Quincy Keepes Leads Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces Past Olney

Quincy Keepes collected three hits in four at bats, as Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces defeated Richland County Middle School Lady Cubs 18-4 on Thursday.

Quincy doubled in the fourth inning, singled in the fifth inning, and singled in the first inning. Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces scored seven runs on six hits in the top of the fourth inning. Annelise Garrison singled, scoring one run, Addison Carmickle singled, scoring one run, Haleigh Prosis singled, scoring one run, Farryn King singled, scoring two runs, Quincy Keepes doubled, scoring one run, and Journey Loudermilk grounded out, scoring one run.

Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces scored nine runs on six hits in the top of the fifth inning. Addison Carmickle doubled, scoring two runs, an error scored two runs, Farryn King drew a walk, scoring one run, Quincy K singled, scoring two runs, Harper Warnken laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one run, and an error scored one run. Haleigh Prosise earned the win for Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces. The lefty surrendered three hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out five and walking three. Jaylen Gwyn stepped in the circle first for Richland County Middle School Lady Cubs. They gave up seven hits and nine runs (three earned) over four innings, striking out seven and walking none.

Harper Warnken appeared in relief for Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces. Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces accumulated 13 hits in the game. Haleigh Prosise and Addison Carmickle each drove in three runs for Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces. Annelise Garrison and Gracee Haggard each collected multiple hits for Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces. Quincy Keepes stole two bases.

Mt. Carmel Jr. Lady Aces didn't commit a single error in the field. Annelise Garrison had the most chances in the field with six.


SIX NAMED TO 2023 MCHS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS

(MT. CARMEL) The Mt. Carmel High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce its 2023 Induction Class.  Two coaches, three players, and one team will be enshrined in the MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame – joining the inaugural class of ten inducted last year.  Coaches to be enshrined include state champion MCHS Golf Head Coach John White and legendary Golden Aces Football Head Coach Jim John. Players selected for induction include MCHS boys’ basketball career scoring and rebounding leader Craig Snow; two-time state finalist quarterback Luke Drone; and state champion wrestler and state finalist football lineman Tanner Crum.  The lone team to be enshrined this year is the 1957 Golden Aces Baseball team which was the first team to place at the IHSA state finals in the sport.

The 2023 Induction Class of the MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame will be recognized at the Aces home football game on October 6th vs. Casey Westfield. A reception will follow the game at Stymie’s Rest at West Berwick Golf Course.

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Here’s the announcement of the Class of ‘23 inductees during today’s Morning Show…

 

1957 Baseball Team
The 1957 Baseball team was the first Aces squad to play for a baseball state championship – and remarkably it came in a one class system. Coached by the legendary Roy Gatewood the team amassed a 14-3 record and finished 2nd in the state. The team won their quarterfinal game against Danville 7-2 and the semifinal game against Chicago Land 5-3 before falling to Maywood Proviso 12-1 in the title game. Aces shortstop Larry Gill and catcher Lynn Crum were all-state selections from this team.

Tanner Crum
Tanner Crum excelled both in football and wrestling during his time at MCHS. Tanner won the Class 1A Individual Wrestling State Championship at heavyweight during his senior year in 2011 finishing that year undefeated at 39-0. He placed third at state as a junior, second as a sophomore and qualified for state as a freshman. On the gridiron Tanner was named an All State First Team Selection and All Big 8 Conference Selection in each of his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Tanner was also selected as The IHSA Sportsperson of the Year Award winner his senior year. After MCHS, Tanner was a four-year starter at SIU Carbondale and was named the team’s Offensive Line MVP his senior year. While working at Mt. Carmel Stabilization, Tanner is also an assistant on the Golden Aces coaching staff.

Luke Drone
Luke Drone left his mark on Golden Aces athletics. The 2003 graduate served as quarterback of the Golden Aces – leading the team to 2nd place finishes in the IHSA Class 3A state playoffs in both the 2001 and 2002 seasons as well as a state semifinal appearance in 2000. He set many school records for the Golden Aces including becoming the career total offense leader with 6024 yards and 82 touchdowns. He was the All-Southern Illinois First Team Quarterback in both his junior and senior seasons and was the All-Southern Illinois MVP his senior year. Drone was also a first team all-conference selection in baseball and basketball. Drone played college football at Illinois State University and his name is all over the ISU record book as quarterback. Among many others, he sits third all-time in career passing yards (8,123), career completions (610), and career passing touchdowns (61). He also holds the single game passing percentage record at ISU’s Hancock Stadium (81.3%). Drone was signed as a free agent by the Buffalo Bills of the NFL in the 2008 season and spent 5 seasons in the Arena Football League. After his playing career Drone has been a teacher and football coach. He was the head coach at El Passo Gridley High School for 2 years before returning to his alma mater serving as a teacher and assistant coach at MCHS.

