Turners enjoy father-son moment in Routt’s regional championship victory over Brown County

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | May 24, 2025
Jacksonville Routt junior left-hander Brady Turner delivers a pitch during Saturday's Class 1A Mendon Unity Regional championship game against Brown County in Mendon. | Shane Hulsey

MENDON, Ill. — Jacksonville Routt baseball coach Ryan Turner admitted the father in him came out as his son, Routt junior left-hander Brady Turner, put the finishing touches on a complete game to help the Rockets beat Brown County 7-1 on Saturday and capture their third straight Class 1A regional title. “I’m his biggest fan,”…

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‘That was freaking awesome’: Buss delivers game-winning single in bottom of seventh for Brown County

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | May 22, 2025
Brown County senior catcher Jack Buss celebrates his walk-off single that gave the Hornets a 3-2 victory over Mendon Unity in Wednesday's Class 1A Mendon Unity Regional semifinal. | Shane Hulsey

MENDON, Ill. — Good luck wiping the smile off of Jack Buss’ face any time soon. Buss, Brown County’s senior catcher, delivered a walk-off base hit in the bottom of the seventh inning of a 3-2 victory in Wednesday’s Class 1A Mendon Unity Regional semifinal game against Unity. “That was freaking awesome,” Buss said. After…

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Talkin’ Turkey: Brown County’s Buss enjoys adventures as hunter and prep baseball player

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | April 11, 2025
Jack Buss as a catcher for the Brown County baseball team, left, and with one of his turkeys. | Submitted photos

MT. STERLING, Ill. — Perhaps no conversation better illustrates Brown County senior catcher Jack Buss’ personality than the one he had with Hornets coach Jared Hoots at practice on March 28. It was the day before youth spring turkey hunting season opened in Illinois. Buss, an avid hunter, planned to get up early the next…

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