Posts
MACOMB, Ill. — The last time I spent an entire day at the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament was in 1996 when a talented Stephen Decatur squad, led by Tarise Bryson, claimed the title by defeating Warsaw in the title game. That was so long ago that now Stephen Decatur doesn’t even exist. But when Muddy River…
Read Full Article 
MACOMB, Ill. — The top seeds held serve in each of the eight first-round games Tuesday in the 76th annual Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. The Illini West boys basketball team had the best shot at pulling off an upset. The Chargers led No. 3 seed Eureka 15-4 after one quarter and by as many as 14 points…
Read Full Article 
MACOMB, Ill. — Muddy River News Editor David Adam provides photos from six games during the first round of the 76th annual Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. Illini West vs. Eureka West Hancock vs. Canton (Ill.) Pittsfield vs. Macomb Southeastern vs. Abingdon Central vs. Lewistown Brown County vs. Farmington
Read Full Article 
Tuesday’s Games Boys State Farm Holiday Classic At Normal West A Gym, Normal, Ill. No. 8 El Paso-Gridley 55, No. 9 East Dubuque 41 No. 1 St. Joseph-Ogden 78, No. 16 Annawan 28 No. 4 Rockford Lutheran 78, No. 13 Stanford Olympia 46 No. 5 Quincy Notre Dame 73, No. 12 Providence St. Mel 42…
Read Full Article 
NORMAL, Ill. — Fully aware his team’s offense needed to ratchet everything up a notch or two, Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer presented the Raiders with a challenge heading into the State Farm Holiday Classic. Catch Jake. Meyer told his point guard — senior Jake Hoyt — to push the pace at…
Read Full Article 
DIXON, Ill. — The strong decision-making, aggressiveness and confidence Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance enjoyed seeing from the Blue Devils on Tuesday morning dissipated to a more stagnant effort in the afternoon. It’s why QHS split its first two games in the Dixon KSB Holiday Classic. The Blue Devils opened with a…
Read Full Article 
Monday’s games Boys MVIT At Mendon, Ill. Unity 63, Bushnell-Prairie City 40 Payson Seymour 53, Rushville-Industry 33 Girls Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic At Beardstown, Ill. Unity 59, Beardstown 27 Beardstown 48, South Fulton 41 Jacksonville Routt 55, North Greene 19 Macomb 63, Jacksonville Routt 56 Lewistown 62, West Hancock 40 West Hancock 51, Liberty 25…
Read Full Article 
MENDON, Ill. — The Unity Athletic Hall of Fame added three members Monday night as the Class of 2022 was inducted during ceremonies between games of the Mississippi Valley Invitational Tournament. The induction class includes: Brian and Julie McAllister, athlete and supporters; Ken Ellerbrock, athlete and supporter; and Mike Myers, athlete. The Unity Athletic Hall…
Read Full Article Here is a look at the brackets for the high school basketball holiday tournaments involving area teams: Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic State Farm Holiday Classic — Small School Boys Bracket Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament US Bank Holiday Tournament Dixon-KSB Holiday Classic Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic State Farm Holiday Classic — Small School Girls Bracket
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Chris Duesdieker earned the right to sit and smile. As the 16th and final game of the 15th annual Rumble on the River headed to the fourth quarter Wednesday night with a pair of state-ranked teams — Southeastern, No. 1 in Illinois Class 1A, and Bunker, No. 3 in Missouri Class 1 —…
Read Full Article 
MACOMB, Ill. — Navigating his way home from wrestling practice Thursday morning wasn’t too treacherous, but Ethan Ladd realized more snow and blizzard-like conditions were coming. “I’m not a big winter guy,” the Macomb senior said. “I’m not going to lie. I hate snow.” But what if the Western Illinois University football team ended up…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Owen Rigg has played in dozens, if not hundreds, of basketball games in his life. But the Southeastern junior guard had never hit a game-winning buzzer beater. Not until Wednesday night. With the clock winding down and the game tied at 42, Suns senior Danny Stephens drew a double team and found Rigg…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Eric Orne wants the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players to relish a well-earned holiday reprieve. “They get to rest,” the veteran coach said, “and they get to enjoy some family time.” The Raiders get to do so as far away from the gym as they wish. “He told us to forget about…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s search for its identity seems to be over. All the Raiders had to do was rediscover who they really are. “Play tough defense, get in our offense fast, run in transition, and do the little things right,” senior guard Jackson Stratton said Tuesday night after a…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Nick Maynard made two free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining in regulation Tuesday night to help the Unity boys basketball team seal a 45-41 victory over Monroe City in the 15th annual Rumble on the River. It also completed a sweep for the Mustangs, as the Unity girls, ranked third in Class 1A,…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Video genius Frank Cann takes you to Blue Devil Gym to look at Friday night’s Quincy vs. Quincy Notre Dame basketball game.
