Posts Tagged ‘Boys basketball’
Thomas, top-ranked Blue Devils refuse to coast, keep energy high throughout victory over Senators
QUINCY — Keshaun Thomas despises the idea of coasting into halftime. “Everybody has to go out there and hustle their hardest, no matter how much we’re up,” said Thomas, the 6-foot-6 senior forward with a relentless motor who has helped the Quincy High School boys basketball rise to No. 1 in the Class 4A state…
Read MoreBattle of big men tips in Keokuk’s favor as supporting cast helps Chiefs win tourney title
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Jaxon Clark and Preston Brewer were the marquee names heading into the finals of the 53rd Highland boys basketball tournament. And neither disappointed. Clark, however, benefitted from a deeper supporting cast in helping Keokuk (Iowa) turn back Canton 59-52 before a crowd of about 575 Saturday afternoon patrons. Clark, a 6-foot-10 junior…
Read MorePhoto gallery: No. 1-ranked Blue Devils complete weekend sweep by beating Senators
QUINCY — The No. 1-ranked team in the state isn’t showing any signs of taking it easy on anyone. The Quincy High School boys basketball team — No. 1 in Class 4A — built a 22-point lead by halftime Saturday night and cruised to an 80-56 victory over Springfield at Blue Devil Gym. Quincy improved…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Keokuk sweeps championships of 53rd Highland Tournament
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The championships of the 53rd Highland Tournament are heading north of the state line. The Keokuk (Iowa) boys and girls basketball teams swept Saturday’s title games, beating Palmyra 65-62 in the girls matchup and knocking off Canton 59-52 to win the boys title. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside for…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11: Boys basketball Quincy High School 80, Springfield 56 Hancock County Tournament Illini West 54, Southeastern 46 Mendon Unity 80, West Prairie 72 (OT) Winchester Invitational Jacksonville Routt 42, Griggsville-Perry 35 Triopia 60, Western 26 Calhoun 62, Carlinville 46 Petersburg PORTA 45, North Greene 23…
Read More‘We were locked in’: Blue Devils respond to loss with gusto, dispatch Pioneers in WB6 play
QUINCY — In the locker room after the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s 59-56 loss to Vashon on Jan. 4 — the Blue Devils’ first setback of the season — the attention turned to how to move forward. Four seniors — Dom Clay, Bradley Longcor III, Kamren Wires, and Keshaun Thomas — stood up…
Read MorePhoto gallery: No. 1-ranked QHS overwhelms Alleman with array of offensive weapons
QUINCY — The top-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team scored the first 10 points Friday night and never let up in a 90-34 victory over Rock Island Alleman in Western Big 6 Conference play at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 10
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 10: Boys basketball Quincy High School 90, Rock Island Alleman 34 Payson Seymour 56, Illini West 55 Williamsville 68, West Hancock 60 Rushville-Industry 61, Southeastern 43 Highland Tournament Third-place game Palmyra 62, Kirksville 57 Girls basketball Highland Tournament Third-place game Highland 31, Canton 29
Read MoreTechnically speaking, Tigers take advantage of jumpstart to earn spot in Highland tourney title tilt
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Canton’s Preston Brewer walked calmly to the free-throw line and swished four foul shots. Before the game had even started. The Canton boys basketball team had been awarded the four free throws for technical fouls assessed to Palmyra for pregame dunking, which is forbidden in high school games in most states. Those…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9: Boys basketball Brown County 63, Rushville-Industry 58 Triopia 75, Pleasant Hill 71 Calhoun 59, Payson Seymour 42 Cairo 59, South Shelby 56 Highland Tournament Canton 66, Palmyra 52 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 73, Beardstown 11 Quincy High School 61, Moline 58 Pittsfield 69,…
Read MoreSchuckman: No. 1 ranking is sign of respect, but doesn’t change Blue Devils’ approach to improving
QUINCY — Andy Douglas’ one-word response to learning the Quincy High School boys basketball team is the No. 1-ranked squad in the Associated Press state poll for the first time in more than four decades told a small part of the story. His reaction to what it means moving forward illustrated the bigger part. The…
Read MoreTitans use third-quarter blitz to bury Golden Eagles, gain momentum for matchup with Bullets
