12-13-2024 Normal Community West High School Wildcats Basketball defeated by Richwood Knights

 From my chair, the West v Richwoods varsity boys basketball game looked closer than it ended up. West fell short on a 50-36 game. West has what seems to be an unusually young bunch of ballers with just 3 seniors on the team. Two or three of the starters for this game were sophomores and very hard working young men!

Be sure to check out all this games and this seasons photos at https://alanlookphotography.zenfoliosite.com

2018 Football season off to a lopsided start!

Two weeks into the football season and the games we have covered were all just a wee bit one-sided. In week 1, Sacred Heart Griffin boke the wheels on the wagon of the University High Pioneers. Week 2 presented us with a twofer weekend, one high school game and one college game. The Annual Chili Bowl between Normal Community and Normal Community West was a one-sided affair on the field at NCHS. West Wildcats got a quick early score on a fumble recovery return, but was pretty much shut down by the Ironmen until the 3rd quarter. In college competition, Saint Xavier just couldn't keep up with the Redbirds in Hancock Stadium. Stay tuned, we will try to post a little more this season.

Click links for photos:

SHG at UHigh

Chili Bowl

Saint Xavier at Illinois State

2 "not supposed to's" win this weekend.

If you look at the pregame stats from the Chilli Bowl and the Mi-America Classic, you would probably draw a conclusion favoring Normal West Wildcats and Eastern Illinois Panthers.  Normal Community and Normal West had met the same two opponent the first two weeks of the season. Normal Community lost to both leaving them at 0-2.  West had beaten both of those teams for a 2-0 record.  Well, all bets are off when any intercity teams are playing each other.  Add in a pinch of weather for good measure and home field advantage and it took on a completely different look and result with the Ironmen topping and even dominating West.

#24 ranked Eastern Illinois came to Hancock Stadium to topple unranked Illinois State.  Home field advantage on this older than old rivalry and Family Day activities and that 15 mph breeze probably didn't hurt or help and it was an upset.  ISU left 2-0 for the season, Eastern went south without the trophy and probably a lower ranking for next week.

Alan Look Photography was there. Galleries are below and there will be more coverage in the Normalite Newspapers and in Best Look Magazine.  Return to Alan Look Photography every week for more of the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington Normal and McLean County.



20140912 NCWHS at NCHS - Chili Bowl - Images by Alan Look


20140913 Mid-America Classic, Eastern Illinois at illinois State football photos - Images by Alan Look

A weekend of Basketball in Bloomington

There were more exciting games in Bloomington - Normal this weekend than one sports shooter could handle.  Friday night started it off with games at both U High and Bloomington.  With the Bloomington Raiders hosting the Normal West Wildcats, it was a pick to watch the intercity rivals.  Bloomington came out on top this round.



20140207 West Wildcats at Bloomington Raiders boys basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

On Saturday, it was the annual Pink Games at Illinois Wesleyan as both the Men's and Women's teams hosted the Elmhurst Bluejays.  Both genders of the Titans sported some Pink and proceeds from a raffle and other fan oriented events went to the fight on breast cancer.  The Titans came out winners as well as they bested the Bluejays in both games.



20140208 Elmhurst Bluejays at Illinois Wesleyan Women's Basketball photos - Images by Alan Look



20140208 Elmhurst Bluejays at Illinois Wesleyan Men's basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

www.alanlook.com - Chimper

Chili Bowl, Volleyball and Local boys helping out Titans

If you aren't from near here or been around very long, Normal Illinois has it's very own football Bowl game.  It's held every season when Normal Community Ironmen play the Normal Community West Wildcats.  The game travels each year to the school that didn't have it the year before.  It's the one game that can really fill the stands.  Seems all the students and a good number of other followers of each team arrive to see who will take home the chili!

Chili Bowl Photo Gallery


This weekend was also the Intercity Volleyball tournament held at Normal West.  Central Catholic and Normal West share the title this year.  It's 3/4's of a day of volleyball and usually in September.  Put it on you calendar for next year.

Intercity Volleyball Photo Gallery


Football opened for the season in Tucci Stadium on Wilder Field for the Illinois Wesleyan Titans.  The trumped the Flying Dutchmen of Hope College.  Wilder Field is one of the oldest stadiums in the NCAA.  It's been upgraded thanks to Mr. Tucci and sports multi-colored turf.  It's always a good time, but this season locals Tate Musselman of Normal Community fame and T J Stinde of Lexington are making their mark.  Get out and have a look see!