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The only thing that mattered was the only thing that crossed Isaiah Foster’s mind. “Go get the ball,” he said. By doing so, the freshman point guard ensured it will be a Merry Christmas for himself and his Quincy University men’s basketball teammates. Leading Lake Superior State by two points in the waning…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team is carrying a three-game win streak into its holiday break after beating Lake Superior State 59-54 in overtime in the final game of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. Check out this collection of images shot by Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman during Sunday’s game:
Read Full Article 
NEW SALEM, Ill. — Jim Shields retold the story of a reporter once asking him about the difference between coaching boys and coaching girls in high school basketball. “I said the boys never gave me a state championship,” Shields laughed. It was a vintage answer by a career coach, a straight shooter, a man who…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — A 55-point first half set the stage for the Quincy University men’s basketball team to enjoy its highest scoring game in three seasons and get the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home Classic started the right way. The Hawks shot 48.7 percent from the field in the first half of a 103-73 victory over East-West University…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — A simple suggestion is all it took. Needing to inject more life into his team — Quincy High School led Quincy Notre Dame 29-23 at halftime of Saturday night’s boys basketball showdown but had been rather lackluster defensively the first 16 minutes — Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas listened to an idea assistant…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — It sounds relaxing when you say it out loud. The Quincy High School boys basketball team has 11 days until its next game. That offers the impression it will be a low-key holiday week leading up to Christmas and then a couple of get-back-into-the-groove days before the Blue Devils head off to play…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — For one night at least, and probably a couple of days to follow, the angst was eased. No one associated with the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball program is going to accept losing, not even to a state-ranked Class 4A squad on its home floor, but the positive vibes felt after Saturday night’s…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — For the second season in a row and the seventh time in eight meetings, the Quincy High School boys basketball team won the crosstown showdown with Quincy Notre Dame since the series was renewed in 2015. The Blue Devils used a lockdown effort in the second half to post a 60-43 victory Saturday…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Camp Point Central boys basketball coach James Barnett admits the preparation for this weekend’s pair of challenges included some uneasiness. “Nervous,” Barnett said of the one word he thought of having to travel to play West Central Conference opponent Quincy Notre Dame on Friday night and then play a neutral site affair against…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — No rest for the weary. At least not for a few more days. The December schedule that has the top-ranked Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team playing 13 games in 21 days is nearing its end. Two games in a three-day span will wrap it up before the Raiders go 17 days until…
Read Full Article MASCOUTAH, Ill. — Owen Uppinghouse pinned his way to a title. Bryor Newbold nearly did the same thing. With six other wrestlers finishing in the top eight in their respective weight class, the Quincy High School wrestling team had another stellar showing. The Blue Devils finished fourth in the 33-team Mascoutah Invitational. Uppinghouse, wrestling at…
Read Full Article 
HANNIBAL, Mo. — A plastic baggie filled with marshmallows helped keep quiet the biggest secret in Hannibal a little bit longer. Aneyas Williams, the No. 1 all-purpose back in the 2024 recruiting class according to Rivals.com, and Tippy Toes, the family dog dressed like a leprechaun, combined to announce Williams’ decision to attend the University…
Read Full Article 
MOLINE, Ill. — Not even the most foolhearted Quincy High School boys basketball fan was gullible enough to believe Brock Harding wouldn’t eventually put his stamp on Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference showdown. “We knew he had only two points at halftime,” Quincy junior swingman Camden Brown said. “You know he’s going to score…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Eric Orne’s milestone moment came at home … sort of. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach reached the 500 career victory plateau Friday night with a 58-42 victory over Mascoutah in the opening game of the four-day, 16-game Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Although the…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Having chiseled a 10-point deficit down to two over the final 3 minutes, 45 seconds of the first half Friday night, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team had a simple plan of attack for the start of the second half and keep the momentum rolling. “We said, ‘OK, go out and get…
