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

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | March 6, 2025
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…

Read More

Ratchet up the intensity: Brown County takes control by wearing down Central with defense

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | December 3, 2024
Brown County's Michael Kassing, right, looks to pass over the top of the Camp Point Central defense during Monday's boys basketball game in Mt. Sterling, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

MT. STERLING, Ill. — Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff feared a championship hangover. The Hornets entered Monday’s game against Camp Point Central fresh off of a Beardstown Tournament championship in which they defeated Winchester West Central — the reigning Class 1A state champion — in Saturday’s title game and won four games in…

Read More

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…

Read More

Ticket punched: Hornets fight way back to playoffs as running game chews up victory over Wolves

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | October 26, 2024
Brown County running back Tyce Fullerton rushed for two touchdowns in the Hornets' 34-14 victory over Pleasant Hill on Friday night in Mt. Sterling, Ill., that secured a Class 1A playoff bid for the Hornets. | Shane Hulsey photo

MT. STERLING, Ill. — Tyce Fullerton couldn’t stomach missing the playoffs again. In 2023, it was out of his control. A torn ACL kept the Brown County running back and linebacker out for the final seven games of the season. The Hornets finished the campaign 3-6 and failed to reach the postseason for the first…

Read More

All smiles: Henry homers twice, Hornets score early and often in win over Eagles

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | May 4, 2024
Brown County's Maverick Henry reacts to one of his two home runs as he rounds the bases during Friday's game against Liberty in Liberty, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — Maverick Henry couldn’t stop smiling as he rounded the bases following his three-run home run in the second inning of the Brown County baseball team’s 15-0 five-inning victory over Liberty on Friday. As Henry approached third base, Hornets coach Jared Hoots — with a smile on his face as well — told…

Read More