Sports

Coalers the top pick for return to state

Published by admin on Tue, 02/21/2023 - 5:18pm

The outcome of Tuesday night’s dual team sectional championship was unknown as of press time, but we’re betting that the Coal City wrestling team won and will advance to state.
The Coalers were to face Chicago Hope Academy in the Wilmington sectional, a team that didn’t advance anyone to the state individual tournament while Coal City had 14 qualifiers.

First round state bodes well for 11 of 21 area wrestlers

Published by admin on Thu, 02/16/2023 - 6:55pm

Eleven area wrestlers won during the first round of the IHSA Class 1A finals.

Coal City had eight of 14 state qualifiers win their preliminary match on Thursday, advancing to the quarterfinals on Friday. Winning were Brody Widlowski (113), Aiden Kenney (120), Jake Piatak (132), Buddy Widlowski (138), Mataeo Blessing (145), Derek Carlson (170), Braiden Young (182) and Joey Breneman (195).

Coalers an elite group of state qualifiers

Published by admin on Tue, 02/14/2023 - 4:54pm

The IHSA state wrestling tournament features 16 qualifiers in each of 14 weight classes. What’s remarkable is Coal City will have a wrestler in each weight level when the Class 1A event begins on Thursday in Champaign, IL

It was a great day to be a Coaler Saturday during the sectional when all 14 qualified, a school record. Their previous best was 11 in 2020 and 2017.

They simply dominated the field with six sectional champions, four second place finishes, two in third place and two fourths.

Coaler matmen on the verge of greatness

Published by admin on Tue, 01/31/2023 - 4:57pm

The Coal City wrestling team is on the verge of greatness as all the stars are lined up as they head into Saturday’s regional at Reed-Custer.

The Coalers are ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 1A and have a roster featuring 12 state-ranked wrestlers and a dozen more underclassmen who are just waiting for the chance to prove their worth.

The Coalers finished their regular season on Thursday when they hosted Plainfield East on the auditorium stage for Senior Night. They won it easily, 69-6, tying a school record for most wins in a season at 39-2.

Coalers hit a three-game slid

Published by admin on Tue, 01/31/2023 - 4:56pm

The Coal City boys basketball team had a rough week, winning one of four games played.
On Saturday they lost 63-58 to St. Anne despite having three players scoring in double figures. The Coalers trailed 36-23 at the half but rallied to tie it 43-43 entering the final quarter. The Cardinals made their free-throws count during a 20-14 fourth period to win ˆt.

Coalers, Comets to battle for ICE title Thursday

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:17pm

It will be a clash of titans on Thursday when Coal City travels to Reed-Custer to likely decide who will be the Illinois Central Eight Conference wrestling champions.

Both teams are undefeated in the ICE and have full rosters to boot.

The Coalers are 37-2 overall and are formidable, having won the 60-team Abe’s Rumble dual team challenge in Springfield, IL last month and claiming the esteemed Princeton Invite Tournament Jan. 7, with enough individual wins for first by a 57-point margin.

Lady Coalers rebound in shootout

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:14pm

Like every good coach, Coal City’s Brad Schmitt knows playing bigger teams educates your players.

The Lady Coalers battled two bigger foes Saturday in the MLK Shootout, beating one and losing to the other. It’s experience that counts with regionals approaching in just over three weeks.

Coal City (15-6 overall, 5-3 conference) lost to Marian Catholic 48-29 in a contest that felt like they could buy any points.

Coalers have a tough go at it

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:13pm

The Coaler boys basketball team had a rough week with two losses despite good attempts.

On Friday Coal City fell to Lisle at home 62-50.

They trailed 17-16 after one before Lisle went on an 18-9 run in the second quarter and never looked back. Lisle made eight three-point shots and shot 73 percent at the free throw line as they out-rebounded Coal City 30 to 24.

Coalers, Comets to battle Thursday for ICE title

Published by admin on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 4:38pm

It will be a clash of titans on Thursday when Coal City travels to Reed-Custer to likely decide who will be the Illinois Central Eight Conference wrestling champions.
Both teams are undefeated in the ICE and have full rosters to boot.
The Coalers are 37-2 overall and are formidable, having won the 60-team Abe’s Rumble dual team challenge in Springfield, IL last month and claiming the esteemed Princeton Invite Tournament Jan. 7, with enough individual wins for first by a 57-point margin.

Garrelts scores 27 during OT win over Morris

Published by admin on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 4:45pm

The Coal City varsity boys may have gotten the job done when they traveled to Morris Saturday, but it took an overtime period to decide a winner.

The Coalers, anchored by Carter Garrelts who led all scorers with 27 points, upended Morris 56-52 in overtime after a 12-8 run in the final frame.

On paper Morris should have won it but the deciding factor was the hosts had more turnovers while the Coalers had a 10-to-4 edge on steals.

Garrelts was solid all game, grabbing 16 rebounds and blocking three shots while shooting 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.