Read Full Article 
NORMAL, Ill. — The Quincy Junior High School eighth grade girls basketball team won the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 4A state championship Thursday night, beating Danville North Ridge 40-26. The Comets outscored the Ridge Runners 13-2 in the first quarter at Normal Parkside Junior High and led 20-6 at halftime. Jada Brown went 10…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Abby Lewton’s daily routine isn’t terribly different from the average high school student-athlete anywhere across the country. Wake up. Go to school. Maybe steal a few minutes for homework or hanging with friends. Go to practice. Finish up homework. Call it a night. The next day, do it all over again. The difference…
Read Full Article 
The middle of December brings holiday gift ideas, All-American game goals and memories of a game played more than 30 years ago … Two venerable high school basketball gyms in Illinois and arguably the two most historic within the Western Big 6 Conference are being featured in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s 2023 Unique Gyms…
Read Full Article 
HANNIBAL, Mo. — One of the nation’s most coveted recruits, who is days away from revealing his college choice, received an honor fitting his impressive production. One of the best tacklers Northeast Missouri has seen in recent memory picked up another honor, too. Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams and Monroe City linebacker Ceaton Pennewell repeated…
Read Full Article 
PAYSON, Ill. — Payson Seymour girls basketball coach Bert Koehler resigned Wednesday from his duties as a teacher and coach amid an investigation being conducted by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Koehler, who was a junior high math teacher, is being investigated for allegedly exchanging text messages with a 14-year-old student. He submitted his resignation…
Read Full Article 
PALMYRA, Mo. — The consistent presence of Bear Bock doing whatever is necessary — scoring, rebounding and blocking shots — is part of the reason the Palmyra boys basketball team is riding an undefeated wave with the Christmas break approaching. Bock scored eight points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked two shots in Tuesday night’s 55-34…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The goal seemed modest and attainable, with the four Quincy High School golfers who organized the “Birdies for Brain Cancer” fundraiser believing they could raise $5,000. Yet, as the pledges began mounting, they changed their expectations. “We thought $8,000 would be a better goal,” Sophia Gold said. Little did they realize they could…
Read Full Article WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. — The signs this youthful, yet talented Quincy High School boys basketball team is maturing come in glimpses where momentum is teetering or the Blue Devils’ unbeaten record is threatened. Another of those moments came Tuesday night. A 13-point second-half advantage against the defending Missouri Class 5 state champion had dwindled to…
Read Full Article 
PALMYRA, Mo. — No rest for the weary? Well, not quite. “We’ll have a day off Wednesday, but then it’s back to work,” Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball Eric Orne said. Notre Dame’s 51-19 victory over Palmyra on Tuesday night marked the end of a five-games-in-six-days stretch for the Raiders. All those games were on…
Read Full Article 
PALMYRA, Mo. — Granted, the Palmyra boys basketball team sits undefeated following a convincing 55-34 victory Tuesday night over Quincy Notre Dame. But Jon Lundberg feels Palmyra has barely scratched the surface of what it might accomplish between now and the end of the season. “I can feel it all coming together. I can sense the…
Read Full Article 
HAVANA, Ill. — The long road home is nearly complete. Only 40 or so miles to go, although the last leg promises to be as tough as any of the others the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team has traveled. Monday night’s trip — the fourth of five road games in six days — was…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Five area prep football standouts have been selected to play in the Illinois Shrine Bowl, taking place June 17 at Illinois Wesleyan College in Bloomington. Quincy High School cornerback Gregory Quince and Quincy Notre Dame linebacker Jackson Stratton will be on the blue squad. Central running back Isaac Genenbacher, Central center Owen Roth…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team’s path to the championship of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic is filled with obstacles. That starts with playing the final game of the opening round. The Blue Devils (7-0) drew Alton (1-6) in the 9 p.m. game in the first round, the last of eight…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The voice. Instantly recognizable, it was a fixture on Quincy airwaves for more than four decades. Commanding yet comfortable, perfect for radio, whether Jeff Dorsey was doing play-by-play of a sporting event or hosting a daily morning show. “There have been a number of great play-by-play guys, with (future baseball Hall of Famer)…
Read Full Article 
MONROE CITY, Mo. — As far as Palmyra’s Bear Bock was concerned, the championship trophy for the Monroe City boys basketball tournament is back where it belongs. “It’s been a long time since we won this tournament,” he said. “We’re bringing that trophy back home.” Bock’s 14 points, including 12 in the first half when…
