Four HOIC squads picked up wins, Manual and PND stayed hot, Washington opened its season with a win and Metamora's Michaela Hurst reached a coaching milestone.

Vote for this week's CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, which includes state standouts from volleyball and girls swimming, plus a quartet of football players.

Five area girls hoops teams were victorious on Saturday, including Dee-Mack, Canton and Illini Bluffs.

El Paso-Gridley's Aaden Adams and Tremont's Nora Parsons won CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, get to meet them here!

Morton's Jamie King and Dunlap's Kevin Metzger both won their first games under new head coaches, plus several area stars had double-doubles, set new records and reached big milestones.

The first day of games in the girls basketball season featured wins from 12 area teams, including PND, Manual, Tremont, Canton, Richwoods and more.

El Paso-Gridley passed its biggest test of the season, clinching its first state semifinal berth with a 32-15 win over Farmington.

Despite throwing the first punch, Washington's season came to an end against a Providence Catholic team that was firing on all cylinders.

Normal U-High showcases a complete team effort to knock off Nazareth Academy for the Class 3A state championship, its first state championship since 2000.

In a whirlwind-type of state championship game, the Saints could not overcome a talented Columbia team on their way to a second place finish at the state finals.

The CSM staffs picks who they think will win in each of the five quarterfinal football games featuring Central Illinois teams.

Normal U-High broke a 25-year steak of not having the chance to play for a state title, winning their 29th straight match in Friday's 3A state semifinal against Prairie Ridge.

Bloomington Central Catholic will have a chance to win a Class 2A state title after handling Riverdale in two sets in Friday's state semifinal.

Tremont volleyball hung around with 2-time defending state qualifier Cissna Park, but fell in a close two-set battle in Friday's 1A state semifinals.

Vote for this week's CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, with nominees from volleyball, football, cross country, swimming and diving and soccer

Brimfield volleyball player Anja Nelson and Washington soccer player Oliver Wettstein won CSM Fall Athletes of the Week after big playoff performances, get to know them here!

Normal Community volleyball's bid for a state berth was extinguished at the hands of the reigning Class 4A state champs, closing out the Iron's 34-win season.

Washington did all it could do against a bigger, faster Providence Catholic team, but fell short in a Class 3A super-sectional on their home floor.

Tremont, Bloomington Central Catholic and Normal U-High volleyball all advanced to this weekend's IHSA State Finals.

Farmington and Tri-Valley moved up in the CSM Football Power Rankings, with all remaining teams still alive in the playoffs taking the top spots.