Izard led the 23-9 Spartan squad, averaging 16.2 points per game with a high game of 36 points against Bloomington Central Catholic. He was the team’s leading scorer in 17 games.

“Being recognized in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Special Mention team is a huge honor to me, and it serves as a reflection of all the past years that I’ve put into the sport,” Izard said. “Not just the practices, games, workouts, etc., but the friendships with players, coaches, and the overall relationships I have built with the incredible people throughout my journey of being a Spartan.”

From a young age, Izard worked on consistency in order to become a leader.

“Consistency means showing up to every practice, walk-through, game, film session, etc., and carrying the same mindset — pushing every kid around you to be better, and trying to express the significance of the limited amount of time we have with one another,” he said.

The team’s motto this year was to take everything day-by-day. Izard said that he did not always come to the court with that mindset, but the 2019-20 squad of Spartans helped.

“It was a little bit easier to overcome the sluggish practices and bring the team out of slumps when needed,” he said.

Losing to Tuscola in IHSA regional play a year ago in 2019 did not sit well with Izard.

“In the beginning of the season, we made it very clear as a team that we were not going to look past a single day,” Izard said. “Looking back at last year’s season and losing to Tuscola, a game that concluded our season much earlier than it needed to be, we realized that our focus was not as detailed and tailored as it should’ve been.”

Coaches kept athletes focused on every move, what each movement meant and how it affected the Spartans’ overall game during practice.

Izard said that this vision created the highlight of his senior year.

“Not the individual awards, not the 11-game winning streak, or winning conference, but the practices,” he said. “The amount of fun (we) had with each other can’t be described. It was a literal joy to come every day and get in with the coaching staff. Everyone was family. Everyone was a brother.”

Izard’s favorite memory of the 2019-20 season wasn’t even a game that the Spartans won.

In what Izard claims “wasn’t anywhere near to one of my better games, performance-wise,” the Spartans fell to Champaign Central, 43-39.

“But this was a game that had an electrifying atmosphere,” Izard said. “The crowd was wild, the gym was packed, and it was pure excitement overall.

“People talk about games where one team walks into a gym with absolutely zero expectancies to win, that was what this was. And even though we did lose, I thought our guys showed what SJ-O basketball really represents.”

SJ-O held a 31-21 third-quarter lead before the Maroons took control with a 15-0 run. Late in the third quarter, Champaign Central took the lead 33-31.

“For three quarters, we played them to a ‘T’,” Izard said. “Each individual had the scouting report down and we executed it perfectly. Sure we didn’t see the outcome that we wanted, but we revealed some of the potential we had.

“We operated that night as a unit and it brought a lot of confidence to all of us for what we had in store for the season. That game was special to us.”

Even more special was playing with the 11 seniors, most of whom he had grown up being right beside.

“It was more than a brotherhood, it was the fact that we got to go to class every day, hangout, the jokes, the laughs, we got to carry that onto the court every day, and that was a special thing for us,” he said.

“Each senior carried a different role this year and each senior executed their role. Each guy in that locker room was selfless and wanted what was best for the team, not so much the individual. And that created a special chemistry that was crucial to our success.”

Despite the large senior class, Izard was chosen to be the leader by head coach Kiel Duval.

“He challenged me, intensely, to embrace leadership and run with it. That was ultimately what was important,” Izard said.

Carrying the scoring load weighed heavily on Izard’s mind. Even though he took home the Toyota of Danville Classic MVP award, he felt as though his game was forced.

“When I was able to relax, and do the things I’m best at — getting to the rim, creating for others, pushing in transition, and being an overall facilitator — the scoring took care of itself,” Izard said.

“I think it was when this happened I also started to form into a leader. I sort of took a different perspective on the court, and I saw what other guys were capable of doing.”

Izard went on to challenge fellow seniors Payton Cain, Jordan Kelly and Payton Grimsley, bringing them out of their comfort zone to highlight their strengths.

“Being a leader to me is more than being the kid with the highest amount of points,” Izard said, “but being the kid who can bring out the best in everyone around them.

“Ultimately we weren’t going to be able to succeed if they didn’t break out from that shell. They were that vital.”

It’s similar to what Izard’s dad did to him as he was growing up.

“He’s been my guy ever since I was a little guy,” he said. “He has offered me every opportunity that I needed to get where I got.”

That love has been realized in the St. Joseph-Ogden High School coaching staff, too.

“I have never met a group of guys that truly cared as much as they did,” Izard said. “Each coach really did the most for us. Whether that meant traveling two hours on a weeknight to make a scouting report or staying after practice getting shots up with the guys.”

Izard said Duval goes beyond the extra mile.

“Ever since we were freshmen, he’s been our trainer, math teacher, and coach,” he said. “He literally would wake up at 5 a.m., call us to wake us up, and hit the gym with us.

“I don’t know a lot of coaches that are doing that. I am very thankful for the time spent with these coaches. They develop players on and off the court.”

