Illini West Charger Baseball- April 11th 2024  Chargers extend win streak to 6 with win over Alleman

Illini West Charger- Track April 11th 2024

John Levingston Invitational Meet Results

4/11/2024

Overall Team Scores:
Boys- 4 th Place with 60 Points
Girls- 10 th Place with 17 Points

Long Jump
- Boys- Grady Blue (5.31 m 9 th ), Jorge Espinoza (5.28 m 10 th )
High Jump
- Girls- Anna Jacob (1.37 m 7 th )
Triple Jump
- Boys- Jorge Espinoza (10.80 m 7 th )
Discus
- Girls- Karissa Smith (18.75 m PR 14 th )
- Boys- Roan Jackson (33.24 m 15 th ), Nick Huls (32.49 m 16 th )
Shot Put
- Girls- Karissa Smith (8.16 m 10 th ), Rachel James (8.06 m 11 th )
- Boys- Nick Huls (12.55 m 5 th ), Izik Jones (11.69 m 13 th )
4x100
- Girls- Rachel James, Taylor Brown, Anna Jacob, Kennedy Artman (55.44 7 th )
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Ian Bentzinger, Colin Curfman, Isaiah Knotts (44.54 1 st )
4x200
- Girls- Aliyah Jaber, Aubrionna Knotts, Karissa Smith, Rane Stoltz (2:12.9 10 th )
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Ian Bentzinger, Colin Curfman, Isaiah Knotts (1:34.2 1 st )
4x400
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Coleman Gilpin, Bryson Cruz, Isaiah Knotts (3:50.4 3 rd )
4x800
- Girls- Bella Ely, Maria Calvete, Madison Quesenberry, Rane Stoltz (13:59.2 8 th )
- Boys- Kayden Swisher, Wyatt Jones, Keagan Walker, Coleman Gilpin (9:49.0 5 th )
100
- Girls- Taylor Brown (14.24 11 th ), Rachel James 14.34 13 th )
- Boys- Ian Bentzinger (10.64, School Record & PR, 1 st ), Colin Curfman (11.84 PR 5 th )
100/110 Hurdles
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (18.64 6 th ), Tori Reynolds (21.14 PR 13 th )
200
- Girls- Taylor Brown (29.54 5 th ), Rachel James (30.24 8 th )
- Boys- Ian Bentzinger (22.54 1 st ), Isaiah Knotts (23.74 PR 3 rd )

300 Hurdles
- Girls- Kennedy Artman (52.74 2 nd )
400
- Girls- Taylor Brown (1:07.64 4 th ), Bella Ely (1:24.94 19 th )
- Boys- Coleman Gilpin (55.94 5 th ), Trenton Hanks (1:02.14 20 th )
800
- Girls- Rane Stoltz (3:37.4 21 st ), Maria Calvete (3:47.4 22 nd )
- Boys- Chase Mudd (2:12.4 7 th ), Wyatt Jones (2:22.2 13 th )
1600
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (6:36.7 9 th ), Madison Quesenberry (8:03.3 19 th )
- Boys- Keagan Walker (5:40.9 13 th )
3200
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (14:29.0 5 th )
- Boys- Kayden Swisher (13:12.8 13 th )

Illini West Charger  Boys Baseball April 10 extend winning streak with a win over Liberty

Illini West Athletic Events 4/15 to 4/20

Monday, April 15

Depart

4:30PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Rushville-Industry HS 2:30 PM Away
4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball South Fulton Athletics Home
4:30PM Boys Varsity Baseball Pittsfield HS Home
Tuesday, April 16

Depart

4:30PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Quincy Senior HS 2:30 PM Away
4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball Unity HS(Mendon) Home
4:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Canton High School R-5 Home
Wednesday, April 17

Depart

No events scheduled
Thursday, April 18

Depart

4:30PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Macomb Jr/Sr HS Home
4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball Peoria Heights High School Home
Friday, April 19

Depart

4:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Quincy Notre Dame HS 2:30 PM Away
6:00 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Quincy Notre Dame HS Away
Saturday, April 20

