Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts

Sunday, February 3, 2019

Redbirds defeat Ramblers by 8, move to 1st in MVC

February 2, 2019 - Normal, IL:  The Illinois State Redbirds and the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago squared off for a Men's Missouri Valley Basketball game to see who would walk away in sole possession of 1st place in the conference at near the midpoint of the season.  Dick Ludtke, a long time broadcaster was on hand to do the radio play by play and was recognized before the battle for his 1000th Redbird Basketball broadcast.

Just over 8100 fans nearly filled the 10,500 seat Redbird Arena and stayed in their seats to watch the entire game.  Although the point difference at the buzzer was 8 points in the Redbirds favor, the game was not really settled till inside the 1 minute mark.  The frenzied late play kept a crowd that oftens leaves with minutes left on the clock, in their seats till the end.

Photo Gallery!

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

108th McLean County Tournament gets underway at EP-G Monday 1-21-2019

The 108th McLean County Tournament kicked off a couple days late this year due to the weather.  The original brackets and places of play are fairly skewed.  The actual brackets being used are located at www.hoiconference.com if you need to find them.

Alan Look Photography is again covering as much of this historic basketball tournament as possible.  Their work can be found at McLean County Tournament photos and galleries. There should be plenty of images to view and purchase.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Lady Titans defeat Thunder in CCIW play

The Illinois Wesleyan Lady Titans started 4 local ladies against the Titans.  On the floor at the tip off were Seniors Rebekah Ehresman (EP-G), Molly McGraw (CCHS), Junior Maddie Merritt (TVHS), Sophomore Sydney Shanks (CCHS) with the 5th starter a Junior from Nokomis, Ashley Schneider.

The game progressed with both teams taking scoring runs and exchanging the lead.  Close to midway through the 3rd quarter, the score was tied at 61.  The Titans made the adjustments and ended the competition on top 88 to 81.

The Titans had 4 players in double figures.  Rebekah Ehresman dropped in 16 to lead the Titans with Maddie Merritt and Kendall Sosa both adding 15. Raven Hughes rounded out those in double digits with 12.  Hannah Frazier led the Thunder with 25 points and Maggie Dansdill with 19.  The only other Thunder player in double digits was Jennifer Berg with 13.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Heyworth Boys survive visit from Warrensburg Latham Cardinals

In what looked like it would be a runaway win for the Hornets in the beginning of each half ended with a 2 point lead for the Hornets as they got possession of the ball with split seconds left avoiding a last second tie by the Cardinals. The Hornets successfully hit a lot of outside shots for 3 points.


Thursday, January 14, 2016

McLean County Tournament starts Saturday January 16th

Yes, this Saturday at Ridgeview Schools the 1st round begins. Get your brackets here: Brackets.

Be sure to take a look at all the pictures from past MCT's here: Photos

 - Chimper

Friday, January 1, 2016

When the corn isn't growing in Illinois

When the corn isn't growing in Illinois there is always basketball.  At the holiday break near the end of the year, there is always a holiday tournament somewhere in the state... in fact quite a few of them.  Many have existed for years.  Some have just a few schools.  Some are the granddaddy of them all.  The State Farm Holiday Classic is one if not the granddaddy.  The Classic (as it is known by it's shorter name to many) has been around long before State Farm was it's title sponsor.  It has grown over time but has hosted 64 teams for a good long time.  It is Co-ed wit 32 girls teams and 32 boys teams.  Most teams come from Illinois, but the past has seen other parts of the United State represented as well.

The Classic just concluded.  There will be coverage by Alan Look Photography - Bloomington - Normal's Best Look in Sports Action Photography in the Normalite Newspapers and in the February issue of Best Look Magazine.  Until then, you can enjoy this gallery of images.

2015 State Farm Holiday Classic - Chimperscage - Images by Alan Look
 - Chimper

Monday, March 23, 2015

Ridgeview and Normal Community play Peoria

Best Look Magazine's (a product of Alan Look Photography) 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

Thursday, January 1, 2015

State Farm Holiday Classic Photos

Alan Look Photography, the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington - Normal covered several games at the 2014 State Farm Holiday Classic.  Images are available in the form of prints and electronic files to family and fans.  Alan Look Photography is also offering 15% off any $20 or greater order until the end of  January 2015 on the images.  Use coupon code 15off when you check out!

