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   McLean County Tournament Opens With Execution and Authority Photos by Alan Look Photography The opening round of the 2026 McLean County Boys Basketball Tournament offered an early reminder that January basketball is less about promise and more about purpose. Two games, played in different gyms with different energies, underscored that truth as Fieldcrest dispatched Flanagan-Cornell and El Paso–Gridley asserted control over Heyworth. Fieldcrest Knights 66, Flanagan-Cornell Falcons 50 Watching Flanagan-Cornell during shootaround and pregame warmups, it was easy to believe points would come easily. Shots fell cleanly, the ball moved crisply, and confidence appeared abundant. Once the game began, however, the tone shifted. Under pressure, the Falcons struggled to convert opportunities, and the scoreboard quietly documented just how cold the offense became and how vulnerable the defense proved against a disciplined opponent. Fieldcrest, by contrast, played a game rooted in patie...

   McLean County Tournament -  Pictures and Memories… and Rivalries! When I flip through pictures from past McLean County Tournaments, the memories don’t just come back—they blitz. They rush the lane. They pull up from deep. And sometimes they beat the buzzer with a hand in their face.  That’s the McLean County Tournament , one of the longest-running basketball tournaments in the United States, and brother, it’s built on  rivalries . I’ve been covering this tournament since 2000, and in that time, no school has leaned into the rivalry role quite like the  Ridgeview Mustangs . You could circle their games on the bracket in ink—bold ink. And if you were talking boys basketball, chances were good that somewhere down the road,  Fieldcrest  would be standing there saying,  “Not so fast, my friend.” The Mustangs and the Knights. Cue the dramatic music. For much of this era, the rivalry had two masterminds on the sidelines.  Rodney Kellar ...

   Knights Stand Tall in Heart of Illinois Road Win Graphics by Alan Look Photography Under the bright lights of the Heyworth gymnasium on Tuesday night, the Fieldcrest Knights demonstrated why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Heart of Illinois Conference. Entering the contest on the heels of a dominant performance against Dwight, the Knights maintained their composure and clinical execution to secure a 54–40 victory over the Heyworth Hornets. The win further solidifies the Knights’ standing as they navigate a demanding early-season schedule. The contest was defined by Fieldcrest’s ability to control the tempo and capitalize on high-percentage opportunities. From the opening tip, the Knights established a physical presence in the paint, making every possession difficult for the Hornets’ offense. While Heyworth fought to find their rhythm in front of a supportive home crowd, the Knights' defensive rotations proved too disciplined to crack. By the second half, Fieldcr...