At times, it wasn't pretty, and at times, it wasn't fun, and even at times, it was hair-pulling, but the Taylorville Lady Tornadoes secured a 47-43 win over Rock Island to tie for fifth place in the Holiday Tournament, "The Classic." This is the second year the Taylorville Tornadoes have played in the 5th/6th place game. Taylorville lost to Richwoods last year and finished in sixth. 

The Lady Tornadoes took a 13-7 lead into the second quarter, but Rock Island came storming back.  Every time the Lady Tornadoes would jump out by 8, the Lady Rocks would come back.  Three times, the Lady Rocks would tie it but couldn't take a lead.  Both teams combined for 16 points in the fourth in a dismal quarter but Lia Champley would get a back door lay up with 15 seconds left, helping the Taylorville Tornadoes win 47-43. Kyleigh Heimsness continues her hot streak with 16 points despite fouling out of the game. Other point totals: Addison Tarr-15, Lia Champley-4, Baileigh Wernz-6, Mazie Fleming 6.  

Addison Tarr was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game with 10 points in the first half on her way to 15 points including some key free throws in the fourth quarter. 

Quincy also finished in 5th place with a win over Plainfield North 61-42.  The Classic Tournament will wrap up on Monday with Championship game between the winners of Washington/Morton vs Chicago St. Ignatius/Normal Community.  Normal Community won the tournament last year. The Taylorville Tornadoes finally head home after a month on the road taking on Springfield on January 3rd at the Dolph. 

As heard on WTIM, Your Information Station...

Taylorville - 46 vs. Galesburg - 40

Behind strong offensive showings for both Drake Howard and Brock Brown, the Taylorville Boys Basketball team improved to 6 - 7 on the regular season and 2 -2 within the 13th Annual Taylorville Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament.

Country Financial Agent Nicole Patrick WTIM Player of the Game: #4 Drake Howard (23 points)

Listen to the postgame interview with head coach Brown below:

The Lady Tornadoes played an even first half with the second-best team in the state but couldn't overcome a shaky third quarter as the Washington Panthers defeated the Taylorville Tornadoes 70-53. The Panthers outscored Taylorville 28-16 in the third quarter including four 3-pointers en route to their victory.  The Panthers would score 9 3-pointers total in the contest. 

Taylorville saw big point numbers from Mazie Fleming (12), Grace Rogers (16), and Addison Tarr (11). For her efforts, Fleming was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game. Taylorville will now move to the fifth-place bracket, where they will face Rock Island (7-8) at Normal Community High School at 2:30 PM Saturday.

Last year, the Taylorville Girls finished in sixth place in the Classic.  

Kyleigh Heimsness hit an important three point shot as time expired at the end of the third quarter and catapulted the Lady Tornadoes to a win as the 6-5 Taylorville Tornadoes upset the 8-3 Trinity (River Forest) Blazers 50-43.  

The Tornadoes and Blazers exchanged leads throughout a majority of the first quarter but it would be Taylorville standing on top at the end of the first 13-11.  The Tornadoes would never look back although the Blazers wouldn't really go away.  Taylorville led at half 32-27. It would be free throws that would keep Trinity in the game.  The Blazers would go 18 for 22 from the free throw line.

The game got rather aggressive in the fourth quarter as a double foul was issued that eventually led to a technical with both teams got into the bonus relatively quickly.  River Forest's Sofia Flynn would make 1 of 2 free throws down the stretch, while Addison Tarr of Taylorville hit both of hers as the referees tried to control the game. 

Kyleigh Heimsness was named the Nicole Patrick Country FInancial Agent Player of the game for 12 points, and several steals.  

Other point totals

Baileigh Wernz-10

Grace Rogers-7

Kyleigh Heimsness-12

Addison Tarr-14

Mazie Fleming-5

Lia Champley-2

The Tornadoes improve to 7-5 but face a tough task as they take on the 13-0 Washington Panthers in the second round of the tournament at 4:30 at Normal Community High School Friday afternoon.  If Taylorville wins, they will play on Saturday at 7:30 PM.  If they lose, they will play either Rock Island or Morton on Saturday at 2:30 PM. 

