Coal City Courant

Kankakee River Fishing Derby to kick-off Friday

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 1:49pm

The Northern Illinois Anglers Association said fishing conditions are perfect for the 39th annual Kankakee River Valley Fishing Derby that is set to open Friday with six noteworthy additions.
The 10-day derby gives lucky anglers a chance to hook some cash as long as they pre-register and catch a tagged fish from the river or its tributaries between the Indiana state line through Wilmington.
There will be about 88 tagged fish or about two fish per mile each worth a minimum of $500 each.

Popularity for basketball is booming, the Coal City youth camp draws in 80 campers

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 1:49pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The popularity of basketball is rising at Coal City High School as the youth basketball camp drew in 80 enthusiastic campers who were ready to learn the game.
The camp attracted kids from Coal City and surrounding areas. Either way basketball coach Tyler Schoonover was happy to see all 80 campers there and ready to learn in his first season. Whether they play for him or not, at least they’re trying it out and they’re interested.

Babe’s Tap wins memorial softball tourney for fourth time in five years

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 1:48pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The 11th annual Josh Cumming Memorial Softball Tournament concluded on time on Sunday without any rainouts for the first time in a while.
Tournament organizer Todd Cumming doesn’t remember the last time it’s happened but it’s nice and overall the tournament went really well.
“I think this might be the first year we haven’t been pushed back for multiple nights of rain,” said Cumming. “Everything went very well. The biggest thing was we didn’t have to reschedule the games.”

Schoonover changes career path to pursue his dream job

Published by admin on Tue, 06/28/2022 - 1:46pm

by shawn long Sports writer Former Reed-Custer High School junior varsity basketball coach Tyler Schoonover is leaving his alma mater to be the new coach of the Coal City basketball team. Previous coach Glenn Pacek stepped down after three seasons, opening the position up for Schoonover. The Coalers had a down season finishing 3-6 in the shortened 2020 spring season and 5-25 in the regular winter season. Over three seasons, Pacek led the Coalers to a regional championship with 28 wins.

Josh Cumming Memorial Softball Tournament underway

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 2:17pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The 11th annual Josh Cumming Memorial Softball Tournament is underway in Carbon Hill featuring a 16-team field.
The tournament, which coincides with Carbon Hill’s Homecoming celebration, is named in honor of Josh Cumming, the tournament director’s son who died during a pedestrian/train accident. It features some of the best slow pitch softball players in the area.
“I wish every year he was still around to play in it but it’s great to keep it going for him,” said tournament director Todd Cumming. “I do what I can for the town.”

Lady Coalers start fast, earn fifth place in the Braidwood Shootout

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 2:16pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The Coal City girls basketball team went 3-1 during the third annual girls’ Braidwood Shootout, placing fifth overall.
The Lady Coalers had full control from the beginning but Willows Academy, who was a 22-10 team last year, was not going away without a fight as Coal City only led by a short margin at the half and pushed it out to 37-27 to earn the win.

Best baseball players in the ICE

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 2:08pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
The baseball season in the Illinois Central Eight came to an end with Coal City being eliminated by Joliet Catholic Academy in the Sectional championship game on Saturday.
The Coalers, Comets and ‘Cats had many standouts, 10 of which were given the nod as All-Conference players.

The first three games will define the Coalers season

Published by admin on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 2:07pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
It’s never too early to talk Coaler football now that the 2022 schedule is locked in.
Last fall the Coalers finished third in the Illinois Central Eight Conference and will be looking to continue the playoff tradition with a new group of players.
If the Coalers advance into the playoffs they will be seeing familiar foes closer to home as opposed to what was being proposed.

Great turnout at Lady Coaler basketball camp

Published by admin on Tue, 06/14/2022 - 2:07pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
There was a lot of excitement as Coal City’s annual youth girls basketball camp drew over 50 members this past week.
The majority of the numbers came from the sixth, seventh and eighth graders but the third and fourth grade level still brought in a combined 20 campers which only can mean good things for the Lady Coalers moving forward.

Comets, ‘Cats, Coalers to play in Braidwood Shootout

Published by admin on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 2:59pm

by shawn long
Sports writer
Reed-Custer will host its Braidwood Shootout for the first time in two years starting Tuesday when girls and boys basketball players will do battle against 31 other teams from around the state.
The Braidwood Shootout will start with the girls side of the bracket on Tuesday when Reed-Custer and Gardner-South Wilmington begin the tournament in the Reed-Custer Middle School gym at 8 a.m.