Putnam County Panthers got some preparation for Friday's Class 1A state semifinal, making at stop at the Corn Crib in Normal and Yard Goats indoor facility in Champaign. The Panthers (25-11) will face North Clay (35-4) at 1 p.m. Friday at Illinois Field.

The Tri-County, Three Rivers East and Little Ten announced all-conference teams, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

The Putnam County baseball program has qualified for state in every full decade since the school opened. The 2026 Panthers play North Clay in Friday's semifinals in the school's seventh state appearance.

A look at the four teams competing this weekend in the Class 1A state baseball tournament in Champaign.

A look at the top boys tennis players in the NewsTribune area for the 2026 season.

The Putnam County baseball team beat Galena 7-4 on Tuesday to win the IHSA Class 1A NIU Supersectional and earn its first trip to state since 2013.

Jackson Mason became coach Connie Lind's first player at Princeton in her 30 years as coach to win two matches at state. Then he added icing on his coach’s retirement cake by winning a third match in the state meet. He is the 2026 NewsTribune Boys Tennis Player of the Year.

The Putnam County Baseball team took on Galena in a Class 1A supersectional Tuesday at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. The winner advances to the state semifinal at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

L-P's Taylor Vescogni and Princeton's Avah Oertel were voted Illinois Coaches Association First-Team All State, while nine other NewsTribune-area players were honored.