This past Saturday Carmi-White County senior Tanner Spence competed at the IHSA Cross-Country state meet in Peoria. With 30 mile per hour winds, 40 degree temperatures and rain throughout the day, all of the runners were affected by the elements. Spence finished in 100th place, covered in mud. Congratulations to Tanner Spence on an outstanding season and outstanding cross country career.
Congratulations to the NCOE Fighting Cardinals volleyball team for advancing to the IHSA state finals with a 2-set win over Trico on Friday night. NCOE will play in the state finals for the 2nd time in the past 4 seasons. They will face Springfield Lutheran in the state semifinals Friday morning at 10:30 at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State university in Normal. If the Cardinals win, they play for a state championship on Saturday.
The second round of the IHSA football playoffs took place on Saturday. In 1A, Sesser-Valier had their season come to an end with a 24-0 loss at Camp Point Central. In 2A, Fairfield fell to Pana at home by a final of 68-50, yes this was a football game not a basketball game. The Mules end their season at 7-4. Athens, who defeated Carmi-White County in the first round of the playoffs, lost to #1 ranked Decatur St. Teresa by a final of 59-33. Johnston City is the only area team still alive as they defeated Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 28-8. The Indians will host Belleville-Althoff Catholic this Saturday. Johnston City is the first Black Diamond Conference team to reach the 3rd round of the playoffs since Chester did so in 2014. In 3A football, Mt. Carmel lost on the road to Tolono-Unity by a final of 35-13, and in 4A, Murphysboro defeated Macomb 20-16. They will travel to Sacred Heart Griffin on Saturday. Carterville defeated Coal City 22-0, they will host Rochester this weekend.
