Fans at Friday's league challenge between the Gillespie Miners (Gillespie, IL) and the visiting Southwestern Piasa Birds (Piasa, IL), saw Gillespie's basketball squad hold off Southwestern by a tally of 50-49.

With the victory, Gillespie improves its record to 1-1 on the campaign. The Miners travel to Hillsboro (Hillsboro, IL) to play the Hiltoppers in a challenge on Friday, January 27. The Hiltoppers come into the challenge with a record of 0-3. Hillsboro lost 41-29 in their recent league challenge against Carlinville (Carlinville, IL)

Next up, the Piasa Birds play the Jersey Panthers (Jerseyville, IL) in a non-league challenge, on Tuesday, January 10. Southwestern will attempt to improve on its 0-9 season record.