Izard also earned the team MVP honor earlier this month.

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St. Joseph-Ogden won the first half, but Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin captured the second half and the victory in Friday’s Class 2A boys’ basketball regional championship game at the Spartans’ sold-out gymnasium.

B-H/R-A improved to 32-0 with a 38-28 triumph. The game attracted an estimated 1,500 spectators.

Ty Pence scored 14 points and Chance Izard had 11 to lead the Spartans. The team’s other three points were scored by Payton Grimsley.

The Spartans held a 19-14 halftime lead, but managed just eight points thereafter.

Drew Coursey cleared six rebounds in the season-finale. Jordan Kelly handled five rebounds. Payton Cain had three assists.

SJ-O ends the season with a 23-9 record.

The deep and balanced Spartans had seven squad members lead – or share the team-lead – in rebounding this season.

Cain led the way in 10 games, followed by Coursey (nine games) and Conner Hodge (eight games). Pence led in seven games.

Kelly led in rebounding twice and teammates Andrew Beyers and Grimsley each led once.

Pence had the top single-game performance, with 12 rebounds.

Izard was the scoring leader in 17 games, followed by Pence (10), Cain (seven) and Hodge (one).

Izard registered a 36-point game, followed by Pence with a 28-point performance.

Izard ended the year with 83 three-pointers. Pence totaled 57 and Kelly had 14.

Izard posted the highest scoring average for the team this season (16.2 points per game), followed by Pence (12.8) and Cain (9.0).

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St. Joseph-Ogden boys’ basketball took a double-digit lead in the first quarter of Wednesday’s Class 2A regional semifinal game in their gym and then had to hang on in the final period to collect a victory.

SJ-O opened up a 17-4 first-quarter lead and never lost the lead again despite Villa Grove/Heritage pulling within a 42-36 margin in the game’s last seven minutes.

The Spartans ended the game on a 14-4 run to capture a 56-40 triumph.

SJ-O (23-8) will take on state-ranked Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin (31-0) in Friday’s 7 p.m. regional championship game.

Freshman Ty Pence led the Spartans to the postseason win with 19 points and seven rebounds.

Jordan Kelly chipped in with 12 points. Payton Cain and Payton Grimsley each ended with eight points.

Other top rebounders for SJ-O were Grimsley with six and Kelly with five. Izard contributed four assists and two steals.

On Tuesday, the Spartans scored 20 of the 22 first-quarter points – after opening the game on a 9-0 run – and overpowered Westville 70-22 in a Class 2A regional tournament quarterfinal game in St. Joseph.

Chance Izard tallied a game-high 17 points for SJ-O and for the season has made a team-best 80 three-pointers.

Lukas Hutcherson hit a season-high 10 points and became the seventh squad member to post a double-digit scoring performance this season.

Three other Spartans finished with nine points apiece:  Dade Allinger, Cain and Pence.

Senior Brayden Weaver, who was injured in football and only returned to action in basketball on Senior Night, scored his first two points of the season.

Conner Hodge cleared a team-high seven rebounds. Cain and Drew Coursey handled six boards apiece.

Coursey added two assists as did Kelly.

Friday’s winner will earn a berth in the Pontiac Sectional and will face either Pontiac or Coal City at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

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The Spartans lost a lead that was one point at halftime and grew to four in the third period on Friday at Bloomington Central Catholic and wound up dropping a 62-53 decision.

The loss was the first for SJ-O in Illini Prairie Conference games.

SJ-O led 22-21 at halftime and didn’t relinquish the lead until the final two minutes of the third quarter when BCC shot into a 31-30 lead.

Payton Cain scored 16 points to lead the Spartans. Ty Pence chipped in with 14 points to go with 11 rebounds. Chance Izard added 13 points and two assists.

Cain finished with six rebounds and three steals.

SJ-O (21-8) returns to action on Tuesday in the 6 p.m. Class 2A regional tournament game against Westville on the Spartans’ court.

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The Spartans couldn’t hold onto an early lead and dropped a 61-45 non-conference decision on Monday at Teutopolis.

SJ-O led 14-13 after one quarter, but trailed 26-21 at halftime.

Chance Izard led the Spartans with 20 points, including three baskets from three-point range. Izard has a team-high 75 three-pointers as a senior.

Jordan Kelly hit six points and Ty Pence added five points.

The loss snapped an 11-game Spartan winning streak.

SJ-O (21-7) returns to action on Friday at Bloomington Central Catholic when it tries to complete an undefeated run through the Illini Prairie Conference.

SJ-O is 9-0 in IPC contests.

SJ-O will host its own Class 2A regional next week. The Spartans will open on Tuesday in the 6 p.m. game against Westville.

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The Spartans moved closer to an undisputed Illini Prairie Conference championship after a Senior Night win at home on Friday over Chillicothe IVC, 60-54.

The win helped SJ-O improve to 9-0 in IPC games with one league game remaining.