Depart

10:00AM Coed Varsity Track Rushville-Industry HS 8:15 AM Away
11:00 AM Girls Varsity Softball CO-OP Brimfield/Elmwood 8:00 AM Away
11:00 AM Boys Varsity Baseball Farmington High School 8:15 AM Away

Illini West Charger Baseball-  win over South Fulton  15-0  Overall Record 9-1 

F/S John Levingston Invitational Meet Results

Overall Team Scores:
Boys- 9 th Place with 19 Points
Girls- 6 th Place with 47 Points

Long Jump
- Boys- Grady Blue (5.60 m PR 2 nd )
Triple Jump
- Boys- Grady Blue (11.59 m 3 rd )
High Jump
- Girls- Anna Jacob (1.47 m 5 th ), Grace Goettsche (1.42 m 7 th )
- Boys- Bryson Cruz (1.58 m 8 th )
Discus
- Girls- Noel Rambo (22.70 m 7 th ), Mariah Manzo (18.59 m 17 th )
- Boys- Isaiah Geissler (21.06 m 15 th ), Chase Yelton (19.35 m PR 17 th )
Shot Put
- Girls- Karissa Smith (9.43 m PR 5 th ), Noel Rambo (9.12 m PR 6 th )
- Boys- Mason Williams (9.70 m PR 6 th ), Josiah Sturlic (9.15 m PR 10 th )
4x100
- Girls- Taylor Brown, Kennedy Artman, Anna Jacob, Karissa Smith (56.14 1 st )
- Boys- Gavin Fitch, Myles Neff, Jackson VanFleet, Bryson Cruz (49.40 5 th )
4x200
- Girls- Anna Jacob, Karissa Smith, Tori Reynolds, Rane Stoltz (2:16.00 7 th )
4x400
- Boys- Gavin Fitch, Bryson Cruz, Jackson VanFleet, Wyatt Jones (3:58.40 7 th )
100
- Girls- Taylor Brown (13.94 PR 2 nd ), Karissa Smith (15.74 PR 14 th )
- Boys- Grady Blue (12.94 14 th ), Myles Neff (13.44 PR 19 th )
100/110 Hurdles
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (18.94 4 th ), Tori Reynolds (21.94 9 th )
200
- Girls- Taylor Brown (29.64 4 th )
- Boys- Myles Neff (27.24 18 th )
300 Hurdles
- Girls- Kennedy Artman (52.34 PR 1 st ), Grace Goettsche (59.54 7 th )
- Boys- Bryson Cruz (49.74 7 th )

400
- Girls- Taylor Brown (1:06.94 PR 3 rd )
- Boys- Gavin Fitch (58.74 PR 7 th ), Jackson VanFleet (58.94 8 th )
800
- Girls- Rane Stoltz (3:31.10 11 th )
- Boys- Wyatt Jones (2:19.40 PR 6 th ), Kayden Swisher (2:34.40 PR 13 th )
1600
- Girls- Rane Stoltz (7:43.40 PR 13 th )
- Boys- Keagan Walker (5:28.50 PR 8 th ), Wyatt Jones (5:40.10 PR 10 th )
3200
- Boys- Kayden Swisher (12:29.40 6 th )

Overall Team Scores:
Boys- 3 rd Place with 69 Points
Girls- 12 th Place with 20 Points

