The Morton girls basketball team stuck with it through a difficult seven weeks in December and January.

The reward was a nine-game winning streak that culminated in an appearance alongside the rest of the state’s elite programs in the Sweet 16.

“I’m proud of how our girls played and didn’t want the season to end,” MHS head coach Bob Becker said.

The versatility Carly Yingling is in line to gain this spring should help with her future in softball.

The Morton High School senior announced March 1 she will attend Heartland Community College in Normal and play softball for the Hawks in a signing in the library.

The Morton boys and girls track and field teams geared up for their upcoming seasons Saturday at Illinois Wesleyan University.

The Morton Junior High School wrestling team will have a significant presence at this weekend’s Illinois Elementary School Association state final.

Grant Churchill, Drew Howell and Gabe Pleasants of the Morton Youth Wrestling Club competed in Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation West Sectionals over the weekend.

Potters rallied from 13 points down with less than four minutes left

The Morton boys basketball team needed one more play Tuesday.

The Potters' season ended with a 56-54 overtime loss to state No. 1 Richwoods in the Class 3A Ottawa Sectional semifinals.

Tuesday's varsity schedule

Moving inside Friday helped the Morton boys basketball team expand its travel plans.

The Potters scored 15 of the first 17 points in the third quarter to topple East Peoria, 49-38, and win the Class 3A Limestone Regional championship.

"It was a great team effort," MHS head coach Steve Schupp said. "We really stuck to our guns on defense."

It was the second straight regional title for Morton (22-4). The Mid-Illini Conference champion meets Richwoods (26-2), the Mid-State 6 Conference winner, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Ottawa Sectional semifinals.

This weekend's varsity schedule

Regional final set for 7:30 p.m. Friday

The Morton boys basketball team made plays in the most crucial times Wednesday.

The Potters outscored Limestone 10-3 in the final 2:35 to stave off the upset-minded Rockets, 40-36, in the Class 3A Limestone Regional semifinals.

Morton’s impressive late-season stretch reached its conclusion Thursday.

The Potters lost to the Springfield girls basketball team, 78-48, in the Class 3A Champaign Sectional final.

Morton (18-16) won nine consecutive games until meeting the hot-shooting Senators, last year’s fourth-place state finisher.

Eight members of the Morton Junior High wrestling team advanced to the finals of the Regional 13 tournament Saturday in Glasford.

The Junior Potters placed fourth in an eight-team field for coach Jeff Hilliard with 162 points in the first stop in the Illinois Elementary School Association postseason series.

Members of the Morton Youth Wrestling Club were successful Sunday at the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation regionals at Central High School.

By avenging only league loss, outright title belongs to Morton

Morton’s large group of seniors and its outgoing boys basketball coach surely will treasure this one.

A 52-38 victory Feb. 23 at Washington, which also was aided by the team’s promising underclassmen, clinched the Mid-Illini Conference championship for the Potters.

Morton completed its first title in the sport since 2001-02 by avenging its only previous league loss.

“It’s awesome, a great feeling and a terrific reward for these guys,” MHS head coach Steve Schupp said. “I couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve accomplished.”

Wednesday's varsity schedule