Sports Spotlight
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal girls soccer coach Eric Hill was pleased with how his team played during the opening 10 minutes of their Lady Pirate Invitational game against Parkway Central on Friday. “We were passing the ball, we were keeping possession,” he said. Then things unraveled. Parkway Central scored three goals in nine minutes to…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team played its best half of the season on Friday in the eyes of coach Mark Thomas. The Raiders scored six goals in the opening 40 minutes and defeated Southern Boone 7-2 in their first game of the Lady Pirate Invitational at the Veterans Sports Complex.…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams opened play Friday night in the Lady Pirate Invitational at the Veterans Sports Complex with the Pirates rallying for a 3-3 tie with Parkway Central, while QND blasted Southern Boone 7-2. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent the evening in America’s hometown…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Halfway to the nearest finish line, but only just beginning the process. That’s where the Quincy University football team finds itself. The Hawks wrapped up their eighth spring practice Friday afternoon at QU Stadium with a spirited, energetic effort that moves them a step closer to the spring game. Quincy will engage in…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer players are far too young to know the song “Never Surrender,” which was a top-five hit in 1985 sung by Corey Hart. But the classic rock tune could be the Blue Devils’ theme song. Down two goals and playing a person short for the final 17 minutes…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team woke up at halftime Thursday night and nearly pulled off an improbable comeback, losing 3-2 to Springfield at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at the venerable facility and put together this photo gallery.
Read Full Article PAYSON, Ill. — It was windy Thursday afternoon. Really windy. Gusts blew as strong as 25 miles per hour with steady wind around 15 mph, forcing Liberty softball coach BJ Fessler to make sure his team was prepared for the conditions. “During our in-and-out (before the game), I hit some big flies so they could…
Read Full Article Editor’s Note: Technological issues resulted in losing all of our images taken during the game. We apologize there will be no photo gallery to accompany this story. QUINCY — It may not have been Friday night lights, but it was pretty darn close. When the Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy High School softball teams renewed…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Rejuvenation became the name of the game. One team found it, the other now needs it — for decidedly different reasons. Back-to-back losses to begin the week, including an 11-run setback against Rock Island in Western Big 6 Conference play, made Wednesday’s 8-1 victory over Hannibal crucial for the Quincy High School baseball…
Read Full Article QUINCY — With no rain in sight, it’s time to play ball. And the Quincy High School and Hannibal baseball teams are playing as much as possible. Wednesday marked the third consecutive day with at least one game for both squads as the Blue Devils picked up an 8-1 victory at the QHS field. Muddy…
Read Full Article PALMYRA, Mo. — All was quiet when Jonas Janes arrived at Jackson Park Golf Course about 90 minutes before Wednesday’s Palmyra Invitational was scheduled to start. “I was the only one there,” Janes said. “I put my AirPods in my ears and I was just vibing to Taylor Swift. I was just kind of in…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Just gotta shake it. Sophomore pitcher Bradi Lahr uttered those words — quite loudly — dozens of times during the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s game against Pittsfield on Wednesday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. What exactly does this phrase mean? “Whatever you want to take it as,” Lahr said. Whatever it…
Read Full Article LIBERTY, Ill. — Spend any amount of time chatting with Keegan Sunde about his track career and you come away with one overriding realization. His passion for the sport is all encompassing. The Liberty senior sprinter enjoyed a solid indoor season, running the 60-meter dash in 7.25 seconds at the Illinois Top Times Meet at…
Read Full Article QUINCY — A sun-splashed afternoon was a surprising setting for an unexpected Storm. Not even the Quincy High School softball player at the center of it saw it coming. When she arrived at the QHS field in advance of a Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Rock Island Alleman, junior Storm Budde learned she was…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team found a way to manufacture a single run in four consecutive innings and junior right-hander Storm Budde made certain that was enough to secure a 4-2 victory over Rock Island Alleman on Tuesday in Western Big 6 Conference play at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s new home run chain didn’t quite fit over Morgan Zanger’s helmet after her solo shot in the first inning of Monday’s game against Pittsfield. “We did not think that part through,” Zanger said. She also didn’t know the ball had cleared The Backyard’s left-field fence. “Whenever they…
