BARRINGTON — With gym time at a premium and only virtual meets available, this 2020-21 competitive cheer season has been quite different than the norm.
One near constant has remained the same, though, as the Somonauk cheer squad earned its way out of the virtually held Barrington Sectional on Saturday and has qualified for IHSA State. It is the program’s second straight IHSA State berth and the ninth time Somonauk has qualified in the past 11 years.
Somonauk earned its big with a fourth-place finish in the Barrington Sectional’s Small Division, scoring an 88.67.
In the Buffalo Grove Sectional’s Small Division, Seneca placed ninth with a team score of 80.00.
In the Washington Sectional’s Medium Division, La Salle-Peru (85.60) placed eighth, Sandwich (83.03) placed ninth and Streator (79.07) came in 14th.
Competitive dance
Ottawa 25th, Seneca 28th at IHSA State: The Seneca and Ottawa competitive dance teams which earned IHSA State berths the previous weekend at sectionals competed virtually in Saturday’s IHSA State Meet.
Seneca in Class 1A scored a 70.82.
Ottawa in Class 2A recorded a score of 78.78 to place 25th.
Boys basketball
Earlville 64, DePue 54: On Saturday morning, the Red Raiders improved to 5-5 overall and 5-4 in Little Ten Conference play with the victory. Ryan Browder had 12 points for Earlville, while Diego Vazquez and Noah Lemke each had 10 points.
Girls basketball
Plano 39, Earlville 36: At Plano, the visiting Lady Raiders led 30-25 after three quarters but ultimately suffered the nonconference defeat. Alexis Olson (11 points), Madyson Olson (nine points) and Elizabeth Browder (eight points) paced Earlville.
Serena 53, Putnam County 48: In nonconference play Saturday, the Lady Huskers improved to 7-2 on the season led by a 24-point, eight-rebound performance from Taylor Staton and a 17-point, five-assist, five-steal showing from Katie Baker.
Paisley Twait with seven points and Kallie Cantlin with five assists and four steals also led Serena.
Sandwich 35, Rochelle 22: At Rochelle, the visiting Lady Indians ran their record to 10-3 overall and 8-3 in the Interstate Eight Conference. Claire Allen (10 points), Josie Ness (eight points) and Molly Roberts (six points) led the Sandwich attack.