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Updated: November 5, 2025 @ 8:54 am
Drake athletics
Former Tuscola standout Jalen Quinn had a superb first game with the Drake men’s basketball team on Monday.
From left, Illini soccer players Lia Howard, Sarah Foley, and Izzy Lee look on as teammate Cayla Jackson answers a question during “The News-Gazette Sports Page” at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign on Oct. 13. Foley, Lee and Jackson earned All-Big Ten honors this season on Tuesday.
Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger vies for extra running yards as a trio of Monticello defensive players — from left, Ike Young, Matt Swartz and Nolan Buehnerkemper — come in on the play to make the tackle during a 2024 regular-season game between the two schools. Unity and Monticello meet again on the football field at 2 p.m. this Saturday in a Class 3A second-round playoff game at Hicks Field in Tolono.
Urbana junior Genisis Walker competes in cross-country and track and field for the Tigers.
Sports Editor
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Sports Editor Matt Daniels with a look at what’s going on around the area
Drake athletics
Former Tuscola standout Jalen Quinn had a superb first game with the Drake men’s basketball team on Monday.
➜ 1. Kylan Boswell scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists for the No. 17 Illinois men’s basketball team in its 113-55 win against Jackson State on Monday night. But the Champaign native wasn’t the only former area standout to deliver on the opening day of the 2025-26 college hoops season.
➜ 2. Tuscola graduate Jalen Quinn, a two-time News-Gazette All-Area Player of the Year, scored a team-high 20 points for Drake in its 77-71 win against Northern Arizona in Sioux Falls, S.D.
➜ 3. Mahomet-Seymour graduate Quinton McCullough scored 12 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists in Division II Hawaii Pacific’s 79-78 upset at Boise State.
From left, Illini soccer players Lia Howard, Sarah Foley, and Izzy Lee look on as teammate Cayla Jackson answers a question during “The News-Gazette Sports Page” at the Esquire Lounge in downtown Champaign on Oct. 13. Foley, Lee and Jackson earned All-Big Ten honors this season on Tuesday.
Illinois soccer players who earned All-Big Ten honors on Tuesday. Goalie Izzy Lee and forward Sarah Foley both garnered Second Team selections, while forward Cayla Jackson received Third Team recognition. Foley and Jackson have each produced seven goals and three assists this season, while Lee has 118 saves and 10 shutouts. The trio, along with the rest of the Illini team that has a 13-5-2 record, will find out next Monday if it qualifies for the 64-team NCAA tournament.
Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger vies for extra running yards as a trio of Monticello defensive players — from left, Ike Young, Matt Swartz and Nolan Buehnerkemper — come in on the play to make the tackle during a 2024 regular-season game between the two schools. Unity and Monticello meet again on the football field at 2 p.m. this Saturday in a Class 3A second-round playoff game at Hicks Field in Tolono.
Three events I’m paying attention to
➜ 1. Monticello at Unity football. The latest chapter in this rivalry between the two tradition-rich programs takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Rockets (9-1) host the Sages (8-2) in a Class 3A second-round playoff game at Hicks Field in Tolono.
➜ 2. Mahomet-Seymour at Washington football. The visiting Bulldogs (7-3) carry a five-game win streak into Saturday’s 2 p.m. kickoff of this Class 5A second-round playoff game against the host Panthers (9-1).
➜ 3. DuQuoin at Westville football. Can Westville improve to 11-0 and reach the Class 2A state quarterfinals? The Tigers will need to beat the Indians (9-1) when this game kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Urbana junior Genisis Walker competes in cross-country and track and field for the Tigers.
Three questions with Urbana junior Genisis Walker, who competes in cross-country and track and field for the Tigers:
➜ 1. Three athletes I’d like to have dinner with are … Sha’Carri Richardson, Simone Biles and Masai Russell.
➜ 2. The TV show I most like to binge-watch is … “All American: Homecoming.”
➜ 3. My biggest pet peeve is … people not following through on commitments.
Matt Daniels is sports editor at The News-Gazette. His email is mdaniels@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@mdaniels_NG).
Congrats, Susannah Scaroni. … Almost 100 area high school cross-country runners will compete in IHSA state meet this Saturday in Peoria. … Three high school volleyball sectional semifinal matchups to watch tonight. … Catching up with Unity volleyball player Aria Battaglia
Illini football could clinch bowl berth today. … Illini men’s basketball season tips off in two days. … Three high school football first-round playoff games to watch today. … Catching up with Rantoul boys’ basketball player Kadyn Williams
Sports Editor
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