Long Jump
- Boys- Grady Blue (5.59 m PR 8 th ), Jorge Espinoza (5.40 m 15 th )
High Jump
- Girls- Anna Jacob (1.40 m 3 rd ), Grace Goettsche (1.40 m 4 th )
- Boys- Bryson Cruz (1.55 m 17 th )
Triple Jump
- Boys- Grade Blue (11.72 m PR 5 th )
Discus
- Girls- Noel Rambo (22.30 m 8 th ), Mariah Manzo (18.05 m 17 th ), Karissa Smith (17.33 m
18 th )
- Boys- Roan Jackson (40.50 m 2 nd ), Nick Huls (33.90 m PR 7 th ), Izik Jones (22.40 m 26 th )
Shot Put
- Girls- Noel Rambo (8.71 m 10 th ), Karissa Smith (8.33 m 14 th )
- Boys- Nick Huls (11.96 m 8 th ), Izik Jones (11.91 m 9 th ), Roan Jackson (9.17 m 29 th )
4x100
- Girls- Kennedy Artman, Allison Hunter, Aubrionna Knotts, Aliyah Jaber (57.64 9 th )
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Ian Bentzinger, Colin Curfman, Isaiah Knotts (44.32 1 st )
4x200
- Girls- Kennedy Artman, Allison Hunter, Aubrionna Knotts, Aliyah Jaber (2:03.76 6 th )
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Ian Bentzinger, Colin Curfman, Isaiah Knotts (1:33.74 1 st )
4x400
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Bryson Cruz, Coleman Gilpin, Gavin Fitch (3:53.58 7 th )
100
- Girls- Taylor Brown (14.03 PR 17 th )
- Boys- Ian Bentzinger (10.82, ; School Record, 1 st ), Isaiah Knotts (11.62 8 th )
100/110 Hurdles
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (18.29 5 th ), Tori Reynolds (21.79 PR 15 th )
200
- Boys- Ian Bentzinger (22.46 PR 1 st )
300 Hurdles
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (1:04.64 14 th )

- Boys- Bryson Cruz (49.29 PR 12 th )
400
- Girls- Taylor Brown (1:07.57 12 th )
- Boys- Coleman Gilpin (55.62 PR 6 th )
800
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (3:06.85 16 th ), Rane Stoltz (3:17.14 PR 24 th ), Maria Calvete
(3:33.98 PR 27 th )
- Boys- Wyatt Jones (2:19.87 PR 6 th ), Gavin Fitch (2:20.72 PR 8 th )
1600
- Girls- Rane Stoltz (7:50.05 PR 19 th )
- Boys- Keagan Walker (5:44.71 13 th ), Wyatt Jones (5:44.74 14 th )
3200
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (13:45.68 8 th )
- Boys- Keagan Walker (12:14.06 PR 7 th ), Kayden Swisher (12:17.68 PR 8 th )

Hancock County Launches Community Health Needs Assessment to

Enhance Local Well-being

– Memorial Hospital is collaborating with the Hancock County Health
Department and Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois to prioritize the health and well-being of its residents with the launch of the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Survey. This comprehensive initiative, driven by collaboration among local health organizations, aims to identify and address key health challenges within the community. The launch of the CHNA every three years is a commitment to fostering a healthier and more resilient community.

 By engaging diverse perspectives and expertise, the assessment seeks to understand the health landscape, including existing strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Key areas of focus include access to healthcare services, mental health, substance misuse, chronic disease management, and social determinants of health.

The Community Health Needs Assessment Survey represents a collaborative effort to better understand the health needs of our community and to develop targeted strategies to address those needs. By working together, we can create a healthier and more equitable future for all residents of Hancock County.

Community input and engagement are integral to the success of the CHNA. The insights
gathered through the CHNA survey will drive the development of a comprehensive community  health improvement plan, outlining actionable strategies and interventions to address identified health priorities.

As Hancock County embarks on this important journey, community members and organizations are invited to join forces in shaping a healthier future for all. Together, we can build a community where every resident can thrive.

Please go to mhtlc.org or to Memorial Hospital’s social media pages to find the survey and fill it out.

#####

Illini West Athletic Events 4/8 to 4/14

4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball Lewistown High School Home
4:00PM Coed Varsity Track

Lewistown F/S Relays (B/G) @
Havana

2:00 PM Away
4:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball South Fulton Athletics @ Astoria 2:15 PM Away
Tuesday, April 09

Depart

4:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Quincy Senior HS Home
Wednesday, April 10

Depart

4:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Liberty JH/HS Home
4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball

Farmington High School Played
in LaHarpe

Home

Thursday, April 11

Depart

4:00PM Coed Varsity Track

Lewistown Relays (B/G) @
Havana

2:00 PM Away
4:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Alleman Catholic High School Home
6:00 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball West Hancock Home
Friday, April 12

Depart

4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball Havana Jr & Sr High School 2:15 PM Away
Saturday, April 13

Depart

11:00 AM Boys Varsity Baseball CO-OP Brimfield/Elmwood Home
12:00 PM Girls Varsity Softball

JV Softball Series @ Bushnell
(12:00 and 2:00)

10:00 AM Away

Sunday, April 14

Depart

4:15 PM Boys Varsity Baseball

OPEN
Breese Mater Dei Catholic @
Busch Stadium

12:30 PM Away

Illini West Charger Baseball and Softball for April 3th is postponed 

Softball game vs Liberty has been postponed and rescheduled for 4/24 at 4:30 in Carthage

Varsity baseball game at Knoxville has been postponed.  A make up date is TBA. 

