Sports Editor Matt Daniels delivers one last update on the best of the best among the area softball programs from the 2026 season: 1. Champaign Central ➜ Record: 30-5-1 ➜ Previous ranking: No. 2 ➜ Quick pitch: Backed by All-Area Player of the Year Haley H... See more
Why he’s Coach of the Year In his second season as the Unity softball coach, Matt Reed led the Rockets on another successful season. After going 33-5 in his debut season in 2025, Reed and the Rockets finished the 2026 season with a 28-8 record, an outrigh... See more
Meet the 12 softball players who made up The News-Gazette's All-Area First Team for the 2026 season: Grace Bandy Champaign Central junior ➜ Why she made the first team: The Maroons catcher tallied a team-high 52 hits for a Class 3A regional championship t... See more
Story by The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill. The News-Gazette's 36th All-Area softball team: Helm earns Player of the Year honor again Matt Daniels, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill. Fri, Jul 3, 2026, 2:48 PM UTC Jul. 3—CHAMPAIGN — Haley Helm ... See more
Haley Helm of Champaign Central tops this elite list again after her standout 2026 season YEAR PLAYER SCHOOL 2026 Haley Helm Champaign Central 2025 Haley Helm Champaign Central 2024 Abby Sabalaskey Westville 2023 Shayne Immke St. Joseph-Ogden 2022 Karley ... See more