Jim John
Referred to by many as the “The Father of Mt. Carmel Football” Jim John played for the Aces in the late 1930s and early 40s. John returned to his alma mater after serving in World War II to serve as head coach. John is credited for changing the attitude of the town and school and putting Mt. Carmel on the Illinois High School Football map. He served as the head coach from 1957-1967.  His 1958 team won the school’s first NEC championship in 20 years and his 1963 team was the school’s first undefeated team and mythical state title winner. He finished his 11 year tenure with 4 NEC conference crowns and amassed an overall record of 65-26-5.

Craig Snow
Craig Snow left his mark on the Mt. Carmel boys basketball program. The 1997 graduate remains the boys career scoring leader (2,087 points) and career leader in rebounds (846). He also recorded 188 career blocked shots and once had 11 blocks in a game. Snow also set a school record with 50 points in a game vs. Salem in his junior campaign. Snow led the Aces to their first ever Class AA regional title (when there were only two classes in Illinois) which was the first regional title in 28 years. He also led the Aces to their first North Egypt Conference title in 40 years and a second regional title in his senior campaign. Snow played division one college basketball at the University of Evansville where he remains 10th all-time in career points (1530). His 1998-99 Purple Aces team was the last at UE to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Snow was an All-MVC First Team selection and helped lead the Aces to a regular season MVC championship. After UE, snow played professionally in Luxembourg and Austria – becoming an all-star selection. Since playing, Snow has been a high school head coach in New Mexico, was on staff for three years at the University of New Mexico, was head coach at New Mexico Highlands University taking them to their first conference championship in school history and second NCAA appearance and is currently the Associate Head Coach at his Alma Mater, the University of Evansville.

John White
John White served as boys golf head coach for 16 seasons from 2005-2020. During that time White’s teams amassed 5 regional championships, 4 sectional titles, and 5 state final appearances. Under White, the Aces finished third at state in 2017, second in 2009 and captured the state title in 2010. The regional title in 2006 was the first regional crown in golf in 25 years for the Aces. Mt. Carmel also finished 8th in Class 2A in 2012, and 7th in 2008. White also spent time as JV basketball coach, on the bench for Ryan Haywood’s 2007 sectional championship team – the first sectional winning Aces team since 1944. And White was instrumental in launching the Mt. Carmel Lady Aces Golf team – serving as co-coach for the first ever team in 2008.

WVC LAUNCHES COED SAND VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE

Wabash Valley College is thrilled to announce the launch of its brand-new Coed Sand Volleyball League, an exhilarating opportunity for individuals of all ages to dive into the world of competitive sand volleyball. This is a call to action for everyone who's ever dreamed of spiking, setting, and serving their way to victory, as well as those who are simply looking to have a blast under the sun!

The excitement begins on Monday, August 14th, with the first day of sign-ups kicking off at 6 PM. Gather your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers, because this league promises an unforgettable experience filled with friendly competition.

Games will commence immediately after sign-ups and will continue each following Monday, starting at 6 PM and extending into the dusky hours of the evening. After sign ups, teams will receive a schedule allowing you to plan ahead.

Participation in this league is completely free! Form a spirited team of 6-10 players, ensuring a minimum of two female players on each team. Worried about assembling a full team? Fear not! Register as an individual (or small group), and our team will match you with like-minded players.

To maintain the highest standards of fair play and entertainment, each game will feature dedicated referees who will ensure that the matches are filled with enthusiasm, integrity, and sportsmanship.

Mark your calendars for Monday, August 14th, at 5 PM and join us at Wabash Valley College for the launch of the Coed Sand Volleyball League. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just looking to have a great time, this league is for you.

For more information contact Head Volleyball Coach Rachel Refenes at refenesr@iecc.edu.

