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Whatever you are interested in, we've got it covered.

Inkspot

Whatever you are interested in, we've got it covered.

Inkspot

Brantley Dumas II

Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter

Brantley Dumas is a senior at Normal Community High School. He is the president Black Student Union and is on the varsity bowling team. He is a second-year Staff Reporter on the Inkspot.

If I were to win a million dollars I would definitely pay for college, then buy all the shoes and clothes I could ever want.

I enjoy fashion, making and listening to music and anime. So, if you like any of those we can probably be friends.

My biggest pet peeve is when people chew too loud. Gross.

All content by Brantley Dumas II
Top 5 Disney sidekicks

Top 5 Disney sidekicks

Brantley Dumas II and Maddie Lane
Jan 31, 2026

Disney has cast Teagon Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider in the live-action remake of “Tangled,” the studio announced on social media on Jan. 7. Croft, best known for playing Rachel Roth’s Raven on “Titans,” has appeared in smaller projects, but this marks her biggest role...

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Maddie Ummel lead Community at the plate in average at .458 and extra-base hits with four doubles.
However, the team has struggled to hit with runners in scoring position, stranding 50 baserunners.

Softball struggles to find momentum

Iron struggle to convert baserunners to runs; Pitcher Lindsay Leathery sidelined with injury
Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter
Apr 4, 2024

The 2-6 softball team’s woes continued as pitcher Lindsay Leathery suffered an injury in March 26’s 10-5 loss to the East Peoria Raiders (5-1). Leathery suffered a dislocated kneecap, causing a “kissing contusion,” contusions of both surfaces of the knee joint, and a subchondral fracture in...

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Mascot Madness: Round one

Mascot Madness: Round one

What if the NCAA March Madness Champion was determined not by athletes on the hardwood but mascots battling it out?
Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter
Mar 21, 2024

Welcome to the wild world of March Madness, where the energy is unrivaled, brackets are broken and upsets are the stuff of legend. As fans gear up for the thrilling 68-team NCAA championship tournament, we're reminded that victory demands more than just skill on the court—it requires grit, resilience,...

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The Bison logo, according to the Jan. 24 press release "pay[s] homage to the rich history of the Bloomington-Normal community... inspired by former President Lincoln and ... Route 66."
One thing Bloomington has struggled to establish is a rich hockey history. 
Image Courtesy: Bloomington Bison

Bloomington Bison bring hockey back to Grossinger Motors Arena

Bison can usher in new era of community hockey interest
Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter
Mar 14, 2024

Hockey returns to Grossinger Motors Arena for the 2024-25 East Coast Hockey League season, as the ECHL announced expansion team The Bloomington Bison.  The upstart Bison is the ECHL’s 30th franchise, joining hockey’s “premier developmental league.”  The Bison are the fifth franchise...

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Top 5 Disney sidekicks

Top 5 Disney sidekicks

Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter
Feb 13, 2024

Everyone needs someone to help them navigate life’s trials and tribulations: a trusty companion, a sidekick, a wingman… Think of them as the unsung heroes behind the scenes, offering sage advice, comic relief or simply a shoulder to lean on when times get tough.  Batman has Robin. Spongebob has...

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Digital Illustration // Mr. Brad Bovenkerk

Going to the mat for pro wrestling

Wrestling's real entertainment value
Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter
Jan 26, 2024

Few phrases have echoed louder in the ears of wrestling enthusiasts than “Wrestling is fake.” It’s a statement more haunting than The Undertaker, one that casts just as large of a shadow over the world of professional wrestling. Professional wrestling has consistently captivated audiences of...

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Witzig v. Feeney – Battle of basketball brains [video]

Normal Community's head basketball coaches face off in this rapid-fire test of their basketball knowledge
BJ Dumas
Jan 26, 2024
Normal Community's head basketball coaches Mr. Dave Witzig and Mr. Dave Feeney face off in this rapid-fire test of their basketball knowledge.
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Inside the Paint: Talking Ironmen basketball heading into the 4th quarter of the regular season [podcast]

[Inside the Paint podcast Ep. 2]

Inside the Paint is a roundtable discussion where the Inkspot’s basketball beat reporters dive deep into the Ironmen boys and girls basketball seasons. Zachary Knox-Doyle, B.J. Dumas, Lucas Drengwitz, Bella Green and Ben Kerber offer a courtside pass to all things Ironmen basketball, breaking down...

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Epic finales and epic failures: A tale of triumph, tragedy in TV shows finales

Epic finales and epic failures: A tale of triumph, tragedy in TV shows finales

BJ Dumas takes a look at some of the best and worst television series' final episodes
Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter
Jan 11, 2024

A TV series finale may very well be the most important episode of a show’s entire run, making or breaking the entire journey. Regardless of how captivating the episodes or seasons have been, the show must stick the landing. The ultimate test of a show’s legacy lies in its final episode–the moment...

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Inside the Paint: Midcourt Check-In – A look at the Ironmen basketball seasons so far [podcast]

[Inside the Paint podcast Ep. 1]

Inside the Paint is a roundtable discussion where the Inkspot's basketball beat reporters dive deep into the Ironmen boys and girls basketball seasons. Zachary Knox-Doyle, B.J. Dumas, Bella Green and Ben Kerber offer a courtside pass to all things Ironmen basketball, breaking down the season so far...

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Six of Normal Community's student athletes signed their commitment letters to play Division I and Division II athletics next year after school Nov. 7 in the cafeteria.

6 Iron athletes sign National Letters of Intent

Check out the Inkspot's Q & A with the athletes and their career highlights

Six Ironmen are headed to college to continue their athletic careers, signing National Letters Of Intent on Thursday, Nov 8. Recognized at the after-school event were four future Division I athletes: Oregon commit Ali Ince (womens track & field), future Louisville Cardinal Ethan Eberle (baseball),...

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Connections, the newest of New York Times' game offerings, is the best game you aren't playing, according to the Inkspot's B.J. Dumas. 
Screenshot // New York Times

Finding ‘Connections’: the best game you aren’t playing

New NYT game is all fun and (word) games
Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter
Oct 18, 2023

It’s seemingly simple. A 16-word grid. Four chances to find the four common threads that link four of the words. But what seems simple on the surface soon has you wanting to forfeit in frustration.    Connections are the key to the New York Times newest game, aptly named Connections,...

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Statement Games: Senior running-back goes all out in ‘Pink Out’ Games

Statement Games: Senior running-back goes all out in ‘Pink Out’ Games

BJ Dumas, Staff Writer
Dec 1, 2022

Six touchdowns.  Three over 50 yards.  For the past two years in the Week 9 action, the Ironmen’s Chris Taylor recorded standout performances on the gridiron.  Performances impressive enough to draw attention from schools like Illinois State, where Taylor will take the field for the Redbirds...

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