Schuckman: Summer job allows Liberty’s Klingele to give new life to floor in gym he’s called home

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | August 1, 2022
From left to right, the Area Distributors crew of Hayden Spilker, Dale Garriga and Breiton Klingele work on rewaxing the Liberty High School gym floor. | Matt Schuckman photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — The signs taped to the front doors of Liberty High School saying “Gym Closed” were a clear indication the administration didn’t want anyone coming around. Even if such warnings were ignored, no one was getting in the gym anyhow. Chains and padlocks on the doors ensured that. There was work to be…

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Fear the mullet: Klingele’s game deserves as much attention as his choice of hairstyles

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | March 10, 2022
Liberty's Breiton Klingele goes up for a shot during the first half of Thursday's Class 1A state semifinal against Scales Mound at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Breiton Klingele’s hairstyle came down to a choice. Not a bet. Not a dare. Not anything other than a conscious decision to let it grow. “I just decided it one day, so I started growing it,” Klingele said. “No other reason. I just wanted a mullet.” The Liberty senior’s long, curly locks…

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No. 4-ranked Liberty pulls away late against feisty Griggsville-Perry to reach regional final

By STEVE EIGHINGER | February 24, 2022
Liberty's Logan Robbins dunks the ball in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's regional semifinal basketball game at Griggsville-Perry High School. | Photo courtesy of Russ Tate

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Better late than never. Liberty withstood Griggsville-Perry’s upset bid Wednesday night in a Class 1A regional semifinal game, eventually pulling away in the final quarter to secure a 61-47 victory. The top-seeded Eagles (25-5) entered the game a huge favorite but were unable to turn back Griggsville-Perry (15-17) — a team they…

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