May 4, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Pence, Ingram lead SJO boys’ basketball off to superb start


After having the season delayed more than two months and then missing
the first week of the condensed season while dealing with positive
COVID-19 cases within the program, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys’
basketball team is making up for lost time.


In a big way.


The Spartans have won their first two games, winning 66-52 at home
against nonconference foe Oakwood on Wednesday night and opening the
season with a 73-54 win at Rantoul last Friday night in Illini Prairie
Conference action. SJO (2-0, 1-0 Illini Prairie) continue league play
with a 7 p.m. tip at rival Unity on Friday.


Sophomore standout Ty Pence is leading the way so far for the
Spartans, following up his solid freshman season in an even bigger
way. The 6-foot-6 guard dropped in 40 points and grabbed 19 rebounds
during Wednesday night’s win at Oakwood. This jaw-dropping performance
came after he supplied a game-high 24 points to go along with 20
rebounds in the win against Rantoul.


Junior guard Evan Ingram also contributed significantly in the win
against Oakwood, delivering 18 points and five assists. Junior forward
Andrew Beyers also chipped in with eight points.


Aside from Pence’s 24 points at Rantoul, Ingram and junior guard
Cameron Costa each supplied 15 points against the Eagles.


Friday night’s game at Unity marks the first Illini Prairie game this
week after Tuesday night’s game at Bloomington Central Catholic was
postponed because of inclement weather. The Spartans will stay on the
road on Saturday, too, with a 2:30 p.m. tip at nonconference foe
Robinson before returning home for a scheduled 7 p.m. tip next Tuesday
against Pontiac.

You can watch basketball games here.

Banner
Related Posts

Kaiser’s positivity a plus on court

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Lacey Kaiser is a positive presence on the volleyball court. So much so, that her coach Abby McDonald nominated her...

Going the Distance: Smetzer excels at Western

October 17, 2019

October 17, 2019

Ross Smetzer has goals. The 2016 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate runs cross country and track for Western Illinois University...

Wells, defense shine as balanced SJO girls’ basketball team wins regional title

February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022

The high school girls’ basketball season has taken St. Joseph-Ogden High School all across the state of Illinois. With plenty...

Total team effort keeps SJO baseball on a roll

May 19, 2021

May 19, 2021

About the only opponent to slow down St. Joseph-Ogden baseball recently is the weather.Persistent rain postponed Tuesday’s home showdown with...

Getting to know SJO football Captain Aidan McCorkle

October 29, 2022

October 29, 2022

We asked the SJO football team captains five questions. Here are Aidan McCorkle’s responses. Why is being a team captain...

Get to know SJO Volleyball player Emma Ward

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? Our ability to work well together What is your favorite thing...

Orcutt named Student Athlete of the Month

January 30, 2019

January 30, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Joel Orcutt isn’t just a standout basketball player. He is also an artist. “I enjoy doing art...

SJO girls’ basketball wins sectional title, advances to Elite Eight

February 15, 2019

February 15, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School girls’ basketball team waited more than a decade to give the program another sectional title....

Christie Clinic Shootout in St. Joseph still on, but SJO won’t play

January 11, 2020

January 11, 2020

The heavy rainfall that hit St. Joseph on Friday night and into Saturday morning, along with the potential for severe...

Mattsey, Knott leading SJO boys’ track and field this spring

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

Almost a month into its first full outdoor season since 2019 and theSt. Joseph-Ogden boys’ track and field team has...

Michael looking to the future with coaching job

August 23, 2019

August 23, 2019

Nate Michael spent his youth playing basketball in every form.  After graduating this spring from McKendree University, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound...

SJO football schedule for 2019 set

July 1, 2019

July 1, 2019

Making the playoffs is always a goal for the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team. Having qualified in 27 of...

Born to dance: Hess takes passion with her to SIUE

May 30, 2019

May 30, 2019

Kaitlyn Hess has danced nearly all of her life. The recent St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate will continue to do...

SJO soccer to have new home in 2023, while issues arise about current field maintenance

July 14, 2022

July 14, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team is set to have a new home field for the 2023 season. SJO...

SJO softball vies for 11th straight regional title on Saturday

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

A year ago, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team defeated Maroa-Forsyth to win a Class 2A sectional title. On...

Comments
Leave a Reply