Popcorn Connoisseur - @pjstarsports reporter
Peoria, Illinois
- Tweets 17,728
- Following 269
- Followers 10,027
- Likes 419
Let’s win another one, @Braves!
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Canton native @SydnieWells has joined @barstoolsports & will take over doing @StoolOutdoors.
Wells was an all-Mid-Illini Conference first-team basketball & softball player in 2016. She was also a 2014 first-team JS All-Area shortstop, hitting .431 with 7 HRs & 38 RBIs.
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Let's make it happen, @BlooperBraves.
Hey, when can we get a web series starring @BlooperBraves and @AdamDuvall son, Stone? I've watched all the videos multiple time and need more cuteness content! #Braves
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JUST IN: Dunlap 4 ⭐️ TE Mack Sutter has committed to Alabama. He chooses Bama over Illinois, Ohio State & Ole Miss.
Sutter is the No. 1 class of 2026 prospect in Illinois
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I'm dedicating my first home run to you.
Welcome to Boston @AdamDuvall! Can't wait to watch you roaming the OF and dropping bombs over the Monster!
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Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema in Dunlap today to see four-star TE Mack Sutter.
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I'm undergoing open heart surgery on April 22 to replace my aortic valve. I'll be hospitalized for a week, then home rehabbing for the next 3 months. I promise I'm not ignoring your scores or performances - I'm just taking time to heal & be with family. I'll be back this fall.
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BREAKING: The IHSA has moved football, girls volleyball and boys soccer to the Spring 2021 season.
#pjspreps
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What an ending.
PND wins 58-55 on a buzzer-beating 3 by Jacob Johnson.
Peoria High had tied the game on a 3 from LeShawn Stowers.
Check out the final 19 seconds below.
#pjspreps
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JUST IN: Peoria High all-stater @aguyton11 has given her verbal commitment to play basketball for Iowa
#pjspreps
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Breaking: The IHSA has voted to move forward with boys and girls basketball season.
#pjspreps
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Adam is out of surgery and resting comfortably. A BIG thank you for all the thoughts, prayers and messages. We are very blessed to have such an incredible support team of family and friends.
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Some personal news-
I’m rejoining the @pjstarsports staff as a full-time sports reporter on Aug. 2. Tremendously privileged/grateful for the opportunity to once again tell the stories of Peoria-area athletes. Big thanks to @WesHuett & @RomandoDixson for giving me another shot.
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Richwoods is going to state.
Knights knock off No. 1 Harvey Thornton, 58-52
Lathan Sommerville scores 30 with 11 rebounds for the Knights
#pjspreps
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Illini head coach Bret Bielema, right, on the sidelines. He’s likely here to see Dunlap soph. Bo Sutter and Morton jr. Soren Fifer, who both have Illinois offers.
I believe that’s Alabama TE coach Bryan Ellis on the left.
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2023 Top 10 best high school concession stand popcorn:
1. Washington
2. Brimfield
3. EastSide
4. Manual
5. Dee-Mack
6. IVC
7. Elmwood
8. Peoria Stadium
9. Richwoods
10. Illini Bluffs
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Metamora beats No. 1 Simeon 50-47
Redbirds will play for the Class 3A state title tomorrow
#pjspreps
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Incredible night for Zach McAllister. He made his first MLB appearance in 5 years, pitching for the Yankees, who drafted him in 2006. Two surgeries and a long road of recovery culminated with a big smile. Well done.
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Metamora 61, Evanston 58 Final
Bradley recruit @matthew_zobrist drains the go-ahead, 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left to seal the victory. He finished with 18 points.
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@BarstoolBigCat He stole yours and @calebpressley’s idea!!!
The 35-year-old J.R. Smith is enrolling at North Carolina A&T State University to pursue a degree in liberal studies and also is waiting on the NCAA and to sort out his eligibility so he can join the Aggies’ golf team.
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JUST IN: Champaign will take over as the host of the IHSA boys basketball state finals.
Redbird Arena will remain the host of the girls basketball state finals.
#pjspreps
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Brimfield wins the Class 1A state title
@brimfield_lady holds on to beat Galena, 32-31
#pjspreps
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El Paso-Gridley senior @DeclanDuley - the nation’s top-ranked punter - will make his official visit to Illinois on Sept. 10.
