ABV Jack talks releases statement about his house fire

February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

ABV JackWOODLAWN, IL – NOTE- I have been friends with Jack Bullock for several years now.  His website is an invaluable resource in helping me prepare for high school basketball stories.     He opens up about his house fire on his website abaselineview.com. There is a link to the GoFundMe site. Please keep Jack in your prayers. -sd Here is

Jack Bullock's home that was destroyed by fire Thursday night.

Jack Bullock’s home that was destroyed by fire Thursday night.

an excerpt from his story. To the friends of A Baseline View. This is the most difficult thing that I have ever written on my website. But I felt like I needed to let everyone know what was going on. Many of you who are close to me and know me from Facebook also know that this past Thursday night my mobile home caught fire and burned to the ground. I came home while it was on fire but I wasn’t able to save anything, including my best friend and buddy, my dog “Raider.” I lost my home and my truck. Because of the age of my mobile home I had no insurance on it and my truck only had liability insurance because I never drove it long distances.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Slider, Sports

Sesser-Valier tackles the hosts Crab Orchard tonight at 7:30 P.M.

February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Steve Dunford-  franklincounty-news.com

The Sesser-Valier Red Devils match up with the hosts Crab Orchard Trojans tonight at Dee Ozment gym.  Game time is around 7:30 p.m. after the  Christopher/Steeleville.

For those who have not been there the gym is awesome for a school of 138.   It is the fourth best in the GEC in my book behind NCOE, Gallatin County and Hardin County.  There is a gap there and Thompsonville is the fifth best facility on the conference.

I have watched the Trojans play a few times this year either live or on film.  My familiarity with the GEC helps a lot here.    Their best

Here is a screen shot from the Thompsonville Tigers you tube feed of Dee Ozment gym. It is a facility that is worthy of hosting back to back regionals.

Here is a screen shot from the Thompsonville Tigers you tube feed of Dee Ozment gym. It is a facility that is worthy of hosting back to back regionals.

player is 6’3 senior Caleb Vaughn.  He plays a lot like Jared Curry. He has signed a letter of intent to play for Southeastern Illinois College.

His running mate in the back court is 5′ 11″ senior Cameron Stephens.  He is a sharp shooter.  The Christopher comparisons are the best I can describe but he is similar to Kaeleb Pedigo.

McKager Farrell a 6′ 3″ senior and Amos Bealsey a 6′ 4″ senior are hosses in the post.  Farell and Vaughn hit the 1,000 point mark in the same game against Thompsonville on January 31.

Their fifth starter is Jaden Shell a 5′ 11″ senior.  He is a three type player.

Both teams are very similar as both play man to man.  Both teams like to run also.  I see a very high scoring game.

I can not see anyone stopping Lukas Gunter.  Other than Beasley everyone likes jacking the three for Crab.  Charles Farmer and Tyler Winchester needs to have the hot hand.

Preston Launius has turned into quite the defender.  I look for him to draw Vaughn.

I am curious how Jamie Lance matches up Beasley and Ferrell. Lance and Seth Boles needs to stay out of foul trouble.  Addison Baxter can come in and get a little physical with them inside.

The Trojans go about seven deep.  Joshua Gunter could come off the bench and give them some fits going nine deep with Addison Page.

It is going to be a good game.  Sesser-Valier’s tougher schedule will come into play.  When I watched the Devils at Christopher, I noticed that they have became much more physical.  The BIT prepared them for that.

I am done predicting games.  It causes a little friction.  It will be a slug fest and a very hard fought game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, Uncategorized

Christopher plays Steeleville tonight at 6:00 at Crab Orchard

February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Steve Dunford -franklincounty-news.com

Tonight down at the Crab Orchard regional Christopher will face Steeleville and Sesser-Valier will face the Crab Orchard Trojans.

I have a few things to say first.  First my condolences goes to Robert “Radar” Patton long time Gallatin County coaches family.  He passed away today.

He has ties to Franklin County as current Gallatin County Coach Doug Miller was his assistant for a few years.  Miller started his coaching career at Thompsonville.

Radar’s son Drake was the coach of the Galatia-Thompsonville Lady Cats before going back home to coach at Gallatin Co.  He met head to head with his dad in a few times coaching.

