Aaron FergusonDec 19, 20193 minAaron Ferguson: Learning to forever be 'DJ Strong'I've always loved journalism because of the opportunity to meet people and share their stories. But when I first started out, I never rea...
Aaron FergusonNov 26, 20193 minLofton shares life lessons at Lakeshore Classic luncheonGARY — Kenny Lofton left East Chicago in hopes that he would make his family and the Region proud and, on Tuesday, he returned to share h...
Aaron FergusonNov 25, 20193 minValpo shows improvement, Freeman-Liberty sets career high in overtime loss to CincinnatiJavon Freeman-Liberty was the pacesetter, wreaking havoc defensively and scoring a career-high 32 points with timely baskets. It wasn’t e...
Aaron FergusonNov 16, 20194 minValparaiso High grad returns to gridiron eight months after strokePatrick Olson was relearning how to walk eight months ago. Four weeks ago the sophomore defensive lineman returned to play college footba...
Aaron FergusonMar 19, 20194 minDouble state titles brings Southwestern Conference the respect it has long deservedEditors note: This was a special column written for the Belleville News Democrat several days after East St. Louis and Belleville West wo...
Aaron FergusonMar 16, 20192 minBelleville West big men say Roger Mueller is to thank for their dominance in the postPEORIA -- EJ Liddell and Keith Randolph Jr. were dominant in the post all season on their way to a second-straight state championship, an...
Aaron FergusonMar 16, 20192 minJunior Jashawn Anderson matured into key cog in East St. Louis' championship machinePEORIA -- Jashawn Anderson brings a championship effort every night and he stepped up to lead East St. Louis to its first basketball stat...
Aaron FergusonMar 15, 20193 minHe's Belleville West's biggest fan and he lives two hours away in Pike CountyPEORIA -- Belleville West is the best high school basketball team in the modern era, according to its well-traveled superfan from Pittsfi...
Aaron FergusonMar 15, 20192 minThe difference between Flyers past and state title contenders? Coach Mark Chambers.PEORIA -- It’s no secret that Mark Chambers is the reason for East St. Louis’ state finals trip. Just ask his players. For Terrence Hargr...
Aaron FergusonDec 10, 20183 minWashington's Kevin Brown finds strength in coaching through chemotherapy WASHINGTON – Hall of Fame coach Kevin Brown wants to win now more than ever. The 50-year-old Washington boys basketball coach had surgery...
Aaron FergusonDec 5, 20184 minTaylorville Tornadoes embrace nickname, return to classes and basketball after EF-3 TornadoTAYLORVILLE – Tornadoes are relentless and won’t let anything in their path stop them, which is what the Taylorville community embodies –...
Aaron FergusonSep 7, 20183 minDunlap's defense the difference in 17-12 win over PekinDunlap's defense held Pekin out of the end zone in three critical possessions. DUNLAP — Dunlap’s defense has become a staple over the pas...
Aaron FergusonAug 22, 20184 minWashington's Will Crouch far more than just a 'coach's son'WASHINGTON — Being a coach’s son is difficult, but anyone attending a Washington football practice wouldn’t suspect one is on the team. T...
Aaron FergusonAug 20, 20184 minCoach Williams drawing star hoopers from around the state to Hanna CityHANNA CITY — A drive from the city through miles of corn fields on Route 116 takes you through this quaint little town of more than 1,000...
Aaron FergusonAug 19, 20183 minFilling big shoes, Gabe Hernandez puts own spin on Peoria High's quarterback positionPEORIA — Gabriel Hernandez turned 16 one week ago but when he laces up his cleats Friday night at Peoria Stadium for his second varsity s...
Aaron FergusonJul 10, 20182 minManual junior Josh Ivory involved in fight with summer basketball refsIvory was involved in the Atlanta summer basketball tournament fight. Editor's note: This story won fourth place for sports news in the 2...
Aaron FergusonJul 7, 20184 minShaun Livingston returns home after 'special' NBA championshipPEORIA — Shaun Livingston has faced adversity his entire life. Livingston and his Golden State Warriors teammates faced plenty of it on t...
Aaron FergusonJun 9, 20182 minMorton's state championship a win for past and future PottersJOLIET — Former and future Morton baseball players painted Route 66 Stadium in cherry red and grey this weekend as the Potters won the 20...
Aaron FergusonJun 9, 20183 minMorton baseball wins Class 3A state championshipJOLIET — Winning a state championship is the perfect bookend for a Morton baseball team that put together a storybook season. The Potters...
Aaron FergusonJun 8, 20183 minMorton seniors one win away from capping long run together as championsJOLIET — Morton’s nine seniors have been playing baseball together since they were 10 years old. Now, they are one win away from a state ...
