High School
July 15, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The conversations Griffin Kirn has with representatives of 22 different Major League Baseball teams during the pre-draft allowed him to be fairly confident he’d be selected in the two-day draft. Still, that “what if” still lingered in a small way. Just what if everyone passed and the 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-handed pitcher wasn’t picked?…
Read Full Article Land of Lincoln brings bragging rights home after largest margin of victory in all-star game history
July 13, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Illinois emphatically kept bragging rights over Missouri in Saturday’s 11th Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game. The all-star baseball players from the Prairie State registered the largest margin of victory in the 11-year history of the game, beating the Show Me State 15-1 at the Veterans Sports Complex. Illinois led 1-0 before busting…
Read Full Article July 13, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
Click here to purchase digital downloads or prints from this gallery. HANNIBAL, Mo. — What has become a July staple didn’t disappoint as the top senior high school baseball players from West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri went toe-to-toe Saturday night in the 11th Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex. Illinois won…
Read Full Article July 12, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
HANNIBAL, Mo. — A rivalry gets renewed for the third and final time this summer. The 11th Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game returns to Veterans Field at 7 p.m. Saturday as 36 of the top high school baseball players who are recent graduates from Northeast Missouri and West-Central Illinois schools go head-to-head. Admission is $10.…
Read Full Article July 10, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
LA JOLLA, Calif. — Beau Eftink proved he has the game to play on some of the nation’s best golf courses. He also learned how challenging one of those courses can be. The Quincy Notre Dame senior finished tied for 67th in a field of 212 competitors in the boys 15-18 division of the Uswing…
Read Full Article July 1, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — You can get exposure or you can get exposed. That was Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff’s message to his team ahead of their trip to Romeoville on June 28 and 29 for a live event featuring more than 100 teams and several college coaches in attendance. Bottorff saw much more…
Read Full Article June 26, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
QUINCY — Players do not wear pads. There are no offensive lineman. There is no tackling. But as coaches can attest, that does not mean 7-on-7 camps are just free-for-alls. “Get reps and coach on the fly,” Hannibal coach Jeff Gschwender said. “That’s how we do it.” Hannibal was one of six teams — Quincy…
Read Full Article June 26, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
QUINCY — In the first Illinois vs. Missouri all-star softball showcase played in Quincy in a decade, the Show-Me State reestablished bragging rights by beating the Prairie State 11-3 and 11-5, respectively, in Wednesday’s doubleheader at the John Wood Community College field. Trail Blazers coach Kelsey Thompson resurrected the game after a 10-year hiatus. The…
Read Full Article June 26, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
Click here to purchase digital images of Muddy River Sports photos QUINCY — The area’s top senior softball players earned their opportunity to take center stage Wednesday night in the Illinois vs. Missouri all-star doubleheader played at John Wood Community College. The Missouri squad swept Illinois 11-5 and 11-3 in the first softball all-star event…
Read Full Article June 24, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — After a 10-year absence, the opportunity for high school softball players to engage in a cross-river rivalry exists again. Kelsey Thompson made certain of it. The John Wood Community College softball coach introduced the idea of resurrecting the Illinois vs. Missouri all-star game back in March, and her plan comes to fruition Wednesday…
Read Full Article June 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
QUINCY — The preparation for the high school football season doesn’t wait until August to begin. Monday night at Flinn Stadium, several area football teams participated in a 7-on-7 event hosted by Quincy High School. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey ventured out in the 90-degree heat to capture some images from the competition:
Read Full Article June 22, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
QUINCY — The Missouri boys were a half away from the Show-Me State’s first win in the short history of the Muddy River Showcase, but a third-quarter surge from Illinois and a defensive stand down the stretch Saturday netted an 89-82 for the Prairie State at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Missouri led…
Read Full Article June 22, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
QUINCY — The Missouri girls provided the stiffest test to the Illinois side in terms of final score since the first Muddy River Showcase in 2022, but the Illinois girls prevailed 88-65 on Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center in the fourth iteration of the game. Here are some takeaways from the…
Read Full Article June 22, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
