ChimpersCage

  BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) March 19, 2010 — The Flying Dutch of Hope College punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship final Friday night, defeating the University of Rochester Yellowjackets 86-75 in a hard-fought semifinal at the Shirk Center at Illinois Wesleyan. The game featured intense competition, including a moment when Hope’s Philana Greene and Rochester’s Jodie Luther wrestled for a loose ball. Ultimately, the Flying Dutch pulled away with strong offensive play and clutch shooting to secure the victory. Hope College will now advance to the championship game, looking to claim the national title.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (March 18, 2011) — Brittany Hasselbring maneuvered around the top of the key during an NCAA women's basketball game between the Washington University Bears and the Illinois Wesleyan Titans at Shirk Center on Friday. The matchup featured intense competition as both teams fought for a spot in the next round. Hasselbring played a key role in the Titans’ offensive efforts, looking to create opportunities against Washington University's defense. Illinois Wesleyan hosted the game at Shirk Center, drawing a strong home crowd in support of the Titans.

On Saturday afternoon of June 21st, the best of the graduated senior high school girls basketball players met up and divided up as the North and the South to play one last high school game.  Many of the girls have played with or against each other most of their lives, first on travel teams and then on to organized school sports.  The action isn't always polished as they don't get to practice much together, but the camaraderie and fun is always evident with all the smiles both on and off the court. Some of these ladies will go on with their sports careers in the collegiate arenas, others will just get on with life.  Best wishes to all of them no matter the path they take. This Saturday afternoon, the boys will arrive at the Shirk Center in Bloomington and take part in their game. Look for coverage in the August edition of Best Look Magazine. 2014 Girls IBCA All Stars (Illinois Basketball Coaches Association) photos - Images by Alan Look ...

If you are looking for some memories of the 2013 McLean County Tournament, be sure to check out the galleries of Alan Look Photography.  Alan Look Photography is a professional sports photographer who has lived in McLean County his whole life.  He has been published world wide in several well respected magazines, newspapers and books .  He works locally as a free-lancer and covers assignments for the Normalite Newspaper Group and publishes a quarterly sports and leisure magazine named Best Look Magazine. Be sure to check them out even if you don't purchase.  Looking is free! 2013 102nd McLean County Tournament Photos Alan Look Photography, McLean County's Best Look in sports action photography Best Look Magazine Normalite -Chimper-

Yes, this Saturday January 19th, the first rounds of the 2013 McLean County Tournament will be played at the gyms of Ridgeview in Colfax.  You can find the brackets on the McLean County Tournament page of Alan Look Photography .   Alan will be in and out hitting several of the games through out the week.  Check the website , the Normalite , and Best Look Magazines next issue for coverage and some great photos of the McLean County Tournament . This will be the 102nd McLean County Tournament.

Congrats to the Illinois Wesleyan Titan Basketball teams. Yes, both the IWU Titan Men's and the IWU Titan Women's teams this season have broke the barrier in Division III to make it to the respective NCAA tournaments. Seems like I can never get enough free time to cover them too many times, but I generally manage to get there once or twice a season. If you never consider attending, you should. Especially when they are at home in the Shirk Center. The closeness of the seating creates a very exciting and competitive environment. I don't think you will find a gym where you can get closer to the action without being in it. Add the pep band you get some real atmosphere. Oh, one more plus - at least in my eyes... I've never seen a break for a media time out! The game just keeps moving at the participants pace. Keeps the raw playing power and emotion in the game. Players, coaches and officials may see it different. Congrats to all the Titans. Ladies first! ...

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