Let The Barn Burners Begin

Conference basketball got into full swing Thursday night, and while Eastland may never be challenged in the South, and it will be a four team race for second in the North, the NUIC West is going to be a season long battle among five major contenders.

"You've got East Dubuque, Galena, Warren, us and the Ridge," said Scales Mound head coach Erik Kudronowicz. "So, yeah, being able to hold court and win on your home floor is huge. If we had lost tonight, we'd be playing catch up the rest of the season."

The Hornets played host to an excellent Warren Warrior squad, and the two West contenders spent...