Click here to purchase digital images from the Muddy River Sports SmugMug page QUINCY — It came down to the wire. The Illinois boys all-stars outscored Missouri 7-2 in the closing minutes to secure an 89-82 victory in the fourth annual Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River News…
Read Full Article June 22, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
Click here to purchase digital images from the Muddy River Sports SmugMug site QUINCY — The competitive fire burned bright for both the Illinois and Missouri girls all-star teams during the fourth annual Muddy River Showcase on Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Illinois won 88-65. Muddy River News Editor David Adam…
Read Full Article June 21, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place Saturday. Here is everything you need to know, the rosters for this year’s event and a look at the history of the event. What: Illinois vs. Missouri all-star basketball event. When: Girls game tips at 2 p.m., boys game to follow at approximately 4 p.m.…
Read Full Article June 21, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The pictures form a rolodex of memories and illustrate the changes and growth of a group of boys who have become young men. Every step of their journey has been together, from second grade to seniors in high school. They take their final step together Saturday as three of the lynchpins of the…
Read Full Article June 20, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — For Lila Simon, it all came down to perspective. Prior to her junior…
Read Full Article June 20, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center with the area’s top seniors getting the opportunity to represent their schools, their communities and their states one final time. The girls game tips at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m.…
Read Full Article June 20, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MACOMB, Ill. — Kylie Robinson picked up some sage advice from her older sister, Kaitlyn, while…
Read Full Article June 20, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. CAMP POINT, Ill. — It would be wise not to challenge Karly Peters on the pickleball…
Read Full Article June 19, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Abbie Martin’s incredible high school soccer career was capped with one last fitting honor. The Hannibal senior forward was named to the Class 3 all-state first team by the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association. This is her third all-state nod, having been named to the second team as both a sophomore…
Read Full Article June 19, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. QUINCY — When Sage Stratton packed her belongings to move to the Drury University campus, she…
Read Full Article June 19, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. QUINCY — Since Lauren Hummel was raised in a family that bleeds black and gold, one…
Read Full Article June 19, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MACOMB, Ill. — Braden Holthaus figured basketball was his future. Then college football coaches came calling.…
Read Full Article June 19, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PHILADELPHIA, Mo. — If it involves math, Joey Lagemann is all about it. “I’ve always loved…
Read Full Article June 19, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. SHELBINA, Mo. — Belle Roush and Callie McWilliams will get one more chance to play basketball…
Read Full Article June 17, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. KAHOKA, Mo. — Harrison Parker openly admits his golf game isn’t up to par. “I’m no…
Read Full Article June 17, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Abram Wiewel’s Tuesday couldn’t have gone much better. Not only did the recent Quincy Notre Dame graduate catch a foul ball while attending a game at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., but he became the third QND baseball player in the past four years named to the Illinois High School Baseball…
Read Full Article June 17, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MEMPHIS, Mo. — A lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, Vince Dale grew up emulating Cardinals great…
Read Full Article June 16, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. CANTON, Mo. — Bryson Brewer doesn’t need to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. He needs…
Read Full Article June 16, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PALMYRA, Mo. — Sydney Compton hasn’t taken a college course yet, but she’s already redefined her…
Read Full Article June 16, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. HAMILTON, Ill. — DeeDee Church aims to provide John Wood Community College basketball fans with plenty…
Read Full Article June 15, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Having grown up on a farm, Ellie Goehl got a taste of what…
Read Full Article June 14, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MONROE CITY, Mo. — For Grant Yager and his two brothers, Cole and Blake, woodworking is…
Read Full Article June 13, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. WARSAW, Ill. — The serenity of sitting in a boat on a lake waiting for the…
Read Full Article June 12, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Camp Point Central senior second baseman Karly Peters made it nearly impossible for opposing pitchers to keep her off the basepaths. Meanwhile, Pleasant Hill senior Ava Wombles didn’t allow her full-time move to the pitcher’s circle impact her offensive numbers in any way. It’s how the two area softball standouts ended up earning…
Read Full Article June 12, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PHILADELPHIA, Mo. — The ferocity with which Riley Holt plays on the basketball court has left…