Illini West Charger Varsity Baseball vs Payson 4/1- Postponed

Today's Varsity Baseball game vs Payson has been postponed and rescheduled for Friday, 4/5 at 4:30 in Carthage

Quincy Meet Results
3/30/2024

Overall Team Scores:
Boys- 2 nd Place with 115.5 Points
Girls- 6 th Place with 48.5 Points

Long Jump
- Boys- Jorge Espinoza (5.23 m 6 th )
High Jump
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (1.40 m 4 th ), Anna Jacob (1.40 m 5 th )
- Boys- Bryson Cruz (1.50 m 4 th )
Triple Jump
- Boys- Jorge Espinoza (11.17 m 3 rd )
Discus
- Girls- Noel Rambo (22.97 m 7 th )
- Boys- Roan Jackson (43.14 m PR 2 nd ), Isaiah Geissler (23.30 m PR 10 th )
Shot Put
- Girls- Noel Rambo (8.53 m 9 th ), Karissa Smith (8.32 m 10 th )
- Boys- Nick Huls (12.65 m 4 th ), Izik Jones (10.83 m 7 th )
4x100
- Girls- Kennedy Artman, Aubrionna Knotts, Allison Hunter, Taylor Brown (56.14 5 th )
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Ian Bentzinger, Colin Curfman, Isaiah Knotts (44.35 1 st )
4x200
- Girls- Kennedy Artman, Aubrionna Knotts, Allison Hunter, Grace Goettsche (2:00.31 5 th )
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Ian Bentzinger, Colin Curfman, Isaiah Knotts (1:33.82 1 st )
4x400
- Boys- Thomas Chandler, Coleman Gilpin, Isaiah Knotts, Bryson Cruz (3:53.37 3 rd )
4x800
- Boys- Kayden Swisher, Coleman Gilpin, Wyatt Jones, Chase Mudd (9:47.61 2 nd )
100
- Girls- Taylor Brown (14.34 8 th ), Ali Lopez (14.93 10 th )
- Boys- Ian Bentzinger (11.13 PR 1 st ), Isaiah Knotts (11.67 3 rd )
100/110 Hurdles
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (18.75 3 rd ), Tori Reynolds (22.53 PR 12 th )
200
- Girls- Taylor Brown (29.49 PR 7 th )
- Boys- Trenton Hanks (25.17 PR 7 th ), Colin Curfman (27.11 11 th )

300 Hurdles
- Boys- Bryan Cruz (51.15 PR 7 th )
400
- Girls- Taylor Brown (1:0737 1 st ), Bella Ely (1:23.44 PR 12th)
- Boys- Coleman Gilpin (55.91 PR 1 st )
800
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (2:56.29 6 th ), Rane Stoltz (3:29.30 PR12th)
- Boys- Chase Mudd (2:08.92 PR 2 nd ), Wyatt Jones (2:20.06 PR 6 th )
1600
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (6:32.49 6 th ), Madison Quesenberry (7:30.66 PR 8 th )
- Boys- Chase Mudd (5:20.86 5 th ), Wyatt Jones (5:49.45 6 th )
3200
- Girls- Rane Stoltz (17:39.62 PR 6 th )
- Boys- Keagan Walker (12:19.84 PR 4 th )

Illini West Track in Havana  March 28th 2024

Overall Team Scores:
Boys- 5 th Place with 25 Points
Girls- 2 nd Place with 84 Points

