Grayville came storming back in the second half and defeated the Yellow Jackets by the final of 32-27. Scoring for the b-team was: Chase Gher with 18 points, Reed Stinson with 4 points, Elliott Acree with 4 points, and Brady Porter with 1 point. The b-team is now 1-2 on the season.

In the A-game, Grayville came out strong in the second half and beat the Yellow Jackets by the final score of 59-37. Scoring for the a-team was: Trent Casburn with 9 points, Kollin Kelsey with 9 points, Carlos Monroy with 6 points, Matt Jackson with 6 points, Elliott Acree with 5 points, and Chase Gher with 2 points. The a-team is now 2-1 on the season and still 2-0 in WEAA Conference play.

Next up: Thursday, November 21st at Jasper for WEAA Conference action. C-game at 5:15 pm.