Read Full Article MENDON, Ill. — The manner in which the Palmyra baseball team rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning Monday to tie the game could have put Mendon Unity on its heels. Instead, the Mustangs proved they refuse to buckle. Cody Shaffer’s single through the left side of the infield with one…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Patience is a virtue the Quincy Notre Dame baseball players took to heart Monday. Trailing Rushville-Industry by two runs going to the bottom of the seventh inning at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, the Raiders put themselves in position to rally by loading the bases with one out. Abram Wiewel reached on an…
Read Full Article PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield baseball team wasted no time taking control. Run-scoring doubles by Brennan Tomhave, Konner Allen and Hayden Gratton in the bottom of the first inning Monday led to a three-run frame and catapulted the Saukees to a 5-3 victory over Quincy High School. The Saukees’ Luke Archer led off the fourth…
Read Full Article KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Monday’s announcement by the NAIA Council of Presidents that it approved a policy that essentially bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports should have little impact on Culver-Stockton College and how its coaches recruit. The Canton, Mo., school already was abiding by a state law that prohibits the same thing.…
Read Full Article QUINCY — As Quincy Notre Dame athletic director Bill Connell begins the search for the school’s next boys basketball coach, he first must look in the mirror. That’s where he will see the direction he needs to go. In the fall of 1992, with one season as a collegiate assistant coach under his belt and…
Read Full Article QUINCY — It somehow seems appropriate that my dad’s birthday in early April coincides with the start of the Major League Baseball season and mine in late September signals its end. Perfect symmetry, like the game itself. My dad, Charlie Crim, turned 91 on Sunday. While he celebrated by sharing homemade dessert and ice cream…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The chance at the first weekend sweep of the season got swept away, all because the Quincy University baseball team found itself playing chase all day. Five Hawks pitchers combined to walk six and hit six batters while allowing 12 earned runs in Sunday’s 14-2 loss to Lewis in the finale of the…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy University baseball team was unable to string together a third consecutive day of solid pitching and timely hitting, suffering a 14-2 loss to Lewis on Sunday in the finale of their Great Lakes Valley Conference series at QU Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the day at the ballpark…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Mason Ritter’s water bottle shower was well earned. With two outs, the bases loaded and the score tied in the bottom of the seventh inning in the nightcap of Saturday’s western Big 6 Conference doubleheader, the Quincy High School baseball team’s sophomore catcher fouled off back-to-back pitches deep in the count to keep…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Stellar pitching performances, solid approaches at the plate and a seventh-inning rally enabled the Quincy High School baseball team to earn a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader split with Galesburg on Saturday at the QHS field. The Silver Streaks won the opener 4-0, while the Blue Devils rallied for a 5-4 victory in…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Maybe the presence of three decades of alumni gave the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team a boost. Trailing Burlington (Iowa) 2-1 in the second half Saturday afternoon at Advance Physical Therapy Field, the Raiders responded with a three-goal rally for a 4-2 victory. Sophomore forward Addie Flesch scored three goals, including the…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The reaction Kevin Meyer received from the news he had resigned as the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach continually brought him to tears as Friday afternoon slowly rolled into night. “The overwhelming support and the reaching out from my players and coaches across the state has been incredible,” Meyer said. “I felt…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Eight days without a game was one of the reasons why the Quincy High School girls players conceded they struggled to get in a groove in the first half Friday night. Hope Lenz pinpointed the other issue. “There’s obviously a lot of emotion that goes into this game,” the senior defender said. That…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Having a 6-foot, athletic, talkative and charismatic goalkeeper is kind of like having a warm, cozy