Briefs: L-P’s Weber, Fieldcrest’s Cusac-McKay to play in IBCA All-Star games

La Salle-Peru’s Drake Weber and Fieldcrest’s Jaxon Cusac-McKay have been selected to play in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Games on June 26 in Pontiac.

Weber, the 2021 NewsTribune Boys Basketball Player of the Year, will play on the 3A/4A South team along with Ottawa’s Anthony Cooper.

Weber averaged 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.7 assists per game to leads the Cavaliers to an 8-4 record.

Cusac-McKay, the 2020-21 NewsTribune Boys Basketball Player of the Year and 2021 NT First-Team All-Area selection, will play on the 1A/2A North squad.

He averaged 16.9 points, 5.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game as he helped the Knights to a 12-1 record.

TCC announces all-conference baseball, softball teams

Putnam County sophomore Jackson McDonald was selected the Tri-County Conference Pitcher of the Year, while Marquette senior Luke Couch was voted the TCC Player of the Year.

McDonald was unanimously selected to the All-TCC First Team along with sophomore teammate Andrew Pyszka. Putnam County junior Drake Smith also was voted to the first team.

Putnam County junior Chris Uzella and sophomore teammate Troy Petter were second-team selections, while Henry-Senachwine junior Eric Garrison and freshman teammate Lance Kieswetter were honorable mention picks.

In softball, Henry’s Erin Hufnagel was a first-team pick.

Local second-team selections were Putnam County’s Tori Balma and Maggie Richetta, and Henry’s Hope Self.

Putnam County’s Kara Staley and Henry’s Abby Cheney were honorable mention selections.

Regan Smith qualifies for Olympics

Regan Smith, a 19-year-old swimmer with ties to the Illinois Valley, qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the 100-meter backstroke by winning the event in 58.35 seconds at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.

Smith, who lives in Lakeville, Minn., is the former world record holder in the 100 backstroke. Australian Kaylee McKeown broke the record on Sunday. Smith still holds the world record in the 200 backstroke.

On Wednesday, Smith advanced to the 200 butterfly finals. She’ll also compete in the 200 backstroke. She scratched the 100 butterfly finals.

Smith’s maternal family is from Lostant, many of them still living in the area, including grandmother Marge Moore, aunt Lynn Rose, and uncles Bill and Rick Moore.

Carlson hits hole in one

Bob Carlson, of Princeton, made a hole in one at Wyaton Hills Golf Course.

He aced the seventh hole. Tom Hanson, Terry Libby and Mike Dinkleman witnessed the shot.