Niekamp’s 3-point shooting provides spark as Panthers erase 12-point second-half deficit

By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor | February 28, 2025
Central-Southeastern freshman guard Lexi Niekamp, right, looks to put up a shot as she drives along the baseline during Thursday's Class 2A Waverly Sectional championship game against Pleasant Plains in Waverly, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

WAVERLY, Ill. — When practice is finished, Lexi Niekamp isn’t. A freshman guard on the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team, Niekamp typically heads home after practice and puts herself through another tedious workout inside the indoor shooting facility on her family’s property. “Every night I’m in there shooting,” Niekamp said. Same shots, same rhythm, same amount.…

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CSE raises aggressiveness, intensity in third quarter to meet its standard in win over Illini West

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | December 10, 2024
Central-Southeastern senior guards Lauren Miller, left, and Karly Peters apply pressure to Illini West junior Lanie Housewright during Monday's game at Central High School in Camp Point, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Lexi Niekamp has only played eight games for the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team, but the freshman guard already understands the Panthers’ standard. Niekamp also knew that despite leading 27-13 at halftime against Illini West on Monday, the Panthers did not meet that standard for a significant portion of that first half,…

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