Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
December 9, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team is always in attack mode. Leading by 10 points at halftime of Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Sterling, the Blue Devils were relentless in the second half and ran away with a 66-41 victory at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…
Read Full Article December 8, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Tyler Sprick is a blue blood in the sense he bleeds Blue Devil blue. Having grown up playing in the Lil’ Devils program and attending games at Blue Devil Gym, the senior guard on the Quincy High School boys basketball program is well versed in the program’s tradition. So he knows how meaningful…
Read Full Article December 8, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
HAMILTON, Ill. — Lillie Woodworth is part of the final class of high school student-athletes who had their careers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The West Hancock basketball standout played only nine games as a freshman when the Illinois High School Association altered its calendar and shrunk season lengths in hopes of getting all fall,…
Read Full Article December 8, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — It isn’t difficult within the Great Lakes Valley Conference to find men’s basketball teams that can be categorized as tougher than a $2 steak. They are the ones beating up on Quincy University. Despite shooting the ball uncharacteristically well Thursday night — the worst 3-point shooting team in the GLVC actually made 10…
Read Full Article December 8, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Discombobulated might be the most apropos way to describe the way things went Thursday night for the Quincy University women’s basketball team. Penciled into the starting lineup like usual, sophomore forward Chomp Danso was a last-minute scratch because of a health concern. It left the Hawks out of sorts from the start as…
Read Full Article December 8, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s and women’s basketball teams struggled through a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader Thursday night at Pepsi Arena. The women lost 62-44 to Missouri-St. Louis, while the men suffered a 75-66 setback against the Tritons. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening courtside and put together this photo…
Read Full Article December 6, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The shoulder brace Hannibal wrestling coach Jake Borgmeyer helped senior Koen Ramage strap into and adjust prior to Tuesday night’s dual looks cumbersome and uncomfortable. Ramage shrugs off the inconvenience. “I’m getting used to it,” he said. “I’ll get comfortable and I’ll get there.” His first step was clearly a step in that…
Read Full Article December 6, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The strengths showed. The Quincy High School wrestling team is blessed with an abundance of talented grapplers at the heavier weights, while Hannibal is loaded with technical, aggressive wrestlers at the lower weights. Put those two head-to-head and you’re left with an entertaining dual. Hannibal edged Quincy 35-33 in front a packed house…
Read Full Article December 4, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Courtney Kvitle and her husband, Jason, began discussing her future as the Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball coach during the season when she learned she was pregnant with the couple’s third child. Ultimately, Kvitle decided she had to put family first. Monday morning, Quincy Notre Dame athletic director Bill Connell announced he had…
Read Full Article December 3, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — There is no quantitative goal the Quincy High School girls basketball players set for what they hope to accomplish defensively each game. However, there is an emotional response they look to achieve. “I guess the goal would be to kind of embarrass the opponent in a sense,” senior point guard Leila Dade said.…
Read Full Article December 3, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team limited Sterling to five points in the first quarter and 11 overall in the first half, rolling to a 21-point lead by halftime and cruising to a 52-29 victory in Western Big 6 Conference action Saturday at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…
Read Full Article December 1, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Check out Muddy River Sports’ in-depth look at the area boys basketball scene for the 2023-24 season with some perspective on what was learned the first week of the season and what to look forward to moving forward.