Read Full Article June 11, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. CAMP POINT, Ill. — Mason Miller’s decision to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point…
Read Full Article June 11, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. CAMP POINT, Ill. — Elijah Genenbacher has an exhausting day planned. The Camp Point Central multi-sport…
Read Full Article June 11, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
PALMYRA, Mo. — Left-handed pitcher Jacob Kroeger is climbing a rung on the Atlanta Braves organizational ladder. The Palmyra native was assigned Tuesday to the Rome Emperors, the Braves’ High-A affiliate in the South Athletic League. He spent the first two months of the 2025 season pitching for the Augusta GreenJackets, the Single-A affiliate in…
Read Full Article June 10, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. CANTON, Mo. — Macy Glasgow’s personality and approach to life make nursing the perfect career choice.…
Read Full Article June 10, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MEMPHIS, Mo. — Kwyn Hamlin signed a letter of intent for more than just herself. By…
Read Full Article June 9, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
QUINCY — Several Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy High School girls soccer players earned postseason awards from the Illinois HIgh School Soccer Coaches Association. The Raiders, who won a Class 1A sectional championship this spring, had three players receive all-sectional honors — senior forward Makayla Patton, senior midfielder Sage Stratton and sophomore center back Sierra…
Read Full Article June 8, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
QUINCY — Brown County girls basketball coach Dave Phelps sometimes has to give his two-time all-state scoring sensation Kenzie Kassing a friendly reminder during summer games. “She wants to win, win, win all the time, and keeping her from getting frustrated with herself in the summer is important because this is her opportunity to be…
Read Full Article June 8, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PALMYRA, Mo. — It’s only fitting that Mason Smith’s final game representing the Palmyra boys basketball…
Read Full Article June 8, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PAYSON, Ill. — Like most children, Ella Archer had visions of grandeur. Now, those lofty dreams…
Read Full Article Opportunity to play Torrey Pines awaits QND's Eftink after playoff victory in Junior World qualifier
June 7, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Beau Eftink described his history of playing in the Junior World Championships qualifiers as “kind of a grind.” It felt more like a matter of bad luck. A year ago, playing in the Gateway PGA Junior Tour qualifier in St. Louis, the Quincy Notre Dame golfer held the lead through 16 holes, although…
Read Full Article June 7, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PALMYRA, Mo. — The pressure of being a champion at showing goats is quite different than…
Read Full Article June 6, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. BARRY, Ill. — Casen Tobias is not fond of sitting in a classroom or an office.…
Read Full Article June 5, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
QUINCY — Cleaning out the notebook with the curtain closed on the school year … If a pair of transfers come to fruition, the Rock Island boys basketball team will be expected to be the frontrunner in the Western Big 6 Conference next winter. Arthur Abbey, the jitterbug-quick guard who started as a sophomore at…
Read Full Article June 5, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. QUINCY — Alex Dance understands the commitment, work ethic and time management it takes to succeed…
Read Full Article June 5, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John WoodCommunity College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m.with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. MENDON, Ill. — Less than a year ago, Chloe Shaffer had no intention of playing a college sport.…
Read Full Article June 3, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
WARSAW, Ill. — What transpired on the water in Mississippi River Pool 13 the day before the Illinois bass fishing sectional didn’t leave either Gavin Grothaus or Jess Scott very confident. Getting skunked will do that. “We didn’t catch a single fish,” Grothaus said. “We were going into the tournament like, ‘Oh, boy, this is…
Read Full Article June 3, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John WoodCommunity College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m.with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. CANTON, Mo. — Tyler Frazier’s final season on the Canton boys basketball team will be one he will…
Read Full Article June 3, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John WoodCommunity College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m.with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. HAMILTON, Ill. — Lewis Siegfried and Gavin Grothaus’ fishing trips won’t have to stop now. This fall, the…
Read Full Article June 3, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John WoodCommunity College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m.with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. SHELBINA, Mo. — The explosiveness Callie McWilliams showed on the track and on the triplle jump runway translated…
Read Full Article June 3, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John WoodCommunity College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m.with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. PAYSON, Ill. — Blake Schwartz’s accomplishments on the basketball court could have pushed him to follow his hoops…