HAMILTON, Ill. — The West Hancock boys basketball team’s second-half plan was quite simple — put Mercer County away. The Titans went on a 9-2 run in the first three minutes of the second half and outscored the Golden Eagles 26-11 in the third quarter to run away with a 69-31 victory Wednesday night at…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8: Boys basketball West Hancock 69, Mercer County 31 Liberty 78, Mendon Unity 76 Griggsville-Perry 39, North Greene 31 Girls basketball Illini West 47, Mendon Unity 40 South Shelby 78, Meadville 22 Highland Tournament Palmyra 54, Canton 34 Keokuk 54, Highland 44 Men’s basketball Central…
Read MorePhoto gallery: West Hancock’s aggressive play leads to lopsided victory
HAMILTON, Ill. — The West Hancock boys basketball team tuned up for a showdown with second-ranked Williamsville by whitewashing Mercer County 69-31 on Wednesday night at Red Rogers Gymnasium. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils open 2025 as No. 1 team in Class 4A
CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press boys basketball state rankings as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Quincy (6) (13-1) 90 T2 2. Kenwood (3) (14-1) 80 1 (tie) Rich Township (1) (9-4) 80 NR 4. Bolingbrook (15-2) 74…
Read MoreScouting the State: No. 1 boys basketball team in Illinois remains open to debate
QUINCY — Who is the No. 1 boys basketball team in the state of Illinois? A handful of candidates have tried to state their case. The Associated Press will release its first state polls of 2025 on Wednesday with Quincy High School potentially being the top-ranked team in Class 4A. There have already been two…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 7
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 7: Boys basketball West Hancock 64, Beardstown 19 Illini West 54, Western 31 Macomb 60, Mercer County 31 Pleasant Plains 54, Pittsfield 30 Greenfield-Northwestern 66, Brown County 52 Highland Tournament Canton 56, Clark County 42 Kirksville 72, Highland 34 Keokuk 60, Macon 20 Girls basketball…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 2
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined by five guests on the Hess Auto Hotline — Quincy Notre Dame boys coach Greg Altmix, Monroe City boys coach Brock Edris, Quincy High School senior forward Kate Mettemeyer, Breese Journal Sports Editor Jeremy Chawgo and Hannibal girls coach Shawn Gaines — to break down…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops’ Starry Star of the Week
QUINCY — Each week during Muddy Night Hoops powered by Farm & Home Supply — a 90-minute talk show centered on prep basketball — the Starry Star of the Week will be presented to one area student-athlete. Sponsored by Refreshment Services Pepsi, the Starry Star of the Week looks to highlight someone who did something…
Read More‘They made more plays’: Blue Devils suffer first loss to top-ranked Wolverines at Highland Shootout
HIGHLAND, Ill. — There was optimism amid disappointment Saturday night, which is a sign the Quincy High School boys basketball team will be better because of this. For starters, the Blue Devils were adamant a single loss will not derail them. “We are still hungry and not satisfied where we are right now,” senior guard…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils push top-ranked Wolverines to final possession before losing
HIGHLAND, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team led four-time defending Missouri Class 4 state champion St. Louis Vashon with five minutes to play in Saturday’s marquee game of the Highland Shootout, but the Wolverines used a closing kick to secure a 59-56 victory. Freelance photographer Tim Vizer was courtside and put together…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4: Boys basketball Jacksonville Routt 69, Payson Seymour 60 Griggsville-Perry 55, Illini West 43 Highland Shootout St. Louis Vashon 59, Quincy High School 56 Carl Sandburg Shootout West Hancock 57, Sherrard 47 Girls basketball Quincy High School 63, Springfield Southeast 42 Quincy Notre Dame 58,…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 3
QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard from Friday, Jan. 3: Boys basketball Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Mendon Unity 62, Griggsville-Perry 61 Calhoun 70, Brown County 55 South Shelby 73, North Shelby 60 Palmyra 60, Elsberry 52 Canton 68, Schuyler County 41 Clopton 73, Highland 26 Girls basketball…
Read MoreRaiders unable to convert in waning seconds, lost back-and-fourth affair on road against Cyclones
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The play wasn’t executed exactly as Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Greg Altmix had intended, but he can live with the shot, even if it didn’t go in. QND had the ball trailing Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 56-55 and 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter Friday night at Jim Belz Gym.…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 1
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas and Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff for the debut episode of Muddy Night Hoops powered by Farm & Home Supply.