Long Jump
- Boys- Gabe Vargas (4.78 m 9 th ), Harley Graves (4.66 m PR 10 th )
High Jump
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (1.47 m 1 st ), Anna Jacob (1.47 m PR 1 st )
- Boys- Bryson Cruz (1.63 m 5 th )
Discus
- Girls- Noel Rambo (21.29 m 3 rd ), Mariah Manzo (18.64 m PR 7 th ), Karissa Smith (17.51
m PR 9 th )
- Boys- Roan Jackson- (32.51 m 3 rd ), Isaiah Geissler (21.00 m PR 15 th ), Johnny
Ravenscraft (20.27 m 16 th ), Chase Yelton (17.54 m PR 23 rd )
Shot Put
- Girls- Noel Rambo (8.88 m PR 2 nd ), Karissa Smith (8.65 m PR 3 rd )
- Boys- Mason Williams (8.99 m PR 8 th ), Josiah Sturlic (8.87 m PR 10 th ), Chase Yelton
(8.32 m PR 16 th ), Deacon Zaehringer (8.27 m PR 17 th )
4x100
- Girls- Taylor Brown, Kennedy Artman, Aubrionna Knotts, Aliyah Jaber (56.60 3 rd )
- Boys- Grady Blue, Trenton Hanks, Gabe Vargas, Myles Neff (48.30 5 th )
4x200
- Girls- Kennedy Artman, Aliyah Jaber, Aubrionna Knotts, Anna Jacob (2:02.80 1 st )
- Boys- Trenton Hanks, Myles Neff, Gabe Vargas, Bryson Cruz (1:44.80 2 nd )
4x400
- Boys- Grady Blue, Bryson Cruz, Jackson VanFleet, Kayden Swisher (4:10.20 4 th )
100
- Girls- Taylor Brown (14.05 PR 2 nd ), Aliyah Jaber (15.39 PR 12 th )
- Boys- Grady Blue (12.33 PR 8 th ), Trenton Hanks (12.42 10 th ), Harley Graves (13.19 PR
16 th )
100/110 Hurdles
- Girls- Grace Goettsche (18.59 3 rd )
200
- Boys- Grady Blue (25.45 PR 6 th ), Trenton Hanks (26.01 9 th ), Myles Neff (27.22 PR 14 th )
400
- Girls- Taylor Brown (1:07.31 PR 6 th )
- Boys- Jackson VanFleet (58.52 PR 8 th )

Havana Meet Results
3/28/2024

800
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (3:04.30 2 nd ), Rane Stoltz (3:40.03 PR 6 th ), Maria Calvete (3:44.80
PR 7 th ), Bella Ely (3:46.46 PR 8 th )
- Boys- Gavin Fitch (2:27.90 PR 7 th )
1600
- Girls- Emma Whitaker (6:31.40 3 rd ), Rane Stoltz (8:00.34 PR 6 th )
- Boys- Keagan Walker (5:38.54 PR 6 th )
3200
- Boys- Kayden Swisher (12:41.56 PR 6 th )

Monday, April 01

Depart

4:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Payson-Seymour HS Home
Tuesday, April 02

Depart

4:00PM Coed Varsity Track Rocket Relays (B/G) @ Rushville 2:15 PM Away
4:30PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Quincy Notre Dame HS 2:30 PM Away
Wednesday, April 03

Depart

4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball Liberty JH/HS Home
4:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Knoxville High School 1:45 PM Away
Thursday, April 04

Depart

4:30PM Boys Varsity Baseball Camp Point Central HS 2:30 PM Away
4:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball Camp Point Central HS 3:00 PM Away
Friday, April 05

Depart

3:00 PM Coed Varsity Track

Lee Calhoun Invitational (B/G) @
Macomb

1:40 PM Away
4:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Macomb Jr/Sr HS 3:00 PM Away
5:30 PM Girls Varsity Softball

OPEN
Beardstown Tournament (5:30
and 8:30

3:15 PM Away

Saturday, April 06

Depart

12:00 PM Girls Varsity Softball

OPEN
Beardstown Tournament (Noon
and TBA

9:45 AM Away

Illini West  Softball at West Prairie 3/26- Postponed

Today's softball game at West Prairie has been postponed due to field conditions.   Make up date is TBA

Illini West  Softball and Baseball vs Liberty 3/25- Postponed

Today's softball and baseball games vs Liberty have been postponed and rescheduled as followed:

4/3/24- Softball vs Liberty at 4:30 at Illini West. JV innings to follow.