Click for images.

Teams playing games he covered were:

Girls - University High Pioneers, Morton Potters, Bloomington Raiders, Peoria Notre Dame Irish, Champaign Centennial Chargers, Richwoods Knights, North Chicago Warhawks

Boys - Normal Community Ironmen, Rock Island Rocks, Plainfield South Cougars, Edwardsville Tigers, University High Pioneers

The first two Soar sessions at the Championship Halftime were also captured.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

ISU regains momentum and comes back for win

The Illinois State Redbirds Men's Basketball team lead the University of Tennessee Martin Skyhawks most of the first half.  Seemed like everytime I looked up at the scoreboard it was 22-13.  The Skyhawks got to work and took the lead in the early part of the 2nd half.  Near the 11 minute left mark, the Redbirds began to stage a comeback and at the buzzer were back in the lead shooting down the Skyhawks 65-54.  Justin McCloud broke his game high record with 11 points, Reggie Lynch dropped in with 12.



20141217 UT Martin at Illinois State - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

Sunday, November 30, 2014

ISU rolls over YSU in OT, Boys Intercity continues in B-N

Thanksgiving weekend was full of action in Bloomington Normal.  Boys Intercity continues at Shirk with one night left.  Alan Look Photography covered a portion of the U High Pioneers v Normal Ironmen game.


20141129 Boys Intercity - UHS v NCHS at Shirk Center photos - Images by Alan Look
The Illinois State Redbird Men's Basketball Team hosted the Penguins from Youngstown State.  The game was tied 65-65 at the end of regulation play leading to over-time.  The Redbirds took care of business in the extended play coming out with the win.


20141129 Youngstown State Penguins at Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball photos - Images by Alan Look
Be sure to check the Normalite Newspaper and Best Look Magazine for more of the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington Normal by Alan Look Photography

 - chimper

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Local talent on IWU basketball teams.

Lots of local talent on the IWU basketball teams this season. I know I'm going to miss someone - apologies in advance. Molly McGraw, Rebekah Ehresman, A couple of Seibrings - Trevor and Spencer, Brady Rose and Jaylen Beasley... Maybe I did get them all. If you enjoyed seeing them play high school ball, check out the IWU schedules and pay a visit to Shirk to see them play some college hoops!

Be sure to check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for more coverage and images by the Best Look in Sports Photography in Bloomington Normal.



20141125 Milwaukee School of Engineering at Illinois Wesleyan Men's Basketball photos - Images by Alan Look




20141125 Wisconsin WhiteWater at IWU Women's Basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

 -chimper

Monday, November 17, 2014

ISU Men's basketball drops to Utah State by 5

One could point to any number of different things that could have changed the outcome of this 60-55 game favoring the visiting Utah State Aggies.  Illinois State Redbirds hosted them for the first home non-conference game of the season on Sunday November 16th.

See the Normalite Newspaper and Best Look Magazine for more coverage and images provided by the Best Look in Sports Photography in Bloomington - Normal, Alan Look Photography



20141116 Utah State at Illinois State Men's Basketball photos - Images by Alan Look
-chimper

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Pioneers win 41st Cornbelt Conference game in a row

Led by Malik Wildermuth with 21 points the UHigh Pioneers flew past the Rantoul Eagles Friday night 72-59.  Wildermuth scored 18 points from behind the 3 point stripe.  Ohio State recruit Keita Bates Diop poured in 17 points while grabbing 11 rebounds.  Top scoring for the Eagles was from freshman Kevonte Williams with 20.



