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Sports Editor Matt Daniels has this to say about what’s happening in the area:
As players gathered on the court at Effingham High School Monday night, Mahomet-Seymour volleyball coach Stan Bergman said after the Bulldogs defeated Mascoutah to win the Class 3A supersectional championship and advance to the state tournament. I raised my arms in celebration.
3 reasons why we love sports today
➜ 1. There’s nothing like seeing your high school sports team compete in statement play for the first time. The Mahomet-Seymour volleyball team will head to Normal on Thursday afternoon to practice inside CEFCU Arena before heading to Mahomet on Friday at 1 p.m. with a police car and fire truck escort and playing in the Class 3A state semifinals in Normal on Friday at 4 p.m. The game will be against DePaul College Prep. .
➜ 2. The Bulldogs and coach Stan Bergman will also be on the “Monday Night SportsTalk” show on WDWS 1400-AM and 93.9-FM this coming Monday on Esquire in downtown Champaign from 5 to 6 p.m. He will appear as a featured guest.
➜ 3. Check out in-depth preview coverage in Friday’s News-Gazette ahead of the Bulldogs’ first state tournament.
Genesis Bryant is nearing 1,000 career points at the University of Illinois.
Number game: 24
Genesis Bryant needs to reach 1,000 points in two or more seasons as an Illinois women’s basketball guard. The fifth-year senior, who scored 976 points in 67 games for the Illini, becomes the 33rd player in program history to reach that milestone. Her next chance will be Thursday at 6 p.m. when No. 23 Illinois (2-0) hosts Eastern Illinois (0-2) at State Farm Center in Champaign.
Ike Young and the Monticello football team will host Benton in the Class 3A state quarterfinals this Saturday at 2 p.m.
crowd control
3 events I’m paying attention to
➜ 1. Benton from Monticello Football. Ike Young signed a letter of intent with Illinois baseball on Wednesday. On Saturday, Monticello’s quarterback and free safety will work to help the Sages (9-2) advance to the Class 3A state semifinals when they host the Rangers (8-3) at 2 p.m.
➜ 2. Leroy Football Garina. LeRoy’s undefeated season (11-0) continues as the Panthers take on Galena (7-4) in the Class 1A state quarterfinals at Los Angeles McKean Field on Saturday at 1 p.m.
➜ 3. Chicago Christian Football BHRA. Bismarck vs. Henning vs. Rossville vs. Alvin (11-0) continues its record-setting season in a Class 2A state quarterfinal game Saturday at Palos Heights at 5 p.m.
Daniel Nelson with his wife Anna and daughter Sloane;
coach corner
Three questions for Tuscola girls golf coach Danielle Nelson:
➜ 1. My favorite sports team is…the St. Louis Cardinals.
➜ 2. There are three coaches I would like to have dinner with…John Wooden, Tony La Russa, and my high school football coach, Todd Butler.
➜ 3. My biggest dislike is… whining and complaining.