Read MoreSchwartz’s clutch trey enables Indians to outlast Mustangs in overtime, win MVIT championship
MENDON, Ill. — Everyone in the gymnasium knew sharp-shooter Blake Schwartz was going to take the shot with the Payson Seymour boys basketball team down three points in the final seconds of regulation, but it was up to his teammate, Nick Boone, to get him the ball. “Boone did a great job of being there…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Indians, Mustangs provide holiday drama with head-to-head title showdown
MENDON, Ill. — The finish to the MVIT championship game was as exciting as any title game of any holiday tournament around. The Payson Seymour boys basketball team forced overtime with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Blake Schwartz and then outlasted Mendon Unity 64-62 to win the title. Southeastern took third place with a 55-52 victory…
Read MoreBlue Devils complete their mission to finally win title at Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Mission accomplished. After losing back-to-back years in the championship game of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic, the Quincy High School boys basketball players set a goal — actually they made it their mission — to win the title this season as a springboard into 2025. In fact, almost two months ago…
Read MoreHoliday notebook: Blue Devils head into new year undefeated for first time since 1991-92 season
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The fifth Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic championship the Quincy High School boys basketball team won has some striking similarities to one of the previous four. In 1991, the Blue Devils waltzed to the title, beating four opponents by an average of 15.5 points and hammering Jacksonville 55-40 in the championship game.…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils win fifth title in 40-year history of Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team won its first Christmas holiday tournament championship since 1997, beating The Woodlands Christian Academy (Texas) 68-47 on Sunday night in the title game of the 40th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Photographer Tim Vizer put together this photo gallery from the…
Read More‘We stay locked in’: Blue Devils handle foul trouble with right approach as Wires, Thomas lead way to semifinal victory
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — When a timeout was called midway through the third quarter Saturday night, Kamren Wires gathered his Quincy High School boys basketball teammates and delivered an important message. Let it go, he told them. “He brought all the guys in and was like, ‘Hey, quit complaining about fouls. Quit whining to the officials.…
Read MoreTitans unable to get to heart of the matter until it was too late in title game loss to Rockets
MACOMB, Ill. — The West Hancock boys basketball team took Rockridge’s punches. The Titans’ counterpunches came too late. The Titans could not crawl out of a 20-point deficit, and the Rockets won their second consecutive Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament title by defeating the Titans 66-59 on Saturday night at Western Hall. “We woke up a little…
Read MoreAfter winning final game at holiday tourney, Raiders ready for rest to fight off flus and colds
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — When all was said and done, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players wanted to go home. “So we kicked it in gear and got home,” Raiders coach Greg Altmix said. The need for rest and recuperation is why. QND finished its stay at the State Farm Holiday Classic with Saturday night’s…
Read More‘That was a blast’: Hornets win third straight game at Macomb, take home consolation title
MACOMB, Ill. — The Brown County boys basketball team got accustomed to the early wakeup call. It resulted in the Hornets bringing home some hardware. After playing at 9 a.m. all three days of the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament, the Hornets finally got to play an afternoon game Saturday, winning the consolation championship by defeating defeating…
Read MoreHolthaus, Bombers finish hometown tournament on strong note, win third-place game
MACOMB, Ill. — Macomb senior guard Braden Holthaus was unusually tired after the first quarter of Saturday’s Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament third place game against No. 2 seed Peoria Christian. “I was exhausted,” Holthaus said. “That usually doesn’t happen.” The fourth-seeded Bombers playing their fourth game in 48 hours likely had something to do with that…
