Christopher Johnson

Stillman Valley is in first place in the Big Northern Conference and they share the top spot with two other dangerous programs, which have shown no sign of slowing.

Dating back to an early December derailing of the North Boone Vikings by better than 40 points, Stillman Valley has found success on the court every night they’ve played.

Except one time and that came to Dixon 48-44 during tournament play as they closed down the first half of the winter sports season.

Since the calendar flipped, the Lady Cardinals have soared to the front of the pack with wins over Oregon, Rockford Christian and most recently, Genoa-Kingston.

The effort pushed Stillman Valley to 4-0 in the conference and 17-5 on the season. The Lady Cardinals undefeated Big Northern mark is matched by Winnebago and Byron.

Combined, on the season, the Lady Cardinals two top-spot shareholders have won 34 games and have lost only four times.

Over the next week of play the leadership board will be changing in the Big Northern. It will have to as teams in the lead begin squaring off with each other.

On Saturday, Jan. 22, Winnebago plays host to Stillman Valley. The Indians will have already had to deal with front runner co-leader Byron earlier in the week. The Tigers play host to Winnebago on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Stillman Valley and Winnebago could be facing off for sole possession of first place this Saturday night in Winnebago.

That’s if the Lady Indians had success dispatching co-leading Byron ahead of the meeting with Stillman Valley.

Byron carried a 13-3 mark into game play this week and worked on adding to the victory total during Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tournament play.

The undefeated start to the Big Northern schedule is one that started back on Dec. 3, 2021. They beat Rock Falls by five points.

The next conference game wouldn’t show up on the schedule until the New Year began. Dixon was the visitor.

Byron played one of its best defensive games of the season in win two in the Big Northern season. They held the Duchesses to 30 points.

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Byron faced North Boone in Poplar Grove and coasted to the 66-40 decision, moving them to 3-0 on the season.

Two nights later, in a home game against the Rockford Christian Royal Lions, Byron cemented its position on the leadership board, picking up its fourth win of the season.

Rockford Christian struggled, just as the Lady Vikings had earlier in the week. Offense wasn’t adding up and the chances to even look for shots weren’t being allowed.

Byron tamed the Lady Royal Lions, dropping them to the .500 mark on the season and one game under in the Big Northern.

Following game play against Winnebago on Wednesday, Jan. 19, the Lady Tigers prepare for another important conference match and they will be home for all the action.

Rockford Lutheran entered the week with a 13-5 record and stood one game back in the loss column in the Big Northern chase.

Next Tuesday night, Byron and Stillman Valley will face off in eastern Ogle County. Varsity tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.

 
 
 
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