John Homan, Marion Daily Republican Journalist Profile

Articles

Lions drop heart-breaker to Beecher in extras

2 weeks ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

PEORIA — To quote the great poet — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — “Into each life some rain must fall,” which speaks to the universal human experience of facing difficult times. The Carterville Lions softball team felt that rain both figuratively and literally Saturday, falling to Beecher, 5-2, in a state championship game that lasted 10 innings.
Lions advance to softball state championship

3 weeks ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

PEORIA — The job is not finished. That has been the mantra of Coach Will Capie and his Carterville High School softball team since the postseason began. kAmp7E6C H:??:?8 E96 w2CC:D3FC8 #68:@?2=[ |FCA9JD3@C@ $64E:@?2=[ 2?5 r2C3@?52=6 $FA6C\$64E:@?2=[ E96 {:@?D 25G2?465 E@ E96 r=2DD ap 492>A:@?D9:A 82>6 2E cib_ A]>] E@52J W$2EFC52JX 27E6C 56762E:?8 }@CE9 q@@?6[ d\`[ :? @?6 D6>:7:?2= 82>6 uC:52J]k^AmkAm}@H ah\c @?
Defending a state title not as easy as Lions make it look

3 weeks ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

The Carterville Lions move quite well with that bull’s eye on their backs. Despite everybody’s best shot, they are the last prep sports team standing from The Southern Illinoisan coverage area this weekend as they search for a second-straight state championship in softball. kAm(96? r2A:6’D rCFD256CD 3=:EK65 }6HE@?[ g\_[ :? E96 r=2DD ap r2C3@?52=6 $FA6C\$64E:@?2= 82>6 |@?52J[ :E >2C<65 E96 7:CDE E:>6 :?
Late surge pushes Triad past Marion Nine

3 weeks ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

TROY — A seven-run seventh blew open a close game Wednesday as the Triad Knights posted a 9-1 win over the Marion Wildcats in Class 3A sectional semifinal action. With the victory, the Knights improve to 32-6 on the season and will host Mascoutah Saturday for the sectional championship. Marion finishes its season 23-10. kAm(65?6D52JVD 82>6 H2D C2:?
Orphans' Sekas is our Boys Tennis Player of the Year

3 weeks ago | bvmsports.com | John Homan

By JOHN HOMAN [email protected] CENTRALIA - Alkis Sekas was the top male singles player representing The Southern Illinoisan coverage area, earning All-State status last month at the state tennis tournament in Chicago, winning three of five matches. An international student from Greece spending the school year in Centralia through a foreign exchange program, Sekas - now a graduated senior - finished 28-6 this spring.
Orphans’ Sekas is our Boys Tennis Player of the Year

3 weeks ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

CENTRALIA — Alkis Sekas was the top male singles player representing The Southern Illinoisan coverage area, earning All-State status last month at the state tennis tournament in Chicago, winning three of five matches. An international student from Greece spending the school year in Centralia through a foreign exchange program, Sekas — now a graduated senior — finished 28-6 this spring. kAmw6 A=2465 7:CDE :? E96 $@FE9 $6G6? r@?76C6?46 >66E 2?5 H2D E96 r=2DD ap w6CC:?
Spartans' magical SB season ended by Casey-Westfield

3 weeks ago | bnd.com | John Homan

CARBONDALE - Waltonville/Sesser-Valier Softball had its opportunities, but couldn't cash in with a big hit at the opportune time, losing to perennial power, Casey-Westfield, 4-0, Monday in the Class 1A Carbondale Super-Sectional hosted by SIU. The C-W Warriors (34-3) advance to the state semifinals in Peoria at 10 a.m. Friday, where they will play Carrollton, a 4-3 winner over Havana in 11 innings. The Spartans finish their best season on record with a mark of 27-9.
Phillips no-hits Newton to lead Lions back to state meet

3 weeks ago | bnd.com | John Homan

CARBONDALE - All-State pitcher Caidence Phillips was never better Monday, hurling a complete-game no-hitter and striking out 14 to lead the Carterville Lions to an 8-0 victory over Newton in the Class 2A Carbondale Super-Sectional held at SIU's Charlotte West Stadium. Now 28-4 overall, the Lions will make a second-straight trip to the state tournament in Peoria this weekend.
Phillips no-hits Newton to lead Lions back to state meet

3 weeks ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

CARBONDALE — All-State pitcher Caidence Phillips was never better Monday, hurling a complete-game no-hitter and striking out 14 to lead the Carterville Lions to an 8-0 victory over Newton in the Class 2A Carbondale Super-Sectional held at SIU's Charlotte West Stadium. Now 28-4 overall, the Lions will make a second-straight trip to the state tournament in Peoria this weekend.
Spartans’ magical SB season ended by Casey-Westfield

3 weeks ago | thesouthern.com | John Homan

CARBONDALE — Waltonville/Sesser-Valier Softball had its opportunities, but couldn’t cash in with a big hit at the opportune time, losing to perennial power, Casey-Westfield, 4-0, Monday in the Class 1A Carbondale Super-Sectional hosted by SIU. The C-W Warriors (34-3) advance to the state semifinals in Peoria at 10 a.m. Friday, where they will play Carrollton, a 4-3 winner over Havana in 11 innings. kAm%96 $A2CE2?D 7:?:D9 E96:C 36DE D62D@? @?