Uhigh defeats Pontiac

There was a lot of fanfare on Senior night at Uhigh Friday February 28th.  The game started with the traditional tip off, but immediately headed the direction of Keita Bates-Diop the Ohio State Recruit.  Bates-Diop was one point from breaking the University High School all time points record held by Seth Hubbard.  All the early passes went the way of Bates-Diop with a couple missed opportunities, the record was finally broken with a short shot from under the basket.  Action was halted while an announcement was made with the game ball ultimately ending up in the hands of his mother.

At half time several recognitions were made.  Arion Workman received an athlete of the year award from a local radio station and two others from the Pioneers football team were recognized for play.  Bates-Diop wasn't overlooked as a representative from the McDonalds Corporation presented a national award.

The game ended with the Pioneers extending their winning streak.



20140228 Pontiac Indians at Uhigh Pioneers boys basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper -

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

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

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