20140221 Rantoul Eagles at U High Pioneers Boys Basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

Sunday, February 9, 2014

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

Sunday, January 26, 2014

103rd McLean County Tournament concludes

In McLean County Illinois, the granddaddy of local basketball tournaments has been held for 103 times in 104 years.  It's changed a lot over the years as school districts grew larger or small and many consolidated.  The current day tournament is a coed tournament including boys and girls brackets.  The schools filling those brackets are from the county or from the Heart of Illinois Conference (HOIC).  County proper teams have dwindled over the years as consolidation erupted.  Schools that currently have a McLean County presence are Heyworth, LeRoy, Ridgeview, Lexington, El Paso - Gridley, and Tri Valley. The only non-Bloomington-Normal school I can think of that has students from the county but isn't included in the tournament is Olympia.

This year, the Ridgeview Mustangs entered the tournament undefeated and with Coach Rodney Kellar looking for his 500th win.  He got that win as Ridgeview defeated El Paso Gridley in the semi-final.  Ridgeview stood up against the Blue Ridge Knights in the final.  The game was an epic battle that tied at 49 in regulation.  The Knights managed a score with 6 seconds left in OT that went unanswered leaving them ahead by one point as the buzzer sounded.

In the girls brackets, El Paso - Gridley's Lady Titans took home the 1st place brass for the 4th straight year.  Watching Codee Schlipf, The Ehresman girls and the rest of the team is a real treat.  It wasn't all roses during the championship game for the girls.  They faced off against HOIC foe - Tremont Turks.  It was a back and forth battle with both sides sharing lead changes.

Images from all games can be found at Alan Look Photography, and a few presentation and other small video links can be found there as well.



20140125 Tremont Turks v El Paso Gridley Titans Girls Basketball Championship game photos - Images by Alan Look



20140125 Blue Ridge Knights v Ridgeview Mustangs Boys Basketball Championship game photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper -

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Wichita State (4) comes from behind to beat Illinois State

The Wichita State Shockers showed up at Redbird Arena on January 22 with an undefeated season.  They left with it still intact.  The Redbirds scored the first points of the game and kept it a back and forth game through the first half.  Starting the 2nd half, the Redbirds had a 3 point lead.  The Shockers however picked up their game, leading by as much as 18 points.  The Redbirds stormed back with less than 8 minutes left to cut the margin to 9.  The effort fell once more as the Shockers led by 15, 70-55 at the buzzer.



20140122 Wichita State at Illinois State - Images by Alan Look

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Heyworth falls to Blue Ridge in McLean County Tournament Quarter Final

In a very fast paced game slowed by only fouls and time outs, the Heyworth Hornets fell to lower ranked Blue Ridge Knights on Tuesday January 21st at the Shirk Center in Bloomington as a part of the 103rd McLean County Tournament.  Blue Ridge advances to the Semi Finals to face Tremont on Friday night, Heyworth moves to the consolation bracket and faces Le Roy on Thursday at Lexington High School.

Brackets can be found on Alan Look Photography website.



20140121 Blue Ridge Knights v Heyworth Hornets boys basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

Ridgeview defeats Fieldcrest on Monday in MCT Qtr Final

A span of 8 days every January in McLean County is reserved for the McLean County Basketball Tournament.  The tournament has been held 103 times in the last 104 years.  Through several iterations as time moves on, the tournament now includes several county schools and several non-county schools but all are a part of the Heart of Illinois Conference.  The tournament is co-ed with brackets for girls as well as boys.

On the boys bracket this year, the Mustangs of Ridgeview got a first round by as the number one seed.  They took on the Knights of Fieldcrest in the first of 4 quarter finals on Monday January 20th.  The two teams have been rivals for several years.  This year, the number one seeded and undefeated Mustangs grabbed the win notch and move to a semi final game later this week.

Brackets can be found on Alan Look Photography website.


20140120 Fieldcrest Knights v Ridgeview Mustangs boys basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Ironmen keep Maroons in red

Normal Community Ironmen jumped out to an early lead on Friday night against the Champaign Central Maroons, leading by a score of 16-2 at the half. The Maroons made more of a game of it the second half, but the Iron took the win. 



20140117 Champaign Central at Normal Community boys basketball photos - Images by Alan Look