Here’s a profile I did on him in March: pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
#pjspreps
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JUST IN: The IHSA is expected to change its basketball state finals time schedule starting in 2025.
Teams will be guaranteed a two-day experience— semifinals on one day & third-place or title game on another.
Here is the proposed new format⏬
#pjspreps
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
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Here’s the game winner.
SHG 53, Metamora 50 in double OT
#pjspreps
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Zach McAllister has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The IVC grad pitched in 11 games last season with the Phillies Triple-A affiliate.
Story soon on pjstar.com.
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Metamora beats Simeon, 46-42 to win the Class 3A state championship
#pjspreps
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Morton is your Class 3A state champion.
@LadyPottersHoop caps a 33-3 season by beating Glenbard South, 35-21 to capture their fourth state title in five years. #pjspreps
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Too many people to thank for the prayers, notes and well-wishes during my recovery. I’ve completed cardiac rehab and am cleared to resume a ‘normal’ life. Just a lot less salt on my popcorn from now on.
Great to see @AdamDuvall back at it. The superb Journal Star sportswriter had open heart surgery in April and was recovering for a couple months. His self-proclaimed “first event in a while” was today’s start of Curley Boo Johnson’s basketball camp. Popcorn for everyone!
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The IHSA has approved experimental shot clock use in boys & girls basketball for regular-season tournaments & shootouts for the upcoming season. All seeking shot clock use must apply for IHSA approval.
#pjspreps
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No. 1 @PNDLadyIrish wins the Class 2A state championship
PND 48, Nashville 46 Final
Emy Wardle’s jumper proves to be the game winner ⬇️
#pjspreps
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A courtside seat for tomorrow’s Bradley-Drake de facto MVC title game is going for $9,000 on StubHub.
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Morton’s @SethGlatz ran for 401 yards & 6 TDs in a 40-28 win over Mahomet-Seymour in the Class 5A quarters on Saturday.
Glatz has 1,059 yards & 16 TDs in three playoff games.
He’s the nation’s leading rusher with 3,064 yards & 45 TDs, according to @MaxPreps.
#pjspreps
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The world's fastest man is a college kid from Texas.
His coach? An elite runner from IVC - Zach Glavash (@bornmission)
pjstar.com/story/sports/coll…
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This is Allie Salmon.
Allie is a 10-year-old from Pekin.
Allie is battling Juvenile Dermatomyositis, an immune dysfunction.
Allie signed with @BRADLEYvolley today.
Allie’s reaction was priceless when presented with her BU jersey.
Allie’s story:
pjstar.com/sports/20181011/y…
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This is a bonkers- 1982 Masters champ Craig Stadler making a 169-yard hole-in-one with a driver at Country Club of Peoria.
Dan Boever
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Sad to learn about the passing of IVC softball coach Mike Berchtold. He served as head coach for two stints - '04-'12 & '16-'19, winning 282 games & seven regional titles.
“Not much sleep before a game and I get excited when they score,” he said upon returning in '16.
#pjspreps
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What?! No more clam chowder
REPORT: Adam Duvall has told close friends/family he intends to ask the Red Sox to trade him by the August 1 deadline, per @HollyBaylorMLB.
The Braves are at the top of his list
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Eating popcorn every day in 2023-
Day 23:
Brimfield High School
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This is the gold standard for concession stand popcorn. If I gave percentages, this would be a 96. Unreal flavor, freshness and perfectly salted. Only knock was it wasn’t hot- everything else raised the bar.
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Morton 56, Highland 33 Final in 5A first round
@SethGlatz runs for 417 yards on 31 carries and a 5A playoff record 7 TDs.
#pjspreps
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This play just led SportsCenter.
Heartbreaking end to Illini Bluffs season. Tigers with an 8-point lead in the fourth quarter, but can't hold off Gibrault comeback with this buzzer beater 3 from senior Kameron Hanvey. FINAL: Gibrault 45, Illini Bluffs 44 in IHSA Class 1A Supersectional in Jacksonville.
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Congrats to Class 3A 2020 @ibcacoaches Coaches of the Year-
@tomlacher, @PND_Basketball
Willie Coleman, Manual
Ryan Hart, Galesburg
#pjspreps
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Eating popcorn every day in 2023-
Day 324
Washington High School
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It’s hard to believe that Washington’s popcorn got better from Saturday to now but it happened.