As heard on WTIM Your Information Station, the Taylorville Tornado Boys took the win over the Jacksonville Crimson's 69-49 in their first game of the Taylorville Holiday Tournament. Taylorville Looks ahead to Friday, December 27th, for a double header against Sterling and Limestone. 

The WTIM Tornado Player of the Game sponsored by Nicole Patrick your Country Financial Agen in Taylorville is Brock Brown. The freshman had a career-high scoring night, cashing in 25 points and dominating the rebound game. 

As heard on WTIM Your Information Station, the Taylorville Boys Basketball Team took the loss to the Minooka Indians 57-47. Taylorville falls to 4-5 and stay 2-2 in the Apollo Confrence.

The WTIM Tornado Player of the Game, sponsored by Nicole Patrick your Countey Financal Agent in Taylorville is Brock Brown. This is the freshman's 2nd game in a row winning pog and finished with 22 points and had a buzzer beating 3 pointer to bring the Tornados to within 10 in the 4th.

It was a tale of two halves for the Taylorville Lady Tornadoes, who fought valiantly in a big second-half comeback but fell short in the loss 63-60 to the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs. The Tornadoes led in the first quarter 13-11, but the Bulldogs would open the floodgates, going on a 28-8 run and taking a 39-21 lead at halftime. The game looked out of reach as Taylorville just did not have an answer to the Bulldogs' three-point attack.  

Coach Hayden Eldred made some adjustments at halftime, and Taylorville came out firing on all cylinders. Taylorville scored six points coming out of the half in the first minute--all field goals. A full-court press had the Bulldogs reeling, as Taylorville would outscore Mahomet 18-6 in the third quarter and cut the deficit to 6.  The Lady Tornadoes continued to chip away even cutting the lead to two points, but a big three from Courtney Fonte kept the lead for the Bulldogs.  Taylorville closed the gap 63-60 but a Kyleigh Heimsness three rattled in and rolled around the rim before falling out as the buzzer expired giving the Bulldogs the Apollo Conference victory.  

Addison Tarr was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game, picking up 19 points with several rebounds, blocks, and steals and keeping Taylorville in the game in the third quarter.

Addison Tarr: 19

Lia Champley: 12

Kyleigh Heimsness: 11

Mazie Fleming: 10

Grace Rogers: 6

Bailiegh Wernz: 2

Mahomet Improves to 8-4.  Taylorville falls to 6-5.  The Lady Tornadoes head out for the State Farm Classic Holiday Tournament where they will face Trinity River Forest with pregame at 4:45.  

The Taylorville Lady Tornadoes had lost four out of their last five games so needless to say they were ready for tonight's game against the Mattoon Green Wave.  When the buzzer sounded marking the end of the first quarter, it was Taylorville who lead 24-2.  The onslaught would continue as Taylorville would score 21 in the second and go into halftime 45-8.  Taylorville would easily beat Mattoon 72-15.  

Addison Tarr who dealt with an injury during a small stretch during the first ten games, looked to be back to her old self, hitting fade aways, layups, a three, and dominating the glass with rebounds and steals as she scored 15 points, but it was Baileigh Wernz who was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game, as Wernz put up 12 points and was a huge asset on the court. Kyleigh Heimsness also had 9 points, Mckynlee Siempelkamp had 10 points in the second half, Grace Rogers put in 9, and Mazie Fleming had 6.  

Ava Larson had 6 points for Mattoon in the losing effort. Mattoon falls to 2-8.  

The 6-4, (3-1) Lady Tornadoes head to Mahomet on Saturday to face the 7-4 (2-1) Bulldogs. Pregame starts around 2:15 on 96.5 The Chill.com. 

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

Central A&M - 54 vs. Edinburg - 79

Central A&M needed a strong first quarter to rebound from the sour taste of defeat on Friday in the Macon County Tournament. The Raiders never found their footing in the first quarter trailing by a score of 22 - 2. Central A&M found much more success on the offensive end in the second, third, and fourth quarters but could never cut the deficit to single digits. The Wildcats improve to 9 - 1 after a strong showing at home while the Raiders drop two straight with a record of 5 - 2.

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #1 Ace Spinner (19 points)

The Taylorville Boys Basketball team took down the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs with a score of 63-48, marking their second straight win. Massi performances form Freshman, Brock Brown, Senior Drake Howard, and Senior, Baron Odam.

