Community News
All-Star Basketball Classic set for March 25
Rosters are set for the 10th annual event
48 of the top boys and girls’ basketball seniors from Mid-Illinois will be playing in the 10th Annual Carlinville Rotary Club All-Star Basketball Classic to be held Sunday, March 25 at Carlinville High School.
A total of 20 high schools will be represented in the event that includes 24 girls and 24 boys. The All-Star Classic is sponsored by Country Financial representatives in Macoupin, Greene and Jersey counties along with First to the Finish in Carlinville.
Players on the girls’ West squad are Ali Loos and Ashlyn Fore of Waverly-Franklin-New Berlin, Michaela Hlafka of Bunker Hill, Beth Wild of Southwestern, Emalie Thornton, Sally Wittman and Maddie Steckel of Jersey Community, Taylor Voorhees of Roxana, Kim Lake of Carrollton, Kristen Bishop of Greenfield-Northwestern, Loni Nicole Manalia of Gillespie and Jordan Ballinger of Carlinville. Terri Taake of Jersey Community will coach the West All-Stars. Players on the girls’ East team are Kelsey Going and Shelby Smith of Litchfield, Erin Satterlee, Rachel Puckett and Hannah Luckett of Hillsboro, Kelsey Murphy of North Mac, Shani Weiss and Tesia Snow of Greenville, Kati Yakos of Staunton, Alyssa Waddington of Pana, Lexy Waterman of Nokomis and Erika Kuenstler of Auburn. North Mac’s Adrianne Range will coach the East All-Stars.
Representing the boys’ West team are Joey Coonrod and Tyler Watson of Class 1A State runner-up Carrollton, Matt Murphy of Jersey Community, Allen Mansholt, Nick Allen and Brandon Krummelbein of Bunker Hill, Chris Springman of Southwestern, Michael Bussmann of Gillespie, Sam Wear of North Greene, Chase McPeak of Roxana, Dakota Settles of Greenfield-Northwestern and Luke Davis of Carlinville. Jeff Krumweide of Carrollton will coach the West All-Stars.
The East boys’ squad includes Matt DeLuka and Dylan Perkins of Hillsboro, Dale Volentine of Litchfield, Lyol Edwards of Auburn, Brendon Pesko and Jacob Durbinof Nokomis, Dylan Bone of Greenville, Dalton Doefler and Nick Stevens of Pawnee, Dakota Etter and James Emery of North Mac and Matt Mueller of Mt. Olive. Hillsboro’s Joe Vanzo will coach the East All-Stars.
Each game will be played in four 10-minute quarters. The Country Financial 3-Point Shootout for the girls will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the girls’ All-Star game at 4:30 p.m. The Country Financial 3-Point Shootout for the boys will be held between games, starting at 6:15 p.m., with the boys’ All-Star game to follow at 6:45 p.m. The First to the Finish Slam Dunk contest will be held at halftime of the boys’ game.
At halftime of each game, the Carlinville Rotary Club will present the Mid-Illinois “Coach of the Year” awards. An MVP award will also be given following each game.
In the girls’ game last year, the East squad outscored the West 21-12 in the second quarter to pull out a 71-61 victory. Pana’s Allison Allen was named the Most Valuable
Player for the game after scoring a game high 16 points for the East. The East leads the West 5-3 in the series.
In the boys’ game last year, the East squad rallied from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter to pull out a 78-77 victory. Michael Williams of Greenville would take MVP honors in the game, scoring 13 of his team high 20 points in the second half. The West leads the series 6-3.
All proceeds from the day’s events will go to the Carlinville Rotary Club to help with community projects throughout the year.
Admission to the Mid-Illinois All-Star Basketball Classic is $5 for adults. Children 6 and under are admitted free. The Carlinville Rotary Club will provide concessions with pizza by slice, popcorn, and candy along with Gatorade, soda and bottled water.
Comments
SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time and part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2025 semester. Part-time students are enrolled in six to 11 credit hours while full-time students are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.