This is the best concession stand popcorn I’ve eaten this year. This is a 99 out of 100.
I had two bags.
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Peoria High 37, Marian Catholic 34 Final
Lions are heading to the Class 3A state finals
#pjsprep
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The IHSA announced the summer season will now begin two weeks earlier (practices on April 19, games on May 3), while also waiving the two-game per week restriction - winter, spring & summer sports will again have normal-season game limitations.
#pjspreps
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Lincoln all-stater Kloe Froebe scores 45 points in the other 3A state semi, setting an all-class record for most points in a state finals game.
Her mom, Kari (Walters) Froebe of Bushnell-Prairie City was the 1994 Journal Star Small-School Player of the Year.
#pjspreps
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The IHSA board meeting started 15 minutes ago. Info regarding the sports schedules for the rest of the year will be released after 3 p.m.
#pjspreps
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It’s happening…
@MetamoraBBB vs. @Richwoodsboysb1, 7 p.m. Friday for the Class 3A Pontiac Sectional title
#pjspreps
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Congrats to @BooCurley on his induction into the @ibcacoaches Hall of Fame. A great friend, mentor to young central Illinois hoopers and above all, an overall good guy. Appreciate being a part of your special day.
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Special moment for @kaitlincass21 to start on her Senior Night and score a basket for @PNDLadyIrish. She’s been out this season with a knee injury suffered during volleyball.
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Here are the final 15 seconds of @MetamoraBBB’s Class 3A state semifinal victory over Simeon
#pjspreps
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How good is Mid-Illini Conference girls basketball?
Canton, Washington and Morton all head to the Sweet Sixteen.
-@lady_chs plays for the program's first sectional title
-@wchs_308gbb knock off No. 1 Geneseo
-@LadyPottersHoop was a No. 4 regional seed
Well done.
#pjspreps
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JUST IN: Peoria High all-stater Aaliyah Guyton tore her ACL and is out for the season.
“(We’ll) try to get a second opinion but all signs points towards her being done.”
#pjspreps
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
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Congrats to IBCA Coaches of the Year-
@KarrieRedeker, ICC
Bob Becker, @LadyPottersHoop
@gregorywbennett, Lewistown
Maribeth Dura, @brimfield_lady
Brian Holman, Hall
Todd Hursey, Richwoods
Jerry Prina, @ehsgirlsbball
Jim Robertson, @IBladytigers
@CoachEdub74, MC/D
#pjspreps
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Eating popcorn every day in 2023-
Day 33:
Dee-Mack High School
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I won’t lie- it was a two bag night. This was everything I like about popcorn- great flavor, perfectly salted, fresh and as good a first bite as the last. Please hit me up with your kernel supplier, Dee-Mack.
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Congrats to Class 3A 2020 @ibcacoaches Coaches of the Year-
@robert_coach, @LadyPottersHoop
Todd Hursey, @Richwoods_GBB
Meechie Edwards, Peoria High
#pjspreps
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Based on the shelter in place extension to April 30, the IHSA says its ‘still optimistic that we will be able to conduct spring sport state tournaments’.
#pjspreps
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JUST IN: Peoria High will forfeit its seven football victories from the 2023 season after the IHSA ruled the school used at least one ineligible player in those games.
Details here ⏬
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
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Macomb 41, Manual 40 Final
Bombers rally from down 17 to pull the upset.
#pjspreps
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The 2023 @pjstarsports Boys Basketball All-Area team-
Large School-
@Tylermace25 (POY)
@TysonSwanson4
@EthanKizer21
@CooperKoch44
@MarquelNewsome
Small School-
@32halvey
@tyler_heffren23
@1_Malachi_P
@Keauntrey24
@BrandonCoats9
#pjspreps
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
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Jacob Look’s visitation is 1-4 p.m. tomorrow at the Brimfield HS gym.
Any area basketball player attending the service is asked by the family to wear their school’s warmup in memory of Jake.
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Poor phone service but great play from Brimfield in winning its Class 1A Sectional title.
@brimfield_lady 56, Mendon Unity 40 Final
Ella Lune with a game-high 28 for the Indians.
