HamCo BB 2018-19

Summer Slate Revealed Positive Tone,
Upbeat Future For Foxes & New Coach

For a long time now, Doug Miller has been driving daily to “We have fun,” said Foxes Coach Doug Miller, “but
work at Gallatin County High School, where he taught Physical when we get on the court, it’s all business.”
Education and reeled in a 67-42 record over the last four years
as head coach of the varsity boys basketball team. because you started or played last year is no sign

But now, the 1992 Hamilton County High School grad- you will start or play this year. I demand that you play
uate—a guard on the Foxes’ third-place state finals team his
junior year—is staying put. Instead of making the 35-mile trek defense, and I demand that you play hard and have
one-way from his home in McLeansboro to job in Junction, he’s
HamCo’s new junior high P. E. teacher and head hoops coach a good attitude.
for the high school boys team.
“I can tell you that in 25 days (of playing) in the
“It was hard to leave Gallatin County because they’re prob-
ably gonna win a ton of games this year, and it was a great summer, I just told them ‘today—every day—is a try-
place to coach and teach,” said Miller, who guided the team
to a 19-10 mark and the Greater Egyptian Conference (GEC) out. Every practice is a tryout’,” he said. “We will play
title last season. “But to see my family like I have the past few
months has been great.” the five best at that moment.”

Miller and his wife Tara, a HamCo teacher’s aide at Browns- One of the first things Miller did as this sea-
ville and a former college basketball and softball player, have
three children: daughter Miley is one, son Jordan is five, and son got underway was to enter the team in what he
daughter Addyson is seven. She began the first grade in the
Hamilton County School District this year, which is another rea- called ‘Camp Water Tower’, which is his conditioning
son Miller applied for his new job.
program.
Miller replaced Coach Jeremy Varner and inherits a team
that went 10-20 last season—an improvement from the previ- “It was Camp Lagoon at Gallatin, and it comes
ous year’s six-win finish. He’s got some gaps to fill, with starters
Jake Whipple, Matt Rubenacker, Kyle Van Abbema and Dylan from Kim Crawford, a Hall Of Fame coach from Teu-
Boykin having graduated. Whipple and Rubenacker were the
team’s top scorers, with then-junior Randy Schaefer coming in topolis, so I can’t take credit for it. But you run and do
third. He moved to the Chicago area.
workouts—miles, sprints,” he said, adding the most
Right out of the gate, the coach will be looking to his top
returnee—Hunter Braden—to step up. they ran at one time ‘was six or seven miles’. “Five

“He’s our only returning starter,” Miller mentioned, noting quit and four puked, but we’ll be in good shape.
that aside from Braden and the only other seniors—Austin
Gray and Samuel Lueke—they don’t have much experience. “I’m very proud of the guys who completed it,” he
Not much height, either, outside of juniors Gus Walden and
Zach Weaver, and sophomore Robbie Morgan, all 6-2. said, of the week-long boot camp.

“We’ve got a long way to go, but we have to stay positive,” While it’s all business when they step on the
Miller said, adding that the off-season showed him that the Fox-
es have what it takes to earn W’s. court, Miller has tried to incorporate some camara-

“This summer was very successful or us,” he said. “I don’t derie-style events into their schedule. For example,
determine our record as success, but I do determine our work
ethic, discipline, and the fact that our fundamentals got stronger Continued On Page 3 1
as success. We played a lot this summer, and I’m proud of their
attendance, behavior and commitment.

“That’s success to me. They show up every day. They bat-
tle, strap and fight every day.”

The team will lift the lid on the 2018-19 season after Thanks-
giving at the Goreville Tourney (dates/times TBA), and as of
mid-November, nobody had locked down a starting slot.

“We have five job openings right now. Actually, eight or
nine. In the locker room (on the board) we have starters and
sixth man with a question mark at each spot,” Miller said. “Just

2

Foxes Hoop Preview Hunter Braden, a senior, is Hamilton County’s only returning starter.

Continued From Page 1 to be.
the team went to the home of former “When you’re on a bus coming home after winning a regional or a
McLeansboro coach, Charlie Pryor, to en-
joy pizza from Auten’s and Mimmo’s and conference title, when the fire truck is waiting on you and the town is
watch the movie ‘Hoosiers’ on the drive-in waiting on you? I want our kids to experience that,” he said. “We want
style screen on the side of Charlie’s barn. that kind of atmosphere, and I think the buy-in is coming.”
All 29 kids who participated in summer
workouts attended. Here’s a summary of Miller’s early impression of the varsity/jayvee
roster:
“Off the court, we have fun,” Miller said. Seniors
“But on the court, it’s all business. I’m old
school. Our bus trips are not wild, we get Austin Gray—“He’s a driver. We will look for ball handling and scor-
haircuts, and the kids will wear khakis and Continued On Page 5
shirts and ties to games. I’m big on grades
and discipline. Players need to be a step
above others because they represent their
town, school and county when they go plac-
es.”

Over the summer, the team would gen-
erally eat at O’Charleys or Cracker Barrell
after traveling for competition.

“Every time we went somewhere, the
manager said they were impressed with our
behavior,” Miller said. “We also plan to take
the kids to the nursing homes to sing Christ-
mas carols. We plan to do good deeds in
the community.”

Not only are functions like that great for
team-building, but for character-building,
too, he reasoned.

