Lady Knights win Highland opener with 11-point rout over East
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- Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor
Get to the floor — Mater Dei senior Maris Zurliene goes to the floor to fight for a loose ball with Incarnate Word’s Nevaeh Lucious in the second quarter of the Lady Knights’ road loss on Thursday. Zurliene had two points and four rebounds in the loss. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO The Mater Dei Lady Knights had a trio of games last week with wins over Belleville East and Granite City while dropping a road game at the nation’s #1 -ranked Incarnate Word Academy on Thursday.
The win for the Lady Knights over Belleville East on Saturday in Highland moved them to the second-round of the Highland Invite where they played Civic Memorial late on Tuesday night.
Mater Dei is currently 17-6 on the season and they are ranked 10th in Class 2A according to maxpreps.com
Mater Dei 56, Belleville East 45: The Lady Knights won their opening round game at the Highland Girls Tournament late on Saturday night.
The Knights got a great individual effort from senior Alyssa Koerkenmeier and strong supporting roles from fellow seniors Maris Zurliene and Dixie Ottenschnieder in the win.
Koerkenmeier scored in each quarter and finished with a game-high 21 points that included five-of-five from the line.
Zurliene added 13 points and Ottenschnieder ended with nine points, seven of those coming in the first half. MD was 16-of-24 from the line.
Using the left — Mater Dei junior guard Marlee Loepker dribbles past Incarnate Word defender Peyton Olufson in the first quarter of the Lady Knights loss in Normady on Thursday. Loepker had three points. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO Belleville East had a three-headed attack with 17 points from Hailey Gray and 10 points from both Vanessa Stacy and Ramiyah Young.
Mater Dei set the tone with buckets from four players in the opening quarter with Koerkenmeier netting five points and Marlee Loepker scoring four points. Gray had nine points for the Lancers who led 18-15 after eight minutes of play.
East managed just two buckets in the second quarter as MD ran into a 34-24 halftime lead with five points from both Myah Pollmann and Koerkenmeier while Ottenschnieder added two buckets to help in the 10-point lead.
Both defenses played well in the third quarter where MD outscored the Lancers 7-4 with another bucket from Koerkenmeier, as Mater Dei led 41-28 entering the final session.
Koerkenmeier sealed the win with three buckets over the final eight minutes as she was also three-of-three from the line. Zurliene hit for four points as MD advanced to the second round.
Incarnate Word 68, Mater Dei 31: The Red Knights continued their national-record winning streak with a win over the visiting Knights on Thursday in Normandy.
Surveying the defense — Mater Dei junior forward Addison Ringwald looks at the Incarnate Word defense as she moves past IWA defender Peyton Olufson in the second quarter of the Red Knights’ 68-31 win over MD. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO The Red Knights won their 141st consecutive game in a match-up with the visiting Knights.
IWA featured eight players in the scoring column with four of them hitting at least one three-pointer in a game where they only turned the ball over six times.
Meanwhile, the Lady Knights of Breese had seven players in the scoring column with 17 turnovers.
The Red Knights led throughout the contest after getting a three-pointer from Peyton Olufson 60 seconds into the game before a pair of charity shots from MD senior Maris Zurliene got them within 3-2.
That was as close as MD would be as the Red Knights scored the next 10 points with another three-pointer from Olufson and one from Savannah Stricker and driving buckets from Nevaeh Caffey and Nevaeh Lucious as they led 13-2.
MD seniors Alyssa Koerkenmeier and Dixie Ottenschnieder had the lone two buckets for the Knights in the quarter as the Red Knights led 20-6 at the break. Lucious had six points in the quarter where MD turned it over seven times.
Duane Timmermann honored for service to city
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Duane Timmermann was recognized for his 30 years of service to the city of Breese during the Breese City Council meeting. Timmermann announced his retirement. Pictured are, FROM LEFT, Jason Deering, Kevin Timmermann, Duane Timmermann, Bob Berndsen and Don Voss. Photo by Matt Wilson Duane Timmermann was honored for 30 years of service for the City of Breese during the Breese City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Breese Mayor Kevin Timmermann presented Duane Timmermann with a plaque during the meeting. They posed for a picture along with electric operations manager Jason Deering, Alderman Bob Berndsen and public works manager/building inspector Don Voss.
