Winter break was a time for most students to take a well-needed break to spend time with friends, family, celebrate holidays, and completely shut their brains off from school. However, for S.H.S. athletes, their determination never stopped.

  Over break, girls basketball had six games and even a Christmas tournament in Dixon. The girls started their break off with a home shootout with two big wins over Naperville Central (75-66) and Hononegah (49-42).

  Soon followed the Dixon Christmas Tournament where the girls came out strong with two wins over Eastland (62-21) and Pecatonica (38-27). Falling short against Stillman Valley (37-47) the girls still managed to finish the tournament with a big win over Dixon (44-18), placing third. 

  Junior Jaelynn James said, “Each game we had to bring our all. We played every game like it was the championship. We used our strengths to work together and defeat teams one by one.”

  Following the girls, boys basketball also had a breakthrough performance and had seven games including their annual tournament in Taylorville and the Illinois Iowa Shootout.  

  Senior power forward Maddux Osborn said, “Over the four games during break we definitely got better. From starting off the season slow we went there and played like a whole different team.”

  Senior shooting guard Nico Battaglia added, “We had a great time and experience at the Taylorville tournament and ended up coming in second place but had a lot of fun and we got better as well.”

  Girls bowling also kept busy over break with one game against Rock Island as well as a Mid State tournament in Peoria.

  Junior co-captain Kara Garcia said, “I think we did very well. We kept our heads up the whole time and were able to average higher games.”

  The girls came home with a win over Rock Island (3036-2824), and placed 12th overall in their tournament. 

  S.H.S. athletes continue to work on their skills as they move on with their seasons with some big games to come.