Illinois Wesleyan Titans v Hope College Flying Dutchmen Football Photo Gallery


All image galleries from Alan Look Photography.  Check out Alan Look Photography, the Best Look in Sports Action Photography for all your prints and editorial needs.  Alan Look Photography also has a number of Fine Art images available for you to decorate your home or office.

Be sure to check out the Normalite and Best Look Magazine for more on everything in Bloomington, Normal, and McLean County.

 - chimper

Fall update September 22nd

Some weeks just don't seem to have enough days and the days, not enough hours.

It's the 4th week of football season.  On the high school side, Normal Community West remains undefeated as does University High.  The University High v Prairie Central Hawks was pretty much a blow out.  I can't remember ever seeing a score of 57-6 at the half mark.  It's too bad for the Hawks, a couple less misqueues would have cut about 14 points off that figure.  It's just a matter of polish.  For the Pioneers, it's take care of the second half of the season and the results are limitless.

On the 21st of September, the Redbirds finally opened at home in the renovated Hancock Stadium.  Even if you don't plan on attending a game there, drive by and take a look at the complex.  It really compliments that campus and town.  My favorite view and I need to stop there and grab a picture is from the parking lot by the renovated Duffy Bass baseball field.

The Barker Classic was the last couple of days at the Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan.  Volleyball is a fun sport to watch and a pretty tough one to photograph.  I haven't looked at the results, but it's good to see the Barker Classic remain as an attraction here in the cities.


So, yes - time for the shameless plugs and links.  Be sure to check out the Normalite for coverage and go take a look at the latest issue of Best Look Magazine.  It printed in August and will have another issue in November.  Alan Look Photography, the Best Look in Sports Action Photography has some links below to several galleries and archive collections.

High School football game photos 
Illinois State Football game photos
Illinois Wesleyan Volleyball match photos

Complete archive of Bloomington Normal Sports photos from this year and past

Thanks for stopping by!
 - Chimper -

Wildcats take 2012 Chili Bowl, NCHS @ West

The night didn't disappoint.  Everything that makes a Chili Bowl exciting.  Stormy weather, The Wildcats and the Ironmen, lots of fans and an oblong ball that takes funny bounces.  Yes, they were all there tonight.  The Wildcats took the Ironmen at home and will get to place the Chili Bowl in their trophy case till next year.  I don't have a lot of stats or side notes.  I haven't a clue how many yards Edwards ran for the Iron or what happened to Jefferson just before the half.  I do know the Cats returned to the field after the break and Alex didn't show up till later on the back of the squad cart under a blanket - padless.  It did appear to be an injury to his leg.  I'm sure there will be more known tomorrow.

Chili Bowl pictures will be available at Alan Look Photography later this weekend.

John Power covered the Central Catholic slaying of Pontiac tonight.  His photos will be available in a few days as well.

Be sure to check out Best Look Magazine.  You'll want one of your own.....

Friday Night Football September 14, 2012

Most Friday nights you can find me at a high school football game.  no exception on the 14th.  Coverage this night was Homecoming at Normal Community West High School against conference foes Danville Vikings.  It was come from behind, get way ahead, let them almost catch up, then win for the Wildcats.

Images on Alan Look Photography Website

Friend, fellow photographer and Best Look Magazine contributor John Power was reportedly at the El Paso - Gridley Titans v Fieldcrest Falcons game and part of the night at Eureka for the game against the Central Catholic Saints.  Not sure if he made it to both of them.  Check his website for images from those games.

West survives to fight again

Normal Community Ironmen and the Normal Community West Wildcats duel in IHSA Regional

Lots of tense moments, lots of tough decisions, lots of teamwork, lots of friends, lots of foes, lots of sadness, lots of joy. In overtime, the Wildcats hold on to a 2 point lead that had 2 opportunities to be a lose. Not a lot one can add to the action that happened inside the black lines or inside the Shirk Center. The stories will be told for at least a generation. you had to be there, or you need to read the story by Steve Robinson in the upcoming Normalite Newspaper.


20120302 NCWHS v NCHS Regional - Images by Alan Look

Community West and Community meet again

Just a day shy of a month later, the Normal Community West Wildcats will meet up with the Normal Community Ironmen for one last time this season. On February 3rd, the Wildcats hosted the Ironmen and also lost to them. This time they meet on neutral wood at the Shirk Center for the IHSA Regional Championship and the right to move on to the IHSA Sectionals. The game originally slated for play in Danville has been moved to the Shirk Center in BLoomington and tips off at 7:30pm Friday March 2. Hope to see ya there.