The WTIM Tornado Player of the Game Sponssored by Nicole Patrci Your Country Financial Agetn in Taylorville is Clark Durbin. Durbin was instrumental in the defensive effort with multiple steals, rebounds, and large contributions on the defensive end. 

Taylorville Looks ahead to Thursday, December 19th away at Mattoon at 7:00 p.m.

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR....

Central A&M - 36 vs. Nokomis - 49

Central A&M Girls were able to keep the contest close in the first quarter behind strong play of Snearly until early foul trouble pushed her and Hardimon to the bench. Nokomis took advantage of the size mismatches and turnovers by the Raiders to take a 30 - 18 at half. The Raiders were able to hang around in the second half even cutting the lead to single digits at multiple points but were never able to get ahead. Nokomis improved to 9 - 1 with the win while the Raiders fell to 2 - 7 on the season.

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #32 Lyndi Woods (12 points)

A new program is turning heads in central Illinois.  The Central A&M Archery Team is a newly formed team for boys and girls grade 6-12.  The kids compete at indoor and outdoor tournaments and this week attended their first regional event where they came out on top.  

In male youth pins, Will Voudrie, Dax Dukeman, Keegan Northcraft, and Caleb Woodrum placed first through fourth respectfully.  Tessa Allen and Mackenzie Doyle took second and third in female and youth pins.  Lilly Hankins won Female Eagle Pins, and Dalton Snearly won Male open.  

Each archer has four minutes to shoot five arrows.  Congratulations to the Central A&M Archery Team, and to find out more on the Central A&M Archery team, visit their Facebook page “Central A&M Archery Team”

The Taylorville Tornadoes led for 3 of 4 quarters, but not the quarter that mattered as the Glenwood Titans came storming back to pick up a 36-32 win at Lincoln Land Community College.  Glenwood's Alexis Neumann had 17 of the 36 points for Glenwood but it was a 3-pointer from Ava Bobb that put Glenwood up for good in the fourth quarter.  

Taylorville led 10-5 at the end of the first and 15-14 at halftime, in a much better shooting effort than Taylorville's game against Pleasant Plains.  The Tornadoes stretched their lead to six in the third quarter and led 28-25 at the end of the third, but an 11-4 run in the fourth quarter spelled doom for the Lady Tornadoes who now fall to 5-4 on the season.  

For Taylorville, Baileigh Wernz had six points and was fantastic on the glass, Lia Champley, Grace Rogers, and Kyleigh Heimsness each had four points, but it was Mazie Fleming's nine points and several blocks and rebounds that kept Taylorville in the game.  Fleming is the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game.  

Taylorville now turns their attention to Mattoon, who they will face Tuesday evening at 7 pm in Mattoon.  Pregame on 96.5 the Chill around 6:45 PM.  Glenwood improves to 7-2 on the season, Taylorville falls to 5-4. 

The Taylorville Tornadoes Boys' basketball squad took down the Jersey Panthers 53-49 on Saturday night. It was a back-and-forth affair between the non-conference foes with Taylorville outlasting the strong efforts of the Panthers down to the final Moments. 

The Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game is Baron Odam. Head Coach Ryan Brown spoke very highly of the Taylorville defense and Senior, Odam, had multiple blocks and charges and finished with 5 points. 

Taylorville Looks ahead to Tuesday, December 17th for an Appolo Confrence matchup against Mahomet-Seymour at home.

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR...

Central A&M - 26 vs. Warrensburg-Latham - 70

Central A&M came in to the contest at 5 - 0 while the visiting Cardinals of Warrensburg-Latham sat at 8 - 0. Both teams started strong in the first quarter for a 12-13 ballgame before the Cardinals would go on an 18 - 0 run to start the second. Central A&M failed to find their footing offensively and would go on to put up 14 total points in the second, third, and fourth quarters. Warrensburg-Latham pulled away quickly and never looked back while coasting to 9 - 0 on the season.

Macon County Tournament Results:

1st: Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals

2nd: Central A&M Raiders

3rd: Maroa-Forsyth Trojans

Here the postgame interview with Raiders Boys Head Coach Smith below:

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #2 Rhett McClain (18 points)

Taylorville Boys Basketball falls to the Mt. Zion Braves 68-50 after a week-long break for the Tornadoes. The undefeated Braves kept a fast-paced offense all night and Taylorville did all they could to hang in. 