Read Full Article November 30, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
MACOMB, Ill. — JD Gravina’s career victory total is at 300 and counting. A strong start to the season by the Western Illinois University women’s basketball team helped the former Quincy University coach reach his milestone moment. Tuesday night’s 86-72 victory over Chicago State at Western Hall featured Anna Deets scoring seven of the Leathernecks’…
Read Full Article November 29, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The manner in which the Pittsfield boys basketball team secured the 300th victory of Brad Tomhave’s coaching career might not be so memorable. The milestone certainly is. The Saukees overcame making just one of their first 18 field goals and a 15-point third-quarter deficit to take the lead for the first time…
Read Full Article November 29, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Kelsey Stuart coaching era is off and running. The Brian Rea coaching era continues to breed success. The combination should make for an entertaining winter in the Flower City. The Palmyra girls basketball team stormed past Mark Twain 58-24 on Tuesday night in the Panthers’ season opener and Stuart’s first game…
Read Full Article November 28, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
CANTON, Mo. — Former Culver-Stockton College football coach Chris Tabor wasted no time taking control of the Carolina Panthers. Tabor, who is in second season as the special teams coordinator for the Panthers, was named the team’s interim coach Monday after Carolina owner David Tepper fired head coach Frank Reich. The Panthers are 1-10 following…
Read Full Article November 26, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Playing with an edge isn’t the same as playing with an ego. The Quincy High School boys basketball players are discovering the difference. The Blue Devils’ edge is their aggressive approach defensively, which creates turnovers and opportunities to score in transition, and their belief they can score on any opponent at any time.…
Read Full Article November 26, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Led by a strong start from Camden Brown and a strong finish from Keshaun Thomas, the Quincy High School boys basketball team beat Springfield Lanphier 64-51 on Saturday night at Blue Devil Gym to win the championship of the 52nd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament. It is the Blue Devils’ fourth consecutive tournament title and…
Read Full Article November 26, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team pulled away from Judson University in the second half and posted a 64-45 victory Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena to even its record at 3-3. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time at Pepsi Arena and put together this photo gallery:
Read Full Article November 25, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
NORMAL, Ill. — Their legacy is complete, and there’s a state championship trophy to prove it. The seniors on the Camp Point Central football team and head coach Brad Dixon took the program to new heights Friday, beating Lena-Winslow 14-0 in the Class 1A state title game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium for the…
Read Full Article November 25, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
NORMAL, Ill. — The Camp Point Central football players viewed Friday’s appearance in the Class 1A state championship game as a business trip. It was more of a historic journey. “Incredible,” senior quarterback Nick Moore called it. Unforgettable, too. Behind arguably one of the most impressive defensive performances in program history and the continued postseason…
Read Full Article November 25, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
NORMAL, Ill. — At times, they seem like just another play. Other times, they define a championship. Friday at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium, the Camp Point Central football team made a number of plays that would be easy to overlook on a stat sheet but proved to be pivotal moments in the 14-0 victory…
Read Full Article November 24, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
NORMAL, Ill. — A historic season deserved a historic ending. The Camp Point Central football team delivered in the most historic way. By shutting out three-time defending state champion Lena-Winslow with a 14-0 victory Friday in the Class 1A state championship game at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium, Central not only capped a 14-0 season…
Read Full Article November 24, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — A quick glance at the scoreboard told the Quincy High School boys basketball players all they needed to know. A boat race had become a dogfight. “It woke us up to reality,” junior forward Keshaun Thomas said. The Blue Devils had nearly doubled up Chicago Phillips three minutes into the second half Thursday…
Read Full Article November 24, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — A strong start and a strong finish and a victory. That made for an enjoyable Thanksgiving for the Quincy High School boys basketball team. The Blue Devils opened their season with a 69-58 victory over Chicago Phillips on Thursday night at Blue Devil Gym as they finished with a 12-4 run after the…
Read Full Article November 22, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
CAMP POINT, Ill. — On roster of more than 40 players who spend plenty of time together on and off the field, personalities and unique traits come to light. With the Camp Point Central football team headed to Normal, Ill., this week to play in the Class 1A state championship game against Lena-Winslow at Illinois…
Read Full Article November 22, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Andy Douglas is looking for a test. Pass or fail, it’s what the Quincy High School boys basketball team needs. The Blue Devils return five starters, the first two players off the bench and a wealth of talent and experience. It was a fruitful offseason as they embraced the need to be more…
Read Full Article November 21, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The Quincy University football team’s season, which ended with just the fifth winning record in the past 28 years, resulted in 15 players earning All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors. Senior defensive lineman David Tabakovic was the Hawks’ lone first-team selection. The 6-foot-2 Tabakovic led the Hawks with 15 tackles for loss and 8.5…
Read Full Article November 20, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The 2023-24 basketball season is a week old and some teams are just now reaching their tipping point. Make sure to check out the 2023-24 Muddy River Sports girls basketball preview section to learn more about the teams throughout our area in Illinois and Missouri.
Read Full Article November 19, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University football program’s move to the Ohio Valley Conference will come with a new leader at the helm. Sunday, one day after the Leathernecks finished an 0-11 season with a 48-6 loss to South Dakota at Hanson Field, WIU athletic director Paul Bubb announced the school will not retain…
Read Full Article