Read MoreCarlisle’s buzzer-beater gives Chargers chance to secure fifth place at Macomb-Western tourney
MACOMB, Ill. — It was only fitting that Ethan Carlisle stepped to the free-throw line in the final seconds of overtime and put the finishing touches on a fifth-place finish for the Illini West boys basketball team at the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. His heroics at the end of regulation were the reason the Chargers were…
Read MorePhoto gallery: State-ranked QHS wins pair of games to reach title tilt at Collinsville
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team, ranked second in Class 4A, will play in the championship game of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic for a third straight year when the Blue Devils face The Woodlands Christian (Texas) at 8 p.m. Sunday at Vergil Fletcher Gym. The Blue Devils reached the…
Read MoreWorkmanlike effort gets Blue Devils through first round without worry at Collinsville
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — By now, the Quincy High School boys basketball players have discovered how much of a challenge it is to make reality match increasingly high expectations. The Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic has taught them that. This is the fourth consecutive season the Blue Devils have reached Christmas either undefeated or with just…
Read MoreTitans put ‘stagnant’ start behind them, roll into semifinals for rematch with Bombers
MACOMB, Ill. — West Hancock boys basketball coach Jeff Dahl barely recognized his team over the first quarter and change of Friday’s Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament quarterfinal game against Eureka. “It looked like we were disinterested, and I don’t know why because we have to win this to go on,” Dahl said. “It was really irritating.”…
Read MoreRaiders hang with top-seed Pecatonica until wheels come off in fourth quarter
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — One night after giving up just 24 points in a resounding victory over Aurora Christian, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team allowed 24 points in the first quarter to Pecatonica. One night after forcing Aurora Christian into 25 turnovers, the Raiders turned it over 23 times themselves. Yet with 6:42 remaining…
Read MoreBombers’ defense quiets Golden Eagles’ shooters, leads to spot in Macomb-Western semifinals
MACOMB, Ill. — Locked in. Those were the first words Macomb boys basketball coach Jeremy Anderson used to describe his team’s defensive performance against Mercer County in Friday’s Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament quarterfinal game at Western Hall. “I thought the effort defensively was outstanding,” Anderson said. After Mercer County shot 72.7 percent from the field in…
Read MoreSecond-half comeback by Lady Birds highlights solid efforts by area teams at Moberly Shootout
MOBERLY, Mo. — The state-ranked South Shelby and Highland girls basketball teams put the strength of the Clarence Cannon Conference on display Saturday. Trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Lady Birds rallied for a 52-44 victory over California in the Peak Sport and Spine Holiday Shootout at Moberly Area Community College. Callie McWilliams scored…
Read MoreRockets’ blistering shooting too much for Chargers to overcome in tourney loss
MACOMB, Ill. — As the shots kept falling, all Tre Niederman could do was tip his cap. “There’s really nothing you can do when they don’t miss,” said Niederman, a senior guard on the Illini West boys basketball team. Rockridge put on a shooting clinic in the third quarter of Friday’s second round matchup with…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS boys basketball team opens with 22-point victory at Collinsville tourney
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The pursuit of its first holiday tournament championship in nearly 30 years is well underway after the Quincy High School boys basketball team dispatched McCluer (Mo.) North 68-46 on Friday afternoon in the 40th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Freelance photographer Tim Vizer set up courtside and put…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops ready to debut Dec. 30 with smorgasbord of prep basketball talk
QUINCY — The debut episode Muddy Night Hoops, powered by Farm & Home Supply, is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 30 live from the Refreshment Services Pepsi studio in downtown Quincy.
