50 After 50

50 After 50: Pebbles in their socks served as reminder of little things during No. 1 Wildcats' state championship run

April 8, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: A look at the entire series

April 8, 2022 | By Muddy River Sports
QUINCY — The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike…
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50 After 50: Beating three undefeated teams ranked among top four in state wraps up No. 2 Vikings' amazing title run

April 6, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: Remarkable depth helped No. 3 Raiders overwhelm opponents on way to third-place finish

April 4, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: No. 4 Saukees combine transfer from Indiana, stifling defense and veteran coach into state championship squad

April 1, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: No. 5 Wildcats unbeatable during regular season, but IHSA ruling pulled plug on state title hopes

March 30, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: No. 6 Cardinals use run-'n-gun style to overwhelm opponents on way to third-place finish

March 28, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: No. 7 Suns win 57 out of 58 games during two-year stretch, bring home first state trophy

March 25, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: Deep, quick, bruising No. 8 Cardinals excel in close games on way to third-place finish

March 23, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: Proving success was no fluke, No. 9 Eagles produce magical postseason run in '81

March 21, 2022 | By Don Crim, Senior Columnist
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: No. 10 Hornets nearly knock out powerful QND, then tragic injury leads to 'deflating moment'

March 19, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: After getting pushed around as overmatched freshmen, No. 11 Raiders muscle up as seniors

March 17, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Facing lofty expectations and high state ranking, No. 12 Saukees accomplish list of goals

March 15, 2022 | By Don Crim, Senior Columnist
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: With state tournament in their sights, No. 13 Raiders' season ends with wild, chaotic loss at sectional

March 13, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 14 Eagles figured out how to soar with confidence when games got tight

March 11, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: After rare regional loss, No. 15 Saukees return to Champaign and put pieces in place for state championship

March 4, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 16 Cardinals dominate during regular season, but perfect season ends on overtime buzzer beater

March 2, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Triple-overtime thriller and back-to-back buzzer beaters define No. 17 Saukees' run to state

March 1, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 18 Eagles reset mindset after late-season setbacks, make run to history

February 25, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: After winning first 27 games, No. 19 Indians ran into 'Goliath' Havana in sectional final

February 23, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: No. 20 Raiders avenge two losses each to Warsaw, Pittsfield on way to best finish in school history

February 21, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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50 After 50: No. 21 Mustangs use their 'Towers of Power' to make everyone say '30 and Oh, Baby'

February 18, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 22 Titans look part of state contender, nearly reach ultimate destination

February 16, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 23 Raiders come oh-so-close to claiming first Class A state championship

February 14, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: All-Stater for No. 24 Saukees nearly didn't play so he could raise his infant daughter

February 11, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 25 Suns survive brutal regional in Hancock County before running into Havana

February 9, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: New beginning, tough ending in sectional for No. 26 Raiders

February 7, 2022 | By Don Crim, Senior Columnist
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 27 Raiders recover from coaching upheaval, sluggish season to finish fourth at state

February 4, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 28 Mustangs 'didn't dream high enough,' fall short in super-sectional

February 2, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 29 Mustangs became epitome of sharing glory and banding together to make history

February 2, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Pain of loss in super-sectional still something No. 30 Wildcats cannot shake

January 31, 2022 | By Don Crim, Senior Columnist
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: After failing to get out of regional with one-loss team, No. 31 Bulldogs follow up with undefeated regular season

January 26, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: After rare sub.-500 season, No. 32 Suns rebound with long winning streak

January 24, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: New coach, new style lead to repeat of postseason success for No. 33 Cardinals

January 21, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: After new coach arrives, No. 34 Saukees become first of many sectional champions

January 19, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Gutted by graduation on third-place team, No. 35 Raiders bounce back to statewide prominence

January 17, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Once No. 36 Hornets got their basketball legs, they became defensive dynamos

January 14, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 37 Cardinals help bring communities together after historic flood during summer of 1993

January 12, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Summer league battles prepare No. 38 Raiders for run at regional crown

January 10, 2022 | By Don Crim, Senior Columnist
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Court injunction after regional, 'chaos' at sectional doesn't stop No. 40 Cardinals

January 5, 2022 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Upset in season opener, No. 41 Eagles use motivation to return to super-sectionals

January 3, 2022 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 42 Indians set stage for program to enjoy consistent run of high-level success

December 31, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Physical play, difficult schedule helped No. 43 Raiders reach super-sectional for third time in four years

December 29, 2021 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Before becoming one of Illinois' most successful prep coaches, Bennett says injured foot was costly for No. 44 Saukees

December 27, 2021 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: After more than a decade of lackluster seasons in Warsaw, No. 45 Wildcats finally provide hope

December 24, 2021 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: No. 46 Hornets flew under radar during super-sectional run, but elbow to eye proved costly

December 22, 2021 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read Full Article

50 After 50: Tall, talented senior class carries No. 47 Raiders to super-sectional

December 20, 2021 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
No. 47 — 1988-89 Quincy Notre Dame The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best…
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50 After 50: After breaking school record for victories, No. 48 Indians derailed by mysterious illness

December 17, 2021 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
No. 48 — 2019-20 Payson Seymour The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams…
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50 After 50: Depth, press wore out opponents, but half-court shot crushed No. 49 Bulldogs' postseason dreams

December 15, 2021 | By David Adam, MRN Editor
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
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Schuckman: '50 Teams After 50 Years' will celebrate 50th anniversary of start of two-class system for Illinois basketball

December 13, 2021 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor
For the better part of six decades, small-school boys basketball teams from West Central Illinois had their state tournament aspirations hit an inevitable roadblock. They simply couldn’t circumvent the city schools. Whether that foe came from Quincy, Galesburg or Springfield, there was a program with a larger enrollment, more resources and a history of postseason…
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