20120203 NCHS v West - Images by Alan Look

Tigers scratched by Wildcats

Well, the first really rainy night I've spent shooting football this season. Not really a downpour, more of a nuisance rain. The night went the way of the West Wildcats who left the Tigers with little more than a goose egg by the end with a score of 41-0. There were plenty of touchdowns and great runs, but my highlight of the night goes to the West kicker who put several kickoff out of the end zone and one of them through the uprights. What a trick. I haven't seen anyone at any level do that for a long long time. I'm sure the 15 mph wind didn't hurt, it was mostly at his back but was blowing a little left to right as well. At the other end of the field, he drove it to the 7 yard line.

Congrats to the Wildcats. Get ready, the Raiders approach.


20091002 Urbana v West - Images by Alan Look

A busy weekend

The weekends have certainly been busy in Bloomington, Normal and McLean County with some classic matchups. Last weekend, Normal Community entertained Normal Community West on the gridiron. It never seems to matter who is ranked where when any of the intercity teams meet one of the others, this game was no different. Most gave NCHS Ironmen the nod, and they did eventually win over the Wildcats of NCWHS. The Cats fought had and kept the score tied till past the halfway point. Not the run away game that some expected.

20090925 NCWHS v NCHS - Images by Alan Look

On Saturday there was so much going on something had to be left out. The day started at intercity vollyball. Several good match ups with no clear winner. The torunament ended up with 3 teams 3 and 1. I came away thinking that Central Catholic had some of the best fundamentals, but the worst luck. They seemed to miss the critical poinst when needed the most.

Several galleries from the intercity matches. Go here: http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/alanlook/gallery-collection/2009-10-High-School-Sports/P0000I5WBN4XTGKs All my high school coverage for any sport this season will be on this page as well.

The afternoon was spent dumping cards and processing. I'm sorry to say that made me pass on Redbird v Bluejay volleyball. ISU did come out over Creighton 3 sets to 2 to take that match.

The evening capped the weekend with a night football game at Hancock Stadium. It was the Redbirds of Illinois State hosting the Jackrabbits of South Dakota State in a Missouri Valley Football Conference match up. The Jacks stumbled around in the first half but bounced past the 'Birds in the 2nd half. The first half highlight for the Redbirds was a pass interception by Chris Garrett that he returned for a touchdown.

20090926 South Dakota v Illnois State - Images by Alan Look

Decatur McArthur and Normal West - missed opportunities

20090911 Decatur MacArthur v Normal West - Images by Alan Look

Seems like I get to shoot this match up every year, same this season. Shooting all the time, it's often hard to get a real feel for the game. This one was no different, but I did get a sense of lots of missed opportunities for each team. The offense on each side got over 30 points, and the defense of the wildcats seemed to have a lot of highlight, but they were also spotty enough to let the Generals past them one too many times as the Generals came out on top this game.

Baseball, Rain and Wind and Boy Scouts

Baseball in the spring seem tenuous at best. It's been raining all spring. Between my day job and all the weather, it has been pretty hard to get out to any baseball or softball games. Well, I finally made one on Saturday morning. The rain came early dumping about a quarter of an inch on the Twin Cities. The games originally scheduled for 10 am, got started around 11. I knew they would be late so I didn't even arrive at the field until about 10 minutes till 11. The games were at Normal Community West (NCWHS), a double header between the Green Wave of Mattoon and the Wildcats of Normal West. It was a bit of a treat in seeing a pitcher from West that normally doesn't pitch a lot. Blake Brown, a Missouri recruit was on the mound and pitched a wonderful 5 and 2/3's innings. He walked away with the win with some great hitting and base running of his own and a lot of team support.



Now, the rain - I'm really glad we had that 1.4 inch. It wet the field down and with a 40 mile an hour breeze, it was needed. The dust would have been 1930's era had it not been for the rain. Holding the 300 2.8 on a stick attached to the IIN was a real challenge. The first baseline was getting the wind unrestricted, behind the plate was worse. I did find one vestige of relief between home and 3rd base using the dugout as a shield.



Be sure to check out Blake and his team mates


20090425 Mattoon Green Wave v Normal West Wildcats - Images by Alan Look



Boy Scouts - It's no secret that I'm a Boy Scout supporter. Fact is, I owe my photographic interest to Boy Scouting. On Sunday afternoon I had the honor of attending and photographing Bloomington's Second Presbyterian Church's chartered Troop 3 for an Eagle Scout presentation. Benjamin T. Freimann earn the rank of Eagle and was awarded the medal and right to be forever an Eagle Scout at a ceremony held at Calvary United Methodist Church in Normal. Congrats Ben and best wishes on everything you strive for in the future.


20090426 Ben Freimann Eagle Court of Honor - Images by Alan Look





Be sure to continue and check out all the other images at http://www.alanlook.com/