Read MoreRaiders unleash 1-2-2 press, force 25 turnovers to overwhelm Aurora Christian by 39 points
NORMAL, Ill. — The first round in the small school boys basketball bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic figured to be chock full of competitive games, with seven of the 16 teams receiving votes in the first AP state polls. Three top seeds narrowly won by a combined nine points, and No. 13 seed…
Read MoreTitans deliver emphatic point they deserve No. 1 seed, blow out Spartans to open holiday tourney
MACOMB, Ill. — West Hancock sophomore guard Hunter Froman brimmed with confidence when asked about the Titans solidifying their position as the No. 1 seed in the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. “I’ve heard people talking about how there’s no real difference between the top four seeds, but I think that’s wrong,” Froman said. “I think we’re…
Read MoreDefense, offensive rebounding allow Bombers to put finishing touches on opening-round victory
MACOMB, Ill. — The Macomb boys basketball team imposed its will when it mattered most. By doing so, the Bombers created the separation they needed to advance to the second round of the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. The Bombers trailed Canton (Ill.) 28-26 with 35 seconds left in the third quarter and took a 30-28 lead…
Read MoreMustangs survive challenge from Wildcats on opening night of MVIT
MENDON, Ill. — Blake Arnsman scored nine of his 11 points in the fourth quarter Thursday night and helped the Mendon Unity boys basketball team put away Western 66-61 in the opening round of the MVIT. Noah Voss and Adler Gray each scored 14 points for the Mustangs, who trailed by a point at halftime…
Read MoreHoliday Tournament Scoreboard: Schedules and scores for area teams
QUINCY — Here are the schedules and scores from holiday boys and girls basketball tournaments involving area teams: Boys Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic At Collinsville, Ill. Friday, Dec. 27 At Vergil Fletcher Gym Game 1 — Troy Triad 45, Decatur Eisenhower 29 Game 2 — Belleville Althoff 71, Rockford East 53 Game 3 —…
Read MoreTitans’ Siegfried bringing success and passion for basketball full circle for his family
NAUVOO, Ill. — When Doug Siegfried watches his nephew Lewis Siegfried play for the West Hancock boys basketball team, it’s almost as if he’s stepped into a time machine. He cannot help but feel like he is watching his brother — Lewis’ father Mike Siegfried — play for Nauvoo-Colusa in the 1990s. “He reminds me…
Read MoreBlue Devils’ mission is simple: Win elusive Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic title
QUINCY — Following an emotionally charged weekend that saw the Quincy High School boys basketball team win a pair of games to improve to 9-0, the Blue Devils were given Sunday off to rest and recharge. Not that any of them planned to take advantage of it. “I know guys are already talking about being…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops — 90-minute live talk show dedicated to prep basketball — will debut Dec. 30
QUINCY — Let’s talk basketball. That’s our plan. Muddy Night Hoops, powered by Farm & Home Supply, will debut Dec. 30, bringing you a 90-minute live talk show dedicated to high school boys and girls basketball that will be streamed on Muddy River Sports and its social media platforms. The show will air from 8-9:30…
Read MoreSchuckman: Thomas takes place among QHS legends by rising to top of rebounding charts
QUINCY — Keshaun Thomas discovered remaining stoic was no easy chore. Prior to the tip of Saturday night’s game against Quincy Notre Dame at Blue Devil Gym, the Quincy High School boys basketball coaching staff decided to honor the 6-foot-6 senior forward for becoming the school’s all-time leading rebounder, a mark established 44 seasons ago…
Read More‘You can’t stop it’: QHS goes on second quarter tear to turn crosstown showdown into rout
QUINCY — Anyone who caught sight of Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas on the sideline after the Blue Devils forced a turnover on Quincy Notre Dame’s third possession of Saturday night’s game might have been a little perplexed. Douglas stomped his left foot, slammed his right fist into his left hand and…
Read More‘They’re just really good’: Raiders learn firsthand why Blue Devils are among state’s top-ranked teams
QUINCY — There wasn’t much Quincy Notre Dame’s Beau Etink could say about the Raiders’ crosstown counterparts other than the painstakingly obvious. “It’s quite simple. They’re just really good,” Eftink said. The few words Eftink used to describe the state-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team couldn’t have been more accurate. After a relatively back-and-forth…
Read MoreTitans trade salvos with top-ranked Rams, prove they belong in conversation among Class 2A’s best
ABINGDON, Ill. — The West Hancock boys basketball team proved something to Titans coach Jeff Dahl and the rest of Illinois on Saturday. The Titans belong in the upper echelon of Class 2A. “This game should inspire them to think that we can get to the top,” Dahl said. The Titans went toe-to-toe with Peoria…
