With the high school baseball season starting this week, here are five storylines to watch this spring in the NewsTribune area.

A look at the Mendota, Princeton, Bureau Valley, Earlville, Henry-Senachwine and Fieldcrest softball teams for the 2026 season.

Princeton's Keighley Davis and Bureau Valley's Libby Endress were special mention IBCA All State, plus more in the NewsTribune sports briefs.

With softball season kicking off this week in Illinois, here are five storylines to watch in the NewsTribune-area this spring.

Henry-Midland senior won the 60-meter dash, 200 and 400 at the BV Season Starter Meet, plus more results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Mendota and Fieldcrest boys basketball teams won in regional play, plus more in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Henry and Fieldcrest boys basketball teams won their postseason openers, plus more regional results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

With the postseason beginning Monday, here's a look at all the boys basketball regionals involving NewsTribune-area teams.

The St. Bede boys basketball team started strong on senior night on the way to a 56-43 victory over Henry-Senachwine in the regular season finale Friday.

Princeton seniors Casey Etheridge and Augustus Swanson advanced to the state wrestling semifinals, plus more results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Fieldcrest girls basketball team knocked off Iroquois West to advance to the Class 1A Fieldcrest Regional final, plus more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

La Salle-Peru senior Kamryn Oscepinski placed fourth at the Harlem Sectional to advance to the girls bowling state tournament, plus more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Marquette defeated Henry-Senachwine 64-40 on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at Henry-Senachwine High School.

A perfectly executed sequence in the final seconds of the third quarter swung all momentum to Marquette in the Crusaders' 64-40 win over host Henry-Senachwine during Friday's Tri-County boys basketball game. It was Marquette's 20th win of the season.

A look at all the girls basketball regionals involving NewsTribune-area teams

The La Salle-Peru girls basketball team earned a conference win, plus more results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Putnam County, Fieldcrest and Henry boys basketball teams won, plus more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Woodland Warriors withstood a strong start from Henry-Senachwine on Friday, taking control in the second half and remaining unbeaten in the Tri-County Conference.

The L-P girls basketball team overcame a halftime deficit to beat Geneseo, plus more results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

The L-P girls bowling team won the Interstate 8 Conference tournament, St. Bede boys basketball topped Bureau Valley and more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

L-P's Aiden McCray placed 35th at state bowling, the L-P boys wrestling team advanced two to sectional and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

St. Bede senior Lili McClain eclipsed 1,000 career points in a win over Henry, plus more results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

Despite slow starts, top-seed Woodland and No. 2 seed Marquette eventually earned quarterfinal triumphs on Monday at the 99th Tri-County Conference Boys Basketball Tournament in R.M. Germano Gymnasium at Putnam County High School in Granville.

Woodland defeated Henry-Senachwine 61-45 during the Tri-County Conference Tournament on Monday, Jan. 26, 2025 at Putnam County High School.

L-P's Aiden McCray qualifies for state bowling, the L-P girls wrestling team won the I-8 Meet and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Mendota boys basketball time wins in OT, plus more results in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

A look at the boys basketball statistical leaders in the NewsTribune area.

The L-P girls basketball team beat Streator, plus more results in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Mendota's Paxton Bauer advanced to sectional in bowling, the Fieldcrest boys and girls basketball teams advanced in the HOIC tournament and more in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

A look at the girls basketball statistical leaders in the NewsTribune area.

The Henry and Mendota boys basketball teams won, plus more results in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Seeds and schedules are set for the 2026 Tri-County Conference Boys Basketball Tournament, hosted by Putnam County High School.

Seeds and schedules are set for the 2026 Tri-County Conference Girls Basketball Tournament, hosted by Dwight High School.

The Mendota, Earlville, Bureau Valley and DePue boys basketball teams all won, plus more results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The L-P co-op boys swimming team won 10 of 11 events against Peoria Notre Dame, plus more results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Earlville girls basketball team earned a conference win, plus more results in Wednesday's NewsTribune roundup.

La Salle-Peru beat Midland 36-34, plus more results in Monday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Bureau Valley girls basketball team beat Hall, plus more results in Saturday's NewsTribune roundup.

Brothers Aden (19) and Cole Tillman (13) combined for 32 points to lead the No. 7 seeded Trojans to victory over the Indians at the 62nd annual Plano Christmas Classic. The Trojans advance to Tuesday’s fifth-place game at 5 p.m. against Ottawa.

Fieldcrest defeated the Roc Falls in quarterfinal play at the State Farm Classic at Normal West High School. Fieldcrest advances to Monday’s semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday back at Normal West.

Cole Tillman scored 24 points and Oliver Munoz added 18 to lead the No. 7 seeded Trojans past the Royals in their opener of the 62nd annual Plano Christmas Classic. Dane Doyle added 10 points for the Trojans, who will face Yorkville Christian in tournament play at 7 p.m. Saturday

A look at where NewsTribune area basketball teams are playing for holiday tournaments.

The DePue boys basketball team beat Earlville, plus more results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.

The Red Devils lost a Three Rivers East game in Kewanee while the Storm fell to the Golden Eagles in nonconference play at the Storm Cellar on Friday.

Henry-Senachwine beat Putnam County and Princeton defeated Mendota while St. Bede lost to Roanoke-Benson in girls basketball Thursday night.

The Henry-Senachwine boys basketball team defeated Putnam County 61-56 in their Tri-County Conference opener Friday in Granville.

Henry-Senachwine defeated Putnam County 61-56 on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 at Putnam County High School.

The L-P girls wrestling team won a pair of duals, plus more results in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

A look at the top volleyball players in the NewsTribune area for the 2025 season.

The Putnam County boys basketball team won its first game, plus more results in Friday's NewsTribune roundup.