blanket the Quincy High School girls soccer team can find comfort in. The Blue Devils don’t take that for granted. “Taylor is a badass,” senior defender Hope Lenz said of her teammate, Taylor Fohey. “Obviously, I’m going…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The sun came out Friday just in time to make the weather more pleasant for the first of two meetings this spring between the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams. The Blue Devils used a goal late in the first half and early in the second half to post…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Mark the date now. April 5, 2024. That’ll be the day the Quincy University baseball team points to as the turning point in its season. A bulldogged effort and a momentous swing made it so. Griffin Kirn’s complete game gave the Hawks a chance in the bottom of the ninth to rally from…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Field conditions forced the Parkland baseball team to travel to John Wood Community College on Friday, but the Trail Blazers couldn’t take advantage of the home field. The Cobras swept the Mid-West Athletic Conference doubleheader, winning 8-6 and 5-4. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent some time at the ballpark and put…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Another successful Quincy Notre Dame athletic program is looking for a new leader. Kevin Meyer submitted his resignation Friday, stepping away from the QND boys basketball program after nine seasons at the helm — a span in which his teams won 20 or more games five times and he became the second-winningest coach…
Read Full Article LIBERTY, Ill. — The line drive hit Cody Shaffer’s upper right arm with enough force that the ricochet led to an out at first base and had people scrambling to check on the Mendon Unity right-hander. Immediately, the umpires called time and Mustangs coach Tyler McAllister popped out of the dugout to assess Schaffer’s injury…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Kane Wilson didn’t need to be perfect. Yet, he was. The Quincy Notre Dame brought 18 batters to the plate Thursday afternoon and the Hannibal senior right-hander sat all 18 down, tossing a six-inning perfect game in the Pirates’ 10-0 victory at the Veterans Field complex. Wilson struck out only four, but…
Read Full Article LIBERTY, Mo. — A pair of right-handed hurlers engaged in a pitchers’ duel Thursday as neither Mendon Unity’s Cody Shaffer nor Liberty’s Jackson Sims allowed a run over the first six innings. The relievers were just a stingy in the seventh inning. It wasn’t until the eighth inning when a pair of errors enabled Unity…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal girls soccer team showcased its dynamic ability to put an opponent on its heels Thursday night. There isn’t much the rest of the North Central Missouri Conference can do about it. The Pirates overwhelmed Fulton in an 8-0 victory Thursday night at Veterans Field. The Pirates improved to 4-0 in…
Read Full Article GRANITE CITY, Ill. — Jansen Lawson locked in instead of locking out. The Quincy High School senior right-hander allowed the Granite City baseball team to tie Thursday’s game at 1 in the second inning when he hit back-to-back batters with two outs to force in a run. A groundout ended the inning, and Lawson was…
Read Full Article CARTHAGE, Ill. — Dakota Lafferty’s investment in her players, her program and her sport is nearly impossible to match. Finding someone who can is the challenge the Illini West administration faces. Illini West athletic director Grant Surprenant confirmed Lafferty submitted her resignation Tuesday night and the players were informed of the decision Wednesday afternoon. Lafferty…
Read Full Article QUINCY — A goal with four minutes remaining in regulation Tuesday night gave the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team a glimmer of hope. Abbie Martin snuffed that out in a blink. Roughly a minute after the Raiders trimmed their two-goal deficit in half, Martin burst free on a counterattack and finished with a deft…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The temperature dipped below 40 degrees and the wind blew across the field with gusts up to 25 mph, creating challenges for both the Hannibal and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams to maintain possession and control. Ultimately, the Pirates used the wind to their advantage and scored a 3-1 victory at Advance…
Read Full Article MACON, Mo. — The turf baseball field Macon High School installed in 2022 continues to show its benefits, like being able to absorb the rain from thunderstorms that knocked out the rest of the games scheduled for Tuesday across Northeast Missouri. The opportunity to play was all Palmyra needed to open Clarence Cannon Conference play…
Read Full Article OMAHA, Neb. — Riley Martin did exactly what is expected of any late-game reliever. He put the past behind him. Saddled with the loss due to unfortunate circumstances in the Iowa Cubs’ season opener Friday night, the former Quincy University All-American left-hander retired the final three batters Sunday to earn the save in a 2-0…