Read Full Article 
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Palmyra girls basketball team was better-equipped for such a challenge. South Shelby is still a work in progress. Palmyra, which emerged with a 56-54 victory in Saturday night’s championship round of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament, was able to maneuver through crunch time with just enough moxie to preserve…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The chatter, the comparisons and the hype the state-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team continues creating could be a detriment if the Blue Devils allow those things to infiltrate the team-first mentality. “If we just do us, the best in us will come out,” sophomore guard Bradley Longcor III said. When the…
Read Full Article 
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team enjoyed a solid first half on Saturday night against Hannibal. Then the third quarter happened. The Raiders led by 16 points at halftime, then made 10 of 11 free throws in the final four minutes of the game to hold off the Pirates 49-39 at…
Read Full Article 
BREESE, Ill. — Unable to find her long-range shooting stroke recently, Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Blair Eftink elected to change one key component to her game. Money, it’s gotta be the shoes. Switching to her old kicks this weekend, Eftink regained her perimeter shot by burying her first five 3-point attempts Saturday afternoon. Her…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — On a day when Jeremiah Talton was the game’s leading scorer, it was his lone assist that cemented the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team’s victory over a nationally ranked opponent. With the ball on the baseline underneath the Trail Blazers’ basket, Milwaukee Area Technical College owning a one-point lead, and only…
Read Full Article 
Two area eighth grade girls basketball teams will play for Illinois Elementary School Association state titles, while a third will battle for third place. Quincy Junior High School and Brown County advanced to their respective championship games by winning twice Saturday, while Pittsfield suffered a five-point loss in the semifinals. QJHS opened with a 39-10…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Quincy University men’s basketball team made only seven field goals in the second half of Saturday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Drury. Thanks to Nate Shockey, seven was just enough. The junior guard took a kickout from Paul Zilinskas and buried a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining in regulation to…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Andy Douglas let his ears be his guide. “If we can come out the first few possessions and our communication is great, it’s probably going to be a good night defensively,” the Quincy High School boys basketball coach said. “Tonight, it wasn’t. We didn’t talk.” So the fact Sterling opened the second half…
Read Full Article BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A Blair barrage put the top-ranked Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team on the right path to another victory. Senior guard Blair Eftink opened Friday night’s game at Belleville Althoff with a 3-pointer from the top of the key and another from the left corner, setting the stage for a 57-38 victory…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Darius Bolden was disappointed in the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team’s inconsistent play Friday night. The Trail Blazers sophomore guard went as far as to say JWCC’s overall performance bordered on “ragged.” It was hard to argue. Kansas City (Kan.) Community College pulled away down the stretch for an 82-73 victory…
Read Full Article 
AUBURN, Ill. — By the end of the first quarter of the Illinois Elementary School Association seventh grade Class 3A girls basketball state championship, the intrigue was mostly gone. The Pittsfield Lady Braves saw to that. Pittsfield overwhelmed Paris Mayo 19-2 in the first quarter, went on another 12-2 run in the third quarter and…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Too many turnovers and too few defensive rebounds made for way too long of a second quarter Thursday night for the Quincy High School girls basketball team. At halftime, the Blue Devils made certain to change that before the outcome was too far gone. Asia Seangmany buried a 3-pointer from the left corner…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Before Ryan Oden left his house Thursday morning for a meeting with the Quincy Notre Dame baseball players, his wife, Deb, wanted to know he was comfortable with his decision to resign as the Raiders head coach. “She asked, ‘Are you sure?’” Oden said. “And I told her I am.” With his son…
Read Full Article 
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Palmyra girls basketball team gets its first shot at the champs. The second-seeded Panthers marched their way into the championship game of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament by beating third-seeded Highland 71-46 in Thursday night’s semifinals. By doing so, the Panthers (5-0) will face top-seeded and reigning Clarence Cannon…
Read Full Article 
