The Interstate Eight High School Conference released its list of all-conference student-athletes from the fall sports. For The Ottawa Pirates the list included:
- Girls tennis: Ella Marvel, Sara Meyer, Mary Riva, and Kyleigh Olszewski
- In Girls golf: Zoe Harris
- Boys golf: Jonathan Cooper, Drake Kaufman and Drake Stoudt
- And in Girls cross country: Lainey Billings
Wednesday Morning 2013 Ottawa High School graduate Michael Hermosillo signed a minor-league deal to join the Chicago Cubs organization. Also yesterday The Cubs appear to be saying goodbye to Kyle Schwarber. The left-handed outfielder was among four players not re-signed by the Cubs yesterday, making them all free-agents. With Schwarber’s release, it will give Hermosillo a better chance to join the Major League roster.
The White Sox are likely cutting ties with left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodón and outfielder Nomar Mazara. The club declined to tender their 2021 contracts, making them free agents. Chicago also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Jace Fry, avoiding arbitration. All remaining unsigned players on the White Sox 40-man roster have been tendered contracts for next season.
Fifth-ranked Illinois fell to number-two ranked Baylor 82-69 in the Jimmy V Classic in Indianapolis. Ayo Dosunmu led the Illini with 18 points. Illinois dropped to 3-and-1 and will host UT-Martin on Saturday.
It was a high scoring night at the Redbird Arena as Illinois State defeated the Greenville Panthers 177- 108.
The Wildcats of Northwestern dominated Arkansas – Pine Bluff 92-49
And Northern Illinois suffered a loss at home to SIU Edwardsville 73-53. The Huskies are on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday.
There was an NFL game yesterday afternoon and Ben Roethlisberger’s one-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster early in the fourth quarter was the difference as the Steelers beat the Ravens 19-14 in Pittsburgh. Joe Haden had a pick-six for the Steelers, who remained unbeaten at 11-and-0. Baltimore fell to 6-and-5.
The NFL is considering all options for the upcoming playoffs, but a “bubble” is not likely. Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a conference call yesterday nothing has been ruled out, but downplayed the idea of using a postseason “bubble” similar to the NBA.
The NBA is already dealing with COVID-19 issues before the season gets going. Multiple reports say, out of 546 tests, 48 players tested positive during the week of November 24th through the 30th. Some positives were expected as players return to their organizations.