Read MorePanthers listen to words of wisdom, return to court energized in beating third straight Illinois opponent
QUINCY — Even though the Palmyra boys basketball team had opened the season by winning seven of its first eight games, a group of former players thought a few things were amiss. So, they were granted permission to address the team during a Saturday practice, delivering a message that focused on improving in certain areas…
Read MoreBombers changed intensity, sense of urgency to clip Hornets in final pre-Christmas tuneup
ABINGDON, Ill. — Two things had to change this time around, and they did. In the 2022 Great Western Shootout at Abingdon-Avon High School, the Scales Mound boys basketball team handled Macomb 50-31. “I thought a couple years ago, we were pretty good,” said Bombers coach Jeremy Anderson, whose team went 25-6 that season. “We…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, QND boys basketball teams square off in crosstown showdown
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball, ranked second in Class 4A, showed its well deserving of a high ranking as it steamrolled Quincy Notre Dame in the second quarter Saturday night at cruised to a 70-40 victory at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from final day of 17th Rumble on the River at JWCC
QUINCY — A competitive week that brought the best in small-school basketball from West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri wrapped up Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The 17th Rumble on the River was a bonafide success, especially with teams walking out of the gym saying they will be back next year. Muddy…
Read MoreScoreboard, schedule for 17th Rumble on the River
QUINCY — Here are the scores and schedule for the 17th Rumble on the River, taking place at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center: Monday, Dec. 16 Monroe City girls 56, Burlington Notre Dame 22 Tuesday, Dec. 17 Mendon Unity girls 54, Atlanta 22 Mendon Unity boys 62, Atlanta 54 Wednesday, Dec. 18 Brown…
Read MoreSecond-half turnaround carries second-ranked Blue Devils to WB6 road victory
EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Andy Douglas laughingly joked the Quincy High School boys basketball program may be financially responsible for any locker room damages that occurred Friday night, insinuating there had been an uproar at halftime. Neither the Blue Devils’ head coach nor any of his staff took out any shower heads or locker doors,…
Read MoreQND coach turns to bench brigade to ‘reignite the whole team’ in victory over Camp Point Central
QUINCY — Robbie Reed knows when he hears his coach call his name he better be ready. The same applies to the rest of the non-starters on the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team. “When (coach Greg Altmix) calls on us, we got to just reignite the whole team and bring us all together,” Reed…
Read MoreMayfield’s rhythm shooting from the perimeter enables Monroe City to waltz into break riding high
QUINCY — Quincy Mayfield has been searching for his shooting touch. He may have found it Friday night. The junior point guard sank five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 23 points to help carry the Monroe City boys basketball team to a 66-50 victory over Payson Seymour in the 17th Rumble on the River…
Read MoreTale of two halves defensively ends with Palmyra suffocating Unity over final 16 minutes
PALMYRA, Mo. — Hudson Bock could not have imagined two more polar opposite defensive performances from the Palmyra boys basketball team against Mendon Unity on Friday. “Our defense was really good in the second half, but it was absolutely awful in the first half,” Bock said. After taking a 39-35 lead into halftime, the Panthers…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20: Boys basketball Quincy High School 69, United Township 53 Quincy Notre Dame 58, Camp Point Central 20 West Hancock 59, Western 35 Brown County 60, Beardstown 38 Macomb 56, Liberty 39 North Greene 42, Pittsfield 18 Jacksonville Routt 89, Pleasant Hill 42 Palmyra 64,…
Read MoreMonroe City boys continue building momentum heading toward Christmas break
QUINCY — Brock Edris has his Christmas gift for the Monroe City boys basketball players neatly wrapped and ready to go. All that’s missing is a bow. A victory Friday night against Payson Seymour in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center would be the perfect accent. The…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from Thursday’s action during Rumble on the River at JWCC
QUINCY — The Monroe City boys and girls basketball teams, along with Central-Southeastern, continued to show the strength of area hoops squads by picking up victories Thursday in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Central-Southeastern kicked off the night with a 64-31 victory over Clopton (Mo.), while…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Hannibal boys, girls suffer losses to Mexico at Korf Gym
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The North Central Missouri Conference doubleheader the Hannibal boys and girls basketball teams played Thursday night at Korf Gym proved to be a challenge. Mexico, which is receiving votes in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 4 state poll, raced to a 74-40 victory in the boys game. Ben Richards led the…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils move to No. 2 in Class 4A, Titans climb to No. 8 in Class 2A
