Jackets Have Rough Night At Jasper

On Thursday, November 18th, Yellow Jackets Basketball traveled to Jasper for WEAA Conference action.  In the C-game, Jasper defeated the Yellow Jackets 27-5.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets was:  Ryland Houchin with 5 points.  The C-team is now 2-2 on the season.

 In the B-game, the Polecats defeated the Yellow Jackets 33-13.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were:  Tim Harness with 9 points, Landon Wilford with 2 points, and Ryland Houchin with 2 points.  The B-team is now 1-3 on the season.

 In the A-game, it was a rough shooting night overall and a real struggle to score points in the second half. After one quarter of play, the Yellow Jackets led 9-5 but then trailed 20-19 at halftime. The third quarter was the difference. Coming out of the locker room, the Polecats took a 32-22 lead with 7 minutes to go and didn't look back. The final score showed Jasper winning 41-24. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were: Brendan Bowser with 14 points, Elliott Acree with 5 points, Brady Porter with 3 points, and Rhett Andrews with 2 points. The Yellow Jackets were 5-7 from the free throw line as a team, which is a solid percentage every night. The A-team is now 2-3 on the season and 1-2 in WEAA Conference play. Next up: at home Monday, November 22nd against West Salem for a WEAA contest beginning at 5:15 pm with the C-game.

Lady Aces Drop Season Opener At Carmi

From Coach Tim Willis: Lady Aces were defeated in the season opener 38-33 at Carmi. This young team battled the senior led Carmi team all night but couldn’t quite finish the game.

Lots of teachable moments that will pay off as the season moves along. Not the result we wanted but the effort by the LA’s should give them confidence as they head to Robinson next Friday to begin tournament play.

Jackets Roll Past Grayville In WEAA Action

On Monday, November 15th, Yellow Jackets Basketball hosted Grayville in non-conference play. 

 In the A-game, the Yellow Jackets got off to a solid offensive start and led 15-12 after the first quarter.  By halftime, the Yellow Jackets had extended their lead to 33-21.  The third quarter was another good start to a half of basketball, as the Yellow Jackets extended the lead to 44-27.  In the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets did what they needed to do and won the game 52-38.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were:  Elliott Acree with 30 points, Brady Porter with 9 points, Kasen Dulgar with 6 points, Brendan Bowser with 5 points, and Rhett Andrews with 2 points.  Here is an impressive fact for this ballclub:  They were 11-14 from the free throw line tonight, which is 79% and an awesome job.  The Yellow Jackets are now 2-2 on the season and 1-1 in WEAA Conference play.  Next up:  Thursday, November 18th at Jasper for a WEAA Conference ballgame.

In the C-game, Grayville won the ballgame 8-6.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were: Jaxon Morris with 4 points and Ryland Houchin with 2 points.  The C-team is now 2-1 on the season.

 In the B-game, Grayville also defeated the Yellow Jackets by the final score of 33-17.  Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were: Tim Harness with 15 points and Stetson Potts with 2 points.  The B-team is now 1-2 on the season.

Late Second Three Pointer Sinks Jackets

From Bob Bowser:

On Tuesday, November 9th, Yellow Jackets Basketball had its first home game of the season against Clay City. In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets defeated Clay City by the score of 12-8. Scoring for the C-team were: Ryland Houchin with 8 points, Teagan Polston with 2 points, and Jaxon Morris with 2 points. The C-team is now 2-0 on the season.

In the B-game, the Yellow Jackets pulled out a victory 21-14. Scoring in the B-game were: Tim Harness with 19 points and Levi Potts with 2 points. The B-team is now 1-1 on the season.

In the A-game, short and simple it was a bad shooting night for the Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets unofficially were 10-44 from the field and lost on a last second 3-pointer at the buzzer, 27-26. The Yellow Jackets were down 6-3 after one quarter, but stormed back to take a halftime lead of 16-11. After three quarters, the Yellow Jackets extended the lead to 24-16, but the fourth quarter saw the Yellow Jackets only score two points. Tough night, but we have to pick ourselves up and get ready for another game. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were: Elliott Acree with 19 points, Brady Porter with 3 points, Rhett Andrews with 2 points, and Cameron Kolb with 2 points. The Yellow Jackets are now 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in the WEAA Conference. Next up: Monday, November 15th at home against Grayville in non-conference action.