“If you can play for me, you can get a
good job and be a good employee,” Miller
said. “We will tell you what you do wrong,
and the way you handle that will decide if
you’re gonna be a good employee one day.
We try to remind them of that on a daily ba-
sis.”

Miller is also working on the team’s
mindset.

“Our main goal is to change their iden-
tity. I’m trying to get them in the mindset that
we are winners, not that we’re sometimes
winners or that we can compete a little bit.
It’s not gonna happen in a short amount of
time, but I keep praising these guys and the
improvements they have made. We’ve got-
ta build on that and we have to keep telling
them that they can be winners if they want

3

HAMILTON COUNTY FOXES Foxes
Varsity/JV
Roster 2018-19 Schedule

Coach: Doug Miller * = BDC East Game
Asst. Coach: Cody Bailey (JV starts at 6:15, unless

NAME YEAR otherwise indicated)
Hunter Braden 12
Austin Gray 12 Goreville Tourney
Sam Lueke 12 Nov. 26--vs.Anna, 5:30
Brandon Peters 11 Nov. 27--vs. Goreville, 7
Kaden Richards 11 Nov. 30--vs. Johnston City, 5:30
Evan Shelton 11 Dec. 1--vs. Benton, 10
Theron Smith 11 Dec. 1--vs. Hardin Co., 4:30
Kale VanWinkle 11
Gus Walden 11 Dec. 7—@ Edwards County*
Zach Weaver 11 Dec. 8—@ Thompsonville, 6
Garrett Webb 11 Dec. 11—Fairfield*
Will Bowers 10 Dec. 14—Carmi*
Jaxson Comstock 10 Dec. 20—@ Eldorado*
Keegan Johnson 10 Dec. 27-29—Eldorado
Robbie Morgan 10
Jeremiah Rapp 10 Tourney (TBA).
Owen Shelton 10 Jan. 4—@ Christopher
Tyce Gorden 9 Jan. 5—NCOE
Jan. 8—Carterville
Jan. 11—@ Johnston City*

Jan. 12—Carrier Mills

Benton Tourney
Jan. 14--vs. Benton, 8:30
Jan. 16--vs. Pinckneyville, 7
Jan. 18--vs. Meridian, 5:30
Jan. 19--vs. Sesser, 11:30

Jan. 19--vs. Carlyle, 7

Jan. 25—Eldorado*
Feb. 1—Edwards County*
Feb. 2—@ Gallatin County
Feb. 5—@ Fairfield*
Feb. 8—@ Carmi*
Feb. 9—Waltonville
Feb. 15—Johnston City*

POST-SEASON TBA

gWaoFitoohsdxhleeilnstue&gcskaoLuatnhrddisyCarsFoelolasxstsFheoisent ! 203 S. Marshall Ave., McLeansboro, IL
(618) 308-0136

4

Hard Work, Discipline Define Miller’s Foxes

Continued From Page 3
ing out of him.”

Hunter Braden—“He’s a
driver and a slasher, and I’m
hoping he will be our defensive
stopper. I look for him and Gray
to lead the team.”

Samuel Lueke—“Our physi-
cal specimen; football player.
He’s our post player, a banger,
a rebounder.”

Juniors

Brandon Peters—“Point

guard candidate, quick ball han-

dler.”

Kale VanWinkle—“We

need rebounding and good post

defense from him.”

Evan Shelton—“Guard,

driver, shooter.”

Garrett Webb—“Strong

guard, driver, nice shot.”

Gus Walden—“Wing, slash-

er/driver.”

Kaden Richards—“Exactly

the same as Peters. Both have

a point guard profile.”

Theron Smith—“Defensive

specialist, great three-point

shooter.”

Zach Weaver—“At 6-2, I’m

hoping he plays the guard posi-

tion; can help us against press-

breaks.”

Sophomores

Gavin Ingram—“Guard,

three-point shooter.”

Jaxson Comstock—“Foot- Hamilton County players shown warming up for practice are (from left) Brandon Peters,

ball player mentality: hard- Robbie Morgan, Theron Smith and Garrett Webb.
nosed, will run through a wall to

get a ball.” athlete. We hope to have him on the full court press to give us some speed.”

Jeremiah Rapp—“Ball han- Owen Shelton—“Ball handler, guard.”

dler, guard, quick on defense.” Robbie Morgan—“Runs the floor, rebounds, post and interior scorer.”

Keegan Johnson—“He’s an Will Bowers—“Post presence, rebounder, plays hard.”

We support our Foxes
& Lady Foxes!

205 Walker, McLeansboro ~ 643-3471 Dick & Lucille Auten, owners

5

Hunter Braden, sr. Austin Gray, sr. Samuel Lueke, sr. Brandon Peters, jr.

Hunter is the son of Curt Austin is the son of Jeff and Samuel “Sam” Lueke is the The son of Brad and Dawn
and Lynn Braden. Besides bas- Tara Gray. Austin participates in son of Jeff and Michelle Lueke. Peters, Brandon is active in In-
ketball, he participates in cross golf, baseball, Spanish Club and He participates in football, base- teract Club, FCA/YFC Club and
country and track. In his spare church. He enjoys playing video ball, Science Club and Interact. the First Christian Church. In
time, he enjoys hunting and games, watching Netflix and He is also active in 4-H and en- his spare time, he likes to play
derbying. After high school, he hanging out with his girlfriend, joys playing video games. After basketball. After high school,
plans to run track at Vincennes Zoe. After high school, he plans graduation, Sam plans to join the Brandon plans to attend college
University while earning a de- to attend college and study Marines and later attend college and he aspires to become a com-
gree as a Welding Engineer. Sports Management or Sports to study Agricultural Engineer- mercial pilot.
Medicine.
ing.