CHICAGO — Here are the latest Association Press boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (8) (8-0) 88 1 2. Quincy (1) (7-0) 69 3 (tie) Bolingbrook (8-1) 69 4…
Read MoreBoost from Smith’s 3-pointer ignites Panthers’ closing kick in victory over Raiders
PALMYRA, Mo. — It was as if Mason Smith had flipped a switch. As soon as the Palmyra senior guard’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter of the Panthers’ clash with Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday swished through the net and the home crowd erupted, Smith could feel the electricity pulsing through…
Read MoreMustangs stay steady in chiseling away Hornets’ lead, taking control in second half
QUINCY — A few months down the road, the Mendon Unity boys basketball team might look back at Tuesday night’s victory as a defining moment in its quest for the school’s first winning record since the 2016-17 season. The Mustangs, on the verge of being blown right off of Mountain Dew Court on the campus…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Mustangs sweep Hornets on second night of Rumble on the River
QUINCY — The Mendon Unity boys and girls basketball teams gave Illinois the edge after two nights of the 17th edition of the Rumble on the River, sweeping a pair of games from Atlanta (Mo.) at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Unity girls scored a 54-22 victory, and the boys followed with…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Palmyra split basketball doubleheader in Flower City
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame and Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams split a twinbill Tuesday night at Palmyra High School as the Raiders won the girls matchup 58-44 and the Panthers won the boys game 66-58. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17: Boys basketball Palmyra 66, Quincy Notre Dame 58 Liberty 55, Beardstown 30 Payson Seymour 56, Triopia 41 Brown County 63, Havana 37 Illini West 61, South Fulton 20 Moberly 69, Hannibal 53 Canton 53, South Shelby 48 Monroe City 81, Mark Twain 33 Rumble…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 16
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 16: Girls basketball Rock Island Alleman 56, Quincy High School 52 Central-Southeastern 61, Winchester West Central 41 Pittsfield 50, Liberty 38 Mendon Unity 37, Pleasant Hill 30 Illini West 64, Bushnell-Prairie City 19 Highland 65, Scotland County 30 Paris 35, North Shelby 27 Mark Twain…
Read MoreMissouri Basketball Coaches Association state prep polls make season debut
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association released its first state polls of the high school season Monday and will release new polls each week moving forward, alternating between boys and girls. Here are this week’s polls: Missouri boys Missouri girls
Read MoreCrim: Four decades later, 1984-85 Pittsfield boys basketball team still creating memories
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — It was an opportunity to turn back the clock and enable a band of brothers to reunite and reminisce about their accomplishments on the basketball court four decades ago and the friendships that have endured since. The 1984-85 Pittsfield High School basketball team is remembered as one of the best in school…
Read MoreMonroe City makes tournament’s centennial celebration unforgettable with OT victory
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The shot was as clutch as the roar that followed was deafening. The crowd inside the Monroe City High School gym erupted when Ryan Moss, a senior guard on the Monroe City boys basketball team, drained a 3-pointer to tie Palmyra at 42 with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter…
Read MoreWashington, Pirates see victory over Raiders as springboard to better days ahead
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Darrion Washington wants to be a part of the team that changes the basketball culture at Hannibal. A diminutive point guard who is listed at 5-foot-8 stood the tallest Saturday night. Washington scored a game-high 25 points to lead Hannibal to a 58-55 victory over previously unbeaten Quincy Notre Dame before a…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Monroe City boys, South Shelby girls win tournament championships
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The 100th Monroe City Tournament produced a pair of epic finishes. First, the South Shelby girls basketball team withstood a game-tying, buzzer-beating shot by Palmyra’s Sydney Compton at the end of regulation to pull out a 58-57 victory in overtime. Then the Monroe City boys outlasted Palmyra 51-47 in overtime to…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14: Boys basketball Hannibal 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Illini West 48, Mercer County 36 100th Monroe City Tournament Championship Monroe City 51, Palmyra 47 Third place South Shelby 69, Marion County 53 Girls basketball A-Town Holiday Classic Byron 56, Central-Southeastern 49 Macomb 44, Rockridge…