4/10/24- Varsity Baseball vs Liberty at 4:30 at Illini West.

Softball vs Rushville- Rescheduled

The softball game vs Rushville that was postponed on 3/22 has been rescheduled to

5/9/24 at 4:30 at Illini West

Sandburg Basketball’s Bentley, Pieper on All-Region 4 Team

Carl Sandburg College women’s basketball players Elly Bentley and Brook Pieper were voted by coaches to this year’s All-Region 4 Division II Team

Bentley was a first-team selection, and Pieper was named to the second team after they helped the Chargers post a 23-10 overall record, including a 6-2 Arrowhead Conference mark that gave Sandburg a share of its first conference title since 2017. The Chargers also finished as runners-up in the Region 4 Division II District A tournament.

Bentley, a 5-foot-3 sophomore guard from Limestone High School, earned all-region honors for the second straight season after being a second-team pick as a freshman. She capped her Chargers career with a campaign that also saw her win a pair of Region 4 Player of the Week awards, earn a spot on the Region 4 All-Tournament Team and be voted First Team All-Arrowhead Conference for the second year in a row.

Bentley averaged a team-leading 19.4 points per contest, good for sixth among Region 4 players across all divisions. She ranked third in the region with 245 made field goals and fourth with an 82 percent mark at the foul line.

Bentley, who ended with 1,168 points in her two seasons at Sandburg, also finished in the top 20 in the region in assists per game (3.6), total assists (113), steals (70) and made free throws (109).

Bentley reached double figures in scoring in all but two of her 31 games this season, and she had at least 20 points in 17 contests. The Bartonville native scored 32 points twice as a sophomore, matching her career high.

Pieper, a 6-1 forward from Abingdon-Avon High School, put up 13.3 points and a team-best 10.3 rebounds per game during her freshman season. Also a First Team All-Arrowhead Conference pick, Pieper was one of only eight players in Region 4 to average a double-double.

Pieper finished 10th in the region in rebounding average. She also was fifth in total rebounds (339), fifth in defensive rebounds (228) and eighth in offensive boards (111). Her 53 blocks ranked eighth in Region 4. Pieper connected on 47.8 percent of her shots from the floor, placing her 15th in the region, and her 177 field goals were good for 18th.

Pieper finished her freshman season with 15 double-doubles in 33 games played. She had two games in which she scored 20-plus points and hauled in 20-plus rebounds. Pieper had season highs of 30 points and 21 boards in a Nov. 18 win at Madison, and she put up 27 points and 20 rebounds in a triple-overtime loss to John Wood on Jan. 7.

2024 ALL-REGION 4 DIVISION II WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
First Team
Player of the Year — Trishena Brown (Bryant & Stratton)
Mia Moore (Rock Valley)
Macey Gandee (Oakton)
Miracle Thomas (Prairie State)
Maya Mitchell (Rock Valley)
Nariah Clay (Morton)
Elly Bentley (Sandburg)
Ellie Reynolds (Oakton)
Mikkalla Robertson (Milwaukee Area Technical)
Second Team
Andrea Robertson (Moraine Valley)
Maddie Scharrenberg (McHenry County)
Sophia Remmel (Morton)
Faith Robertson (Olive-Harvey)
Laney Parker (Black Hawk)
Mariya Sisco (Lake County)
Taya Christopher (Bryant & Stratton)
Chloe Sisco (Lake County)
Brook Pieper (Sandburg)
Andrea Lopreato (Black Hawk)

Sandburg Softball Team Opens Home Schedule Sunday vs. Joliet

ollowing its spring break trip to the Gulf Coast, the Carl Sandburg College softball team is scheduled to play its home opener at noon Sunday against Joliet at the Hungate Baseball/Softball Complex.

The Chargers played four doubleheaders in four days during their spring break trip, going winless while facing schools that had already been competing on the diamond for more than a month.

