School Sports

ST. ELMO – The Eagles three times rallied from at least five points down during Friday's game against Altamont, but when St. Elmo went down by five with 2:31 left in the game, it was too late for a comeback, as the Indians won, 52-42.

With 5:18 left in the second period, the Eagles faced a six-point deficit, but three free throws and a jumper put the Eagles back within one, and they only trailed 19-18 at halftime.

Jessica Earnest has never had to look very far for bowling competition.

Her older sister, Josie Earnest, is more than enough competition for anyone. It is no surprise that Jessica is doing something that her sister did five times before turning 21: become a part of the Junior Team USA.

The Vandalia grad drew one step closer to making the team after finishing fourth in a tournament among youth bowlers. She averaged a pin count of 202 over 36 games.

The Vandals contained Roxana’s 6-foot-8 center and made runs every time the Shells crept toward taking a lead during a 63-51 home win on Tuesday.

Sophomore Hunter Reine came into the game averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds, and while he scored 23 points for Roxana on Tuesday, he wasn’t a big factor on defense, grabbing just nine rebounds.

“Holding him down on the boards might have been more important than holding him down on points,” said Vandalia coach Kevin Jackson.

Five of eight Vandalia wrestlers qualified for the individual state tournament in front of a home crowd on Saturday at the Illinois High School Association Individual Sectional Tournament.

Senior Justin Hill (125) and junior Levi Ulmer (171) each won sectional championships, and senior John Vosholler (140), junior Daniel Edwards (152) and freshman C.J. Runkel (135) each placed third in his weight classes to advance.