April 4, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Armstrong sparks SJO girls’ basketball, Spartans stay unbeaten with win against rival Rockets

A good outside shooter can open up a basketball team’s offense.
In more ways than one. Add a second presence from beyond the
three-point line, and the options abound.


The St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team used this strategy to its
advantage on Thursday night, picking up a 44-29 home win against rival
Unity in Illini Prairie Conference action.


The win keeps SJO (4-0, 3-0 Illini Prairie) unbeaten on the
abbreviated season after the Spartans also earned a 64-32 Illini
Prairie home win against Rantoul on Feb. 11. The Spartans were
scheduled to play at Bloomington Central Catholic on Tuesday night,
but the game was postponed because of inclement weather.


Ella Armstrong and Ashlyn Lannert supplied superb outside shooting
against Unity, with Taylor Wells providing steady scoring inside.
Armstrong scored 14 of her game-high 16 points in the second half
against Unity, draining four three-pointers after halftime. Lannert
finished with 10 points, including one three-pointer in the first
quarter and another in the third quarter.


Wells had eight of her 10 points in the first half, helping keep SJO
in the game despite Unity holding a 19-15 halftime lead.


The Spartans’ defense clamped down in the third quarter and Armstrong
stepped up her game to give SJO a 30-22 lead entering the fourth
quarter. Aside from strong scoring efforts by Armstrong, Lannert and
Wells, Payton Jacob (four points), Atleigh Hamilton (two points) and
Nora Walden (two points) also hit the scoring column.


SJO didn’t need a second-half comeback to register its win against
Rantoul last week. The Spartans led 15-7 at the end of the first
quarter, increased their advantage to 30-10 at halftime and enjoyed a
48-23 lead to start the fourth quarter.


Armstrong scored a game-high 16 points in the win against Rantoul,
sinking two three-pointers and all six of her free throws. Jacob also
hit double figures with 12 points, but Armstrong and Jacob also had
plenty of offensive help.


Wells chipped in seven points, while Peyton Jones and Payton Vallee
each added six points. Alyssa Hamilton (five points), Lannert (four
points), Taylor Campbell (four points), Taylor Hug (two points) and
Abby Behrens (two points) also joined in on the fun.


Now, SJO will turn its attention to another home game when the
Spartans are scheduled to host Tuscola at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in
nonconference play. SJO gets back to Illini Prairie play with a 7 p.m.
tip scheduled for next Monday at Pontiac.

Banner
Related Posts

Maroon named student-athlete of the month

November 25, 2020

November 25, 2020

Carson Maroon wants to have a job that supports people in their time of need. “After high school, I hope...

Rajlich, Mattsey thrive for SJO cross-country in Peoria

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Thank you to Carrie Mattsey photography for the photo! The St. Joseph-Ogden High School team got its first look at...

Nolan, Weaver help SJO football stay unbeaten

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Two running backs topping 100 yards usually adds up to a good Friday night for a high school football team....

Crowe named student athlete of the month

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Peyton Crowe loves science. She loves science so much she plans on majoring in it at Parkland...

Plotner’s dedication to cross country pays off

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Jillian Plotner works hard every day to be the best she possibly can be. St. Joseph-Ogden Cross Country Head coach...

Jacob, Cramer and Barnes help SJO girls’ basketball top Prairie Central

January 20, 2020

January 20, 2020

Needing a big win, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team delivered last Thursday night. The Spartans stopped a...

Taylor wins twice for Spartans at Rantoul meet

April 10, 2019

April 10, 2019

The first big outdoor invitational is the season is nearly here for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ track and...

SJO girls’ basketball wins regional title, sees season end in sectional semifinal defeat

March 5, 2024

March 5, 2024

The beginning of the season didn’t treat the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball team well.The Spartans slogged through the first month...

Smith combines love of running and charity

June 6, 2019

June 6, 2019

Keely Smith loves to run. You see it in her Twitter handle which is keelyruns101. You see it after talking...

Dowling sets home run record, SJO softball reaches 20-win mark

May 14, 2019

May 14, 2019

Two notable historic accomplishments have happened recently for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team. First, Bailey Dowling is now...

SJO football rolls in season opener

September 2, 2019

September 2, 2019

The season couldn’t have started off on a better note for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team. Paced by...

Live at St. Joseph Village Sept. 13, 2022

September 13, 2022

September 13, 2022

I am here. I am the only one in the audience. Here’s some big news if you missed it. https://www.stjosephrecord.com/2022/09/13/village-expected-to-accept-bid-for-boy-scout-building/...

‘Genuine excitement’ for SJO football heading into 2019 season

August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019

Lofty expectations are attached to the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team every year. This season is no different for...

Franzen, Knap pace SJO girls’ cross-country at Spartan Classic

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ cross-country team had a strong showing at the Spartan Classic this past Saturday. SJO...

Heritage softball hires new coach

March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019

Greg Immke is no longer the Heritage softball coach. The Heritage Board of Education accepted his resignation at their February...

Comments
Leave a Reply