2024 Review in Pictures for Bloomington - Normal Sports

 

2024 State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament Champions - Normal Community High School Ironmen

Earlier this week the last 2 games of the 2024 inaugural State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament at the Shirk Center in Bloomington IL wrapped up it's activities. The CEO and president of State Farm, Jon Farney was on hand to receive a complimentary ball in thanks for the company sponsoring the tournament. Jon had played in the tournaments predecessor as a student athlete at Normal Community High School when the tournament had no sponsor and was simply known as the Intercity Basketball Tournament. Both iterations of this tournament pit the high schools of Bloomington Normal against each other. Those teams being Bloomington High School Purple Raiders, Bloomington Central Catholic Saints, Normal Community Ironmen, Normal Community West Wildcats and the University High Pioneers. The tournament is coed and the addition of the State Farm sponsorship enabled the playing of both brackets to be played at the Shirk Center in the same week with as many as 4 games a day in some cases.

The NCHS Ironmen dominated this years tournament in both the boys and girls brackets adding a pair of trophies to the Normal Community trophy cases.

A good selection of world class sports images of many of the games played at this years tournament are available from Alan Look Photography online at his website. Be sure to check out the videos!

  The Normal Community Lady Ironmen basketball team took home the hardware last night for the State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournaments girls bracket after defeating the Saints of Bloomington Central Catholic.  The Lady Iron defeated the Normal West Lady Wildcats, University High School Lady Pioneers and the Bloomington Lady Purple Raiders on previous days play leaving them in sole possession of 1st place.

In other action on the late part of the bracket November 29th, 2024 were the Central Catholic Saints challenging the Normal Community Ironmen on the boys bracket.  Earlier play pitted the University High Pioneers against the Normal Community West Wildcats on both the girls and boys brackets.  

Play continues on Saturday November 30th.

Be sure to heck out all the photos and videos from the Intercity games that Alan Look Photography covered.

 Be sure to check out the photos from the State Farm Intercity Basketball Tournament from Alan Look Photography!  Here's a sample from the Wednesday night games between UHigh Pioneers and Normal Ironmen.  

 Saints thrown overboard by Vikings in 1st round play of the IHSA 2024 Class 2A football playoffs.

In the 1st round of IHSA 2024 Class 2A football playoffs, the Saints of Bloomington Central Catholic were sent to Downs to play the Vikings of Tri Valley. The event got off to a somewhat boring start but by the end of the first half, the Vikings were blanking the Saints 14-0. Action picked up in the 3rd quarter with long runs by both the Saints and the Vikings. In the end, the Vikings pushed the Saints overboard by a score of 42-28. The Saints move to the Sweet 16.
Please visit our website to view and purchase game photos! https://alanlookphotography.zenfoliosite.com/2024-2025-high-school-sports/2024-2025-tri-valley-vikings?ct=2

I'm a little late with this post so by now all friends of Ironman football know that the Normal Community High School Ironmen football team beat the Peoria High School Lions in the last game of the season to take sole possession of the Big 12 Conference championship title. The NCHS athletics team finishes the regular season 8-1 , the Lions fell to 7-2. The NCHS Ironmen will continue post season play the weekend of November 1st against West Chicago on Dick Tharp field at Normal Community High School in Normal Illinois. #Ironsharpensiron #AlanLookPhotography

Our website is now on Zenfolio!
https://alanlookphotography.zenfoliosite.com/2024-2025-high-school-sports/2024-2025-normal-community-ironmen?ct=2

Kicker William Castro kicks the point after.  Castro is also playing this weekend on the NCHS soccer team in the post season series.

Redbird Classic - a real winner!

Illinois State University Redbird Women's Volleyball hosted a 4 team volleyball this past weekend.  Participating visiting teams were #7 ranked Marquette Golden Eagles, #7 ranked University or Illinois Fighting Illini and the Knights from the University of Central Florida.  Events kicked off on Friday evening with the Knights and Golden Eagles followed by ISU v the Illini.  Both those matches went 4 sets with Golden Eagles defeating the Knights and ISU upsetting the Illini!

On Saturday UCF took on the Illini in a morning match.  The Illini fell once again moving their record in the tournament to 0-2 and setting UCF's record to 1-1.  The evening matchups included a 5:30 match between UCF and Illinois State and the nightcap was Marquette and the Illini.  Both matches went 5 sets, both thrillers with ISU taking the win over UCF and the Illini besting Marquette.

Sunday afternoon, the final match between Marquette and Illinois State was nothing short of epic.  Marquette opened by taking the first set.  ISU returned to the floor for the second set with an improved look, taking it to tie the match and then coming in the 3rd set to take 2 straight both at a score of 25-18.  Marquette struggled back in the 4th set to tie the match and forcing the 5th.  The score in the 5th seesawed back and forth past the normal 2 ahead at 15 to win and eventually ending at a score of 21-19 with Marquette on top.

Final results for the tournament by team were:
ISU - 2-1
Marquette - 3-1
UCF - 1-2

Illini - 1-2

There was some really great volleyball played this weekend.  We encourage everyone to get out and see these teams.

Photo coverage can be found here:  https://alanlook.photoshelter.com/gallery/2019-Illinois-State-Redbirds-Volleyball-photos/G0000M5uXz0kVczI/C0000jPKkS1Kv84g

Sacred Heart Griffin Cyclones defeat the Pioneers of University High

In a conference game and on Senior Night at University High, the Cyclones of Sacred Heart Griffin whistle past the Pioneers 71-46.  The Cyclones started quickly and moved to an 8 point lead before the Pioneers could muster a single point and that one from the charity stripe after a missed layup.  I don't watch the scoreboard closely or read the stats, but it didn't appear the Pioneers ever came within 7 the rest of the game.  They did put together a few nice runs, but it was just never enough.