Yellow Jackets Baseball Awards

Yellow Jackets Baseball awards banquet was held on Monday, November 8th.  Coach Justin Dulgar and Assistant Coach Jon Porter recognized the 12 players on the team and had a few individual awards.  

Kasen Dulgar (Most Outstanding Hitter), Brendan Bowser (Most Outstanding Pitcher), Rhett Andrews (Most Runs Scored), Brady Porter (Most Improved). 

8th Grade Participants - Blake Strine, Brady Porter, Brendan Bowser, Kasen Dulgar, Rhett Andrews, Michael Smith, and Trenton Potts.

5th-7th Grade Participants - Noah Hipsher, Landon Wilford, Jack Keepes, and Jaxon Morris.  Not pictured: Levi Potts.

Thunderbolts invite Community to free game for the Ford Center’s 10th Anniversary

Evansville, In.: The Evansville Thunderbolts are extending an invitation to the Tri-State Community to attend our home game on Sunday November 14th vs the Birmingham Bulls. Fans will not need a ticket to the game as seating will be General Admission – except for premium group areas and current season ticket holders’ seats, which will be marked as reserved. Doors open at 2:00pm and the puck drops at 3:00pm.

Other ticket offers throughout the month of November include: Friday November 12th, Military Appreciation Night with $5 tickets for past and present military members and their families. The organization will continue to celebrate the Ford Center Anniversary on Friday November 19th with $2 hot dogs and $2 beers through the 1st period, while supplies last and will cap off the celebration on Saturday November 20th with a special anniversary jersey to be auctioned off after the game and $10 Goal Zone and Center Ice tickets. “We are excited to be offering the fans the opportunity to come see us play and see this team,” said Bob McNamara, team GM. “We always felt we had a quality product and were an affordable option for families. With these ticket deals, we hope to get more people into the Ford Center who will become excited for this team.”

Jackets Fall Late To Jr. Aces

From Bob Bowser:

On Friday, November 5th, Yellow Jackets Basketball traveled to Mt. Carmel for an early season non-conference game. What an amazing crowd tonight. Thank you to all who came to watch the boys for both sides, as I believe you got your money’s worth.

After one quarter of play, the Yellow Jackets led 7-6. At the halftime break, Yellow Jackets basketball led 18-13. After three quarters, the Yellow Jackets still led 25-23. The fourth quarter proved to be a tough quarter for the Yellow Jackets, as they fell in defeat 31-28. This game literally came down to a missed last shot by the Yellow Jackets to try and get it to overtime. 

Regardless, the Yellow Jackets battled a talented Mt. Carmel team for 28 minutes. 

Scoring for the Yellow Jackets: Elliott Acree with 11 points, Brendan Bowser with 9 points, Rhett Andrews with 5 points, Will Freeland with 2 points, and Brady Porter with 1 point. The Yellow Jackets are 1–1 on the season and 1-0 in the WEAA. Next up: Tuesday, November 9th for a home conference game with Clay City.

Mt. Carmel vs Carlinville IHSA Class 3A (Round 2) Game Day Information:

Date: Saturday, November 6th

Start Time: 2:00 

Gates Open: 12:00

Location: The Snakepit at Mt. Carmel High School 

Admission: $6 per person in Round 2 of the Playoffs (per IHSA) 

  • Fans of all ages pay the $6 admission fee, except babies that parents carry into the game.

- Artificial noisemakers: (cowbells, milk jugs with rocks in them, etc.) are ALLOWED.  Whistles or other noisemakers that might be mistaken for whistles are NOT allowed.

Yellow Jackets Cross Country Banquet

Yellow Jackets Cross Country awarded its participants Wednesday night from the boys and girls teams.

Yellow Jackets Cross Country boys team was honored at their banquet by coach, Sarah Courter.

