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.

Girls Intercity 2nd night posts wins by West and Community!

Normal West was impressive last night with a 57-18 win over the University Pioneers.  They pulled out to an early 10 or 12 point lead and never relinquished it.  The Wildcats played what has probably been the quickest up and down game of the 4 games we've seen in the early season.  Speed is certainly one of the weapons they have in their arsenal.

The Central Catholic v Normal Community game was all the Ironmen for the first quarter.  The Saints never felt out of it and pushed forward cutting the lead by halftime.  The final score at the buzzer was just a 2 point win 42-40 for the Iron.  Top scorers for each team were Saints Coffman and Iron Wong both with 12 each.

Best Look Magazine May Issue released

Best Look Magazine, Volume 4 Issue 2, May 2015

By Alan Look in Best Look Magazine

32 pages, published 5/15/2015

May 2015 Issue of Best Look Magazine

Need something to do on Memorial Day weekend?  Ever been to the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall in Marseilles Illinois?  It is a special place right along the Illinois River.  It is a first rate memorial and a solemn place to pay your respects to those who have made the freedom we experience possible.  Our cover and a story are dedicated to it.  Take a peek, this one is all funded by donations...

Other items in this issue are the basketball wrap-ups for the Illinois State Redbird and Illinois Wesleyan Titans men and womens teams, the runs to state by the Central Catholic girls and the boys teams from Normal Community and Ridgeview.  It's Official is back and there are a coupe of pieces on the Chicago Skyline and Christian Stoniev.

Thanks in advance for taking a peek at our publication and supporting our advertisers!

Alan

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

BHS can't get it started

02 September 2014 - In an intercity rivalry game, the Normal Community Ironmen football team visited the strips of the Bloomington High Raiders.  The Raiders just couldn't get it going leaving the Ironmen outscoring them 41-20 at the final horn.

Check the Normalite Newspaper and Best Look Magazine for extended coverage and Alan Look Photography for more Bloomington - Normal sports photos.



20141003 Normal Community Ironmen at Bloomington Raiders Football photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper -

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

Bloomington Normal Sports Photos

This is Alan Look Photography's 14/15th year at being the Best Look in Bloomington Normal Sports Photos.  Alan begin this career shooting for the Normalite in December of 1999. Over the past years he has licensed many sports images to clients locally, nationally, and internationally.  He's also captured many memories from some great local high school events.  Check out what he has to offer and check back each week to see more of the best in sports action photography in McLean County.  Look him up on FaceBook and find out how to get a discount on your next order of $15 or more.

Find all the latest high school sports action here!

 - Chimper -

Normal Iron defeat Danville Vikings in Regional Championship

The Normal Community Ironmen stormed the floor, taking the lead shortly after the Vikings won the tip off.  The Vikings would not score in the first 8 minute period.  The win for the Iron, sends them to the Sectionals at United Township on Tuesday evening.



20140307 Normal Community Ironmen v Danville Vikings Regional Boys Basketball Championship photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper -

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

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

Ironmen and Redbirds both winner this weekend

A pair of fairly handy wins for local teams this past weekend.  The Maroons of Champaign Central played at the Ironmens home of Normal Community.  The Jr. Varsity game was a one point win for NCHS, but the Varsity game had a much better cushion.  On Saturday afternoon, the Salukis of Southern Illinois University came to Redbird Arena to visit the Redbirds of Illinois State University.  It was almost a 40 point decision for the Redbirds.  The excitement lasted to the end as the Salukis recieved 2 technical fouls with less than a minute to go sendingBarry Hinson off the court with an ejection.  ISU walk on Matt Stacho saw some minutes late in the game and scored a pair of points off a lay up.


Champaign Central Maroons vs Normal Community Ironmen photo gallery

Southern Illinois Salukis vs Illinois State Redbirds photo gallery

Both photo galleries are by Alan Look Photography.  Coverage will also be provided by the Normalite and Best Look Magazine.

-chimper-

Boys Intercity Title taken by Uhigh

Two great games at Shirk last night for the Boys intercity.  One always fun rivalry - West v Community, with a twist this year.  Three Seibrings played.  Two brothers for NCHS and  their cousin for West.

Then, it was the title game between Uhigh and Bloomington.  Very up tempo.  Bloomington charged out to the lead, but University came back in the 4th quarter to claim the W and the award.

Look for the stories in the Normalite and Best Look Magazine.
Images as always Alan Look Photography

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.....

Bloomington - Normal Illinois InterCity Football

The intercity games were played on Friday night.  As most know, they were moved to NCHS and CCHS this year due to the renovation work that has begun on Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University.  Best Look Magazine covered the 1st have of each game.  We had to cut it short because of the uninvited but welcomed rain from the remnants of Hurricane Isaac.  John Power Photography covered the University High Pioneers and the Central Catholic Saints.  Alan Look Photography covered the Bloomington High School Purple Raiders and the Normal Community Ironmen.  Images will be available on each photographers website.  If you don't see them, check back later.

Here is a direct link to the 2012 BHS v NCHS intercity game. Other high school games and events exposed by Alan Look can be found here : 2012 - 13 High School Sports Galleries

Opening Night for the Ironmen

Opening night at Normal Community High School.  The Ironmen cage the Tigers 21-12.  Jowonis Edwards rushes for 2 TD's in the 2nd quarter.

Here is the link to the photos.  http://alanlook.photoshelter.com/gallery/20120824-Urbana-Tigers-v-Normal-Community-Ironmen-photo-gallery/G00000IVAv5MnSRk/C0000MH5QRoGUJjw

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