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.  

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!

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

Jacksonville Crimson battles back but can't undo UHigh Pioneers lead

Normal University High Pioneers hosted the Crimson of Jacksonville on Friday night winning both the junior varsity and varsity boys basketball games.  Joe Brown, a sophomore had a personal game high best in scoring by putting in 11 points in the second quarter and ending out the game with 15 total.  The Pioneers enjoyed a lead of 15 points in the 3rd quarter, but the Crimson wasn't ready to shutdown yet, pulling back to within 6 points.  Four free throws sealed the game late for the Pioneers with a pair being hit by both Doug Holmes and Joe Brown.  Pioneers at the buzzer by 8, 59-51.

Pioneers and Raiders top their opponents in Intercity play by a combined 7 points.

Boys Intercity always has a couple good rivalry games.  For years, the Central Catholic Saints and the University High Pioneers have had a pretty good one.  This years seems no different, maybe even a little moreso since they are now in different conferences.  The whole game was a back and forth affair that had the Saints trailing most of the night.  They closed the gap in the 4th quarter and nearly won it in the last minutes with a foul to get the ball back strategy.  In the end, the Pioneers remained on top by 4.

BHS and NCHS have had a rivalry for years, even before Normal West came to exist.  The game last night was between the West Wildcats and the Bloomington Raiders.  They also have a rivalry, but with 2 of the best players in the state - one on each team - the game took on a tone of its own.  The Shirk Center was 3 rows deep of standing room only during the 4th quarter of the earlier game.  At the start of this affair the SRO had dwindled to just one row.  Lots of fans stayed to watch this game.  The game didn't disappoint.  There were at least 4 dunks, 2 intentional fouls and one good discussion between an official and a coach.  It was maybe the best high school basketball game we have seen in 5 years.  In the end, the Raiders took it by 3 points.

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.

Olympia plays U High

The first Friday in October was a pleasant change from many in September.  The air was a bit cooler and no lightning!  The Spartans of Olympia visited Hancock Stadium to take on the Pioneers of University High. It was senior night for the Pioneers.

Check out the Normalite Newspapers and Best Look Magazine for game coverage by the Best Look in Sports Action Photography in Bloomington Normal.


20151002 Olympia at UHigh football photos - Images by Alan Look
 - Chimper

UHigh and ISU use big 1st halves to defeat opponents

The University Pioneers and the Bloomington Central Catholic Saints have been city rivals for years.  On Friday night lightning forced both sides to go home with not even a light on the scoreboard being lit.  The came back on Saturday with the Pioneers putting 18 points on the board in the first half.  Central Catholic was the only scorers the 2nd half, but only managed 13.  UHS 18, CCHS 13.

Later on Saturday, the Redbirds of Illinois State welcomed a new non-confernce opponent in the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State.  The Redbirds were not going to lose their first home game, but no one expected a shut out 62-0.  Tre Roberson won out over veteran Blake Winkler for the Quarterback start.

Be sure to check the Normalite Newspaper, Best Look Magazine and return to Chimperscage and Photo Scoop Illinois for more fall sports each week.  The Best Look in Sports Photography in Bloomington Normal and McLean County.



20140906 Mississippi Valley State at Illinois State Football Photos - Images by Alan Look

20140906 University High Pioneers at Bloomington Central Catholic Saints Football Photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper -

"If you think it costs a lot to hire a pro, wait till you hire an amatuer" - Red Adair

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 -

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

Luke Otto of Normal U High signs with Western Illinois Leathernecks

During the 2014 National Signing day (February 5th), Kicker Luke Otto of Normal U-High Pioneers signed his letter of intent to attend and play football with the Leathernecks of Western Illinois.  Western has had a long standing annual game with the Illinois State Redbirds, so Luke should feel right at home every other year playing at Hancock Stadium where the Redbirds as well as the Pioneers call home.



Luke Otto, Western Illinois Football Recruit - Images by Alan Look

-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

End of Football, Basketball begins

The last of the football seasons regular season games are now over for Alan Look Photography.  The last was the competition for the crown in the Missouri Valley Football Conference between North Dakota State Bison and the Illinois State Redbirds.  We have a gallery from this game.

Basketball season is starting up.  There have already been some college games and some girls high school games.  Boys high school will start this week.  We've been fortunate to cover several girls intercity games for the Normalite and Best Look Magazine.

Best Look Magazine also published it's 2nd issue this past week. Be sure to check it out.

Galleries:
BHS v CCHS
BHS v West
UHS v CCHS

NDSU v ISU

John Power has also been busy shooting some intercity games.  Be sure to check out his galleries as they become available.

We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!