High school basketball is underway, and Illinois High School Association members are looking at how some tournaments use the shot clock.… MORE
Category Archives: Local Sports
State Farm Holiday Classic gets underway next week
By Neil Doyle BLOOMINGTON – The best basketball this side of March. That’s the saying for the annual State Farm Holiday Classic, which kicks off Tuesday, Dec. 27 and runs through Friday, Dec. 30 here in the Twin-Cities. The tournament is hosted at four venues around town: Illinois Wesleyan’s Shirk Center, Normal Community High School,…… MORE
Brackets released for 2022 State Farm Holiday Classic
By WJBC Staff BLOOMINGTON – The brackets for the 43rd annual State Farm Holiday Classic have been released. Brackets can be viewed and downloaded at www.theclassic.org/brackets/. Seedings were determined by a poll of participating head coaches, state-wide media and tournament committee members, with accommodations made to avoid teams playing a conference or regular season opponent through the…… MORE
IHSA board selects ISU’s Hancock Stadium as football state final host
By Neil Doyle NORMAL – The Illinois High School Association’s Board of Directors on Wednesday selected Bloomington-Normal and Illinois State University as the new hosts for the football state finals. The new hosting agreement will place the event at Hancock Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend for the years of 2023 to 2027. “We appreciate all of…… MORE
Hancock Stadium potential site for future IHSA football championship games
By 25 News NORMAL – Bloomington-Normal leaders want to bring back the Illinois High School Association’s state football championship games for the next five years, but three other communities are also hoping to land the premier event that’s held each Thanksgiving weekend. ISU’s Hancock Stadium was the venue for the first 25 years of the…… MORE
Illinois Wesleyan University adds women’s wrestling, men’s team returns to competition
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Women’s wrestling will make its debut next year at Illinois Wesleyan University, and the liberal arts school is bringing back men’s wrestling as well. Women’s wrestling has been in the Olympics since 2004 and is considered one of the fastest growing high school sports. IWU’s men’s team was disbanded after…… MORE
Ironmen falter late, Pekin snatches 32-31 playoff win over Normal Community
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The 2nd round of the IHSA football playoff’s delivered a classic between two Central Illinois teams that came down to the wire. As cheers roared from the stands at Dick Tharp field, Ironmen fans were on their feet anticipating a victory, before things took a drastic turn late in the…… MORE
No. 19 Normal Community rolls over No. 14 Hononegah 44-13 in round one of Class 7A playoffs
By Jake Fogal ROCKTON – Normal Community has extended their win streak to six games as the Ironmen traveled to Rockton for a first round playoff matchup with Hononegah. Community quarterback Kyle Beaty impressed in his postseason debut, throwing for five touchdowns and 255 yards. The sophomore connected with 6’7 wide receiver Elliot Oliver three…… MORE
Prairie Central clinches Illini Prairie Conference title; stays undefeated with win over Saints
By Jake Fogal FAIRBURY – The ground game attack that has been fundamental for Prairie Central all season long proved successful again in Week 9 as the Hawks soared past Central Catholic 56-13 to secure the Illini Prairie Conference title. PC also boosted their record to 9-0 on the year, the first undefeated record for…… MORE
Normal West Wildcats rely on turnovers in Week 8 win over undefeated Peoria Lions
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The Normal West defense made plays as rain drops soaked into the field at Wildcat Stadium. A total of six turnovers and a consistent offensive game plan was enough to separate the Wildcats from the Lions in Week 8, winning 30-6. Peoria was first on the scoreboard, leading 6-0 in…… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…