If anyone knows if there has been a trust fund set up for Jack Bullock let me know.  He lost his home  in a fire last Thursday. I use abaselineview.com a lot as a reference to prepare for my stories.  He has graciously let me share links.

Bryce and Jodi Bainter with Hensley Jean.

Bryce and Jodi Bainter with Hensley Jean.

Here is some happy news.  Steeleville coach Bryce Bainter has a new addition to his family.  His lovely wife Jodi gave birth to an eight pound baby girl, Hensley Jean, at 8:04 this morning at   Momma and the baby are doing well.

I have a soft spot for coaches wives.  They are the back bone of the family.  I have never met Jodi, but we will talk soon if the Bainter’s oblige.

There are several coaches that have very young families.  After the season, I am going to do several feature stories on each family.

Now on to tonight’s games.

Christopher 15-12 faces Steeleville 20-8 at 6:00 p.m. at Dee Ozment gym in Crab Orchard.  Christopher had a little trouble with Z-R in their last Friday night.  Steeleville picked up a nice win against Elverado Monday night in the first round.

The Warriors and the Bearcats have not faced each other this year. The Bearcats are 8-2 against common opponents.  They are 2-1 against Sesser Valier and Chester.  They have beat Trico twice. They also own wins against Webber Township and New Athens.

The Warriors are 4-4 against common opponents.  They beat Trico twice and had wins over Webber Township and New Athens.  They lost to Sesser Valier and Chester three times.

Owen Gross a 6′ 1″ sophomore plays the three spot.  He is more of a third guard and one of the better ones in Southern Illinois.

Dusty Sutton a 5′ 8″ senior plays the point and Andrew Grafton a 5″ 11″ senior is his running mate.  They have some size in the post 6′ 4″ Reid Frediking and 6′ 3″ senior RJ Smith.

They have a very deep bench.  They can bring a couple kids that are 6′ 6″ to give them some additional size.

I am curious how Owen Gross matches up with Jared Curry.  Grafton and Kaleb Pedigo along with Gabe Schimpf could get in a shootout.

The size inside might give Bradley Young a little trouble. He gets a extra amount of adrenaline in a big time game.  Along with Pedigo, he has been on the big stage a lot during his career.

Bryce Pratt  has been “Cool hand Luke” all year.  He does not look like a freshman at all on the court.

I give the edge on the bench to Steeleville. Christopher coach Eric Stallman has been going to his bench a little more.  Senior Zach Snell has played a lot more minutes down the stretch, as well as freshman Gabriel Motsinger and sophomore Dalton Saeger.

This is a game that I can not pick a favorite in.  It will be a good one.  I am looking forward to Richard Blakely telling me about it on WXAN.

 

Filed Under: Christopher High School Sports, High School Sports, Sports

Rangers pass final post season tune-up at Salem

February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
This Future Ranger might have a future in the broadcast booth. Trey Severin with Ranger color man Coach Tom Wheeler last night. Trey had on a headset earlier.

This Future Ranger might have a future in the broadcast booth. Trey Severin with Ranger color man Coach Tom Wheeler last night at B.E. Gum gym. Trey had on a headset earlier.

SALEM, IL- (WJBD radio- Salem/Centralia, Click to read the full article. Here is an excerpt) A slow start couldn’t be overcome by a strong finish and the Salem Wildcats fell to 6th ranked Benton at B.E. Gum on senior night 56-51. Brenden Boles layup with 2:38 left cut a 15 point second half deficit to just 2 points, but Salem would get no closer. Derek Oxford hit a 3 pointer from the corner, his 4th on the night, to help seal the deal late for the Rangers who improved to 28-2 while Salem fell to 12-14. Brenden Boles led the Cats with 13 points. Kaden Wayer added 12.