Quick turnaround for the Tornadoes as they look to Saturday, December 14th, traveling to Jerseyville for a non-conference match. 

The WTIM Tornado Player of the Game sponsored by Nicole Patrick Your Country Financial Agent in Taylorville is Drake Howard. Howard finished with 20 points on the evening and slowed the Mt. Zion offense. 

A slow start doomed the Taylorville Tornadoes who looked a little rusty coming into tonight's game as the Pleasant Plains Cardinals beat the Lady Tornadoes 50-36 in a non-conference game Thursday evening. 

The Tornadoes got off to a slow shooting start with only a field goal in the first half as they trailed at halftime 27-8.  Coming out of halftime the Tornadoes played much better but the deficit was too great to overcome.  Taylorville outscored the Cardinals 19-10 in the fourth quarter but couldn't overcome the hot hand of Pleasant Plains' Anna Weber and Bailey Leach.  

Grace Rogers was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game. Taylorville falls to 5-3. Pleasant Plains improve to 6-5. The Tornadoes head to Lincoln Land Community College on Saturday night for a matchup against Glenwood in a rematch from last year's Regionals where Glenwood won 41-39. 

As heard on Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR....

Central A&M - 54 vs. Maroa-Forsyth - 48

Central A&M led 12 - 10 in the first quarter before both teams would go into halftime knotted up 23 -23. Central A&M again benefitted from a strong surge in the third quarter and held a one point lead going into the third quarter at 35 to 34. The Raiders relied on freshman Victor Revelo for fantastic production off the bench including 7 late points in crunch time helping lead the Raiders to 5 - 0. Rhett McClain led all scorers with 15 total points. Central A&M now has a crack at the Macon County Tournament championship against an undefeated conference foe in Warrensburg-Latham on Friday, December 13th at 8 p.m. Raiders Boys Basketball now sits at 5 - 0 overall to start the season.

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #31 Victor Revelo

Central A&M - 55 vs. Tri-City - 42

Central A&M now moves to 4 - 0 on the season after three players find themselves in double figures. Central A&M started slow but evened things back up at 23 - 23 at halftime. The Raiders dominated the third quarter with 21 total points, 17 of those between both Ace Spinner and Rhett McClain. This was all Central A&M needed to maintain the lead that turned into a big fourth win on the season. 

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #1 Ace Spinner

Drake Howard went 11/12 from the free throw line and Malique Pearse had himself a huge day as the Taylorville Tornadoes won 60-48 in Canton over the Little Giants on Saturday afternoon.  The Tornadoes jumped out to an early lead, and while Canton came back and took the lead in the second it was short-lived, as Pearse hit a big three on his way to a 14-point day.  Howard had only a couple of field goals, but his 11 free throws and a 22-point fourth quarter helped the Tornadoes exercise some fourth-quarter demons and pick up a big win. 

Head Coach Ryan Brown says the team really needed this win. 

Drake Howard was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game. The Tornadoes have some much deserved time off before facing Mt. Zion on Friday night in Taylorville.  That game of course can be heard on 96.1 WTIM, Your Information Station. 

Central A&M - 51 vs. Unity Christian - 42

Central A&M took an early lead behind a balanced offensive output starting the first quarter at 18 - 8. Stenger kept the Raiders rolling in the second quarter with timely baskets as the Raiders remained in control at half 27 - 22. The third quarter again proved to be the turning point for the Raider boys who never looked back and kept the early foul trouble at bay. Central A&M would go on to improve on the second half vs. Pana and that trend continued into this win to move to 2 - 0 on the young season.

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #45 Paul Brown

Central A&M - 40 vs. Meridian - 46

Central A&M scored 6 points in both the first and second quarter for a 12 point total at half. Meridian scored 16 in the second quarter taking a 24 - 12 lead at halftime. Gwyn Hardimon had two early fouls that found her on the bench for the entirety of the second quarter, helping the Hawks take command.

Central A&M at multiple points in the second half found themselves down just 2 but could never get ahead for good. Central A&M falls on the season to 1 - 4. 