Students who earned a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) are noted with an asterisk and earned President’s list honors. Students who earned between a GPA of 3.5-3.99 earned Vice President’s list honors. The excerpt below features Macoupin County students.
FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Bunker Hill – Logan R. Helling
Carlinville – Reid P. Evans*, Brody M. Reif
Gillespie – Maris E. Brill, Austin L. Grace*
Girard – Max Allen*, Katie Angulo*, Mick B. Downs*, Josh Hagerman, Reed Lewis, Michael S. Prose*
Mount Olive – Jakobb E. Brown*, Georgia G. Kampwerth
Palmyra – Alexis R. Bowman*
Staunton – Paige N. Horstmeyer*, Michael J. Matesa*, Lauren R. Mathis, Brandon Mo
Virden – Zorah E. Austin*, Michaeh N. Barnhouse*, Maddie Carver, Jackson R. Pierce*, Morgan C. Snell*, Grant M. Strickler, Courtney N. Ulinski*
PART-TIME STUDENTS
Benld – Christopher Young*
Carlinville – Alex C. Nance*, Jerry D. Nance Jr.*
Gillespie – Jessica L. Tiek*
Girard – Lindsey J. Ferguson*, Jackson R. Henke*, Natalie Moriconi*
Mount Olive – Kara A. Harmon*, Justin D. O’Neill*, Hayden Wylder*
Virden – Candace L. Carlile*, Lillian M. Carlile*, Natalie M. Little*, Josie P. Patterson, Luciano Pierce*
Comments
The 2:18 Missions Team, a dedicated local outreach group based in Gillespie, is excited to announce its upcoming cookout fundraiser to support its community initiatives. The event will take place on Saturday, June 21st, at Randy’s Market in Benld.
From approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., community members are invited to enjoy delicious homemade food while supporting a worthy cause. The menu will feature pork chops, pork burgers, hot dogs, and refreshing water — perfect for a summer day of good food and fellowship.
“All proceeds from this event will go directly toward our mission efforts to serve and uplift our community,” said a spokesperson for 2:18 Missions Team. “We’re grateful for the support of our neighbors and look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Come out to Randy’s Market in Benld on June 21st to enjoy a tasty meal, support local endeavors, and connect with others in the community.
Comments
CARLINVILLE, IL – On June 14th, concerned citizens are invited to join a coalition of grassroots organizations to nonviolently protest in front of the Macoupin County Courthouse at 201 E. Main St. in Carlinville, IL, from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. This protest is one of over 1,400 protests taking place nationwide with millions of participants as part of the NO KINGS National Day of Action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration.
Trump’s unconstitutional actions include suppressing free speech, detaining people for their political positions, deporting American citizens, defying the courts, and much more – all while enriching himself and his billionaire allies.
“Now Donald Trump is planning a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. This display of might is intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, while paying for it with taxpayer dollars.”, said Kelley Hatlee, a volunteer organizer with the Macoupin County 50501and Indivisible movements. “Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of attention, the NO KINGS nationwide protests make action everywhere else the story of America on June 14th: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”, said Hatlee.
“We’re showing up together as neighbors, friends, and fellow community members to say NO to authoritarianism and yes to a government that serves everyone,” said Chelsa Pruden, a volunteer organizer with Macoupin PRIDE and Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible. “We’re tired of watching powerful people trample our rights and our voices. This protest is about reminding everyone, especially those in power, that real strength comes from the people.”
Participants are encouraged to make protest signs that convey their personal messages. Packaged, nonperishable food items will be accepted for donation to local food pantries to help low-income families who will be hit hardest by Trump’s policies.
The NO KINGS protest in Carlinville is organized by a volunteer coalition of the Macoupin PRIDE and the Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible grassroots movements. The coalition has created a Facebook page titled “Macoupin County 50501 and Indivisible” for concerned citizens to follow.
Comments
Madison Communications technicians and SCTE Gateway Chapter win first place
Beleagured board chairman responds to critics as County Board prepares to start budgeting process
