Phillips County high school sports to follow: Helena-West Helena, Barton highlights

Phillips County has an active high-school sports scene centered on Helena-West Helena, Barton and other nearby districts, and a local primer identifies basketball and football as community cornerstones in the winter months. That description anchors local interest as schedules firm up for the coming weeks and fans look for key matchups at Helena-West Helena High School and Barton schools.

Compiled materials pulled for this primer include several “Evergreen” items that are not clearly local to Phillips County. Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 lists a Winter Sports Welcome Letter 2024-2025 and provides a district address at 9901 S. Kedzie Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805, with a main line of (708) 424-7400. Athletic contacts shown are Mr. Jim Soldan, Athletic Director, at (708) 398-1274; Mr. Mark Smyth, Assistant Athletic Director, at (708) 398-1361; and Mrs. Laura Kortz, Administrative Assistant, at (708) 398-1264. Evergreen Park’s athletics list includes baseball, boys and girls basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, dance, football, golf, boys and girls soccer, softball, swimming, track, volleyball and wrestling; the materials contain inconsistent entries showing both “Golf (Boys & Girls)” and “Golf (Boys),” a discrepancy that requires confirmation with the school.

A separate Evergreen Local Schools athletics policy cites the Ohio High School Athletic Association and frames expectations for student behavior: “the Evergreen Athletic Department believes that, due to their high visibility, the student athletes have a strong influence on members of the student body as well as the community. Their conduct, while representing a team, traveling to or from an event, as well as in the community, is seen as a direct reflection upon the athletic program and the standards of Evergreen Local Schools.” That policy includes a Sunday-use restriction that states permitted Sunday events “shall begin no earlier than 1 PM and must conclude by 5 PM” and lists required paperwork including the Ohio High School Athletic Association Physical Form, the Evergreen Athletic Department Sign Off Sheet, the Emergency Medical Form, and concussion- and health-related state and federal forms.

Fundraising and booster activity tied to an “EHS” Wolverine program also appears in the compilation. The Evergreen Wolverine Athletic Association states, “We raise money through charitable donations and fundraising events to promote and support Evergreen athletic programming, teams, coaches and athletes,” and pledges to “Commit 97% of funds raised to support athletic coaching staff, athletes and program while building a sports program at EHS that is robust and resilient.” The association’s expected 2024 annual budget is $25,000 and line items include practice jerseys and pants - $2,500; a 1-man sled - $1,500; a 4-man sled - $6,500; throwing net - $200; shoes (10 pairs) - $1,000; food ($100 gift cards totaling $3,000); and two identical “Shute” entries at $500 each. The Wolverine materials list fall 2023-2024 highlights: boys cross country made districts in Chambers Bay; girls soccer won seven games and advanced in district playoffs after two wins in 2022; volleyball won six matches after a winless 2022; Coach Bethany Tate won Coach of the Year; and football won two games and beat Foster at Homecoming to claim the first Riverton Cup. The association lists an event titled Wolverine Scramble Golf Tournament 2024 and provides an email contact at ehswolverinesfbassociation@gmail.com.

For Phillips County readers planning to follow Helena-West Helena and Barton matchups, schedules, ticketing and facility details are managed locally by those districts; the compiled Evergreen documents are from distinct jurisdictions (Illinois and Ohio materials and an unidentified EHS) and should not be assumed to reflect Phillips County programs. Local fans seeking opponent schedules or venue information should consult Helena-West Helena and Barton athletic offices directly while district and booster contacts listed above can confirm the Evergreen Park and Wolverine details.