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #10 Gwyn Hardimon

Mazie Fleming won the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game after pouring in 20 points, along with countless rebounds, blocks, and steals, and the Taylorville Tornadoes handled business on the road defeating the Charleston Trojans 69-22 in Charleston. The Lady Tornadoes dominated both sides of the ball in a sloppy first half, before settling down and pulling away in the third quarter. Nora Thomas picked up 9 points in the fourth quarter for Taylorville, as well. 

The Tornadoes get some time off before heading on the road to face Pleasant Plains on December 12th. 

The Taylorville Tornado boys varsity basketball squad goes down to the Effingham Hearts 50-46 in Thursday night's match-up. It was a hard-fought defensive game in which Taylorville led 22 - 12 at the half. Effingham came out with a new life in the third and fourth quarters and secured the victory. Taylorville looks ahead to this Saturday at 2:30 to play Canton away. 
 

The WTIM Tornado player of the game sponsored exclusively by Nicole Pactric your country financial agent in Taylorville is Clark Durbin

The Lady Tornadoes fell on the road in an Apollo Conference matchup to the Effingham Flaming Hearts Tuesday evening 45-31.  The Tornadoes started slowly being outscored 21-12 at halftime, but the Tornadoes came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter outscoring the Hearts 9-0 in the first 6 minutes of the third quarter, but the Hearts came storming back on a 9-0 run themselves and the Hearts never looked back.

Effingham went 12-14 from the free throw line in the win.  The Hearts improve to 6-0. The Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game was Grace Rogers who poured in 9 points and got the lone 3-pointer for Taylorville. 

The Tornadoes fall to 4-2 on the season and head off to Charleston on Thursday evening.

Central A&M - 56 - Pana - 46

Central A&M fought hard in the first half against the physical play of the Panthers even with foul trouble plaguing two starters, Paul Brown and Rhett McClain. Pana even with this was only up 3 at halftime. Central A&M took control of the 3rd quarter and ran up a 10 point lead quickly shifting the momentum in favor of the Raiders. Central A&M closed out the second half playing conservative basketball while utilizing the clock on their way to victory. Both Ace Spinner and Rhett McClain led the way with 17 points a piece. 

Seitz Funeral Homes Player of the Game: #2 Rhett McClain

The Apollo Conference has released it's first and second All-Apollo Teams.  Congratulations to everyone but a special congratulations to Brogan Muncy, Clark Durbin, Malique Pearse, Owen Mateer, Baron Odam, Kade Beckmier, Waylon Wolfe, Owen Younker, Gabe Michaud, Cash Foraker, and Jacob McWard. 

Congratulations to the All Apollo Teams!

The Taylorville Wrestling Club showcased impressive determination at the Meet in the Middle tournament on Sunday, December 1, at Lanphier High School in Springfield, finishing 17th out of 59 teams despite fielding a roster of mostly first-time wrestlers with just three practices under their belts.

Results:
Gavin Peabody: 4th
Knox Harris: 4th
Huxley Crowder: 4th
Oliver Wallace: 4th
Maddox Adams: 2nd
Wilson Hand: 3rd
Remy Reber: 3rd
Kysen Sirbaugh: 3rd
Hudson Edenfield: 4th
Julia Daugherty: 3rd
Becker Fallin: 1st
Oliver Paine: 4th
Karter Fry: 2nd
Henry McConnell: 4th
Wesley Whitmore: 3rd
Case McCallister: 1st
Harvest Gist: 4th
Claire Peabody: 4th
Mavis Nation: 1st
Reese Alger: 2nd
Legna Emry: 2nd
Johanna Daugherty: 3rd
Quinn Masters: 1st
Kylie Paine: 4th
Erin Wells: 4th
Joe Jiannoni: 4th
Cooper Alger: 2nd
Rozae Benavidez: 4th
Trigg Hackney: 4th
Dawson Smith: 4th
Kohl Barton: 4th
Jaxon Adermann: 4th
Jaylynn DeVore: 1st

The Tornado Boys Basketball Team fell to the Williamsville Bullets 51-38 on the opening night at Dolph Stanley, Taylorville High School. The Tornados move to 0-2 on the season and look ahead to Thursday for their first Apollo Confrence foe in Effingham at 7:0 p.m. at THS. 

The Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game is Clark Durbin. Durbin finished the evening with 10 points and over five rebounds, keeping the Tornadoes competitive in the third quarter.