Charlie Hamilton of the Cyclones scored 25 points, getting open shots frequently.  Nick Broeker dumped in 15.

Photo Gallery!

Play4Kay at Redbird Arena

The annual Play4Kay women's basketball game at Redbird Arena this year was held on Sunday February 10 and featured the Indiana State Sycamores and the Illinois State Redbirds.  The normal faire of stationary bikes, treadmills, raffles, t-shirts, etc., helped to raise $20,000 for the Kay Foundations campaign against cancer.  For those that don't know, the foundation is named for famed women's college basketball coach Kay Yow.

A couple of pretty interesting things at this years game were the sneakers worn by Illinois State coach Kristen Gillespie.  The sneakers were a one of a kind pair that were commissioned by the foundation.  Several pairs of sneakers were made, and to my understanding were all different.  All the sneakers were given to different coaches across the country.  The pair worn by Coach Gillespie were auctioned off in a silent auction and transferred to the winner after the game.

The other item that was interesting was a result of the lighting upgrade over the past year.  The new LED lights that are aimed at the dome are color adjustable.  Normally patrons of the arena have seen them in Red.  During the "Pink" game, the lights were set to pink.  It's a really interesting feature and it will be interesting how they are used in the future.

Images from the game can be viewed here!  It's a small gallery, but more can be found by looking in the 2018-19 Illinois State Women's basketball gallery!  We hope you enjoy the views!

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

Lady Redbirds tackle the Eastern Michigan Eagles

The 3-4 Lady Redbirds moved to 4 and 4 on the season today after hosting and defeating the 2-6 (now 2-7) Lady Eagles of Eastern Michigan.  The game started out with the Redbirds taking the lead, a lead they never relinquished.  Quarterly scores were: 13-3, 26-12, 44-28, and the final 65-56.  Officiating crew for todays game was LaSha Hopson, Andrew Bills and Todd Moistner.

2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 11/10/2015

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 4, November 2015

The 2015 November Issue of Best Look Magazine has arrived. The front cover features a High Dynamic Range image of the Normal Theater in Normal taken during the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in July.  The rear cover is a shot of the memorial at Illinois State University that remembers the 7-
Aaron Leech, Torrey Ward, Scott Bittner, Jason Jones, Andrew Butler, Terry Stralow and Thomas Hileman who lost their lives in a plane crash on their way home from the NCAA basketball tournament in April.  Other features in this issue - a wrap up of the Normal CornBelters winning season, McLean County Antique Automobile Associations annual car show, Sugar Creek Arts Festival, a preview of the State Farm Holiday Classic basketball tournament, Ron Knisley Memorial Shootout, some highlights from the very wet Friday Night football games, the blood red moon and eclipse, volleyball and football from both Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan and It's Official makes a return.

Be sure to look up our sponsors.  They probably offer something you want or need.  Buy local where most of the money from your purchase returns to our local economy.

Illinois State Redbirds defeat Northern Iowa Panthers in conference play

Family Day had Hancock Stadium at standing room only and the tailgates all full. Governor Rauner was on hand as well as comedian Bill Engvall.  Both teams came into the square off with records of 2 wins and a loss.  The Redbirds loss was to Iowa.  The Redbirds switched up quarterbacks most of the game with Jake Kolbe getting the first snap and Tre Roberson coming in and out.  Jay Blunk, a graduate of ISU and a member of the Chicago Blackhawks stopped by with a big shiny cup often referred to as a Stanley Cup which brought a round of applause from the fans.  Redbirds took the game to go to a record of 3-1 and 1-0 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Be sure to check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for more photo coverage from the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington - Normal.




20151003 Northern Iowa at Illinois State football photo gallery - Images by Alan Look

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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
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Illinois State comeback dooms Missouri State

The Redbirds scored first but missed their point after attempt in the first quarter on Saturday October 25th under the lights at Hancock Stadium against the Bears of Missouri State.  They didn't score again until late in the game but came back from a 7-6 deficiet. It was enough for the Redbirds to grab their 7th win of the season to remain undefeated for the season and in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Check out the Normalite and Best Look Magazine and enjoy the photos from the Best Look in Bloomington Normal Sports Action Photography.


20141025 Missouri State at Illinois State football - Images by Alan Look

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#22 Illinois State Redbirds takes out #9 South Dakota State JackRabbits

04 October 2014 - A couple early turn overs by the Jacks, a tough Redbird defense and an explosive Redbirds offense behind Tre Roberson, Marshaun Coprich, and Lechein Neblett led the Redbirds to a victory over The JackRabbits with a score of 45-10.  Coprich had a career day of 174 yards, Roberson added151 rushing yards while passing for 168.  Lechein Neblett scored 4 times while Tevin Allen returned a kick 95 yards for a touchdown.



20141003 South Dakota State JackRabbits at Illinois State Redbirds Football photos - Images by Alan Look

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Normal West Wildcats defeat Danville Vikings in NCWHS homecoming game

Was it just  good offense on both sides of the line or a weak defense?  Who knows and it really doesn't matter as the West Wildcat offense put enough points on the board to take the game in the second half.

Look for editorial and photographic coverage in the Normalite and Best Look Magazine.  Photos captured and supplied by the best look in Bloomington Normal Sports Photography - Alan Look Photography.




20140926 Homecoming - Danville at West - Images by Alan Look

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