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Registration for Hannibal Parks and Recreation winter pickleball league is now open with a registration deadline of Jan. 9, 2023. Participants may sign up for leisure, intermediate or competitive league. Play will be on Tuesdays beginning Jan. 7, 2023 and continuing through Feb. 21, 2023. League play will be at the Admiral…
Read Full Article 
HANNIBAL, Mo. — A free class for anyone interested in learning about pickleball will be held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, just in time for the Hannibal Parks and Recreation Winter League. “Pickleball 101” will be held at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center. Hannibal area pickleball enthusiasts are offering this class to teach people…
Read Full Article MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Palmyra boys basketball team used a 12-point burst at the start Wednesday night to slingshot its way into the championship game of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament. The South Shelby girls used stellar defense to do the same. The second-seeded Panthers rode their strong start to a 57-50 victory…
Read Full Article Three area eighth grade girls basketball teams earned spots in their respective state tournament fields by winning sectional championships Wednesday night. Brown County beat Abingdon-Avon 41-25 in Class 2A. The Hornets (23-2) will face Mount Pulaski (22-1) in the state quarterfinals at 10 a.m. Saturday in Havana. Pittsfield beat Williamsville 43-13 in Class 3A. The…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Steve Hawkins knew what was necessary to give his Quincy University men’s basketball team a chance to rally. The veteran coach didn’t like it, but he did it. “I feel cheap for it because that’s not how I want to try to win a game,” Hawkins said. Still, it nearly worked. Trailing Grand…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — When you face the No. 1-ranked girls basketball team in Class 2A with the reigning state player of the year, the goal becomes quite obvious. Slow down Abbey Schreacke. Many try. Most fail. Tuesday night, Pleasant Plains succeeded in limiting Schreacke, Quincy Notre Dame’s all-state senior forward, to a season-low 13 points in…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Let’s be honest. Brutally honest. The Quincy High School boys basketball team probably could have put 100 points on the scoreboard — and with relative ease — during Tuesday’s Western Big 6 Conference game against overmatched and outmanned Rock Island Alleman at Blue Devil Gym. Instead, state-ranked QHS settled for a 65-28 victory…
Read Full Article 
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Despite being limited to just four points in the third quarter Tuesday night, the Monroe City boys basketball team was able to fend off Marion County’s upset bid and advance to the semifinals of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament. The top-seeded Panthers secured a 51-45 victory over eighth-seeded Marion County…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — A busy Tuesday night saw action taking place on the hardwood and the mats. Here’s a look at some of the area highlights … • Already leading by 14 points at halftime, the Quincy High School girls basketball team used a strong dose of Taylor Fohey in the second half to finish off…
Read Full Article 
MENDON, Ill. — Ashlynn Arnsman sees her future with a clear view. For those whose sights are a little more murky, she has a plan to help them, too. The Unity multi-sport standout who recently signed a national letter of intent with the Quincy University women’s basketball team plans to study biology and use her…
Read Full Article 
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The opening night of the 98th annual Monroe City Tournament featured a pair of lopsided victories in the girls bracket and only of the four games played being decided in the fourth quarter. The third-seeded Louisiana boys outlasted sixth-seeded Mark Twain 60-54 behind 15 points from Jack Logan. Josh Brothers led…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Owen Uppinghouse isn’t taking long to assert his dominance. The Quincy High School 160-pound senior wrestler went 6-0 last week with only two of his four matches stretching beyond the first period. Last Thursday at home, Uppinghouse pinned Fort Madison’s Emmett Kruse in 3 minutes, 37 seconds. He was even better at the…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The phone rings or the text message notification sounds on a Sunday night and Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball Eric Orne knows what it is. Abbey Schreacke wants in the gym. “Of course, I scoot down there to let her in,” Orne said. Had the 6-foot senior guard not had the desire…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Almost everything about the way Sunday played out — from the two-hour road trip to playing on a college-sized court — had the hallmark of a classic postseason matchup. All except the end result for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. Tied at 45 with four minutes to play in regulation,…
Read Full Article 
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The final game of a three-day event showcasing high school girls basketball ended up being a thrilling conclusion for the organizers, sponsors and fans of the inaugural Sophie Cunningham Classic at Columbia College’s Southwell Complex. However, it didn’t end quite the way the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team would have liked.…
