Umpire Absence Turns Millikin–Eureka Softball Matchup Into the Quietest Game of the Season Graphic by Alan Look Photography EUREKA, Ill. — Wednesday’s scheduled Millikin University at Eureka College women’s softball game had everything a spring matchup could ask for: warm weather, a prepped field, two teams ready to compete, and fans settling in for an afternoon of collegiate action. What it did not have was arguably the most important ingredient of all — umpires. The field sat ready, the dugouts were stocked, and the players completed their warmups with the usual focus. But as the minutes ticked toward game time, it became clear that the only people prepared to call balls and strikes were spectators in lawn chairs. Somewhere in the labyrinth of scheduling, confirmations, and calendars, the umpiring crew simply wasn’t assigned. With no officials available to oversee play, the day took an unexpected turn. After evaluating the situation, Millikin chose not to proceed with an infor...

  Two Veterans, Two Wars, One Album: Freedom Sings USA Releases “Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1” Photo by Alan Look Photography HEYWORTH, Ill. — The newest Freedom Sings USA album, Heyworth IL Sessions Vol. 1, released March 14, 2026, brings together the voices of Illinois veterans whose stories span more than eight decades of American military history. Among them are two men whose service could not be more different in era or battlefield, yet whose songs now stand side by side: World War II veteran Paul Petri and Vietnam War helicopter pilot Cpt. David E. Henard. Freedom Sings USA, a national nonprofit that pairs veterans with professional songwriters to turn their life stories into original music. Each track on the album is written with the veteran, drawn directly from their own spoken memories, and performed by either the veteran or a collaborating artist. --- A 99‑Year‑Old WWII Veteran Tells His Story in “Since the Beginning” At 99 years old, Paul Petri is one of the last living m...

  Sideline Etiquette: Don’t Be That Guy Graphic by Alan Look Photography Every sideline has that guy . You know the one. Photographers are quietly tracking the play, waiting for the moment… and suddenly that guy appears and manages to ruin 12 people’s shots in a single motion. It’s almost impressive. If you're new to the sideline — or you just want to make sure nobody secretly hopes you step in a sprinkler — here’s a quick guide. Don’t Stand in Front of People Already Shooting If a photographer is kneeling or sitting, they chose that spot for a reason. Walking in front of them during a play means they now have a beautiful sequence of action shots featuring… you. Don’t Steal Someone’s Spot A bag, stool, monopod, or suspiciously flattened patch of grass is basically a territorial marker. If someone leaves for two minutes and comes back to find you there, you might be that guy. If You're Tall… Be Self ■ Aware If you're tall and stand up during a big play, congratulations — y...

  Redhawks Rule the Roost in 4A Championship Clash CHAMPAIGN  — In a defensive masterclass that would make the old-timers nod in approval, the Marist Redhawks stifled the Benet Academy Redwings, 44-28, to claim the IHSA 4A crown on Lou Henson Court. It was a contest where every bucket felt earned and the hardwood of the State Farm Center served as a lonely place for shooters in a chilly second frame. Photos by Alan Look Photography The Redhawks relied on a balanced attack and a punishing defensive front that held Benet to just 28 points on 28.9% shooting. Charles Barnes Jr. led the Marist charge, tallying 13 points and proving nearly automatic from the charity stripe with a perfect 7-for-7 performance. When the Redwings threatened, Stephen Brown anchored the interior, chipping in 8 points and hauling down 8 rebounds to keep the Lisle squad from finding their rhythm. For Benet Academy, the afternoon proved a difficult struggle against the Marist length. After a promising first ...

  Flyers Ground Warriors in Physical 3A Battle CHAMPAIGN  — In a contest defined by grit and second-chance opportunities, the East St. Louis Flyers outlasted the Deerfield Warriors, 52-46, on the hallowed hardwood of the State Farm Center. It was a blue-collar performance for the Flyers, who used a relentless assault on the offensive glass to secure the victory in this IHSA 3A matchup. Photos by Alan Look Photography The Flyers took control early, establishing a 17-13 lead by the end of the first period. While Deerfield found success with efficient shooting—hitting 50% of their field goals for the game—they simply could not keep the Flyers off the boards. East St. Louis hauled in 18 offensive rebounds, a staggering figure that translated into 19 second-chance points, nearly quadruple the production of their opponents in that category. Jamison White proved to be the engine for the East St. Louis offense, leading all scorers with 19 points and dominating the glass with 17 reboun...

Washington Lady Panthers Secure Historic 3A State Title Over Chatham Glenwood Photography by Alan Look Photography  The journey to the top of Illinois high school basketball reached its pinnacle on Saturday at CEFCU Arena, as the  Washington Lady Panthers  captured the program’s first-ever state championship. Facing off against a resilient  Chatham Glenwood  squad in the IHSA Class 3A final, Washington utilized a balanced offensive attack and a clinical defensive performance to secure a 60-45 victory. The win marks a historic milestone for the Panthers, who improved upon their third-place finish from the previous season to claim the ultimate prize in Normal. Washington established control early, finishing the first quarter with a 14-10 lead and extending that margin to 34-22 by halftime. The Panthers’ shooting was particularly sharp in the second frame, where they hit 75% of their field goal attempts.  Avery Tibbs  anchored the Washington offense, deli...

   Resilience in the Paint: Dee-Mack’s Decisive Sectional Victory      Photos by  Alan Look Photography The beauty of March basketball isn't always found in the fluidity of a fast break or the perfection of a swish. Sometimes, it’s found in the grit of a defensive stance and the steady hand of a player who refuses to blink under the bright lights of CEFCU Arena. On Thursday afternoon, the Dee-Mack Chiefs embodied that resilience, securing a 48-35 victory over the Rockford Christian Royal Lions to claim the IHSA 2A Semi-Finals title. While the Royal Lions jumped to an early five-point lead in the opening minutes, the narrative of the game quickly shifted toward the Chiefs' interior dominance. The story of the afternoon belonged to Dalia DeJesus. In a performance defined by sheer willpower, DeJesus notched a double-double, accounting for 31 of Dee-Mack’s 48 points and cleaning the glass with 10 rebounds. Her presence was felt on both ends of the floor, as she...