Valiant effort by Chargers falls just short in regional semifinal loss to state-ranked Bullets

Illini West junior forward Wesley Robertson rises for a layup between Williamsville's Brayden Saling and, left, and Garrett Timm during Wednesday's Class 2A Pittsfield Regional semifinal game at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The slight fadeaway. The tired legs from playing every minute of the game. Any number of factors could have contributed to the shot coming up just short.  While the outcome was not what Tre Neiderman or the Illini West boys basketball team wanted, Neiderman accepted the result. “The fact that the last…

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‘We knew we could get it’: Chargers set new single-season wins record by beating Rockets

Illini West senior guard Tre Neiderman shoots a 3-pointer during Wednesday's game against Rushville-Industry in Carthage, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Twenty-two. Tre Neiderman and the Illini West boys basketball players have had that magic number in their sights since setting a goal during summer workouts to eclipse the program’s single-season record for victories. “We knew that we could get it,” Neiderman said. Now the Chargers have it. With a 57-40 victory over…

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Rockets’ blistering shooting too much for Chargers to overcome in tourney loss

Illini West junior forward Wesley Robertson attempts to beat the shot clock buzzer during Friday's game against Rockridge in the second round of the Macomb-Western Shootout in Macomb, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

MACOMB, Ill. — As the shots kept falling, all Tre Niederman could do was tip his cap. “There’s really nothing you can do when they don’t miss,” said Niederman, a senior guard on the Illini West boys basketball team. Rockridge put on a shooting clinic in the third quarter of Friday’s second round matchup with…

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Schuck on a Truck: Baseball Player of the Year Wesley Robertson discusses record-setting season at Illini West

CARTHAGE, Ill. — If the best is yet to come, Wesley Robertson will rewrite the Illini West baseball program’s entire record book. What he did during his sophomore campaign was pretty impressive as a starting point. The third baseman set the Chargers’ single-season record for RBIs, driving in 50 runs as Illini West went 28-5…

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Chargers’ Robertson receives Class 2A all-state honors after record-setting baseball season

Illini West sophomore Wesley Robertson was named to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state team. | Matt Schuckman photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — A record-setting season earned Wesley Robertson an all-state accolade. The Illini West sophomore third baseman/pitcher was one of 24 players named to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state team and one of just two sophomores to make the list. The IHSBCA names only one all-state team per class.…

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