WSJD Renews Deal With Westwood One For NFL Coverage

WSJD has signed an agreement to again carry Westwood One NFL games for the upcoming 2023 season.

WSJD General Manager Kevin Madden announced the coverage begins with the NFL’s Hall of Fame pre-season game on August 3rd and will culminate on February 11th with Super Bowl LIX in Las Vegas. In between, WSJD will carry every NFL primetime and postseason game.

“We’re excited to have close to 90 Westwood One NFL games this year,” Madden said. “Combined with our Mt. Carmel High School and University of Illinois coverage and Sunday afternoon NFL doubleheaders, we’re looking forward to a big fall and winter of football on WSJD.”

For the past three-plus decades Westwood One has been the exclusive network radio home for every NFL primetime and postseason game.

IHSA Releases 2023 Football Schedules & Dates

From the IHSA:

Key 2023 IHSA Football dates:
* Monday, August 7:                       Practices Start
* Thursday, August 24:                   Games may begin

* Saturday, October 21:                 256 Playoff qualifiers and brackets  revealed on IHSA Playoff Pairing Show
* Fri./Sat., October 27/28:            First Round Playoff games
* Fri./Sat., November 3/4:            Second Round Playoff games
* Fri./Sat., November 10/11:      Quarterfinal Playoff games

* Fri./Sat., November 17/18:       Semifinal Playoff games

* Friday, November 24:                  Class 1A-4A State Championship games at Illinois State University

* Saturday, November 25:            Class 5A-8A State Championship games at Illinois State University

All schedules can be found here: https://www.ihsa.org/Sports-Activities/Football/Conference-Schedules-Standings-Results

2023 Golden Aces Schedule

Aug 25 7:00pm    Home Fort Branch (Gibson Southern), IN

Sep 1 7:00pm    Away Effingham (H.S.)

Sep 8 7:00pm    Home Robinson

Sep 15 7:00pm    Away Newton

Sep 22 7:00pm    Home Paris

Sep 29 7:00pm    Away Olney (Richland County)

Oct 6 7:00pm    Home Casey (Westfield)

Oct 13 7:00pm    Away Marshall

Oct 20 7:00pm    Home Lawrenceville

Lady Aces In Texas For National Invitational

On today’s Morning Show, Lady Aces golf coach Karin Kelsey joined us to talk about the PGA High School Golf Invitational. The 54-hole, 3-day tourney is teeing off this morning in Frisco, Texas.

Follow the scoring here:

https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/9375337736812146551?utm_campaign=High%20School%20Coaches&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=265622742&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8hQ_FDXCMFN_Emh87b3zlmIS6HLVfTnZSJ-J9ea4XeSbxMRVQBRrTIwllnIKlJTHvRfrs4eLtgo4DbVkDkc2mTSHA78Q&utm_content=265622742&utm_source=hs_email

5 Aces On All-LIC Baseball Team

BASEBALL ALL-CONFERENCE

First Team

Joe Short, Casey Westfield
Leyton Ivers, Lawrenceville
Jack Patterson, Lawrenceville
Landon Boatman, Marshall
Josh Kirkwood, Marshall
Levi Banks, Mt. Carmel
Jaxon Browning, Mt. Carmel
Brandon Einhorn, Newton
David Ferguson, Newton
Owen Mahaffey, Newton
Carder Reich, Newton
Gage Reynolds, Newton
Isaac Flowers, Newton
Brady Crippes, Paris
Landen Englum, Paris
Chance Lehman, Paris
Brett Kocher Richland, County
Wesley Liston, Robinson

Second Team

Maddox Pargin, Lawrenceville
Landon Sanders, Lawrenceville
Raidyn Franklin, Marshall
Dakota Mounts, Mt. Carmel
Ryder Sloss, Mt. Carmel
Payton Harris, Newton
Ethan Curl, Paris
Sebastian Daughtery, Paris
Colby Redman Richland, County
Julian Parker, Robinson

Honorable Mention

Jackson Maulding, Casey Westfield
Neilan Bickers, Lawrenceville
Will Ross, Marshall
JD Bowser, Mt. Carmel
Dalton Bahtzell, Newton
Kody Crampton, Paris
Rylan Hancock, Richland County
Judson Pinkston, Robinson