The Sterling Junior All-Stars little league softball team is playing its first of three games at the state tournament on Saturday after winning its district title.

Following a record-setting senior season in the circle and a number of individual awards, Sterling senior Sienna Stingley is this year's Sauk Valley Media softball Player of the Year.

First-year head softball coach David Shepard is the 2024 Sauk Valley Media softball coach of the year after leading the Storm to their first regional title since 2006 this spring as a seven seed. They beat rival Princeton 6-5 in the regional title game.

Here is a look at the 2024 Sauk Valley Media all-area softball team

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Check out a selection of images from Shaw Local's Alex T. Paschal of his favorite sports pictures of the spring season.

Sterling senior pitcher Sienna Stingley was named to the Class 3A All-State first team by the Illinois Coaches Association. Dixon, Fulton, Morrison, and Newman also had players selected.

Sterling seniors Lucas Austin and Sienna Stingley were given the Roscoe Eades Award, which recognizes two senior athletes for their athletic contributions over four years.

The Three Rivers Athletic Conference and Big Northern Conference recently announced its all-conference baseball and softball teams, with a number of area players selected.

Reese Mosolino threw a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts as Prairie Ridge edged Sterling 2-1 in Wednesday's Class 3A Sycamore Sectional semifinal. Two unearned runs were the difference.