Read Full Article May 31, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
VIRDEN, Ill. — Makayla Patton, Sage Stratton and the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team’s state dreams were dashed one victory shy of the final four on Saturday, but the sting of a 6-1 loss to Columbia in the Class 1A North Mac Super-Sectional did not hurt as bad as it could have, thanks in…
Read Full Article May 31, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John WoodCommunity College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m.with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10. CARTHAGE, Ill. — Reagan Reed had her college plans set. Then came a curveball. John Wood Community College…
Read Full Article May 31, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CHARLESTON, Ill. — Three area athletes enjoyed solid finishes at the Class 1A boys track and field state championships after qualifying for Saturday’s finals. West Hancock senior Nolan Gooding wrapped up his high school career with his second state medal, finishing 10th in the triple jump. Gooding posted a jump of 13.05 meters (42 feet,…
Read Full Article May 31, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Hannibal boys track and field team brought home two more state medals after the final round of competition Saturday in the Class 4 state championships at Jefferson City High School’s Adkins Stadium. Pirates junior Landyn Essig finished seventh in the long jump with a leap of 6.76 meters (22 feet,…
Read Full Article May 31, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — One of the most highly touted players in the state silenced the Quincy High School baseball team’s bats Saturday. By doing so, Edwardsville’s Joe Chiarodo ended the Blue Devils’ season. The senior right-hander limited Quincy to just three singles — two days after the Blue Devils had 25 hits in the regional…
Read Full Article May 31, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
CONCORD, Ill. — Chandler John did not let one inning define the Liberty softball team’s season. Instead, John and the Eagles intend to use it as fuel for an even deeper postseason run in 2026. Liberty led Havana 5-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning of Friday’s Class 1A Triopia Sectional championship game before…
Read Full Article May 31, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CONCORD, Ill. — The Liberty softball team’s season came to an end with a 7-5 loss to Havana in Friday’s Class 1A Triopia Sectional championship game. The Eagles led 5-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, but the Ducks rallied for six runs in that frame to take the lead and held on to…
Read Full Article May 30, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
PALATINE, Ill. — Daniel Dyer and Alex Strong made a name for themselves as they walked off the high school tennis stage. Quincy Notre Dame’s No. 1 doubles team was one of the last 16 duos remaining in the Class 1A boys state tennis tournament bracket. They earned all-state honors after winning their first match…
Read Full Article May 30, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The strength, size and athleticism that is making Tre Hoskins an NCAA Division I football recruit is giving him an edge in track and field, too. The Hannibal junior enjoyed his best throw in the shot put on his first attempt Friday and finished third at the Class 4 boys state…
Read Full Article May 30, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
PALATINE, Ill. — Daniel Dyer and Alex Strong are making their return to the Class 1A boys tennis state tournament last as long as possible. The Quincy Notre Dame No. 1 doubles team won two of its three matches Thursday and are one of 24 duos still alive heading into the second day of the…
Read Full Article May 30, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CHARLESTON, Ill. — A trio of area athletes qualified for the finals of the Class 1A boys state track and field championships at O’Brien Stadium on the Eastern Illinois University campus. West Hancock senior Nolan Gooding took sixth in the preliminaries of the triple jump with a leap of 13.05 meters (42 feet, 9.75 inches).…
Read Full Article May 29, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The adage that hitting is contagious rang true with the Quincy High School baseball team on Thursday. Every batter in the Blue Devils’ lineup had two or more hits as they collected 25 knocks overall in an 18-4 victory over Belleville West in the semifinals of the Class 4A Belleville West Regional.…
Read Full Article May 28, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
GREENVILLE, Ill. — For how much beating Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin means to the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team, look no further than Sierra and Alena Thomas’ thoughts on that subject. “Sometimes I feel like our team wants to beat them more than we want to beat (Quincy High School), honestly,” said Sierra Thomas, a…
Read Full Article May 27, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
MACOMB, Ill. — The outcome came down to one crucial difference. The Williamsville softball team put two hits together in the same inning to plate a run. Quincy Notre Dame didn’t. With scoring chances limited as QND’s Caitlin Bunte and Williamsville’s Izzy Nowack engaged in a pitchers’ duel, one run loomed large as the Bullets…
Read Full Article May 27, 2025 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