Kaden Richards, jr. Evan Shelton, jr. Theron Smith, jr. Kale VanWinkle, jr.

Kaden is the son of Kevin and Evan’s parents are Ernie and The son of Chris Smith and The son of Connie and Scott
Kim Richards. He is also a mem- Lisa Shelton. He’s active in cross Sara Youngblood, Theron is ac- VanWinkle, Kale’s only in-
ber of the cross country team. country, track, Interact Club and tive in cross country and track. school activity is basketball.
Outside of school, Kaden works; FCA, as well as the M1 Church. When he has extra time, he Outside of school, he is active at
he enjoys basketball and run- He likes to play basketball and likes to play video games, run the M1 Church. In his spare time,
ning in his spare time. His future hang out with his friends in his and sleep. After high school, he Kale enjoys watching shows on
plans are to become successful. spare time. After high school, plans to attend Brigham Young Netflix and spending time with
Evan plans to attend college, but University and become a Sports his girlfriend.
is unsure of his career path. Medicine Physician.

We support BRETT WATKINS, DC
our Foxes &
Lady Foxes! 301 South Jackson
McLeansboro ~ 643-3833

6

Gus Walden, jr. Zach Weaver, jr. Garrett Webb, jr. Will Bowers, soph.

Gus is the son of Larry Zacariah “Zach” Weaver is Garrett’s parents are Marty William “Will” Bowers is
Walden and Toni and Barry the son of Jeremiah and Bridgette and Alicia Webb. Outside of the son of Buck Bowers. He
Richardson. Basketball is his Weaver. He plays baseball and is basketball, he participates in plays football and baseball and
only in-school activity; even in active in FCA and the Pleasant football and baseball, and in his is involved in church. He likes
his spare time, he enjoys shoot- Union Church. He enjoys hang- spare time, he enjoys derbying. to hang around with his friends
ing hoops. After high school, ing out with family and friends After high school, he plans to at- during his spare time, and after
Gus plans to attend college and and being outdoors. After high tend college and get a good job. high school, his goals are to get a
earn his mining papers. school, Zach plans to attend col- job and start a family.
lege, but is unsure of a major.

Jaxson Comstock, soph. Keegan Johnson, soph. Robbie Morgan, soph. Jeremiah Rapp, soph.

Jaxson is the son of Matt Keegan’s parents are Mari Robbie is the son of Candie Jeremiah’s parents are Ja-
Richards and Heather Richards. and Jason Kirsch. He’s active Hatfield and Brad Hatfield. He’s ron Rapp and Jennifer Simms.
In addition to basketball, he in cross country and track, as active in football and Science He’s active in Science Club and
plays football and is involved in well as church. In his spare time, Club and attends Ten Mile Bap- church, and in his spare time, he
church. He enjoys hanging out Keegan enjoys hunting, running, tist Church. In his spare time, enjoys hunting, fishing, dirt-bike
with his friends during his spare basketball and sleeping. After Robbie enjoys hanging out with riding and playing x-box. After
time, and after high school, he high school, he plans to attend friends. He plans to attend col- high school, he plans to join the
hopes to attend college and get a college and get a good-paying lege after high school, but is un- Air Force and wants to become a
job. job. sure of a major.
pilot.

7

The Hamilton County Foxes varsity team includes (front, from left) Brandon Peters, Garrett Webb, Evan Shelton, Austin
Gray and Kaden Richards. In back, Samuel Lueke, Robbie Morgan, Gus Walden, Zachariah Weaver, and Hunter Braden.

Fairfield / EC Tops In BDC
East, Rest Up For Grabs

This season’s outlook for boys basketball in the Black The Foxes have been sharpening their skills in practice
Diamond Conference (East) is pretty clear-cut as far as and are ready for the season lid-lifter Nov. 26th
Hamilton County Coach Doug Miller is concerned: two
teams come into the campaign at the top of the ratings,
then after that it’s anybody’s guess.

“Fairfield is number one, absolutely. They have about
12 good players and have been in Coach Mac’s (Scott
McElravy’s) system for awhile, so they know what he wants
and what’s expected,” Miller said. “He does a good job with
them and is a good role model for them. They’re fortunate
to have him and will see a lot of success.”

Miller rates Edwards County second coming into the
season.

“They have almost exactly the same lineup and sixth
man as last year,” he said, adding that Coach Russ Gerlach
runs a system that is similar to what Miller will run at Ham-
Co. “We played them at Gallatin County, so I’m familiar with
them.”

He anticipates that Hamilton County will be rated last in
the pre-season BDC East poll, but isn’t concerned.

“We’re gonna try to play harder every night and try to
improve on a daily basis,” he said.

Go get ‘em MIMMO’s Italian Restaurant
Foxes & 114 S. Washington
McLeansboro
Lady Foxes! 618-643-4820
HOURS:
4-10 Thurs.-Sun.

