Sports

Giving Comet pride a new start

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:35pm

by shawn long
staff writer
It’s been hosting Comet events for over 40 years including over 2,000 basketball games, hundreds of volleyball matches and undercover for countless wrestling meets.
It has helped made champions, like the 1995-96 wrestling Comets who placed fourth in state, a dozen boys and girls basketball regional championships and became a place for celebration for two baseball state titles (1985, 2014) and state runners-up in softball (1991) and third in 2003.

Hutchings named PBR All-State

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:33pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Coal City lefty Payton Hutchings was named to the Prep Baseball Report All-State team.
The 2020 University of Illinois baseball commit not only pitched lights out during his junior baseball season but he was instrumental offensively, leading the Coalers to a 27-5 season.
Hutchings is a polished pitcher who hits 88 mph with his fastball and mixes in a wipeout slider that leaves hitters baffled.

Crawford focusing on business at hand, offers can wait

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:32pm

by shawn long
staff writer
With his senior year approaching, Coal City’s Brady Crawford is in no hurry to decide where he will attend college. The Coaler football player is so far telling colleges thanks, but no thanks, for now.
He’s flattered they’re making offers.
“I went on a visit to Drake University in spring,” said Crawford. “Then, I went on a visit to Eastern Illinois University during spring as well.”

Lady Coalers build a foundation during youth camp

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:31pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Interest in Coal City girls basketball is increasing based on the number of youngsters who participated in the summer camp last week.
About 40 girls in grades 4-8 showed up, a good sign says Coal City varsity coach Brad Schmitt.
“That is something we struggled with before I took over the program is having solid numbers,” said Schmitt. “It’s something that we have turned around. We have good numbers now. We have kids interested.”

Babe’s Tap wins memorial softball tournament second time in three years

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:29pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The rain delayed the annual Josh Cumming Memorial Softball Tournament so often that the team who was undefeated was declared the winner of the entire tournament. Babe’s Tap was that team for the second time in three years.
“It was a wash,” said tournament organizer Todd Cumming. “We got rained out with three teams left. It dumped on us. We probably got over an inch of rain in a few minutes.”

Babe’s Tap wins memorial softball tournament second time in three years

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:28pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The rain delayed the annual Josh Cumming Memorial Softball Tournament so often that the team who was undefeated was declared the winner of the entire tournament. Babe’s Tap was that team for the second time in three years.
“It was a wash,” said tournament organizer Todd Cumming. “We got rained out with three teams left. It dumped on us. We probably got over an inch of rain in a few minutes.”

Group looking for alternate teams for ‘cup-in-hand kickball’

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:25pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Community Foundation for Wilmington Parks & Recreation for Improvement and The Wilmington Park District are seeking alternate teams as back-ups for a cup-in-hand kickball tournament.
The tournament will take place on the South Island during Catfish Days which are July 25-28.

Hutchings, Hopwood compete in High School Baseball National Championship

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:22pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Wilmington senior Keaton Hopwood and Coal City senior Payton Hutchings competed in the High School Baseball National Championship on Team Illinois Monday.
Hutchings batted 4-for-4 with four runs driven in while starting on the mound.
He pitched three innings and gave up three earned runs against a powerful California team. The southpaw also fanned one and walked one as Team Illinois fell to Team California, 11-8.

Kankakee River Valley Fishing Derby to start Friday

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:19pm

Anglers registered for the 36st annual Kankakee River Fishing Derby are hoping the river continues to recede as the 10-day contest opens Friday.
The river crested at 4.13 ft in Wilmington last week and has dropped 6 inches as of Monday. The National Weather Serice forecast is predicting a warmer dry spell and organizers are hopeful river levels remain stable. If not, it may be a derby year when catfish catches are predominate.
That will fit right for a new category added to the Big Board portion of the derby. Flathead catfish will have its own category on the Big Board.

Camp shows how much Wilmington loves football

Published by admin on Tue, 06/25/2019 - 4:18pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Wilmington hosted its annual flag football camp and there is no doubt Wilmington loves football with over 70 kids in attendance.
“It’s great, I really appreciate families bringing their kids here to participate,” said Wilmington coach Jeff Reents. “Hopefully, they can get the feel for it and they keep coming back so I’m really happy from that standpoint. I know I’m getting old when all the kids I used to coach, I see their kids at camp. It is very rewarding to see that.”