Drake Lansman

Erie-Prophetstown senior wrestler Michelle Naftzger is the Sauk Valley Athlete of the Week. She became E-P's first girls wrestler to reach 100 career wins and hopes to become a four-time state qualifier.

Sterling's smothering defense and 17 points from Jossy James helped the Golden Warriors beat previously undefeated Byron 43-26 and win their first Dixon Christmas Classic since 2018.

Newman boys basketball advanced to the E-P tournament title after a 49-46 overtime win over Galena. Xavian Prather scored 25 points in a Sterling win, Rock Falls and Dixon fell and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Newman's Garret Matznick scored 25 points in a win over Forreston. Rock Falls boys basketball fell, Eastland won in 3OT, Dixon's Maddie Kirby won the Geneseo bowling title and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Dixon fell 54-52 to Byron after leading by eight in the fourth quarter in Saturday's Christmas Classic semifinals.

A strong defensive performance in the second half and teamwide contributions sent Sterling past Stillman Valley and into Monday's Dixon Christmas Classic championship. Sterling will face Byron at 6:30 p.m.

Rock Falls boys basketball handed second-seeded Aurora Christian its first loss of the season with a first-round upset at the State Farm Classic on Friday. The Rockets will face Fieldcrest, which upset Eastland, at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Sterling sophomore Brenley Johnson provided a spark off the bench during an ice-cold third quarter against Lincoln. She finished with 11 points as Sterling held on for a 44-38 win at the Dixon Christmas Classic to reach the semifinals.

The Newman girls showed they can compete with bigger teams if they just play hard. The Comets battled back before falling just short in a 56-49 loss to Stillman Valley at the Dixon Christmas Classic Friday. Newman beat Alleman in its opener.

Newman girls basketball won, Dixon boys fell at Harlem, Sterling girls bowling is 6-0 and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Dixon's Ahmyrie McGowan is the Sauk Valley Athlete of the Week after an online vote. She is averaging a double-double for the 9-1 Duchesses this season. Here is a Q&A with the junior standout.

Sterling's Denver Sandrock was named swimmer of the meet after two wins. Newman's Blair Grennan won her weight class at Hampshire, Sterling girls basketball split two games and more in Saturday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Fulton's Landen Leu scored 22 points in a win over Bureau Valley, Sterling boys fell at Rock Island, Oregon boys bowling is 6-2 and more in Friday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Newman overcame a slow start and a red-hot shooting Byron team to win Friday's Forreston Holiday Tournament championship in a 68-65 overtime classic.

Newman boys basketball advanced to Friday's Forreston tournament championship against Byron. Eastland boys and girls also won tournament titles, Morrison boys wrestling beat Newman and more in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.