Read Full Article PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Justin Pennock wasn’t overly confident he have unhittable control as he warmed up Saturday morning. “Honestly, not really,” said Pennock, a senior right-hander on the Pittsfield baseball team. “I was still a little bit sore. I thought if I hit spots I’d be all right.” He hardly missed one. Pennock faced just…
Read Full Article Blue Devils able to overcome Chargers' success in sprint events to win Quincy Invitational boys meet
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys track team’s strength in the distance events and overall depth enabled it to overcome Illini West’s sprinters and win the team title at the 73rd Quincy Invitational on Saturday at Flinn Stadium. The Blue Devils’ Cameron MacDonough won the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 6.59 seconds and Thomas…
Read Full Article Barry's three individual victories, Blue Devils' team title highlight Quincy Invitational girls meet
QUINCY — Saylor Barry reached the Class 1A state track and field championships last spring in the long jump. She might be in store for more work in Charleston this spring after seeing how she performed Saturday during the 73rd Quincy Invitational at Flinn Stadium. The Mendon Unity sophomore won three events for the most…
Read Full Article Lowe's one-hitter features 17 strikeouts, Winchell doubles twice as Wolves pick up pair of victories
PIASA, Ill. — The Jerseyville softball players may have thought they’d have a chance to catch up to Pleasant Hill right-hander McKinley Lowe after Anna Kribs fouled off a pair of two-strike pitches before getting a single to left field with one out in the first inning. No one else made contact. Lowe orchestrated a…
Read Full Article CAMP POINT, Ill. — Friday began and ended with late-inning heroics. First, Garrett Neisen stranded the tying run in scoring position as the Camp Point Central baseball team rallied from a four-run deficit to beat Liberty 5-4. Then, the Central softball team allowed Liberty to score five times in the top of the sixth inning…
Read Full Article QUINCY — One of Caitlin Bunte’s responsibilities, aside from being the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s starting pitcher and leadoff hitter, is to choose the musical playlist that serves as the soundtrack for each game at The Backyard. She has four personally designed playlists at her disposal. “Stuff that gets me hyped, stuff that’s upbeat…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team had played one game this season prior to Thursday’s home opener, but it didn’t look like the Raiders were rusty at all. QND collected 17 hits in a 9-2 victory over Liberty at The Backyard. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman enjoyed a rare warm, sunny day…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal girls soccer team earned a North Central Missouri Conference victory Thursday at Veterans Field, beating Moberly 5-1 as Malia Stolte tied a school record for the quickest goal scored as she netted the first goal just 11 seconds into the game. Aly Falconer scored two goals for the Pirates (5-1-1,…
Read Full Article MENDON, Ill. — Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday, the Mendon Unity baseball team needed baserunners to even think about a rally. Six consecutive batters safely reaching did the trick. Ben McClelland and Sawyer Allen started the rally with back-to-back singles before the Mustangs’ patience kicked in. Three…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Travis Dinkheller said so long to his players. “I told them I’ll see you Monday,” he said. Following Thursday night’s 2-1 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin — the Quincy High School girls soccer team’s fifth game in seven days — the Blue Devils coach wanted his players to get rest, get healed…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Liberty baseball team wasn’t going to allow Nolan Robb to beat it. So Abram Wiewel did. After Quincy Notre Dame’s Logan Sutton singled with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday and stole second base, the Eagles chose to intentionally walk Robb. Wiewel followed by hitting a two-strike line…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The resiliency the Quincy High School softball team was forced to demonstrate inning after inning Wednesday should be the attribute that gives the Blue Devils the chance to chase victories all season. Despite allowing five runs in the first inning and trailing as they came to bat in five of the first six…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead and ultimately hold off Rushville-Industry for a 16-13 victory Wednesday at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat in center field and put together this photo gallery:
Read Full Article PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Three Pittsfield pitchers limited the Brown County baseball team to two hits and the Saukees used a four-run third inning to catapult themselves to a 7-1 victory to improve to 5-0 and highlight Wednesday’s action across the area. Pittsfield’s Draven Puterbaugh allowed one unearned run and two hits over the first four…