Filed Under: Benton High School Sports, High School Sports, Slider, Sports

Redbirds fall in another heart-breaker to Eldorado

February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

wf-redbirdsELDORADO – (Michael Dann- Harrisburg Daily Register. Click to read the whole article. Here is an excerpt. ) Beating a team three times is no easy task. Eldorado was presented with that conundrum Tuesday night, taking on West Frankfort in the IHSA Class 2A Regional at Duff-Kingston Gymnasium, on the campus of Eldorado High School. In two previous meetings, the Eagles won 60-48 on December 6 and were victorious 48-44 on January 20 at the West Frankfort Mid-Winter Tournament. Tuesday, a healthy dose of EHS senior Ethan Partridge in the fourth quarter, helped propel Eldorado to a 42-40 win, putting Eldorado in the regional championship Friday night. & “(Kevin” Toney has probably seen us play more than half of our fans have,” Bradley said of West Frankfort and their head coach. “They know us very well and they are a well coached team, so you knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Don’t be fooled, that West Frankfort team has some talent. & Noah Allen led the Redbirds with 15 points and was their only player to reach double figures. Austin Glodich and Andrew Sturgill each scored six points, while C.J. Johnson finished with five points. Keegan Thrash tossed in four points, while Kyle Hammers and Lucas Wolfe both had two points.

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports

Sesser-Valier, Crab Orchard advance

February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment

 

ABV JackCRAB ORCHARD, IL – (Jack Bullock- abaselineview.com. Click on the link to read the entire story and browse his website. Here is an excerpt) Depth and experience are two very important aspects of

Z-R senior guard Brendan Whiting looks to drive around S-V defender Preston Launius in last night's game. (Jack Bullock, Photo)

Z-R senior guard Brendan Whiting looks to drive around S-V defender Preston Launius in last night’s game. (Jack Bullock, Photo)

a championship caliber ball club to have in your possession as a coach heading into the postseason in boy’s high school basketball. Head coach Shane Garner has that luxury. His Red Devils used both of those attributes in their dismantling of Black Diamond Conference rival Zeigler-Royalton in the opening round of the 1A Crab Orchard Regional on Tuesday night. & “We wanted to come in and dictate the tempo of the game. I thought we did that early. We were kind of sloppy and a bit hesitant on the offense end but we were more aggressive on the defensive end,” said Coach Garner. “But the tempo worked in our advantage. We wanted to wear them down.” & “We used our depth tonight, we wanted to save their (starters) legs in the second half and we are moving on to the right side (of the bracket),” said Coach Garner. “If we can save some legs (rest) for tomorrow night, which is a quick turnaround. Especially with our style of play. We were able to rotate players in. I think we will be fresh and ready for tomorrow.”

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Slider, Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

MVTHS reverses decision on Creel

February 22, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The Centralia student section in last Friday night's game against Mt. Vernon, wearing shirts in support of MVTHS coach and AD, Doug Creel (Randy Olson photo)

The Centralia student section in last Friday night’s game against Mt. Vernon, wearing shirts in support of MVTHS coach and AD, Doug Creel (Randy Olson photo)

MT. VERNON, IL – (Travis Morse – Mt. Vernon Register-News – Please click on the link to read the full article. Here is an excerpt) The Mt. Vernon Township High School Board of Education Tuesday voted to return the athletic director position to the administrative team for next school year. This reverses the board’s controversial decision last month to make the position non-administrative, an action that provoked a wave of criticism from supporters of Athletic Director Doug Creel. “In our opinion, the vote that was taken at the January meeting which eliminated Doug’s administrative position was taken without accurate information provided to the board,” said concerned citizen Randy Olson, who has led a social media campaign against the MVTHS administration. “We believe that Mt. Vernon Township High School is fortunate to have Mr. Creel as a coach, as an athletic director, and as administrator.”

Filed Under: Breaking News, Southern Illinois News, Thompsonville News

Mark Rohr, Jr. – Benton

February 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Edwin Martin “Mark” Rohr, Jr., age 59, of Benton IL and formerly of Morton Grove, IL, passed away at 6:15 a.m. Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Fairview Healthcare in Du Quoin, IL.

Edwin Martin Rohr, Jr. was born on August 6, 1957 in San Diego, CA, the son of Edwin Martin Rohr, Sr. and Mardell Fern (Parks) Rohr. He married the former Christiane Burkholder on October 27, 1984 and she survives. Mark was a self-employed carpenter.

He enjoyed his dogs, working and watching Westerns on the television.

Mark is survived by his wife Chris Rohr of Phoenix, AZ; his mother Mardell Gingles of Benton; a daughter Jennifer Elyse Soriano and husband Ricardo of Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren: Jasmyn Capri Ellis, Jacen Delano Ellis, Lyliana Grace Soriano, Gabrieyla Teresa Soriano; his sister Jacqueline Rohr of Elk Grove, IL; his mother-in-law Phyllis Burkholder of Phoenix, AZ; a sister-in-law: Carol Anne Burkholder of Prescott Valley, AZ.

