Archives

Jokisch Returns Overseas

Eric Jokisch is back in Korea.

The talented lefty had all but retired this year, and stayed in the states this spring. But he left open the door for a return to South Korea if the right deal was made.

Jokisch continued to throw just in case he was needed.

Family members says the call was made from Korea last week. And Jokisch flew out over the weekend.

He has pitched for the Kiwoom Heroes for the past five years. His new assignment comes with the Doosan Bears, after a starter suffered a shoulder injury recently.

Jokisch, who turns 35 at the end of July, has posted a 56 and 36 record with an ERA of 3.42 in Korea.

Jokisch made his debut in major league baseball for the Chicago Cubs in 2014.

June Weather

It was a hot, and dry June in Jacksonville last month.

The average temperature for last month was a tick under 75 degrees. That’s not the record of 79 in 1953, but it is the hottest June since we average 75 in 2018.

A typical day saw a high of 86.3, and a low of 63.4. The hottest day was 95 on the 26th. We dipped to a low of 48 on the 12th. Neither were records.

Temperatures reached 90 or better on 10 of the 30 days last month. It was in the 50s or colder on 6 of the 30 days in June.

It was also dry last month. Total rainfall was 2 and 14 hundredths inches. Normal rainfall for June is 4 and 58 hundredths inches. It was the driest June since slightly less than an inch and a quarter fell in June of 2017.

There was rainfall on 11 of the 30 days. That topped out at 95 hundredths on the 26th.

WLDS-WEAI is an official reporting station for the national weather service.

Stout New JHS Wrestling Coach

The Jacksonville school board made the hiring of a new wrestling coach official last night.

Zach Stout has taken over the position, after the previous coach, Dustin Secrist resigned in May. Secrist was pursuing a career in the private sector.

Under Secrist, JHS has had multiple state qualifiers in his four years. And, the girls’ wrestling program has grown, with several state qualifiers.

Zach Stout is a 2015 graduate of JHS. He was a wrestler and played football. Stout was a regional wrestling title holder, and qualified for the state meet in 2015.

He went on to wrestle at Missouri Baptist for two years, and eventually, graduated from the University of Missouri in St Louis with a bachelor’s degree and a secondary emphasis in social studies.

He has been a social studies teacher at JHS since 2020, and a member of the wrestling staff for the past four years.

Shot Clock Starts for BB in 2026

The shot clock is coming to Illinois basketball starting in 2026.

Up to this point, the use of the shot clock was voluntary.

But, the Illinois High School Association board last night approved mandatory use of the clock for the 2026-27 season.

The 35-second shot clock will be required for usage in varsity girls and boys basketball games. Use of the shot clock for lower level games, such as JV games will be determined by conferences and via mutual agreement by competing teams in non conference games.

IHSA executive director Craig Anderson says the voluntary use of the clock has prompted an overwhelming positive response from coaches and administrations.

He says the two season lead time will give schools time to make the adjustments.

South County needs a new head boys’ basketball coach

South County is looking for a new head boys’ basketball coach.

Bryon Graven told his players this past weekend that he was leaving the coaching and teaching position to accept a job in the private sector. He says it was for financial and family reasons.

Graven says he does not plan to return to coaching.

Graven took over the South County program five years ago, and finished 73-63 there.

His 25 wins last season was a record for a South County team.

Graven was in the coaching profession for 16 years. His father, Doug Graven, was a long time coach with Auburn.

Bryon Graven served as the south squad coach for the Country Financial West Central Illinois Boys’ All Star Classic last month.

November Weather

It was a warmer than normal November, but very dry.

The precipitation total came to just 3-quarters of an inch. Normal rainfall for November is 3 and two thirds inches. The driest November Jacksonville has ever had was 23 hundredths in 1933.

The wettest day was just a half inch of rain on the 21st. We did get a half an inch of snow. Normal snowfall is a little over an inch. There were just four days of measurable precipitation in November.

The temperatures last month were only slightly warmer than normal. The average reading was 42-point-7 degrees. That’s just 2 tenths a degree higher than normal.

A typical day last month saw a high of 55, and a low of 31.

Readings ranged from 78 on the 9th, to 14 on the 28th. The 78 degree reading was just 2 degrees from the record high for that date.

There were 12 days of 60 or better readings. One of the stretches saw the mercury reach 70 or better three straight days, starting on the 7th. And, just one night below 20.

WLDS-WEAI is an official reporting station for the National Weather Service.

Mitchell-All State-CP and GNW has Two Each

For the second year in a row, Jacksonville has a player on the Illinois Football Coaches all state first team.

A year ago, it was Elijah Owens. This year, it is senior running back Cam Ron Mitchell.

Mitchell had an outstanding year with JHS, rushing for 1433 yards. He also finished with 12 touchdowns, averaged 8 point 8 yards a carry and 159 yards a game. He was the only all state player on the 5A all state team from the Central State Eight.

JHS finished 4 and 5, missing the playoffs by one point.

In Class 1A football, the list includes two from Greenfield Northwestern and Camp Point.

Running back Kohen Vetter and quarterback Dylan Pembrook were named from the Tigers, and running backs Elijah Genebacher and Drew Paben were named from Camp Point.

Camp Point hosts Greenfield Northwestern in the Class 1A semi final game on Saturday.

July Heat

The heat was on last month, but not at a record level.

The average temperature last month was nearly 75 and a half degrees. That’s just 6-tenths of a degree higher than normal. One only needs to look to last year for a hotter July, when the average was 75 and a half degrees.

Typical highs last month averaged close to 87, and lows reached 64.

The hottest temperature did not reach 100. It was 97 on the 29th. The coolest night was 58 on the 10th.

The mercury reached 90 0r better on just 5 of the first 25 days. But, we climbed to 90 or better on 5 of the last six days. And, the highs averaged 95 over a three day period starting last Wednesday.

The total rainfall last month was 4 and a half inches. That’s a full inch less than July of last year. It’s still a half an inch above normal.

Keep in mind, much of the rainfall was in the first three days. Close to three inches fell in the first three days. Just two inches fell in the final 28 days of July.

July historically is the hottest month of the year.

WLDS-WEAI is an official observing station for the National Weather Service.

Two From Jacksonville on All State FB teams

A Jacksonville High School senior has been named to a 5A all state football team.

Senior quarterback Elijah Owens has been named to the Illinois High School football coaches association all state team.

Owens is headed to Indiana State next year.

He was the only player in the Central State Eight to make the 5A all state team.

Routt has one player on the IHSFCA first team all state FB team.

Running back Will Jackson has been included on the Class 1A team.

North Mac has placed Cooper Starks as an offensive lineman on the 2A all state team

Two From New Berlin Make First Team All Sangamo in baseball

Two players from New Berlin/South County have been named to the 2022 Sangamo All conference baseball team.

Lucas Bixby and Rockman Prince were placed on the first team.

Jacob Roberts and Gannon Dodd of New Berlin/South County received honorable mention.

Jake Shannon and Dane Degroot of Porta/AC were named to the 2nd team, and teammate Aaron Suiter was named honorable mention.