Read Full Article INDIANAPOLIS — The wait was excruciating. “Extremely nerve-racking,” Arriana Benjamin said. The first to throw in the final round of the shot put at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships, the Quincy native and Marian University senior unleashed a season-best toss of 14.97 meters. It vaulted her from ninth place to first place…
Read Full Article MOLINE, Ill. — Playing in less-than-ideal conditions is something the Quincy High School girls soccer team has had to embrace. “We have to take the attitude that nothing bothers us,” Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller said. “We’re going to be tougher and we’re going to play harder than our opponent.” Once they got their feet…
Read Full Article MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The weather played havoc with the Quincy High School baseball team’s spring break trip, but the Blue Devils were still able to come away with a split on their final day playing in the USA High School Baseball Challenge. Senior right-hander Brady Lowe threw four scoreless innings Tuesday in a 4-1 victory…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Mathew Kirby’s caring, compassionate and friendly disposition can only be rivaled by his passion for his hometown and his hobby. Yet, to call his photography a hobby might be a disservice. The time, effort and detail he puts into capturing the moments that highlight Hannibal High School athletics and community events is…
Read Full Article JOPLIN, Mo. — Nariah Clay’s freshman season ended with an eye-opening performance. The Canton, Mo., native scored 18 points and finished with four rebounds, four assists and four steals as the Morton College women’s basketball team beat Iowa Western 75-67 on Saturday in the fifth-place game of the NJCAA Division II national tournament. It capped…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Sunday looked more like the team Quincy University baseball coach Matt Schissel expected to see, not the team that has endured too many ups and downs so far. Seth West allowed one run over five innings, the offense drove the ball into gaps and moved runners, and the defense didn’t commit an error…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Friday night felt more like November football weather than the spring soccer season at Flinn Stadium with temperatures dipping close to the freezing mark and wind chills falling below 30 degrees. It didn’t put a chill on the fervor of a cross-river rivalry. The Quincy High School girls soccer team built a one-goal…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Hannibal girls soccer teams played to a 2-2 draw Friday night at Flinn Stadium, while Quincy Notre Dame beat West Plains (Mo.) 6-0 on the opening night of the QHS Kickoff Showcase. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time at Flinn Stadium and put together this photo…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Film study paid off. In the days leading up to Friday’s start against Rockhurst, Quincy University left-handed pitcher Griffin Kirn reviewed as much video as possible of his previous starts this season and past seasons, looking for any mechanical tweak that could give him an edge. Whatever he found worked wonders. The Quincy…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Griffin Kirn was nearly unhittable. Brock Boynton put a charge into the offense. And the Quincy University baseball team survived a rain delay and a Rockhurst rally to come up with a 10-9 victory in the first game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference weekend series. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The disappointment on Bradley Longcor III’s face was present, but the determination trumped it all. When the Quincy High School boys basketball players took the court at 5:30 a.m. on the first day of practice, Longcor stayed on the sideline. An offseason knee injury left him working individually with a trainer instead of…
Read Full Article QUINCY — From victories over nationally ranked foes and upsets of state title favorites to heartbreaking endings, the area boys basketball scene provided all the drama and intrigue hoops fans desired. It was accompanied by some stellar individual efforts as well. With that in mind, here is the 2023-24 boys basketball all-area team with players…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Josh Pickett has never forgotten what it felt like to represent Hannibal on the hardwood. “Every time I go into Korf Gym, it brings back memories,” he said. The time has come for Pickett to help the Pirates recreate those moments. Thursday, Pickett was introduced as the new Hannibal boys basketball coach,…
