ChimpersCage

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! ...

2011-2012 Illinois State Women's Basketball Redbirds Last week it was the guys, this week the ladies... The Missouri Valley Conference, ahead of the beginning of the Conference tournament annouced the season acknowledgements for the ladies. Three players and coach Stephanie Glance were named. Katie Broadway and Jamie Russell were both named to the All Valley first team. Russell also grabbed the award for best newcomer. Candace Sykes received Honorable Mention. Stephanie Glance follows in her predecessor’s footsteps and received the Valley honor of Coach of the Year. Congrats to all. Stephanie Glance - Images by Alan Look

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

Just a day shy of a month later, the Normal Community West Wildcats will meet up with the Normal Community Ironmen for one last time this season. On February 3rd, the Wildcats hosted the Ironmen and also lost to them. This time they meet on neutral wood at the Shirk Center for the IHSA Regional Championship and the right to move on to the IHSA Sectionals. The game originally slated for play in Danville has been moved to the Shirk Center in BLoomington and tips off at 7:30pm Friday March 2. Hope to see ya there. 20120203 NCHS v West - Images by Alan Look

As always before the MVC tournament starts, the Missouri Valley Conference hands out it's yearly awards. This year three Redbirds get a nod. Jackie Carmichael - 2nd team all conference Tyler Brown - All Newcomer team Nic Moore - All Freshman team Doug McDermott was named the Larry Bird Player of the year. Well, I think one more is in order. I really enjoyed watching Bryant Allen this year. He has got my vote for Happiest Player on the Court. He can hit a three open or not and if you take away the outside on him, he's going to find the open guy or take you inside. Still while doing all that, he has the largest smile on his face of anyone in the arena. Of course, it wouldn't be a real Chimperscage blog entry with out some Alan Look photos . McDermott: Doug McDermott - Images by Alan Look Carmichael: Jackie Carmichael - Images by Alan Look Brown: Tyler Brown - Images by Alan Look Moore: Nic Moore - Images by Alan Look Allen: Bryant A...

Illini Bluffs Girls Basketball v Leroy Panthers Girls Basketball IHSA Consolation Game It's always a heartbreaker for the players, coaches, families and communities to see their team make it to the IHSA State Basketball finals and not take 1st. Over time everyone realizes that they beat out a whole lot of people to even get that pass tag to Redbird Arena. It generally sets the tone to do even better the following year. In the end, everyone will have the memory of being one of the four best teams in the state for the rest of their lives. Congrats and enjoy the lifetime memory to all 4 teams, but especially the LeRoy Panthers as they hail from just 15 miles down the road. 20120225 Illini Bluffs v LeRoy - Images by Alan Look

Illinois State Redbird Men's Basketball v Wichita State Shockers Men's Basketball Seems like all the hoopla this season has surrounded the McDermotts ( Greg and Doug ). Even Sports Illustrated had a multipage/mulitphoto spread on them and the 'Jays from Creighton. Still, I look at the leaderboard on the MVC site and see the Wichita Shockers are 2 games ahead of them. The Shockers beat the Illinois State Redbirds on Doug Collins Court last night by thirteen. So, the MVC has a first, a second, a pair in third and a four way tie for fourth. Should be a fun dance in St. Louis this year! 20120222 Wichita State v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look