Duane Timmermann retired after working in the water and sewer department for the city of Breese.
"I remember hiring you, and now you are retiring," Kevin Timmermann said. "This is well deserved. We appreciate everything you have done. You have done a great job. You represented the city really well. We thank you for all of the things you have done for us."
Members of the Christmas Lighting Committee attended the meeting to discus this year's light display and future displays.
The lighting committee said they had awesome help putting up and taking down the displays. The Central boys basketball players donated their time to help take down the displays.
The lighting committee said the No. 1 thing on their wish list for next year would be power. The committee members said the four temporary power boxes they have at the park do not work with timers.
The council said they would wait until spring and walk around the park to see what they could do to help with the power issue.
Kevin Timmermann said the lighted tree at the roundabout on Holy Cross Lane was very welcomed this year. The council discussed trees they could put at Northside Park next year. Kevin Timmermann said he has been to several communities, and the smallest tree he has seen is 12 foot.
The committee said they are looking at some swirling trees because that would give depth in the park.
They also are looking at smaller trees.
Kevin Timmermann asked the committee when is the best time for them to buy supplies. The committee told him with lights going on clearance right now, they have already started buying stuff for next year.
They said they are going to try and get rid of the regular lights and get all LED lights for the pavilions on the west side of the park.
Changes and improvements coming to Whispering Pines of CC
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Sally Norrenberns and Greg Riechman have taken on more active roles at Whispering Pines of Clinton County.
Norrenberns joined the board of Whispering Pines of Clinton County as vice president effective Jan. 4.
Riechman is now serving as the liaison for capital improvements and fundraising at Whispering Pines of Clinton County.
Norrenberns, her husband Bob, and their family have been involved with Whispering Pines of Clinton County since 2022. Norrenberns recently retired from MasterCard, which will allow her to devote more time to the camp.
Norrenberns is a Clinton County native and has lived in Albers for the last 35 years.
"My husband and I have always been involved in the community," Norrenberns said. "And this place is somewhere that is very near and dear to our hearts. I grew up coming here and there is just something about being in nature that resets you."
Norrenberns has been involved with the commemorative veteran and non-veteran bricks initiative at Whispering Pines. She said she is looking forward to collaborating more with the public and is excited to drive needed improvements at the camp.
"My family just can't wait to help continue to improve Whispering Pines," Norrenberns said.
Riechman will retire as the commander of the Aviston Sons of American Legion in July. Riechman has played a key role in organizing events and maintaining the camp, combining his business expertise and passion for the camp's spirit.
Riechman understands the ongoing costs required to maintain the property and has initiated the "keep camp clean" campaign to encourage everyone to participate.
"Over the last two years, it has been an absolute honor to work so very closely with the WPofCC Board of Directors and a great number of selfless volunteers," Riechman said. "We are all collectively on a passionate daily mission to continue to bring something very special to the area, including hosting numerous yearly events for local girl scouts, boy scouts, entire schools for field-trips, wounded warriors, veterans, etc. Seeing the smiles of all those attendees first-hand has instilled in me a philanthropic spirit and desire to help lead the ongoing fundraising effort, which will make it possible for our 147 acres of peace and tranquility to continue in perpetuity for all future generations. We have an incredible army of volunteers to help organize and execute events; however, we are in need of ongoing financial commitments of monthly/yearly giving, corporate sponsorships and philanthropy through one-time gifts or endowment in order to help make our future goals sustainable. It will be my honor to help lead the charge in pursuing that goal, and I encourage everyone reading this to 'Come on out and see what WPofCC is all about.' "
Norrenberns said she is excited for Riechman's new role.
"Greg's passion for this camp is going to be so valuable," Norrenberns said. "He just brings a very positive energy that you can't contain."
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