The daily pitch from Sports Editor Matt Daniels on Jan. 16, 2026.

Alex Wallace and Aeralyn Thrasher were named high school Athletes of the Week, and the No. 13 Illinois men's basketball team carries a six-game win streak into Saturday's home game with Minnesota.

Sports Editor Matt Daniels presents a brief local sports roundup for Jan. 16, 2026. The notes highlight high school standouts, college basketball results and several upcoming events in Champaign and nearby communities. The piece lists Athletes of the Week and scheduling details for weekend games and appearances. It also includes a short Q&A with a local multi-sport junior athlete. Notable items: - Alex Wallace of Oakwood boys basketball and Aeralyn Thrasher of Sullivan girls basketball are the latest high school Athletes of the Week, as reported. - The No. 13 Illinois men's basketball team has a six-game winning streak and will host Minnesota at 11 a.m. Saturday at State Farm Center in Champaign; a win would match the longest streak during coach Brad Underwood's tenure. - Michael McGreevy, who had eight wins last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, is scheduled to appear Friday at the Cardinals Caravan at noon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Champaign; infielder Thomas Saggese, catcher Yohel Pozo and pitcher Andre Pallante are also slated to appear. - Upcoming local events include a Centennial at Champaign Central doubleheader Friday evening, the Vermilion County basketball tournament beginning Friday at 5 p.m. at Mary Miller Gym on the Danville Area Community College campus, and the NFC divisional playoff between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Soldier Field. - Armstrong-Potomac junior Gage Foster, a three-sport athlete, answered three brief questions saying he would like to have dinner with Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and Derrick Rose, that he likes to binge-watch "The Office," and that his biggest pet peeve is people talking over others. Summary: Local athletes and teams are the focus this week, with high school standouts honored and Illinois men's basketball aiming to extend its win streak. Several community events and a Cardinals Caravan appearance are scheduled in Champaign this weekend. The regional NFL divisional playoff in Chicago is also set for Sunday.