KEY RETURNERS

Maleaha Nagel (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon), sophomore infielder
• 2023 All-Arrowhead Conference and All-Region 4 Division II District B Second Team as a freshman.
• Led the team with 11 home runs 40 RBIs and a .732 slugging percentage last season.
• Chargers coach Todd Winkler: “Maleaha is a very good defensive first baseman, and with her height, she has great reach. Her power at the plate is big for us in the lineup, and she can go yard at any time. I can’t wait to see what she can do in her second year at Sandburg.”

Elly Bentley (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone), sophomore outfielder
• Appeared in just 29 games last season, but batted .360, good for fifth on the team.
• Winkler: “Elly is so solid in the outfield and tracking the ball down. I love her speed in the outfield and on the basepaths.”

KEY NEWCOMERS
Ailexa Hunter (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon), freshman pitcher/infielder
• Winkler: “Ailexa will play a big part on the mound for us and will spend time at shortstop when not on the mound. Her power in the lineup will be key for leading this team to success.”
Bailey Ryan (Media, Ill./West Central), freshman outfielder
• Winkler: “Bailey will be stepping into a big role in the outfield. She has a great sense in the outfield and can track the ball very skillfully, along with having a cannon for an arm. Bailey is a smart player, and she is fast on the bases. I am very impressed with her softball IQ, and she will be a bright spot on the field for us.”
Madeline Moody (East Peoria, Ill./Metamora), freshman catcher
• Winkler: “Moody comes from a very successful program at Metamora High School and will be behind the plate this year. Madeline can block pitches very well and has a strong arm that runners will have to respect. I look for her to have a good year at the plate.”

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS TEAM THIS SEASON?
Winkler: “I have high hopes for this team. We have some good pitching and a solid outfield, but we will have to work hard at the plate. Overall, it will be fun to watch and should be an all-around fun season.”

GAMES TO WATCH
• April 4 at Black Hawk
• April 6-7 Conference Clash Tournament in Ottawa. Teams the Chargers will face include Moraine Valley, Prairie State, Waubonsee and Morton.

THIS WILL BE A SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF …
Winkler: “We will have a successful season if we can overcome our youth on the field and grow fast with a short-term memory.”

HOW TO FOLLOW THE CHARGERS
• Follow Sandburg softball action live on the GameChanger app. Search for “Carl Sandburg College.”
• Visit sandburgchargers.com, the official home of Carl Sandburg College athletics, for game recaps, photos and more.
• Sandburg also partners with SportReporting so that fans can get scores delivered straight to their phone and email for free. Once a game result has been submitted, the score will be sent by text message and to your inbox.
• Follow Sandburg Athletics on social media

• Facebook (@sandburgchargers)
• Instagram (@sandburgchargers)
• Twitter/X (@SandburgNJCAAA)

Trio of Local Chargers Voted to All-Arrowhead Conference Team

Three Carl Sandburg College sophomore men’s basketball players hailing from area high schools were voted by coaches to this year’s All-Arrowhead Conference men’s basketball team.

Koen Derry was a first-team selection, while Jeremiah Babers and David Hise were second-team picks. Sandburg’s three representatives on the all-conference team tied Illinois Valley for the most of any school.

Derry, a 6-foot-7 forward from Galesburg High School, shined with the Chargers after transferring from North Iowa Area Community College. In starting all six conference games, Derry led Sandburg with 13.5 points, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per contest. He shot 56 percent from the field and averaged 5.5 rebounds.

Derry scored in double figures in five of six conference games, putting up at least 15 points four times. He had 15 points and 10 rebounds in Sandburg’s Jan. 11 contest at Black Hawk.

Babers, a 6-1 point guard and teammate of Derry’s at GHS, also transferred to Sandburg for his sophomore campaign after playing last season at NIACC. Babers led the Chargers with 7.7 assists per game while starting all six Arrowhead contests. He also tied Derry for the team lead at 1.2 steals per game. Babers averaged 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the floor.

Babers had five or more assists in five of the Chargers’ conference games, including a season-high 13 assists at Black Hawk. He flirted with a triple-double in Sandburg’s Feb. 6 win at home over the Braves, posting nine points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.