8

Thanks To Brain Training, Woman Is
Enjoying Life For First Time In Years

There is such a thing as existing, but not living. KIMBERLY J. BRIGGS, MS, CCC/SLP, BCN
That was the case for Sandy Donjon of Fair-
field before she submitted to Neurofeedback at the of the noise in my brain, but it seemed like I didn’t have to take
Brain Training Center, where she credits Kimberly
J. Briggs, MS, CCC/SLP, BCN with turning every- sleeping pills to go to sleep anymore.”
thing around.
“About 15 years ago, my mother was diag- Then, the morning after her sixth session, Sandy woke up
nosed with colon cancer and it had spread to her
liver, so there was no (way to save her life). I had “and I felt absolutely amazing!” she said. “Before, I felt like I was
recently lost my dad to cancer, so when that hap-
pened to my mother, I couldn’t handle it,” said San- 64 going on 84, but now I feel like I’m in my 50s! I still have tin-
dy, 64, who moved to Fairfield 13 years ago with
her husband, Daryl, when he took the job as CEO nitus, but I have absolutely no depression and no anxiety. My life
for Wayne-White Electric Cooperative. “I was put
on Paxil for depression.” has changed so much!”
It worked, but Sandy didn’t like the way the
medicine made her feel. Or maybe not feel. As a result, her life has done an about-face…from darkness
“The more I took the less I felt inside, so it
was kind of a relief because it kept me from feel- to light, you might say.
ing. When I finally stopped taking antidepressants
about ten years later, I ended up getting a severe “The last several years, I have done absolutely nothing. I
case (of) tinnitus,” she said. “The noise would be
so loud that it caused a lot of pain in my brain. It rarely left my house; I didn’t even want to go to the grocery store,”
sounded like a thousand crickets and locusts mak-
ing noise in my brain. she said. “Things are so different now, because I am enjoying
“I had gone to doctors, neurologists, everyone
I could think of, and everyone said there was no living for the first time in a lot of years.
help for me because they have no cure for tinni-
tus.” “I cannot thank Kim Briggs enough for doing what she does,
Sandy went to see Dr. Christopher Ballard in
April for her regular check-up, and as they were because if it wasn’t for her I don’t know what would have hap-
talking, he mentioned having read about brain
training in Outlook magazine. He said he didn’t pened to me. I used to go to bed at night and pray to God that I
know if it would help her or not, “but it might be
something for me to consider,” she said. “I person- wouldn’t see tomorrow, because I did not want to suffer another
ally didn’t know what to do, but I gave Kim a call
and found out that my insurance would cover it, so day,” she added. “Now, when I go to bed at night, I can’t wait until
I thought ‘why not give it a try’?”
Sandy went to Kim in the first part of May. “She the next day to wake up!”
had said to me, as I was having my first session,
that if I felt something to let her know and she’ll Sandy has some advice for folks who are depressed: take
know if she’s in the right spot,” Sandy mentioned.
“When I went back to her the next day, I told her heart, because there is hope.
the only thing I felt was very tired. She explained to
me that that is because the brain training was ex- “If anyone feels like they’re tired of life; if it seems like such
ercising my brain, so of course it is going to make
you tired until you get used to it, just like working a chore to just get a shower, brush your teeth, or even to just
out in the gym.”
She continued going to Brain Training Center get dressed, I hope they will learn from me that there is help
for treatments, and remained tired. “But I did notice
that I was sleeping better at night,” Sandy said. “I out there,” Sandy said. “I do believe in counseling, but going to
used to have problems sleeping at night because
a counselor would take years to achieve what Kim has done for

me.

“I might still have a bad day now and then with my tinnitus,

but it is nothing compared to what it used to be. I still plan on hav-

ing some more treatments to see if I can lower the noise even

more,” Sandy said. “I am just so grateful to Dr. Ballard for telling

me about the brain training that Kim does. And again, I want to

thank Kim Briggs for giving me my life back!”

