Wednesday, February 25 Preview

This time of year is a tough one throughout the basketball world. College and high school seniors will put on their home white jerseys and take their final trip around the floor in front of their home crowd. In our case, it’s the Sophomore’s time to shine. These men have not given four years to each of our programs, but their impression is none-the-less a lasting one. Some are here for one year, some for two and for some, even three years have been spent in the junior college trenches. On the buses, or in some cases the vans. In front of thousands or maybe just hundreds, these fine young men have gave their all. You do not see these athletes on Sportscenter. You do not see them on ESPN Big Monday. You do not see them on FSN ACC Sunday. You do not see them in the big dance. YET! So take note, tip your hats, and remember the names of the men who wear their respective GRAC school uniforms in a gym near you for the final time. If you get a chance, come out early, stay late, just say thanks.
Wednesday night brings sophomore night to Carterville, Mattoon, Olney and Belleville as these schools play their final regular season game. For some it may be their last, for some it may be the final step of this part of a long journey. Many have played it, few have made it. Good luck to all the sophomores as we head into this final week of regular season, and thank you for all the memories.

Wednesday Matchups:
Lincoln Trail, 6-20 (2-12) @ Lake Land, 15-12 (5-9)
Last Outing:
Lincoln Trail 53 @ Southeastern Illinois 78 (2-21-09)
Lake Land 76 @ Olney Central 78 (2-21-09)
Last Meeting:
Lake Land 58 @ Lincoln Trail 71 (2-9-09)
Notes:
Lincoln Trail comes off a tough road loss at Southeastern to try to take advantage of a struggling Laker team to get back in the win column. The Statesmen knocked off the Lakers in Robinson and load up the vans with high hopes. Lakers currently on a 6 game losing streak have not won since they knocked off the Falcons of Southeastern at Laker Fieldhouse on February 4th. Three of Lincoln Trail’s last four losses have been in overtime or on a buzzer beater. Minus Saturdays loss in Harrisburg, the Statesmen have been playing some good basketball and hope to leave Mattoon with a “W” on Wednesday night.

Kaskaskia, 11-17 (3-11) @ #6 Southwestern Illinois, 27-2 (14-1)
Last Outing:
Kaskaskia 88 @ Wabash Valley 100 (2-21-09)
Rend Lake 58 @ Southwestern Illinois 83 (2-21-09)
Last Meeting:
Southwestern Illinois 77 @ Kaskaskia 54 (1-29-09)
Notes:
The Blue Devils of Kaskaskia travel to face the # 6 team in the country. Coach Hancock and the Devils have been hanging tough and fighting throughout the GRAC season but have struggled to put wins on the board. They travel to Belleville looking to be the first team to knock off the Blue Storm in their own building. With Southeastern Illinois’ loss at Wabash Valley on Saturday and the Blue Storms win at Logan, Coach Campo and the boys locked up at least a share of the conference championship. With one more win, the Blue Storm captures the outright title for the second straight year.

Southeastern Illinois, 23-3 (11-3) @ Olney Central, 18-10 (8-6)
Last Outing:
Lincoln Trail 53 @ Southeastern Illinois 98 (2-21-09)
Lake Land 76 @ Olney Central 87 (2-21-09)
Last Meeting:
Olney Central 71 @ Southeastern Illinois 90 (2-9-09)
Notes:
Southeastern has been one of the many Blue Knight nemeses over the years. The Blue Knights have not beaten the Falcons in over a decade. The red hot Blue Knight team hopes to break that streak on Sophomore night, and keep their winning ways going. Winners of three straight, Coach Burris and the boys have locked in a spot in the 4 – 5 game. The only thing left to determine is whether they will be wearing the white or blue. The Falcons of Southeastern look to get back into the win column on the road. Losers of three straight road games the Falcons look to extend their winning streak against the Knights.

Game of the Night:
Wabash Valley, 19-9 (7-7) @ John A. Logan, 18-8 (10-4)
Last Outing:
Kaskaskia 88 @ Wabash Valley 100 (2-21-09)
Southwestern 82 @ John A. Logan 80 OT (2-18-09)
Last Meeting:
John A. Logan 110 @ Wabash Valley 108 2 OT (2-9-09)
Notes:
Coach Sparks loads up a smoking hot Warrior team in the Ford E350’s and heads to Carterville to play a well rested John A. Logan squad who had Wednesday off. The Warriors keep battle despite their multiple overtime games. Three of their last four games have gone into at least single overtime. Coming off their win against the Falcons of Southeastern they look to keep climbing the standings and creeping towards the Blue Knights of Olney Central. John A. Logan coming off the bye on Saturday looks to regroup after a loss at Southwestern. They are now only one game behind a Southeastern team who has struggled to find the win column on the road. Wednesday night is a big matchup for both teams as they are both only one game behind the team in front of them.