Mr. Rohr was preceded in death by his father Edwin Martin Rohr, Sr.; his step-father Joseph Gingles, Jr.; and a sister Karol Rohr.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23, 2017 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Steven Flach officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Graveside burial will take place at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017 in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Anti-Drug Fund through the Franklin County Sheriff Department, and will be accepted at the funeral home.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Mark, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Filed Under: Obituaries

Redbirds take on State Ranked Eldorado…Z-R and S-V play again

February 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Steve Dunford – franklincounty-news.com

Last night two of the teams we cover ended their season.  Hamilton County ended their season with a 60-46 loss to the hosts at the Flora Class 2A regional.

Thompsonville ended their campaign at 7-18 as they fell to the Woodlawn Cardinals 50-38, at the Wayne City Class  1A regional. It was a  valiant effort by the Tigers as they were without the services of one starter and their sixth man because of illness.

West Frankfort is still on the road to Peoria as they improved to 10-16 with a 68-63 win over the hot shooting Johnston City Indians at the Eldorado Class 2A regional.

Their reward is getting to play the hosts tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Duff Kingston Gym.  The Eagles come into the game 26-3 and ranked sixth in the latest Associated Press Class 2A Statewide Poll.

During the Midwinter Classic the Redbirds gave the Eldorado everything they wanted, losing 48-44.  WF turned in one of the gutsiest performances I ever witnessed on a basketball floor.

It will take that type of performance or even a little more for the Redbirds to pull the upset tonight.  Eldorado is not flashy or pretty at anything they do, they just win and win a lot.

Game time is 7:00 p.m.   If you can not make it catch Rick Westemeyer and Michael Marlo on WFRX 95.5 The Fan.

Two county rivals, Zeigler-Royalton (3-20) and Sesser-Valier (16-13) that are thirteen miles apart from each other will head down to Williamson County to play in the Crab Orchard Class 1A regional.

In my book, the Devils are coming into the regional as the hands on favorites.  They are peaking at the right time.  They picked up two big road wins last week against Christopher and Chester.

The Tornadoes are playing well.  They picked up a recent victory against a good Webber Township ball club, who notched their 16th win last night.  They have recently gave Goreville and Chrstopher all they wanted.

S-V comes in as a heavy favorite blowing out the Tornadoes twice.  Z-R will not roll over and play dead.  If they pulled the upset it would be the shot heard around the state, however it should be a good hard fought ball game.

Game time is 6:00.  Tonight’s game will be broadcast on WMIX-FM 94.1 with Danny Czerwinski and Wes Choate.

Benton is still in the regular season.  They go on the road to face the Salem Wildcats tonight as it is their last tune up before the Class 3A regionals start next week.

 

Filed Under: High School Sports, Sesser-Valier High School Sports, Sports, West Frankfort High School Sports, Zeigler-Royalton High School Sports

Town Hall Meetings planned to discuss proposed penny sales tax increase

February 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment

Franklin County Board press release

Franklin County voters have the opportunity to take control of the future of their court house by voting for the proposed penny tax on April 4. The county’s current facility has outlived its usefulness, posing numerous maintenance challenges and safety risks to the public, employees, and crime victims who must attend court daily.

Funds are needed to build a new facility. The Franklin County Board has identified a couple of potential sites for the facility, which would be built to new state requirements for a court house. The best way to fund this construction is through a penny sales tax, which would not be charged on the necessities of food and medicine, but would add $1 to a $100 purchase of goods bought by those with discretionary income. The sales tax would be paid by visitors to our county, spreading out the cost of our new court house — leveraging the power of the penny.

A series of Town Hall Meetings has been planned to answer your questions about the proposal. County officials will be on hand at the following dates and times:

CHRISTOPHER: 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 22 at the Christopher Civic Center

SESSER: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2 at the Goode Township Building

BENTON: 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 7 at the Benton Civic Center

ROYALTON: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 8 at the Royalton Village Hall

WEST FRANKFORT: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9 at the Aquatics and Activities Center

ZEIGLER: 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 at the Six Mile Township Building

Filed Under: Benton News, Christopher News, Coello News, Franklin Co. News, Royalton News, Sesser News, Thompsonville News, Valier News, West Frankfort News, Zeigler News
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