July 04, 2025
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Remember When: Local Sports History on This Day, Feb. 6

Somonauk, Serena girls hoops capture LTC wins in 1986; Ottawa boys use early surge in topping Streator in 1951

By Brian Hoxsey

Streator's Dave Sabino [11] floats a shot over a trio of Princeton defenders as teammate Brian Turner [33] gets rebounding position in the teams NCIC game in 2001. (Shaw Media)

REMEMBER WHEN?

15 years ago

February 6, 2006

The Newark girls basketball team topped Serena, 36-25, in an opening-round game at the Seneca Class A Regional. The Lady Norsemen were led by Laura Johnson [nine points], Emily Holman [eight points, eight rebounds], Ali Hoskins [six points], and Sam Akre [six points, 10 rebounds, four steals]. The Lady Huskers were paced by Megan Cantlin [12 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals] and Emily Zemanek [six points, two steals].

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The Fieldcrest hoops squad trailed Lowpoint-Washburn 10-0 after the opening quarter but regrouped to send the game to overtime and then used a 9-1 advantage in the extra session for a 51-43 victory at the Eureka Class A Regional. Alaina Sunken paced the Lady Knights with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Jenna Hakes had 12 points, and Kristen Ragusa posted 10 points and six rebounds.

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The Earlville boys basketball club led 31-12 at halftime in a 57-41 triumph over Big Rock Crossroads Christian Academy. Kyle Lane paced the Red Raiders with 17 points, followed by Kurt Mattson [12 points] and Mike Gast [11 points].

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20 years ago

February 6, 2001

The Streator boys basketball squad hit 49% from the field in a 64-57 North Central Illinois Conference win over host Princeton. Brian Turner registered 21 points, Ryan Flanary 14 points, and nine rebounds, Dave Sabino 13 points, and Jeremy Bethard nine points.

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The Woodland boys hoops club held off a late rally and survived a potential game-winning 3-point shot by visiting Earlville to post a 76-74 victory. The Warriors were led by Gary Dudak [22 points], Zac Johnson [19 points], and Isaac Monts [18 points, 11 rebounds]. The Red Raiders’ Joe Anderson poured in 30 points, including eight 3-pointers, with Aaron Rankin adding 19 points.

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35 years ago

February 6, 1986

The Somonauk girls basketball team led 25-17 at halftime of a 39-34 Little Ten Conference triumph over visiting Leland. Caryn Casner had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Lady Bobcats, while teammate Jennifer Orseske had four points, 16 rebounds, and five blocked shots. Leland’s Lisa Springborne led all scorers with 20 points.

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The Serena girls hoops club — behind 27 points from Renee Ernat and 21 points from Michelle Clemens — defeated visiting Waterman, 63-26, in LTC play.

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70 years ago

February 6, 1951

The Ottawa boys hoops squad ran to a 20-7 lead after the opening quarter and eventually defeated rival Streator 53-37 at Kingman Gymnasium. The Pirates were paced by Jim Varland [20 points] and Lloyd Gromm [15 points], while the Bulldogs received 20 points from Jim Gwinn.