The crowd at Thursday's league challenge between the Gillespie Miners (Gillespie, IL) and the host North Mac Panthers (Virden, IL), observed Gillespie's basketball team overwhelm North Mac by a score of 56-28.

The Miners (14-5) will now prepare for their challenge against Jersey (Jerseyville, IL). The Panthers come into the non-league challenge with a 10-8 record. In their last challenge, Jersey was routed by Triad (Troy, IL), 63-49, in a league challenge.

In their next game, the Panthers encounter the Lincolnwood Lancers (Raymond, IL) in a non-league challenge, on Monday, January 13. North Mac will attempt to improve on its 7-11 season record. The Lancers come into the challenge with a 3-15 record after their 50-22 non-league loss to Mt. Pulaski (Mt. Pulaski, IL).