Gillespie looks to bounce back after taking a loss against Carrollton on November 18.

Carrollton jumped ahead in the first period taking the lead 7-6 heading into the second. Carrollton’s center, Megan Camden, lead the charge with a total of 4 out of their 7 points. Gillespie managed to get on the scoreboard thanks to contributions from Amari Vickery, Sadie Sholtis, and Mia Brawner, who collectively netted 6 points.

Gillespie found their rhythm in the second period, showcasing their shooting prowess by racking up 16 points. Lainey Edwards, Delaney Taylor, and Brawner each demonstrated their skills from beyond the arc, sinking three-pointers and adding to the team’s offensive surge. Vickery added to the tally with a free throw, while Edwards, Taylor, and Brawner combined for another six points. Carrollton, however, kept pace, scoring 11 points of their own, leaving Gillespie with a narrow lead of 22-18 as they headed into halftime.

The third period saw Carrollton return with a renewed confidence, outscoring Gillespie 19 to 9, turning the tide of the game. Carrollton was put at the free throw line a total of seven times during the third period alone. They capitalized on their opportunities at the free throw line, going 7 for 14 during this period. Sholtis was Gillespie’s lead scorer during the third putting up a total of 4 points.

To close out the game, Carrollton maintained their lead in the fourth quarter, finishing with a 10-7 advantage, which solidified the final score at 47 to 38. Brawner demonstrated her shooting range with a three-pointer, while Vickery and Sholtis each added a basket in Gillespie’s effort.

The Gillespie High School baseball team had six players receive South Central Conference accolades, conference officials announced on Monday. The Miners had three named to the first team, two to the second team, and two to the third team.

Named to the first team included seniors Bryce Buhs as pitcher, Tristen Wargo as infielder, and Jesse Berry as outfielder. Wargo was also named to the conference’s second team as pitcher alongside sophomore Collin Griffith. Senior Jaydon Baker and junior Jack Kaylor were named to the third team as designated hitter/utility and outfielder, respectively.

Rounding out the conference’s first team included Nathan Matoush of Hillsboro in two places as pitcher and infielder; Marcus Payne, Rocky Darr and Hunter Newell of Southwestern; Carson Satthoff, Mathew Bywater, and Jake Gasperson of Litchfield; Aiden Hatalla of North Mac; Benjamin Hutchinson of Greenville; and Kale Konrad of Vandalia.

Joining Wargo and Griffith on the conference’s second team is Adam Hale, Colin LeMarr and Ryan Lowis of Southwestern; Carter Legendre and Dillon Pritchett of Staunton; Ethan Saathoff of Litchfield; Rowdy Sussenbach and Cohen Alstat of Greenville; Quinn Morrow of North Mac; and Andrew Kelly of Vandalia.

Third team honorees include Drake Curry, Cohen Alstat, Dominic Sanchez, and Hudson Alstat of Greenville; Carson Saathoff and Tate Dobrinich of Litchfield; Cade McCready and Collin Etter of North Mac; Ryan Karbach, Parker Moore, and Madyx Angel of Pana; Marcus Payne of Southwestern; Ayden Jones of Vandalia; and Noah Convery of Carlinville.

Eight players from the Gillespie Miners softball team were selected to the South Central Conference All-Conference teams, conference officials announced on Monday.

Being honored on the first team from Gillespie included senior Emma Gipson, juniors Delaney Taylor and Macie Wright, and sophomores Ava Parish and Paxton Reid. Senior Wrigley Releford and sophomore Sadie Sholtis were named to the conference’s second team while freshman Laci Shuckenbrock was named to the third team.

Other first-team honorees from around the conference include Carlinville’s Hallie Gibson and Isabella Tiburzi; Staunton’s Ele Feldmann, Taylor Nolan, and Lilly Troeckler; and Alexis Bowman of North Mac.

Joining Releford and Sholtis on the second team include Taylor Keirs and Ines Oprtigosa of North Mac; Gianna Bianco of Staunton; Abby McDonald of Southwestern; Braley Wiser and Hannah Gibson of Carlinville; Zoee Englert and Haylee Clark of Greenville; Brianna Mathis of Pana; Aubrey Evans of Hillsboro; and Madison Lupton of Vandalia.

Rounding out the third team are Joey Laker and Kennedy Bowker of Pana; EmmaLeigh Wilfong and Emma Bingham of Greenville; Addison Ruyle and Olivia Kunz of Carlinville; Vivian Zurheide and Ella Kadell of Southwestern; Korryn Keehner, Kylie Lucykow, and Sam Anderson of Staunton; Elise Walch of Litchfield; Karleigh Prose of North Mac; and Peyton Chappelear of Hillsboro.