Read Full Article The Liberty seventh grade girls basketball team will play for a state championship. So will the Pittsfield seventh graders. The Brown County and Quincy Junior High School eighth grade teams may, too. Liberty reached the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 2A title game by beating Altamont 31-19 in the quarterfinals and Nokomis 36-19 in the…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The moment required Ari Buehler to ignore, focus and follow through. Not an easy task on any front. Fouled with 14.4 seconds remaining in regulation and the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team clinging to a two-point lead, the freshman guard first had to become oblivious to the chatter from the Unity players…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — As the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coaching staff met in the office adjacent to the locker room at halftime Saturday night, the Raiders were engaging in their own discussion. The theme of both conversations seemed to be the same. What is the Raiders’ identity going to be? The second half — particularly…
Read Full Article 
EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Sent to the sideline with two fouls in the first quarter of Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference boys basketball opener, Quincy High School sophomore guard Bradley Longcor III tried to talk his way back into the game. “He kept saying, ‘I’m not gonna foul. I’m not gonna foul,’” Quincy coach…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players and coaches likely won’t watch the film of Friday night’s 66-35 loss to No. 1-ranked Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Belz Gymnasium until Monday or Tuesday. That’s when the Raiders will delve into how to fix what the Cyclones exploited. Before then, though, comes a better-be-ready-for-this…
Read Full Article CANTON, Mo. — Never underestimate the power of a deep breath. Palmyra girls basketball coach Tim Southers said his primary goal at halftime Friday night was to simply try and get his club’s emotions under control. “I just told the girls to breathe and relax,” he said. They listened. And then they responded. The end…
Read Full Article CANTON, Mo. — What a difference a year makes. At least for the Palmyra boys basketball team. “A year ago, I’m not sure we would have won a game like this,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. Rea was assessing Friday night’s 64-52 victory over Canton, a game that saw the Panthers pull away down the…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The first full regular-season Friday night of the prep basketball season gave us a glimpse of what to expect from now until March. That’s epic individual performances, down-to-the-wire games and teams coming of age. Here’s a look at what happened … • The Southeastern boys basketball team raced to an 18-1 lead in…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Mama said there’d be days like this. Riding the high of back-to-back victories over two of the Great Lakes Valley Conference’s top three preseason favorites, the Quincy University men’s basketball team saw its momentum stifled Thursday night by another upstart crew. Illinois-Springfield, picked to finish ninth in the 13-team league, shot down…
Read Full Article SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy University women’s basketball team found itself in a precarious position once again. A one-point game with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation. In five of the seven games prior to Thursday night’s Great Lakes Valley Conference showdown with Illinois-Springfield, the Hawks were within four points heading to the closing…
Read Full Article QUINCY — A busy Thursday night on both the courts and the mats led to some sterling efforts. Here is a look at what transpired … • The Central wrestling team won a pair of duals, beating Beardstown 40-36 and Illini West 60-18. The Panthers’ Hunter Bolton earned a pair of pins at 160 pounds,…
Read Full Article QUINCY — Wyatt Boeing saved the best for last. The Quincy High School wrestling team went into the final match of its dual with Fort Madison (Iowa) on Thursday night trailing by a point in the team score. It made the math simple — the winner of the match won the dual for his respective…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Having the best small-school player in the state leading the charge has put the Southeastern boys basketball team in the crosshairs. Having an abundance of talented underclassmen has done the same for Quincy High School. The initial Associated Press state basketball rankings prove that. The Suns checked in at No. 1 in Class…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The initial Associated Press state basketball rankings set up an intriguing showdown in just two days. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team — the defending Class 2A state champion — opens the season as the No. 1-ranked team in the state. The Raiders are 5-0 going into Thursday’s game at West Hancock…
Read Full Article 
Here is the Muddy River Sports area boys basketball preview section, delving into teams from Illinois and Missouri as the 2022-23 season gets underway. Click the link below to download the section.
