Sports

Mann, Curl come up short during state wrestling finals

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:42pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Reed-Custer matmen Bobby Mann and Noah Curl put up a fight Thursday during the first round of the state finals tournament.
    Mann was one of the top wrestlers coming out of the Pontiac sectional at 120, so he had just as much of a chance to medal as anyone else.
    “I feel a lot better coming down here as a junior than I did as a freshman,” said Mann. “I got all the jitters out already. I’m feeling good and I’m ready to wrestle.”

Comets oust ’Cats to advance to regional semi-final

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:40pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Same week, different stage but still same results.
    The Reed-Custer basketball team took down Wilmington again, 56-47, during the Momence Regional on Monday night. The Comets gained a comfortable lead early and their defense held their ground.
    The Comets (12-15, 5-5) jumped to a 16-7 lead. The Wildcats came back to cut it to six points with a 12-9 run of their own, going into the half.
    Wilmington came out and outscored the Comets, 15-14 in the third and the lead was trimmed to just five.

Coalers crown two state champions

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:39pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    Coal City brought claimed some gold Saturday, crowning a pair of champions during the individual state wrestling tournament.
    Alex Friddle (132) and Daniel Jezik (182) became the first Coalers in school history to claim first place in the 2A class.

Hot shooting Coalers sink the Reapers

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:36pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Coalers complemented their season with a 62-55 win over Plano to keep control of I-8 conference with the Sandwich Indians (19-8, 7-2) right on their heels.
    “We had a tough match up with an athletic Plano team,” said CC coach Keith Kiper. “Both teams battled with each other the whole game. We were able to seal the game with a hot free-throw percentage from the line in the fourth.”
    Coal City (16-7, 8-1) gained a 7-4 lead early in the first quarter and never looked back.

Narine brings home another state medal

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:33pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    For the second time in two years Wilmington wrestler Jack Narine returned from the individual state tournament with a medal.
    Narine (126) was the lone Wildcat to make it out of wrestlebacks, medaling sixth at 126 pounds.  A year ago the Wildcat sophomore finished fifth at 106.

‘Cats unable to stop early Comet scoring

Published by admin on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 4:31pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    
    It was one and done for the Wilmington boys basketball team as they fell to Reed-Custer 56-47 on Monday night during the first round of the Momence Regional.
    The Comets jumped in front early and didn’t really give the ‘Cats a chance to rally as Wilmington watched its season come to an end with a 1-23 record.
    Reed-Custer went on a 16-7 run to take a first quarter lead. The ‘Cats cut the deficit down to six, trailing 25-19 at the half after their own 12-9 run in the second quarter.

Five Coalers earn trip to state speech final

Published by admin on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 6:50pm

The Coaler speech team posted a fourth place finish at the Normal Community West Speech Sectional and advanced five students to the Illinois High School Association State Finals.
Coal City High School junior Luke Cairns was the sectional champion in radio speaking and will be making his first trip to the state finals this weekend at the Peoria Civic Center.
Carins advanced to the sectional with a fourth place finish at the regional contest a week earlier.

Visiting Comets too hot for R-C Comets

Published by admin on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 5:50pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Comet boys basketball team (11-14) was unable to stave off Clifton Central in a 50-40 loss during Senior Night on Monday. The Central Comets had a big second quarter on both sides that gave them the halftime lead and they were able to ride that to the win.
    R-C grabbed an 11-8 lead in the first quarter. But the visitors would go on a 13-6 run in the second to own a 21-17 advantage at half-time.

Lady Comets unable to stave off PBL

Published by admin on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 5:48pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    The Reed-Custer girls basketball team fought hard during their regional game at Herscher High School Wednesday but was unable to stop a late comeback by Paxton-Buckley-Loda, losing 55-51
    The Lady Comets trailed by three at half-time after outscoring PBL 18-14 in the second quarter.
    They took the lead in the third, going on a 21-10 run.
    But the Panther ladies rallied in the fourth behind a pressure defense, outscoring Reed-Custer 18-8 to end their season.

Mann, Curl earn a spot at state

Published by admin on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 5:48pm

by shawn long
staff writer
    After an absence a year ago at the state wrestling tournament, two Comets will be heading to Champaign Thursday after qualifying Saturday during the Pontiac Sectional.
    Bobby Mann (120) and Noah Curl (195) wrestled their way to state, claiming sectional runner-up and fourth place, respectively.
    Mann (120) was excited about his seeding when Herscher’s third ranked Nicholas Rink wasn’t able to wrestle during the sectional.