9

10

Lady Foxes Not As Quick Or Deep,
But Loaded With Talent, Strength

Coach Clint Winemiller doesn’t have the numbers the perimeter; Rylynn Coy, a solid presence in the paint,
he’d hoped to have heading into this basketball season, and starting guard Katherine Drone, who was named to
but with five core players returning from last year’s 25-4 both the All-BDC East and All South teams. Also, a few
team, he’s anticipating good things from the Lady Foxes. players did not go out for the team this year, including se-
nior Corrie Grubb, who would have likely been among the
To enjoy the kind of success he thinks they’re ca- top 6 players.
pable of, the Lady Foxes will have to stay away from foul
trouble and injuries, be in shape, and step up. But look what’s back:
• Dodson, a 5-11 senior who has started her entire
“We’ve been fortunate here that somebody has al- career, been named to the All-BDC East Team and All
ways stepped up. We’d lost a lot to graduation when South twice.
(Kaleigh) Dodson and (Anna) Miller were freshmen after • Miller, a 5-6 senior and three-year starter and
winning the regional with a senior-oriented team, so this two-time All Conference player.
year it’s a matter of finding who is able to do that,” said • Jevin Shreve, a 5-8 senior who was BDC MVP,
Winemiller, whose team has won in the neighborhood of All-South and All-State 3rd Team as a sophomore at Fair-
20 games a season for the last 11 years. field, and who started last year for the Lady Foxes.
• Grace Lueke, a 5-8 junior who started most
“We won’t go through games where everybody’s go- games last year.
ing to be fresh or stay out of foul trouble,” he reasoned, • Kolby Brake, a 5-11 junior who saw a lot of varsity
“so maybe it’ll be a ninth or tenth grader step up.” time last year.
Winemiller called the core “very competitive” and is
Graduated from last year’s club are guard Taleigh excited about the possibilities for this season.
Payne, who brought in strong minutes off the bench to “Dodson is very talented. At one time she was a
guard, so she can handle the ball. She can play inside or
Coach Clint Winemiller has five key players back from last out and do a lot of things,” he said, adding she can put up
year’s 25-4 team that went 21-6 over the summer. the three. “She can take you in and post you up and she’s
clever enough to get the shot up.”
Miller knows only one way, the coach said: all out.
“She gives 100 percent, everything she has,” he said.
“She has more confidence in her outside shot this year,
which will just open things up. She’d rather put it on the
floor and take it to the rim, and by being stronger and
more mature this year, she could draw more fouls, and
hopefully can knock down the free throws.”
Shreve will step into the point guard role this season.
“She’s a little faster this year, she can shoot, and she
has been more aggressive taking the ball to the basket,”
Winemiller said. “She has not finished but has gotten hit
quite a bit, drawing a lot of fouls. She’s done well and she
has to this year because she’s the best ball handler we’ve
got.”
Winemiller said Lueke is probably the best passer on
the team.
“Grace is more comfortable outside, but she can play
inside or out. She sometimes gets in too big of a hurry in-
side, but she’s extremely strong and she’s gonna be able
to rebound,” he said. “She can take two dribbles out and
pass the ball down to the other end with ease.”
Brake has become a better post player in the past
year, Winemiller said.
“Again, there’s a kid who was a point guard in junior

Continued On Page 16

11

Kaleigh Dodson, sr. Anna Miller, sr. Jevin Shreve, sr. Kolby Brake, jr.

Kaleigh is the daughter of Anna is the daughter of Chris Jevin is the daughter of Kolby is the daughter of Ben
Morgan Dodson. She’s president Miller and Darlene Waier. She’s Kevin and Penny Shreve. She’s and Jana Brake. She’s active in
of Student Council and is active active in Student Council, Inter- involved in FCA/YFC and Pep Pep Club, FCA/YFC, Spanish
in BETA Club, Spanish Club, act, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Club; attends Ten Mile Baptist Club, Interact Club, volleyball
Interact, Pep Club and Mu Al- Pep Club, FCA/YFC. Ranked #1 Church and enjoys Community and softball. She attends the
pha Theta. Kaleigh is a waitress in class with 5.04 GPA. Volley- Service (through Civics Class). Dahlgren Baptist Church. In
at Deep South and in her spare ball & Good Citizenship Award. She enjoys being with family her spare time, she enjoys play-
time she enjoys playing with her First General Baptist Church and friends, boating, cruising ing softball, hanging out with
dog, hanging out with friends (worship leader at church camp), around, watching Netflix and friends, and watching Netflix.
and family, and watching Net- Community Service (Hungry sleeping. Plans to attend Rend She hopes to play softball in col-
flix. She hopes to continue her Hearts, Little Kids Basketball). Lake College to play basketball lege and plans to become a Phys-
volleyball career in college, get Loves time with family and and begin pursuit of a degree in ical Therapist.
a good education, and become friends, and making memories Education.
a history teacher in Hamilton with friends in sports. Plans to
County. attend SIU-E (Master’s in Coun-
seling).

Grace Lueke, jr. Leslie Grubb, so. Madison Payne, so. Kaylee Stewart, so.

Grace’s parents are Brian Leslie’s parents are Brad and Madison is the daughter of Kaylee is the daughter of
and Connie Lueke. She’s active Erika Grubb. She’s involved in Tami Payne. She’s active in vol- Kristin and James Stewart. She
in softball, volleyball, Pep Club, softball, volleyball, Pep Club, leyball, softball, Student Coun- is involved in volleyball, bas-
Interact Club, Spanish Club and Spanish Club, Interact Club, Sci- cil, Interact, Pep Club, FCA/ ketball, softball, Spanish Club,
Beta Club (treasurer). She at- ence Club, and FCA/YFC, and is YFC, Spanish Club, HOSA and FFA, Interact Club and Pep Club.
tends St. John the Baptist Catho- also on the Math Team. Outside Science Club. She’s also active Outside of school, she works at
lic Church and is a member of of school, she’s active in Catho- in church, club volleyball, and Foxy’s and is involved in 4-H.
the Illinois Force travel softball lic Youth Ministry and travel a body scrub business, setting In her spare time, she enjoys
team. Grace likes to ride four- softball. Leslie enjoys hanging up at craft fairs. Madison likes watching Netflix, reading, and
wheelers, watch ‘The Ranch’ on out with friends and her sister, to watch Netflix and spend time hanging out with her friends.
Netflix, go to the lake, and hang Corrie; boating, watching Net- with friends. She plans to gradu- After high school, Kaylee plans
out with friends. She plans to at- flix, and shopping. She plans to ate with high honors, go to col- to attend college and go into the
tend SIUE to play softball and attend college “and get a good lege, study Physical Therapy and medical field.
study Physical Therapy, with a job that I love.” move out of Illinois.
goal of someday owning her own
business.