Chance Izard posted 18 points, Ty Pence had 15 and Payton Cain finished with 12 as the Spartans hit the 20-win mark for the season.

Cain also cleared a team-high seven rebounds to go with three steals.

Drew Coursey contributed five rebounds. Izard and Payton Grimsley each registered three assists.

The Spartans led 18-11 after one quarter and 28-21 at halftime.

On Saturday, SJ-O dispatched West Hancock 72-37 in the Riverton Shootout for the team’s 11th consecutive victory.

Pence raised his career-high to 28 points, thanks to a 6-for-6 showing from the free throw line.

Izard tallied 18 points. Cain contributed eight points along with a team-high four rebounds and two assists.

Pence and Coursey each cleared three rebounds.

SJ-O led 19-8 after one quarter and 36-20 at halftime.

The Spartans (21-6) return to action on Friday in their conference finale at Bloomington Central Catholic.

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Chance Izard scored 29 points on Tuesday as the Spartans won their ninth consecutive boys’ basketball game, earning a 66-53 Illini Prairie Conference decision at Rantoul.

Ty Pence hit 14 points and Jordan Kelly contributed nine points.

Kelly and Conner Hodge shared the team lead in rebounding with five boards apiece. Payton Grimsley collected four rebounds and Izard handed out three assists.

SJ-O led 13-10 after one quarter and 32-28 at halftime.

The Spartans (19-6) return to action on Friday in its regular-season home finale against Illinois Valley Central. SJ-O remains unbeaten in Illini Prairie Conference play after eight games.

With one more win this season, SJ-O will have its eighth 20-win season in the past 10 years.

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With wins on back-to-back nights, the Spartans extended their winning streak to eight games.

On Friday, SJ-O improved to 7-0 in Illini Prairie Conference games with a 63-52 win at Pontiac.

On Saturday, the Spartans opened up a 44-16 halftime lead against Auburn and went on to a 71-47 triumph in the Sangamo Conference/Illini Prairie Conference Shootout at Unity’s Rocket Center.

Against Pontiac, Chance Izard drained six three-point shots and tossed in a game-high 26 points. Jordan Kelly scored 10 points. Conner Hodge ended with nine points.

Izard and Kelly each tallied six points in the third quarter as SJ-O used a 15-10 spurt to extend its lead.

Drew Coursey and Ty Pence both cleared five rebounds.

The Spartans made 12 of 17 free throws.

Against Auburn, Izard led the way with 18 points and was followed by Pence (15 points), Payton Cain (10 points) and Payton Grimsley (seven points).

Coursey captured seven rebounds. Pence hauled down five rebounds to go with three assists. Izard contributed five assists and four steals. Cain had three assists.

SJ-O (18-6) returns to action on Tuesday at Rantoul.

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Ty Pence scored a career-high 25 points on Tuesday, leading the Spartans to their sixth consecutive Illini Prairie Conference win.

Pence nailed four three-point shots in SJ-O’s 57-52 win at home over Monticello. The game marked the fourth time in the past six games that the freshman led the team in scoring.

Chance Izard chipped in with 10 points. Payton Cain had eight points and Jordan Kelly finished with seven points.

SJ-O held a 19-18 halftime edge and broke from a 22-22 deadlock by virtue of an 11-0 run that extended into the early seconds of the fourth period.

Cain and Drew Coursey each pulled down eight rebounds. Cain had three assists and Coursey provided three steals.

The Spartans helped their cause by hitting 21 of 25 free throws.

Pence cleared five rebounds and Izard handed out three assists.

The Spartans (16-6) put their 6-0 league record on the line on Friday in a game at Pontiac.

On Saturday, SJ-O will participate in the Sangamo Conference/Illini Prairie Conference Shootout with a 4:30 p.m. game against Auburn at the Rocket Center, in Tolono.

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But Dade Allinger, a transfer from Mahomet-Seymour High School, has embraced the opportunity to be at St. Joseph-Ogden High School this year.

“At first, I thought it was going to be tough, but the teachers, the team, the coaching staff has made it a great place to be,” Allinger said.

Allinger was not a stranger to everyone at St. Joseph-Ogden, though. 

Having played basketball with fellow seniors Chance Izard and Payton Cain in AAU, Allinger reached out prior to making the move to see what being a Spartan might be like.

“They said it was a great program, so that made the move official,” he said.

Allinger worked with the Spartans over the summer, going to games and tournaments, weight lifting and conditioning, just like everyone else.

“From the jump, I learned that you come here and you earn what you want, so we push each other every day in practice and that’s what I like about it,” he said.

The Spartans, who are 6-0 in the Illini Prairie Conference after a 57-52 win over Monticello Tuesday, are 16-6 overall. The Spartans also won the Toyota of Danville Classic at the beginning of the season.

Allinger has appeared in seven games and contributed 12 points.

“I just want to help the team as much as I can.”

The Spartans return to action at Pontiac Friday before participating in the Sangamo Conference/Illini Prairie Conference Challenge on Saturday. 

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