CONCORD, Ill. — It was fitting that the last ball put into play during Tuesday’s Class 1A sectional semifinal softball game was handled flawlessly by Liberty shortstop Ava Heming. Every time a big play was needed, Heming came through. Heming flawlessly fielded two grounders in the seventh, helped turn a double play in the fifth…
Read Full Article May 27, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The O’Fallon softball team took advantage of the free bases it was given to gain separation from Quincy High School during the late innings of Tuesday’s Class 4A Edwardsville Regional semifinal and post a 6-2 victory. The Blue Devils trailed 2-1 going to the fifth inning, but they engineered a two-out rally…
Read Full Article May 27, 2025 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
A 4-3 victory over Delavan in the semifinals of the Class 1A Concord (Triopia) Sectional on Tuesday night gave the Liberty softball team its 24th victory this season, breaking a school record for victories in a season. The Eagles will play for their first sectional championship since 2005 at 4 p.m. Friday when they meet…
Read Full Article May 27, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
GREENVILLE, Ill. — Sierra Thomas’ goal in the 12th minute stood up as the only goal in the Raiders’ 1-0 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in Tuesday’s Class 1A Greenville Sectional championship game. This was the Raiders’ first victory over the Cyclones since beating them 3-2 in the 2022 sectional title game on their way…
Read Full Article May 27, 2025 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — A traffic jam created by the influx of Indianapolis 500 fans made things more difficult for the Northwood baseball team to exit Circle City late last Saturday afternoon. “It made our trip a little longer, but it was well worth it,” Logan Voth said. It gave the Timberwolves a little more time to…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CHARLESTON, Ill. — All Saylor Barry wanted to see was the white flag raised. After scratching on her final two attempts Friday in the preliminaries of the long jump at the Class 1A girls state track and field championships, the Mendon Unity junior didn’t want to endure the added pressure of scratching on any of…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Chevie Sharpe made a haul at the Missouri Class 2 girls state track and field championships. The Highland junior finished the 1,600-meter run in 5 minutes, 15.8 seconds to set a school record and bring home a state championship. She finished fourth in the 400 and 800. North Platte’s Lindsay Ramsey…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By DON CRIM, Senior Columnist
QUINCY – Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin pitcher Andy Antonacci was confident striding off the mound after striking out the side in the top of the first inning. “Some days I feel like I just get in a groove, and from there I don’t feel or hear anything. I just go out and throw,” he said. “Today…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
MENDON, Ill. — Jacksonville Routt baseball coach Ryan Turner admitted the father in him came out as his son, Routt junior left-hander Brady Turner, put the finishing touches on a complete game to help the Rockets beat Brown County 7-1 on Saturday and capture their third straight Class 1A regional title. “I’m his biggest fan,”…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team finished second at the Class 2A Edwardsville Sectional after its doubles teams finished second and third, respectively. Edwardsville won the team title with the No. 1 doubles team of Schaefer Bates and Isaac Chelboun winning the championship and top-seeded Jess Hattrup winning the singles title.…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CONCORD, Ill. — Abby Hagerbaumer and a late rally gave the Payson Seymour softball team a puncher’s chance, but Triopia’s Mylee Tracy had other plans. The two pitchers combined to give up just four hits in Saturday’s Class 1A Triopia Regional championship game, and Tracy escaped a seventh-inning jam to seal a 1-0 victory. Lucie…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
RIVERTON, Ill. — The Pittsfield baseball team couldn’t figure out how to make Pleasant Plains pitcher Seth Lowder regret making a mistake. Truth be told, Lowder rarely made a miscue. The senior right-hander handcuffed the Saukees throughout Saturday’s Class 2A Riverton Sectional championship, tossing a three-hit shutout as the Cardinals won 4-0 to repeat as…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
MACOMB, Ill. — The home-field advantage didn’t help the Macomb baseball team against the top-seeded team in the sub-sectional. Eureka scored five runs in the first inning Saturday and used a solid pitching effort from Cohen Alstat to beat the Bombers 7-2 in the championship game of the Class 2A Macomb Regional at Phil Bradley…
Read Full Article Photo Gallery: Raiders can't get runner past first base, strike out 10 times as season ends at 19-11
May 24, 2025 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Nick Antonacci tossed a no-hitter and struck out 10 batters in Saturday’s Class 2A regional championship game against Quincy Notre Dame on Saturday in Quincy. He issued three walks and hit a batter, but he didn’t allow a runner to advance beyond first base. The closest QND came to a hit was in…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
MENDON, Ill. — The Jacksonville Routt baseball team won its third straight regional championship by beating Brown County 7-1 in Saturday’s Class 1A Mendon Unity Regional title game. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey captured these images from Unity High School.