12

Sidney Walden, so. Chloe Braden, fr. Maddie Karcher, fr. Caroline Lueke, fr.

Sidney is the daughter of Toni Chloe’s parents are Curt and The daughter of Mark and Caroline is the daughter of
and Barry Richardson and Me- Lynn Braden. She is active in Irma Karcher, Maddie is ac- Jeff and Michele Lueke. She’s
lissa and Larry Walden. She’s softball, volleyball, Interact tive in volleyball, cross country, active in cross country, track,
active in FFA and Interact Club, Club, Pep Club, FFA, and is track, FFA and Interact. She is a Student Council, Interact, FFA,
as well as church. She likes to class treasurer. Chloe also plays Catholic Youth Ministry mem- Pep Club, Catholic Youth Min-
hang out with friends, ride hors- on the Dirt Dawg travel softball ber and is involved in 4-H. Mad- istry, 4-H and the Three Strong
es, and read. Sidney plans to at- team. She likes to read, travel, die likes to run and spend time Mission Group. She likes watch-
tend college and earn a degree in watch scary movies, play sports, with family and friends. She ing ‘The Office’, reading, being
Cosmotology. and spend time with friends. She hopes to win a cross country outside, and being with family
plans to study law. scholarship to college. and friends. She aspires to teach.

Jennifer Redmon, fr. Dani Rubenacker, fr. Dacey Webb, fr. Jayce Wellen, fr.

The daughter of Donna and Dani’s parents are Alan and Dacey is the daughter of Da- The daughter of Dewain and
Brad Redmon, Jennifer is ac- Jackie Rubenacker. She’s ac- vid and Stacy Webb. She’s active Jaymi Wellen, Jayce is active in
tive in cross country, track, and tive in volleyball, FFA and Stu- in Student Council, Interact, Pep Trap Shooting, volleyball, and
Health Club as well as the Ham- dent Council and is a member Club, FCA/YFC, volleyball and FFA, as well as the Catholic
ilton County Youth Ministry of the Catholic Youth Ministry softball. She’s a member of the Youth Ministry at her church.
and Hamilton County Catholic at St. John the Baptist Catho- McLeansboro First General Bap- She likes to ride horses, hunt and
Missions. She likes listening to lic Church. Dani likes to ride tist Church and attends youth play sports, and plans to attend
music, being active in church, horses, raise chickens and work group in Gallatin County. She college.
helping others, seeing new on the hog farm with her best likes to spend time with family
things and being with family and friend, Caroline Lueke. She and friends, babysit, watch ‘The
friends. She plans to further her hopes to play college volleyball Office’, be outside, and play trav-
education and eventually move and become a veterinarian for el softball. Nursing is her current
out of Illinois. large animals. career choice.

107 E. Main St., McLeansboro ~ 618-643-3524
We can meet all of your medication needs!
Medication therapy management, vaccinations, and durable
medical equipment such as wheelchairs and nebulizers.

Go Foxes & Lady Foxes!

113

Playing basketball this season for the Hamilton County Lady Foxes are (front, from left) Chloe Braden, Jennifer Redmon,
Kaylee Stewart, Jevin Shreve, Dani Rubenacker, Anna Miller, Dacey Webb and Caroline Lueke. In back, Coach Clint Wine-
miller, Madison Payne, Jayce Wellen, Maddie Karcher, Colby Brake, Kaleigh Dodson, Sidney Walden, Grace Lueke, Leslie
Grubb and Assistant Coach Terry Drone.

Lady Foxes Went 21-6 Over Summer,
Expect To Contend For BDC-E Crown

As the Hamilton County Lady Foxes look toward this pecially with their freshman class that won a regional in
year’s schedule, they hope to defend their Black Diamond Class M last year.”
Conference East title, with five key players back (see oth-
er story). He added, Eldorado is also bringing on a good group
of freshmen to join some solid 10th and 11th graders, and
The team—which went 21-6 over the summer with Carmi should do alright, as well.
four of those losses being to 3A teams—expects to face
a lot of zone defense, especially in the conference. “They lost a ton when (Abby) Vaughan graduated, but
they’ve still got a couple of nice players, and they have a
“Teams will try to pack it in on us. I know Fairfield is new coach,” he said of the Lady Bulldogs.
gonna play like that, and for whatever reason, I’m sure
Edwards County, Eldorado and Johnston City also will,” This year’s schedule is bigger than last year, as the
Coach Clint Winemiller said, noting that Carmi is the only IHSA now allows 31 games rather than 27. Winemiller
league team that will probably play man-to-man. was able to add all four games by getting in the Marion
Tourney, which ran the week of November 12th, a full
As for the conference, he expects Fairfield and Ed- week before they typically open with their own Thanks-
wards County to offer the greatest challenges as they try giving Tourney. That gave them some tough competition
to unseat the Lady Foxes from the top of the pack. right out of the chute.

“Fairfield isn’t very big, but they competed most of the HamCo has also picked up Pinckneyville while drop-
times I saw them over the summer, and Edwards County ping Egyptian. They split with the Panthers over the sum-
will have most of their players back, so they’ll be a good mer, but neither team had all their weapons on hand in
challenge,” he said. “And Johnston City will be okay, es- the game they lost.