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — A Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Year who played professional basketball overseas, an all-state forward who later played at Culver-Stockton College, and a distinctive radio voice are part of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Central’s Ali Schwagmeyer, Pittsfield’s Tim Fischer and Quincy’s Jeff Dorsey will…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — For the first time in program history, the Quincy University women’s volleyball team has two players mentioned on the All-American lists. Senior outside hitter Mattison Norris and graduate student setter Makayla Knoblauch received honorable mention on the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II All-American squad after leading the Hawks to their finest season…
Read Full Article 
CENTER, Mo. — The Palmyra girls basketball team is showing what it takes to win convincingly. The Palmyra boys are showcasing what it takes to win tough. Tuesday night, that combination led to a doubleheader sweep. The Palmyra girls blitzed to a 23-7 lead over Mark Twain at the end of the first quarter and…
Read Full Article QUINCY — The inaugural season for the Quincy University sprint football team produced encouraging results, including one of the Midwest Sprint Football League’s top postseason individual honors. Sophomore linebacker Ray Lingard was named the MSFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and was one of 11 Hawks recognized on the all-league teams. Lingard led the Hawks…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — An Achilles tendon injury kept Quincy University left tackle B.J. Wilson from completing a remarkable feat to end his collegiate career. It did nothing to diminish the impact he had. The Great Lakes Valley Conference football coaches were well aware of that. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Wilson missed the Hawks’ regular-season finale against William…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — The Great Lakes Valley Conference continues to shift its geographic footprint. The NCAA Division II league announced Tuesday its Council of Presidents approved admitting the University of Upper Iowa, making it the conference’s 14th member. The Peacocks will join the GLVC for the 2023-24 academic year and be immediately eligible to participate in…
Read Full Article 
Video courtesy of Steve Looten QUINCY — For the first 39 minutes, 39 seconds of Monday night’s Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup, the Lewis men’s basketball team never wavered from playing tenacious man-to-man defense. “I think it had been that way the entire year, too,” Quincy University coach Steve Hawkins said. So after calling timeout…
Read Full Article 
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The number of 50-point games fashioned by an area boys basketball player can be counted on both hands. Southeastern’s Danny Stephens moved the number closer to having to go to the toes to keep track. In the championship game of the sixth Beardstown Tiger Classic, the 6-foot-7 Stephens scored 52 points in…
Read Full Article The Thanksgiving turkey hangover has passed, and area boys and girls basketball teams are looking to find a rhythm to their seasons. Monday night revealed what is possible when teams find their groove. Here are some of the highlights … • The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team improved to 5-0 with a 73-29 victory…
Read Full Article 
QUINCY — Kaci Bailey’s exasperation resulted in a complete overhaul of the Quincy University women’s basketball team’s lineup midway through the third quarter Monday night. “I said put five new ones in,” the second-year Hawks coach said. “I didn’t even know who was in.” All Bailey was certain of was her starters weren’t providing the…
Read Full Article