ChimpersCage

   LeRoy Makes a Statement in Rivalry Win Over Heyworth       Photos by  Alan Look Photography Rivalry games rarely need extra fuel, but with the end of the regular season looming and postseason positioning very much in play, Friday night’s boys varsity showdown between  LeRoy and the Heyworth Hornets  had the feel of something bigger than a typical February game. The Hornet Nest was buzzing well before tip. A larger-than-normal crowd filled the gym, bolstered by families of young cheerleaders who packed the stands ahead of their halftime performance after a pregame cheer camp. The energy was real, the noise constant, and the stage set. The junior varsity contest did little to foreshadow what was coming. Heyworth controlled the JV game comfortably, opening the bench with more than two minutes remaining and rolling into “everyone plays” mode well before the final horn. Then the varsity teams took the floor—and everything changed. From the opening p...

   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...

   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...

  Hornets Sting Twice: Heyworth Sweeps Milford in JV and Varsity HEY WORTH, Ill. — The  Heyworth Hornets  turned Friday night into a showcase of dominance, sweeping both ends of their doubleheader against the Milford Bearcats. The opener belonged to the JV Hornets, who stormed to a 55–21 victory. The turning point came in the third quarter, where Heyworth outscored Milford 20–3, effectively sealing the contest. By the fourth, the scoreboard margin allowed for what coaches call the “everyone plays quarter,” a fitting capstone to a team effort. The varsity Hornets followed suit with a performance that echoed the same theme: control. After a tight 10–8 first quarter, Heyworth found its rhythm, closing the half with a commanding 36–17 lead. The third quarter widened the gap to 56–24, and the Hornets never looked back, finishing with a 61–32 triumph. This victory carries weight beyond the night’s box score. With the win, Heyworth’s program now boasts 1,735 all-time victories, ...