‘They were just one step ahead of us’: Knights gain early edge, fend off Hornets in sectional semfinals

Brown County sophomore forward Jackson McNeff gets off a shot over Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran's Kaleb Turney during Wednesday's Class 1A North Greene sectional semifinal game in White Hall, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WHITE HALL, Ill. — As the minutes ticked off the clock and the goose egg stayed on the scoreboard, the frustration for Jackson McNeff and the Brown County boys basketball team continued to mount. “It just felt like we couldn’t shoot the ball in the ocean,” said McNeff, a sophomore forward. For the first 9…

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‘The sky’s the limit’: Youthful Hornets lay foundation for future success

Brown County freshman guard Michael Kassing probes the Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran defense during Wednesday's Class 1A North Greene Sectional semifinal game in White Hall, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WHITE HALL, Ill. — An abrupt ending to a resurgent season did not prevent Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff or his players from recognizing what they accomplished. When Bottorff addressed his team in the locker room following the Hornets’ 59-40 loss to Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran in Wednesday’s Class 1A North Greene Sectional semifinal,…

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Hornets make statement with strong fourth quarter against Cougars, win tourney championship

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Brown County boys basketball team made a statement not only Saturday, but throughout Thanksgiving week. The Hornets defeated reigning Class 1A state champion Winchester West Central 55-50 on Saturday to capture the Beardstown Tournament title. “This was an opportunity to gauge where we’re at and get a statement win,” Brown County…

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Countdown to tipoff: Hornets intent on raising some hell with their defensive pressure

Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff looks to install an aggressive defensive style this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Brown County boys basketball team brought to you by: MT. STERLING, Ill. — The “40 Minutes of Hell” play style made famous by Nolan Richardson’s men’s basketball teams at the University of Arkansas — which contributed to three Final Fours in six seasons and a 1994 national championship — is seeing a…

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‘The timing was right’: Bottorff takes over as Brown County boys basketball coach

The Brown County School Board approved hiring Jeff Bottorff as the boys basketball coach during Monday night's meeting. | Photo courtesy DOT Foods

MT. STERLING, Ill. — Retirement is coming at the perfect time for both Jeff Bottorff and the Brown County boys basketball program. The vice president of quality and training at DOT Foods since 2006, Bottorff will step away as a full-time employee at the end of May. Although he intends to continue serving as a…

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