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

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | December 1, 2024

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

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 21, 2024
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

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | May 21, 2024
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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