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
BARRY, Ill. — Years from now, when people talk about Friday night’s Class 1A softball regional championship game, most will remember Camdyn Ormond’s sixth-inning single through the right side of the infield that brought home the winning runs for Liberty in a 3-1 victory on Friday night at Western High School. Pleasant Hill coach Ryan…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
GREENVILLE, Ill. — Abby Miller’s reaction was equal parts shock and excitement. Given just a handful of minutes in the second half of Friday’s Class 1A Greenville Sectional semifinal game, the Quincy Notre Dame freshman forward made the most of her opportunity in the 51st minute. With QND and Alton Marquette tied at one, Miller…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger
QUINCY — The momentum swing was quick and quite obvious. Right after Quincy Notre Dame softball pitcher Caitlin Bunte worked out of a bases-loaded situation in the top of the first inning, she led off for the Raiders in their first at-bat. One swing later, Bunte’s left-handed stroke sent a pitch from Tri-City’s Lily Woodworth…
Read Full Article Pair of QHS doubles teams punch tickets to Class 2A state tourney, will play in sectional semifinals
May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A pair of Quincy High School doubles teams potentially are on a championship collision course at the Class 2A Edwardsville boys tennis sectional — just like they were during the Western Big 6 Conference tournament last week at Moline. If that doesn’t come to fruition, both tandems are still headed to the…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Daniel Dyer and Alex Strong are getting the chance to outdo themselves. The Quincy Notre Dame boys tennis team’s No. 1 doubles tandem won a pair of matches Friday at the Class 1A Jacksonville Sectional to reach the semifinals and earn a spot in the state tournament, which begins May 29 in…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The state medal haul began in earnest Friday for the boys and girls track and field teams from Northeast Missouri. One individual won a state championship, while nine other individuals and two relay teams captured podium spots at the Class 1 and Class 2 state championships at Jefferson City High School’s…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CARTHAGE, Ill. — The West Hancock softball team couldn’t figure out a way to generate any offense against Williamsville pitcher Izzy Nowack during Friday’s Class 2A Illini West Regional championship. Nowack struck out seven, walked one and allowed just three hits in the Bullets’ 3-0 victory. West Hancock’s Lakin Larson led off the fourth inning…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Havana pitcher Maddie Howerter made life difficult for the Camp Point Central softball team. Howerter allowed just four singles, struck out eight and shut out the Panthers as the Ducks won the Class 1A Camp Point Regional championship with a 5-0 victory Friday. Howerter impressively wriggled out of a jam in…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer
GREENVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team scored three unanswered goals in the second half to beat Alton Marquette 3-1 in Friday’s Class 1A Greenville Sectional semifinal. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey captured these images at Don Stout Field.
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By ANNIE C. RELLER
Lauren Miller and Caitlin Bunte both homered for the Quincy Notre Dame softball team in Friday night’s 5-1 victory over Buffalo Tri-City in the Class 2A regional championship game at The Backyard. The regional title is Notre Dame’s sixth straight, and Tri-City was denied its first title since 2022. QND has won 11 straight games…
Read Full Article May 24, 2025 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
Liberty’s Chandler John allowed just three hits and one walk in a complete game effort in a 3-1 victory over Pleasant Hill in the Class 1A softball regional on Friday night at Western High School in Barry. Pleasant Hill’s Ava Wombles also turned in a solid game in the circle, allowing five hits and walking…
Read Full Article May 23, 2025 | By J. Robert Gough, Publisher
Shane Hulsey chats with the fearsome foursome of Palmyra, their state champion golf team. Schuck on a Truck/Shane in the Fast Lane is brought to you by Shottenkirk Toyota.
Read Full Article May 23, 2025 | By Muddy River Sports
CHARLESTON, Ill. — Saylor Barry’s defense of her state long jump championship is right on track. The Mendon Unity junior topped the field in Thursday’s preliminary round with a leap of 5.50 meters (18 feet, .5 inches) at the Class 1A state track and field championships at O’Brien Stadium on the Eastern Illinois University campus.…
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