A Night of Hardwood Hysterics: The Intercity Tournament Decided at the Shirk Center By  Best Look Magazine   Photos  courtesy of  Alan Look Photography BLOOMINGTON, Ill.  — The air inside the Shirk Center last night was not merely oxygen and nitrogen; it was a volatile cocktail of anticipation, perspiration, and the squeak of sneakers against the hardwood—a veritable symphony of athletic endeavor. We witnessed a triumvirate of contests that ran the gamut from tactical brilliance to pugilistic tenacity, a display of scholastic sportsmanship that reminds us all why we endure the injection molded plastic bleachers. In the opening spectacle, we saw the girls of Normal West ascend the summit of local supremacy, vanquishing their rivals from University High to seize the tournament title. It was not a game; it was a coronation. The Wildcats, displaying a defensive cohesion that would make a Roman phalanx blush, stifled the Pioneers at ev...

   On this day in History... NORMAL, Ill. (March 5, 2005) — The Normal Community Ironmen secured the boys' basketball regional championship Saturday night, defeating cross-town rival Normal Community West in a hard-fought matchup. The Ironmen relied on a balanced scoring attack and strong defense to hold off the Wildcats in front of a packed gymnasium at Normal Community High School. West kept the game close throughout. The Wildcats cut the deficit to three with under two minutes to play, but Normal Community responded with key free throws down the stretch to put the game out of reach. https://alanlookphotography.zenfoliosite.com

   March 4, 2005 – Normal, Ill. Normal Community’s boys basketball team secured a hard-fought victory over Bloomington on Friday night, defeating the Purple Raiders in an IHSA Class AA Regional matchup at Normal Community West High School. The Ironmen, led by a strong defensive performance and clutch shooting, outlasted Bloomington in a tightly contested game that saw multiple lead changes. Normal Community’s fast-paced offense and aggressive rebounding helped them pull away in the final minutes to clinch the win. With the win, Normal Community advances to the next round of the IHSA Class AA tournament. Bloomington’s season comes to an end, but the Purple Raiders showcased resilience and determination throughout the year. https://alanlookphotography.zenfoliosite.com

  2024 State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament Champions - Normal Community High School Ironmen Earlier this week the last 2 games of the 2024 inaugural State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament at the Shirk Center in Bloomington IL wrapped up it's activities. The CEO and president of State Farm, Jon Farney was on hand to receive a complimentary ball in thanks for the company sponsoring the tournament. Jon had played in the tournaments predecessor as a student athlete at Normal Community High School when the tournament had no sponsor and was simply known as the Intercity Basketball Tournament. Both iterations of this tournament pit the high schools of Bloomington Normal against each other. Those teams being Bloomington High School Purple Raiders, Bloomington Central Catholic Saints, Normal Community Ironmen, Normal Community West Wildcats and the University High Pioneers. The tournament is coed and the addition of the State Farm sponsorship enabled the playing of both brackets ...

 The Normal Community Lady Ironmen basketball team took home the hardware last night for the State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournaments girls bracket after defeating the Saints of Bloomington Central Catholic.  The Lady Iron defeated the Normal West Lady Wildcats, University High School Lady Pioneers and the Bloomington Lady Purple Raiders on previous days play leaving them in sole possession of 1st place. In other action on the late part of the bracket November 29th, 2024 were the Central Catholic Saints challenging the Normal Community Ironmen on the boys bracket.  Earlier play pitted the University High Pioneers against the Normal Community West Wildcats on both the girls and boys brackets.   Play continues on Saturday November 30th. Be sure to heck out all the photos and videos from the Intercity games that Alan Look Photography covered.

  Be sure to check out the photos from the State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament from  Alan Look Photography !  Here's a sample from the Wednesday night games between UHigh Pioneers and Normal Ironmen.  

In a game riddled with technical fouls against the Knights, the Ironmen topple the Knights undefeated season by a score of 68-51.  In the first half, a technical foul was levelled against the Knights bench that effectively took the bench out of the rest of the game fearing that 2nd foul that would have prevented someone on that bench from participating in the next game.  To more technicals came in the 4th quarter.  The second on in the 4th quarter was called while the shots were being taken for the first!

Normal West was impressive last night with a 57-18 win over the University Pioneers.  They pulled out to an early 10 or 12 point lead and never relinquished it.  The Wildcats played what has probably been the quickest up and down game of the 4 games we've seen in the early season.  Speed is certainly one of the weapons they have in their arsenal. The Central Catholic v Normal Community game was all the Ironmen for the first quarter.  The Saints never felt out of it and pushed forward cutting the lead by halftime.  The final score at the buzzer was just a 2 point win 42-40 for the Iron.  Top scorers for each team were Saints Coffman and Iron Wong both with 12 each.

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 2, May 2015 By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine 32 pages, published 5/15/2015 May 2015 Issue of Best Look Magazine Need something to do on Memorial Day weekend?  Ever been to the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall in Marseilles Illinois?  It is a special place right along the Illinois River.  It is a first rate memorial and a solemn place to pay your respects to those who have made the freedom we experience possible.  Our cover and a story are dedicated to it.  Take a peek, this one is all funded by donations... Other items in this issue are the basketball wrap-ups for the Illinois State Redbird and Illinois Wesleyan Titans men and womens teams, the runs to state by the Central Catholic girls and the boys teams from Normal Community and Ridgeview.  It's Official is back and there...

One short week before the May 2015 issue is available for viewing and purchase.  In this issue, the cover story deals with the men and women of the US Armed Services that have lost their lives overseas fighting for our freedoms.  Other coverage will include the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, a wrap up on area basketball for the 2014-15 season, a local entertainer, the It's Official page and a couple of other features. Mark your calendar and come by in a week to see the rest!

Our two latest publications are special issues that chronicle the Ridgeview Mustangs and the Normal Ironmen boys basketball teams play in Peoria at the IHSA State Finals.  The Mustangs qualified for their 1st ever appearance and the Ironmen for their third.  The Mustangs placed 3rd and the Ironmen placed 2nd.  Both had excellent records and a tremendous amount of fun this season!  Please take a look at our publications complete with front and back cover images, a short story and several high definition images.  Be sure to check out our advertisers.  They all really appreciate any business that comes their way.  I'm sure you will get personalized service from everyone of them. Click for Ridgeview Click for Normal Community Alan Look Photography