Read Full Article BOWEN, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team gave Caitlin Bunte all the support she’d need before she ever stepped in the pitcher’s circle. The Raiders scored three runs in the top of the first inning Thursday and Bunte allowed just two hits as they opened the season with an 8-0 victory over Southeastern.…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Danielle White has watched enough of the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team play from afar to understand the kind of drive and determination the Raiders possess. “Knowing their talent matches their competitiveness is exciting, so is knowing those kids want to be great and work at it,” White said. It’s done with one…
Read Full Article LIBERTY, Ill. — The inning that kept going and going and going ultimately ended with the Liberty softball team scoring enough runs to create a cushion the Eagles needed to withstand Rushville-Industry’s rally. The Eagles scored 12 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Wednesday, only to see the Rockets come back with four…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Brooke Boden hasn’t forgotten just how close the Quincy Notre Dame softball team came to winning a state trophy last season. “I’ll be sitting in class and I’ll be like, ‘Oh, man,’” the senior third baseman said. “I just look back on it and think, ‘Wow, we were there.’” The Raiders’ epic postseason…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Kyle Taylor sensed a lack of enthusiasm. “It felt like another Tuesday at the ballpark, not a game day,” the Quincy High School baseball team’s senior shortstop said. A five-run deficit after the first inning made it even worse. “When I looked across the diamond, there were guys with their heads down early,…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Belleville West baseball team scored five runs in the first inning and hit three home runs on a somewhat blustery day to spoil Quincy High School’s home opener, winning 13-3 on Tuesday afternoon at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman put together this photo gallery from the game:
Read Full Article ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — One of the managers for the Quincy High School girls soccer team warned Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller when he watches the video footage of Tuesday night’s season opener he might hear a noticeable gasp or comment about the first goal. It happened so quickly, it took everyone by surprise. Off…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Malia Stolte didn’t settle for scoring her first varsity goal in the Hannibal girls soccer team’s 8-0 victory over Warrenton on Tuesday night at Veterans Field. She went ahead and recorded her first career hat trick as well. Kane Wilson didn’t settle for his first victory of the season for the Hannibal…
Read Full Article CAMP POINT, Ill. — As good as Lauren Miller’s statistical resume is, the numbers alone don’t set her apart. Nor do the postseason accolades, which proved be across-the-board impressive when you realize the Central-Southeastern junior forward was considered one of the 10 best Class 2A girls basketball players in the state by two different organizations.…
Read Full Article QUINCY — From freshmen making an immediate impact to seniors leaving a lasting legacy, the area girls basketball scene featured remarkable individual performances that led to widespread team success. Eleven players earned all-state honors while six teams won at least 20 games with two regional titles, one district championship and two sectional crowns. It made…
Read Full Article QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy University baseball players are off to sizzling starts after transferring to NCAA Division I programs. Gino D’Alessio, an All-Midwest Region shortstop last spring for the Hawks, was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week after hitting .600 over four games as Abilene Christian went 3-1 with…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Ryan Sparks is combining his technology experience with his passion for baseball to create an innovative venue for players of all ages to refine their swing. SwingSync Labs will officially open April 1 inside the Verti-Go complex at 2306 N. 12th Street. The facility is equipped with swing analytics, training tools at six…
Read Full Article ST. LOUIS — Noah Harbin gave the Maryville baseball team a leg up in the Great Lakes Valley Conference title chase by slamming the door on his hometown team. The former Quincy High School right-handed pitcher stranded the tying run at first base in the top of the ninth inning Sunday, striking out Quincy University’s…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Perfecting set pieces became a point of emphasis during the lead-up to the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team’s season opener. “For the past three days, we’ve worked on them every day,” junior midfielder Lilly Schuette said. “Even in walk-throughs.” The reason why became obvious 12 minutes into Saturday’s game against Jefferson City…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The first crosstown showdown of the spring took place 110 miles from the Gem City, but it didn’t lack any down-to-the-last-out drama. With a runner on first base and the Quincy High School baseball team holding a two-run lead in the top of the seventh inning, right-handed