The Monticello Sages basketball team (Monticello, IL), was nudged 42-39 in Friday's league battle with the visiting St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans (St. Joseph, IL)

The Spartans now possess a 18-5 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Morton for a non-league battle on Saturday, January 27. St. Joseph-Ogden will confront a Potters team coming off a 66-37 league win over Pekin (Pekin, IL). The Potters record now stands at 21-3.

The Sages (10-10) will now prepare for their battle against Rantoul (Rantoul, IL). The Eagles come into the Illini Prairie battle with a 3-13 record. In their last battle, Rantoul was nudged by Manteno (Manteno, IL), 58-48, in a non-league battle.