#pjspreps
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JUST IN: Peoria High football coach Tim Thornton has resigned after 14 seasons. He will be heading to Lely High School in Naples, Florida to join the staff.
His tenure included the 2016 Class 5A state title & 2022 5A state runner-up.
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
#pjspreps
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Congrats to these 2021 @ibcacoaches Women's Coaches of the Year:
@andreagorski, @BradleyWBB
@KarrieRedeker, @ICC_CougarsWBB
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The IHSA posted a spring sports FAQs.
Highlights:
- Postseasons are NOT cancelled & a plan will be communicated if school resumes
- Athletes can NOT participate in any travel spring sports
- Athlete-led unofficial practices are allowed
FAQs: ihsa.org/News-Media/Announce…
#pjspreps
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.@lindseydullard of @LadyPottersHoop is the 2020 Journal Star Large-School Player of the Year
Story: pjstar.com/sports/20200331/2…
#pjspreps
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Metamora will play for the Class 3A state title
The Redbirds beat East St. Louis, 50-43, face Chicago Simeon at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow
#pjspreps
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With the World Series starting tonight & more @Braves fans beginning to follow me, please give this a read to find out who you are actually following.
pjstar.com/sports/20181003/m…
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This time it’s @EthanKizer21 dunking over BOTH @LathanSommervi2 & @WesHunt1422 at @BooCurley Camp.
#pjspreps
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Sweet moment for @kaitlincass21 as she gets some time in the state finals for @PNDLadyIrish after missing the season with an ACL tear.
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Honored.
These are the finalists for the Players Choice Awards NL Comeback Player!
MLB Players voted & the top three vote recipients are Wil Myers (@wilmyers), Adam Duvall (@AdamDuvall) & Daniel Bard.
It was a pleasure watching you play this season!
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2024 @pjstarsports all-area:
1A
@LilyLuczkowiak
@Emilydana1616
@maeherman_11
@avaheinz22
@kennedyq2027
2A
@mya_wardle (POY)
@kaitlincass21
@LexiBaer15
@daliadejesus_
@awheels1224
3A
@iamavery20
@aguyton11
@KilgoreKiarra
@addysoneng
@juliasolly_
#pjspreps
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
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Washington wins the Mid-Illini Conference championship.
No. 1 Panthers get double-figure scoring by Avery Tibbs (19 points), Becca McDougall (14 points), Dani Guedet (13 points) and Mazzy O’Brien (12 points)
Paige Selke’s 14 points led the Potters.
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An announcement from the IHSA regarding the resumption of high school sports is hopefully expected later today. The IHSA had sent a plan to state health officials about those steps - and awaits approval - of returning prep athletics as Illinois enters Phase 3 tomorrow.
#pjspreps
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Just In: Iowa recruit Cooper Koch has transferred to Metamora, joining up with the reigning Class 3A state champions.
The 6-foot-8 all-stater averaged 18.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals for Peoria Notre Dame as a junior.
#pjspreps
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
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"(Coach) was making jokes, because he didn't know I could hoop. He said first time I brought the ball up, he was surprised I was handling it."
Illinois coach Bret Bielema was in Dunlap on Saturday to see @M4ckSutter play for @DunlapBoysBball.
pjstar.com/story/sports/high…
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Senior @LadyPottersHoop & @MortonPottersVB player @raquel_frakes10 will sign with the @ICC_Cougars on Tuesday to play both @ICCVolleyball & @ICC_CougarsWBB.
#pjspreps
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Morton beats Peoria High 31-27 to win the Class 3A Peoria High Regional
#pjspreps
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Drew Tucker thanks the incredible @MetamoraBBB fans for the being the best all season.
#pjspreps
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Metamora beats Sacred Heart-Griffin, 60-50.
Great game.
Mason with 17 points, Kizer and Swanson each had 14.
Hawkinson goes for 17. Hamilton adds 15.
#pjspreps
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Overtime
@aguyton11 hits a 3 at the buzzer, sending the game to OT- 49-49
#pjspreps
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Peoria High all-stater Aaliyah Guyton is set to announce her verbal commitment in 10 minutes.
Her finalists include Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan State and Pittsburgh.
#pjspreps
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‘@StephenCurry30 announcing the Journal Star boys and girls basketball POYs
#pjspreps #CentralIllinoisPreps
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