We’re proud of our KATRINA S. ROBERSON, EA
Accounting & Tax Services
FOXES 308 East Randolph Street
~ and ~
LADY FOXES! McLeansboro, IL ~ 618-643-4182
[email protected]

14

Lady Foxes Schedule HAMILTON COUNTY LADY FOXES

* = BDC East Game Roster 2018-19
JV Starts at 6:15, unless
Head Coach: Clint Winemiller
otherwise indicated Assistant Coach: Terry Drone

Marion Tourney # NAME HT. YR.

Nov. 13--HamCo d. Massac, 47-41. 21 Kaleigh Dodson, G 5-11 12
As of press deadline, the Herrin, 12
Marion and Vienna games at 14 Anna Miller, G 5-6 12
Massac Co. were snow-delayed. 11
11 Jevin Shreve, G 5-8 11
HamCo Invitational 10
31 Kolby Brake, F 5-11 10
Nov. 19--Wayne City, 8:30 p.m. 10
Nov. 20--Gallatin Co., 8:30 p.m. 22 Grace Lueke, G 5-8 10
Nov. 23--Lawrenceville, 5:30 p.m. 9
Nov. 24--Galatia/T-ville, 11:30 a.m. 12 Leslie Grubb, G 5-6 9
Nov. 24--Edwards Co., 8 p.m. 9
34 Madison Payne, F 5-9 9
Nov. 27—Carmi.* 9
Nov. 29—@ Johnston City.* 40 Kaylee Stewart, F 5-7 9
Dec. 1--RLC Shootout (TBA). 9
Dec. 3—Benton. 44 Sidney Walden, F 5-9
Dec. 6—Eldorado.*
Dec. 10—Galatia/T’ville. 25 Chloe Braden, G 5-3
Dec. 13—Gallatin Co.
Dec. 17—Webber. 42 Maddie Karcher, G 5-8
Dec. 27-29—Benton Tourney.
Jan. 5—@ Duquoin, 1 p.m. 5 Caroline Lueke, G 5-1
Jan. 7—@ Fairfield*.
Jan. 10—Wayne City. 35 Jennifer Redmon, F 5-4
Jan. 17—@ Edwards Co.*
Jan. 19—@ Pinckneyville, 1 p.m. 10 Dani Rubenacker, G 5-6
Jan. 22—Johnston City.*
Jan. 24—@ Eldorado.* 32 Dacey Webb, F 5-8
Jan. 26—W. F’fort, 1 p.m.
Jan. 28—@ Carmi.* 33 Jacee Wellen, G 5-8
Jan. 30--Woodlawn.
Jan. 31—Fairfield.*

Post-Season TBA

Well-wishes GLaodygeFto‘xeems!
from Jevin’s
Crazy Aunt Paula

15

Three of the top players returning to the
Lady Foxes roster this year are (front to back)
Kaleigh Dodson, Grace Lueke and Kolby Brake.

Lots Of Weapons In Lady Foxes’ Arsenal

Continued From Page 11 coach said.
high, so she can handle the ball. She’s extremely strong, “Leslie is probably ahead of herself on the defen-
very competitive, and can also shoot from the outside,”
he said. “She played a lot of minutes last year and did sive end. On the offensive end, she doesn’t look to shoot
very well, and she had a great summer.” nearly enough. But she can shoot; she can move and
she’s smart.”
The question, with only 16 kids on the entire team,
becomes depth. Winemiller is looking hard at 5-9 sopho- Here’s the rest of the roster:
more Madison Payne and sophomore Leslie Grubb to fill • Sidney Walden, 5-9 sophomore. “She’s big and
in the gaps. strong and can score inside,” Winemiller said.
• Kaylee Stewart, 5-7 sophomore. “Even though
“Madison is very athletic. She can shoot from 15 feet she’s undersized in the post, she can guard people,” he
and in; she can jump, run, and is probably gonna have said.
to come in either to give someone a little rest or when • Maddie Karcher, 5-8 freshman. “Extremely ath-
we have foul trouble—and she’s very capable,” he said. letic,” the coach said, of the state cross country qualifier.
“She had a great experience in volleyball playing varsity, “She can shoot from 15 feet and in.”
so I think that will help her, knowing the speed of the • Dacey Webb, 5-8 freshman. “I didn’t realize how
game and where her competition level needs to be.” hard she played until we started,” Winemiller said. “She’s
undersized as a post player, but she can post up, can
Grubb may be just 5-6, but she’s a long 5-6, “so she
can guard somebody, especially with her length,” the Continued On Next Page

16

Lady Foxes

Continued From Last Page Anna Miller (left) and Jevin Shreve are among the Lady Foxes’ top returnees.
shoot a little bit, and plays ex-
tremely hard.” the junior high side we could diamond press man-to-man because there’s not as
much of an area to cover. But we will play hard-nosed man-to-man half court. We’ll
• Jaycee Wellen, 5-8 have to keep people off the boards and switch when we have to,” Winemiller said.
freshman. “She loves basket-
ball and has worked very hard “Our defense is really gonna have to help one another out and communicate.
since we quit in the summer. We must keep people off the boards, screen out, and go to people and put a body
Anytime the door was open, on them to limit their second chances,” he added. “And offensively, we will have to
she was here,” Winemiller said. make better decisions. We can’t make one or two passes and take the first open
“She can shoot from 15 feet and shot, because if you miss, we’re going down to the other end to play defense again.
in and post up.”
“If we are more patient, we will get better shots.”
• Chloe Braden, 5-3
freshman. “Chloe is a point
guard who is a good ball handler
and very competitive, and she
can shoot a little bit,” he said. “I
also didn’t realize how hard she
went at it until we started prac-
tice. She works hard and will be
a nice little player.”