Front row - Conner McGinnis, TJ Singh, Ryland Houchin.

Back row - Brendan Bowser, Isaiah Courter, Lucas Isaac.

Yellow Jackets Cross Country girls team was honored by coach Sarah Courter.

Front row - Addison Tennis, Haleigh Prosise. Ava Abell.

Back row - Isabella Monroy, Linden Stevens, Lillie Keeling.

Coach Sarah Courter awarded her two 8th grade participants in Cross Country, both of whom were 4-year participants.

Brendan Bowser and Isabella Monroy


Yellow Jackets Open Season With Wins At Grayville

On Monday, November 1st, Yellow Jackets Basketball traveled to Grayville for WEAA Conference action. In the C-game, the Yellow Jackets came out on top 23-16. Scoring were: Jaxon Morris with 10 points, TJ Singh with 8 points, and Ryland Houchin with 5 points. In the B-game, Grayville won 29-7. Tim Harness scored all 7 points for the B-team.

In the A-game, the Yellow Jackets spotted Grayville with a 10-0 lead to start the game. But, they kept scratching and clawing to claim the lead at halftime 16-14 and come home with a victory 40-34. Brendan Bowser led the way with 10 points, Elliott Acree followed with 9 points, Brady Porter with 8 points, Will Freeland with 8 points, and Rhett Andrews with 5 points. The A-team is now 1-0 on the season and in conference play. Next up: A-team game at Mt. Carmel on Friday night at 7:15 pm.

ACES COMPETE AT CROSS COUNTRY SECTIONAL

For three Mt. Carmel High School cross country runners, their season came to an end Saturday at the Class 1A Decatur St. Teresa Sectional. Jason Miller, Anthony Bleyer and Lily Keepes raced on a rain soaked, muddy course at Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, Illinois against 21 teams and 15 individual qualifiers. All three Aces had qualified for the race the week before at the Robinson Regional.


Sophomore, Lily Keepes finished 86th in the girls race with a time of 23:00. Junior, Jason Miller, and junior, Anthony Bleyer, completed the three mile course in 108th (19:04) and 128th (19:52) places respectively.

Cross Country Aces Advance 3 to Sectional

Three Cross Country Aces advanced to the St. Theresa Decatur Sectional by virtue of their finish in the Robinson Regional on Saturday. Lily Keepes, Jason Miller and Anthony Bleyer qualified by finishing as one of the top five individuals not on a qualifying team.

Lily Keepes placed 19th (21:31) in the girls race, being the 5th and final individual qualifier. Also running for the Lady Aces was Kali Walker 48th (23:49), Hallie Courter 55th (24:10) and Molly Haggerty 61st (26:20).

In the boys race Jason Miller 24th (17:44) and Anthony Bleyer 29th (18:09) led the Aces to an 8th place finish in the 18 team field. The top seven teams in each Illinois region advance to sectional competition, leaving the Aces one place removed from qualifying as a team. Also, running for the Aces were Caleb Carwile 50th (19:14), Eric Leffler 67th (20:28), Caleb Woollard 80th (21:53) and Jacob Wall 90th (25:59).

Keepes, Miller and Bleyer will compete this Saturday as individuals in the St. Theresa Sectional held at the Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, Illinois.

Golden Aces Draw St. Joe Ogden In 1st Round Of Playoffs

The undefeated Mt. Carmel Golden Aces will play host to the St. Joe Ogden Spartans in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.

The Spartans are 5-4 on the year and a #15 seed while Mt. Carmel is 9-0 and a #2 seed.

The day and time of the game at Riverview Stadium will be announced later by school officials.

SJO is a member of the Illini Prairie Conference where they finished in 5th place. The conference received a total of 5 bids to the playoffs.

"Swami" Mandrell Offers Prediction Of Who Aces Will Face In Playoffs

The IHSA will release the pairings for the 2021 football playoffs tomorrow night in Bloomington. To get a better idea of who the Aces might face in the first round, we turn to our resident “swami” Mike Mandrell who has been predicting Aces first round opponents for years and is correct more times than not. Click the player to listen to the interview on today’s WSJD Morning Show….