"The Great Pelican Paddle-Off"

On a breezy warm spring morning, three American white pelicans—Carl, Bev, and Frank—bobbed along the glassy surface of Evergreen Lake in McLean County, Illinois. They had stopped for a layover during their annual migration, and as usual, boredom was setting in.

"I’m telling you," Carl said, flapping a wing dramatically, "I caught a fish this big yesterday."

"That wasn’t a fish," Bev scoffed. "It was a soggy flip-flop. And you nearly choked on it."

Frank, the self-appointed philosopher of the group, dipped his bill into the water and sighed. "Isn’t it curious," he mused, "how humans throw their shoes into lakes? What if those flip-flops are part of a secret migration ritual?"

Bev rolled her eyes. "You’d think less if you fished more."

Carl, not one to be outdone, straightened his neck. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Let’s settle this with a good old-fashioned Paddle-Off. First one across the lake wins bragging rights—and the best fishing spot."

And so, the Great Pelican Paddle-Off began.

Carl surged ahead with reckless enthusiasm, sending water everywhere and startling a family of turtles. Bev, focused and calculating, glided smoothly, drafting behind Carl to conserve energy. Frank? He took a more leisurely approach, pondering the meaning of water ripples and occasionally stopping to admire his own reflection.

Halfway across, Carl burned out, wings aching. "I’m not saying I peaked early, but—" he huffed, as Bev shot past him with a gleeful squawk.

Just as Bev neared the finish, Frank floated by without breaking a sweat—or a feather. "You know," he said dreamily, "sometimes the fastest way across is to let the wind do the work."

He drifted gracefully over the finish line, winning the Paddle-Off through sheer philosophical detachment.

Carl and Bev caught up, glaring at their unflappable friend.

"Well, Frank," Bev said grudgingly, "I guess you earned the best fishing spot."

Frank smiled. "Oh, you two go ahead. I’m just here for the vibes—and the occasional soggy flip-flop."

And with that, the three pelicans paddled off into the sunset, their rivalry settled—for now.

Braydon Laesch - Heyworth Hornets & Andrew Fleming - Le Roy Panthers

  Best Look Magazine proudly presents the 2025 McLean County Area High School Boys Basketball All Star Photo Series, showcasing the region's most talented and dedicated young athletes.

Capturing the intensity, skill, and passion of these standout players, this exclusive series celebrates the future stars of the court who have left an indelible mark on the season.

Enjoy the breathtaking action shots and join us in honoring the grit and glory of McLean County’s finest in this unforgettable collection.

Check out all the Best Look in Sports Action photos at www.alanlook.com!

See the Alan Look Photography facebook page for current specials.

Braydon Laesch - 

Andrew Fleming

Brock Holtz - Bloomington High School Purple Raiders!

 Best Look Magazine proudly presents the 2025 McLean County Area High School Boys Basketball All Star Photo Series, showcasing the region's most talented and dedicated young athletes.

Capturing the intensity, skill, and passion of these standout players, this exclusive series celebrates the future stars of the court who have left an indelible mark on the season.

Enjoy the breathtaking action shots and join us in honoring the grit and glory of McLean County’s finest in this unforgettable collection.

Brock Holtz - Bloomington High School Purple Raiders!

This day in history (March 23, 2022) - ISU Redbird Baseball shuts down UIC Flames

 

NORMAL, Ill. — Ryan Cermak powered the Illinois State Redbirds to a 9-5 victory over the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames on Sunday, smashing two home runs in a standout performance at Duffy Bass Field.

Cermak’s second homer of the game came in a pivotal moment, electrifying the crowd as he leaped onto home plate to complete his trot around the bases. The Redbirds’ offense erupted for nine runs, overwhelming the Flames in a contest that showcased Illinois State’s dominance in the matchup.

The win improved Illinois State’s record as they capitalized on a balanced attack against UIC’s pitching. The Flames, despite a late rally, couldn’t close the gap, finishing the game with five runs.

The Redbirds’ victory underscored their strong play in the Missouri Valley Conference, while UIC struggled to keep pace. Both teams are set to continue their seasons with upcoming conference games later this week.

This day in history: Stevenson Claims IHSA Class 4A State Title With Victory Over Normal Community

PEORIA, Ill. (March 21, 2015) — Stevenson captured its first IHSA Class 4A boys basketball state championship Saturday night, defeating Normal Community at the Carver Center inside the Peoria Civic Center.

The Patriots, hailing from Lincolnshire, controlled the game from the outset, using a balanced offensive attack and stifling defense to keep the Ironmen from finding a consistent rhythm. Stevenson established an early lead and maintained its momentum, capitalizing on key scoring runs and defensive stops.

Normal Community, making its bid for a state title, struggled to break through Stevenson’s defensive pressure. Despite flashes of offensive success, the Ironmen were unable to mount a sustained comeback as Stevenson maintained control throughout the contest.

With the win, Stevenson secures its place in program history, capping off a dominant season with the school’s first-ever Class 4A state championship. The victory marks a significant achievement for the Patriots, who reached the pinnacle of Illinois high school basketball on Saturday night.

The game concludes a competitive season in IHSA Class 4A, with both teams showcasing their talent and resilience on the state’s biggest stage. Stevenson’s triumph solidifies its standing among Illinois high school basketball’s elite programs.

This Day in History - March 19, 2010 Hope College Defeats Rochester 86-75 to Advance to DIII Championship Final

  

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) March 19, 2010 — The Flying Dutch of Hope College punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship final Friday night, defeating the University of Rochester Yellowjackets 86-75 in a hard-fought semifinal at the Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan.

The game featured intense competition, including a moment when Hope’s Philana Greene and Rochester’s Jodie Luther wrestled for a loose ball. Ultimately, the Flying Dutch pulled away with strong offensive play and clutch shooting to secure the victory.

Hope College will now advance to the championship game, looking to claim the national title.

This Day in History: Washington University Faces Illinois Wesleyan in NCAA Women's Basketball Matchup

 

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (March 18, 2011) — Brittany Hasselbring maneuvered around the top of the key during an NCAA women's basketball game between the Washington University Bears and the Illinois Wesleyan Titans at Shirk Center on Friday.

The matchup featured intense competition as both teams fought for a spot in the next round. Hasselbring played a key role in the Titans’ offensive efforts, looking to create opportunities against Washington University's defense.

Illinois Wesleyan hosted the game at Shirk Center, drawing a strong home crowd in support of the Titans.