• Dani Rubenacker, 5-6
freshman. “She’s been a great
surprise so far. She can guard,
can score inside, can shoot a
bit, and is another kid that plays
hard,” the coach said.

• Caroline Lueke, 5-1
freshman. “She’s smart, gives
all she has, and can shoot a
little bit.”

• Jennifer Redmon, 5-4
freshman. “Shows up everyday,
listens and does what’s asked;
can shoot from ten to 14 feet.”

The complexion of this
year’s team is different than last
year’s for a couple of reasons:
1) less experience and depth,
and 2) less quickness, spe-
cifically with the graduation of
Drone and the absence of Cor-
rie Grubb. As a result, the Lady
Foxes will be more of a Blue
Collar team.

“We won’t be much of a
pressing team. If we were on

123 E. Main St., GaonoddLlaudcyk,FoFxoexse!s
McLeansboro
618-643-3888
Hrs. 11-9 M-Sat.
11-4 Sunday

17

SENIOR HOOPSTERS--Hamilton County’s senior basketball players are (front) Austin Gray; (row two, from
left) Anna Miller, Kaleigh Dodson and Jevin Shreve, and (back left) Samuel Lueke and Hunter Braden.

vaupelhomefurnishings.com

Good luck

Foxes and

Lady Foxes! Jerrod Vaupel
Owner/Operator
Cell: 618-201-5407

18

Jayvee Opens Season Dec. 7th

The Hamilton County High School junior varsity boys basketball team will open its
season Friday, December 7th at Edwards County, with tipoff set for 6:15 p.m. for the
Black Diamond Conference (East Bracket) matchup. The team includes (front, from
left) Jeremiah Rapp, Kaden Richards, Jaxson Comstock, Owen Shelton and Brandon
Peters. In back are Will Bowers, Kale VanWinkle, Theron Smith and Keegan Johnson.
Cody Bailey is the jayvee coach.

19

Freshmen Foxes are (front, from left) Austin Harrelson, Tyce Gorden, Aaron FRESHMEN SCHEDULE
Meade, Claven Lueke, Cade Epperson and Erin McCullough. In back, Coach Clint
Hopfinger, Layton Karcher, Aden Futrill, Jaden York, Grady Lueke, and Brady Dec. 7--@ *Edwards Co., 5:15.
Thrane. Dec. 8--@ Thompsonville, 5:15.
Dec. 11--*Fairfield, 5:15.
FREE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS Dec. 14--*Carmi, 5:15.
MAGAZINE AVAILABLE Dec. 20--@ *Eldorado, 5:15.
Jan. 4--@ Christopher, 5:15.
If you would like to obtain an electronic version of this magazine, it will Jan. 5--NCOE, 5:15.
be sent to you in a PDF format free of charge. Just e-mail: Jan. 8--Carterville, 5:15.
Jan. 11--@ *Johnston City, 5:15.
[email protected] and put “HamCo” in the subject line. Jan. 15--Benton, 6:15.
Jan. 21-24--HamCo 9th Tourney.
This preview issue was published by the Wayne County Outlook and Jan. 25--*Eldorado, 5:15.
made possible by sponsors whose ads are in this issue. Thanks to those Feb. 1--*Edwards Co., 5:15.
sponsors, as well as HamCo Athletic Director Clint Winemiller, and the Feb. 2--@ Gallatin Co., 5:15.
Feb. 5--@ *Fairfield, 5:15.
coaches and athletes for their cooperation in this effort. Feb. 8--@ *Carmi, 5:15.
Feb. 11--@ NCOE, 6:15.
Feb. 14--@ Harrisburg, 6:15.
Feb. 15--*Johnston City, 5:15.

Go get ‘em, Foxes & Lady Foxes!

We support you! City of McLeansboro
& all city employees

20

CLICK! Preparing for their senior group pictures with photographer Jason Hall, Hunter Braden (second from right)
illustrated the easiest way to palm a basketball. The Foxes and Lady Foxes are (from left) Kaleigh Dodson, Anna
Miller, Austin Gray, Jevin Shreve, Braden and Samuel Lueke.

Go d k Fo
& Lad s!

Se h a y F r o c om The y
t-s i t , s e s t , ho e , to s,
Ch i t r a n , San c ,

& de s.

Melissa L. Epperson, owner/designer ~ 209 N. Epperson Dr., McLeansboro, IL ~ 618-308-1145
[email protected] ~ Facebook: The Fancy Fox

21

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Good Luck Foxes
~ and ~

Lady Foxes

Lynn Braden, Agent
301 S. Jackson St.
McLeansboro, IL
(618)-643-3213

23

The Hamilton County H. S. cheerleaders are (front, from left) Kyliee Waggoner, Adyson Johnson and
Taylor Parker. Row two, Sarah Billington, Olivia Ragan, Ashley Karcher and Jayda Johnson. In back, Ashley
Gordon, Victoria Gordon and Hannah Parker.

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