reliever Jansen Lawson induced a…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Lilly Schuette’s second-half penalty kick and a stout defensive effort over the final 40 minutes enabled the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team to open its season Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Jefferson City (Mo.) Helias at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the afternoon next to…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Tears were expected Friday afternoon, but the smiles elicited by the memories of Tucker Tollerton and the embrace his family received balanced everything out. That was as much of a tribute to Tollerton as seeing his jersey number retired. Anyone who accompanied the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team on last season’s record-setting journey…
Read Full Article QUINCY — There is likely to be one word the Quincy Notre Dame baseball players are going to hear in the days to come. It’s going to be details, details, details. Or it may be fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. Better attention to details and a better performance fundamentally may have altered an exasperating outcome in Friday’s…
Read Full Article QUINCY — How pleased are officials of the American CueSports Alliance with the way the organization has been received in Quincy? “We love it here,” said Cecil Messer, longtime official with the ACA. “We’ve already signed a contract to be back next year.” The Oakley-Lindsay Center has been host to the ACA’s state billiards tournament…
Read Full Article QUINCY — With most of Tucker Tollerton’s extended family, friends and his entire college team in attendance Friday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, the Quincy Notre Dame baseball program retired No. 5 in honor of the Raiders’ former center fielder, who was killed last May in an auto accident. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s youth and inexperience showed in a season-opening 10-0 loss to Sherrard on Friday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the sunny afternoon at the Ferd and put together this photo gallery:
Read Full Article QUINCY — Owen Zanger looks around the diamond and sees the bond the game has created among the Quincy High School baseball players. “We’re all great friends,” he said. “I think that comes with every successful team.” For this group, though, it doesn’t come with an air of indifference for those not performing or not…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Come Friday, when the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team opens its season, there will be an angel in the outfield looking over the Raiders and every day moving forward. The school will retire the No. 5 worn by Tucker Tollerton, the starting center fielder on last year’s Class 2A third-place state team who…
Read Full Article JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A pair of area Clarence Cannon Conference standouts received all-state honors from the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. Palmyra senior Candra King and South Shelby junior Callie McWilliams were named to the 20-player Class 3 team. Also receiving all-state nods from the CCC were the Centralia duo of Braylin Brunkhorst and Ryenn…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Aubrey Sparrow wasn’t naive enough to think the tempo and tenor of Mark Thomas-led practices would be similar to those run by former Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer Mark Longo. “I knew the style would change, just how it does with every coach,” the senior defender said. But she remained confident the Raiders…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team’s need for shooters has grown into a need for scorers and ball-handlers as well. Senior swingman Zion Richardson entered the transfer portal last week, giving himself the opportunity to transfer as a graduate student with one year of eligibility remaining. Monday, sophomore point guard Isaiah Foster entered…
Read Full Article HANNIBAL, Mo. — Four area basketball players were named Player of the Year in their respective districts by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and four coaches received the top district honor as well. The MBCA all-district selections are not based on district tournament performances. They are supposed to be an overview of the entire season…
Read Full Article INA, Ill. — The way the first half of Sunday’s Region 24 championship game went back and forth had John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt sensing his team was in a championship dogfight. “It was physical,” Hoyt said. “And it was a game of runs. I expected more of that to happen…
Read Full Article LIBERTY, Mo. — The Quincy University baseball team is back on track. Sunday’s 16-10 victory over William Jewell at Talley Stadium punctuated a series victory in the first weekend of Great Lakes Valley Conference play, gave the Hawks back-to-back series wins and put the 0-7 start on the season-opening trip to Georgia completely in the…
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