A 6-4 graduate of Knoxville High School, Hise started all six Arrowhead games and led the Chargers with a 58 percent mark from the field and 37 percent accuracy from 3-point range. Hise also tied for the team lead at 6.3 rebounds per game. He averaged 9.8 points and 2.2 assists against conference opponents.

In Sandburg’s Jan. 18 win over Kishwaukee, Hise led the Chargers with 21 points and nine rebounds while going 9 of 11 from the floor.

2024 ALL-ARROWHEAD CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
First Team
MVP — Joshua Bocher (sophomore, Kishwaukee)
Wade Simms (freshman, Illinois Valley)
Roderick Watson-Pearcey (freshman, Illinois Valley)
Jalen Smith (sophomore, Kishwaukee)
Koen Derry (sophomore, Sandburg)
Second Team
Qu’Amar Hobbs (freshman, Illinois Valley)
Jase Whiteman (freshman, Black Hawk)
Jeremiah Babers (sophomore, Sandburg)
David Hise (sophomore, Sandburg)
Steph Reed (freshman, Black Haw)
Coach of the Year
Chris Herman (Illinois Valley)

Conference Champion Chargers Put 3 on All-Arrowhead Team

 After winning a share of its first conference championship in seven seasons, the Carl Sandburg College women’s basketball team had a league-best three members voted to the All-Arrowhead Conference team.

Sophomore guard Elly Bentley and freshman forward Brook Pieper were first-team selections, while sophomore guard Kelci Shelton was named to the second team. Additionally, Chargers coach Kellen Fernetti shared Coach of the Year honors with Sauk Valley’s Julie Schroeder-Ranz.

Bentley, a 5-foot-3 guard from Limestone High School, was voted first-team all-conference for the second straight season. She started all eight conference games for the Chargers and led them in scoring at 18.6 points per contest. Bentley also topped Sandburg with 3.5 assists per game and an 89 percent mark from the free-throw line in Arrowhead games. The second-year player averaged 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals per outing against conference opponents while shooting 43 percent from the field.

Bentley scored in double figures in all eight Arrowhead matchups and reached the 20-point mark in five of those games. She had 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals in Sandburg’s win Feb. 6 against Black Hawk, a game in which she also surpassed 1,000 points in her Chargers career. Bentley also connected on a game-winning jumper with 1.8 seconds left in a win Feb. 1 at Sauk Valley.

Pieper, a 6-1 freshman from Abingdon-Avon High School, finished one rebound shy of averaging a double-double in conference play. Against Arrowhead opponents, she was second on the team to Bentley in scoring at 13.3 points per game, and she averaged a team-best 9.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.

Pieper shot 46 percent from the floor while adding 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game. She recorded three double-doubles in conference play and was a rebound away from a double-double in two other Arrowhead contests. She put up 22 points and 12 boards in Sandburg’s victory at Sauk Valley.

Shelton, a 5-6 guard from Monmouth-Roseville High School, shined on both ends of the floor in her only season in a Chargers uniform. While starting all eight conference games, Shelton had a team-best 4.4 steals per contest and led the team in shooting at 49 percent from the floor.

Shelton also averaged 10.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per outing. She had at least five steals in five Arrowhead matchups, including a 19-point, 13-rebound, four-assist, six-steal effort in the Chargers’ overtime win Jan. 4 against Highland.

In just his second season with the Chargers, Fernetti helped Sandburg to a 6-2 conference record and its first Arrowhead championship since 2017. The Chargers shared the conference title with Sauk Valley, finished the season 23-10 overall and were runners-up in the Region 4 Division II District A tournament.

2024 ALL-ARROWHEAD CONFERENCE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
First Team
MVP — Shelby Veltrop (Sauk Valley)
Elly Bentley (Sandburg)
Ariadna Kuc (Highland)
Andrea Lopreanto (Black Hawk)
Brook Pieper (Sandburg)
Second Team
Kira Klapprodt (Kishwaukee)
Harvest Day (Sauk Valley)
Laney Parker (Black Hawk)
Kelci Shelton (Sandburg)
Alicia Garcia (Highland)
Co-Coaches of the Year
Kellen Fernetti (Sandburg) and Julie Schroeder-Ranz (Sauk Valley)