Read More‘It’s a pretty special thing’: Thomas breaks single-game rebounding record as Blue Devils roll
STERLING, Ill. — Quincy High School boys basketball coach Ryan Brown set forth a challenge for senior forward Keshaun Thomas heading into Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game against Sterling. Brown implored Thomas to come away with 20 points and 20 rebounds. “When he told me, I took it to heart to go out…
Read MoreRaiders work through up-and-down effort to run away from Suns and stay undefeated
AUGUSTA, Ill. — The cushy four-game homestand to start the season came to an end Friday night for the Quincy Notre Dame basketball team. The Raiders learned they can’t get away with simply playing two good quarters. The other two matter just as much. “You come out the first quarter and you don’t do what…
Read MoreMustangs withstand Indians’ fourth-quarter rally, survive with one-point victory
MENDON, Ill. — If Mendon Unity boys basketball coach Keith Carothers was spotted at a local pharmacy early Saturday morning in search of some sort of magic hair-growth potion, there was a specific reason for his being there. “I’ll tell ya what, I’m a lot balder now than I was before the game,” said the…
Read MorePittsfield overwhelmed by 23 first-half turnovers as Riverton cruises to easy victory in Voshall Gym
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The final score was deceiving. The Pittsfield boys basketball team suffered a 57-36 loss to Riverton on Friday night in Voshall Gym, but the Saukees had to outscore the Hawks 14-2 in the final quarter to make the score look less like the blowout than it actually was. Pittsfield (4-3) turned the…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 13
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 13: Boys basketball Quincy High School 81, Sterling 43 Quincy Notre Dame 70, Southeastern 37 West Hancock 88, Rushville-Industry 36 Mendon Unity 57, Payson Seymour 56 Triopia 68, Liberty 63 Riverton 57, Pittsfield 36 Macomb 42, Illini West 38 100th Monroe City Tournament Louisiana 54,…
Read MoreBock, Panthers put themselves in position to win third straight Monroe City Tournament title
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Palmyra boys basketball team is one victory away from winning a third straight Monroe City Tournament for the first time in more than 20 years. Palmyra, which has won more Monroe City titles than any other school in the 100-year history of the event, moved into the finals via its…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 12
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 12: Boys basketball Beardstown 56, Camp Point Central 46 Canton 61, Clark County 43 100th Monroe City Tournament Palmyra 43, South Shelby 35 Mark Twain 51, Highland 40 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 47, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 27 Galesburg 44, Quincy High School 41 Central-Southeastern…
Read MoreDefensive dominance earns Panthers right to play for title in centennial celebration of own tourney
MONROE CITY Mo. — Two down, one to go. The Monroe City boys basketball team’s quest is not yet complete, but the second-seeded Panthers earned the right to play for the championship in the 100th Monroe City Basketball Tournament by dispatching Marion County 77-25 in Wednesday’s semifinal. The significance of the Panthers playing for the…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils bump to No. 3, Titans hang in at No. 10
CHICAGO — Here are the latest Associated Press Illinois boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the stat. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (4) (5-0) 112 3 2. Homewood-Flossmoor (6) (7-0) 97 2 3. Quincy (6-0) 81…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Monroe City boys, Palmyra girls advance to tourney title games
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City boys basketball team and the Palmyra girls will play for championships Saturday night, having navigated Wednesday’s semifinals of the 100th Monroe City Tournament. Monroe City beat Marion County 77-25, while Palmyra held off Highland 48-43. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was in Monroe City and put together…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Wednesday, Dec. 11
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Dec. 11: Boys basketball 100th Monroe City Tournament Monroe City 77, Marion County 25 Louisiana 41, Paris 37 Girls basketball Quincy High School 50, Macomb 30 100th Monroe City Tournament Palmyra 48, Highland 43 Paris 56, Mark Twain 45 Men’s basketball Culver-Stockton College 97, Mount Mercy…
Read MoreBlue Devils continue to inch closer to putting together complete ‘A’ effort
QUINCY — If that was the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s B — or even C — game, the rest of the Western Big 6 Conference must be shaking in their boots at the thought of the Blue Devils bringing their A game. The state-ranked Blue Devils led by as many as 50 points…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils overwhelm Silver Streaks to improve to 2-0 in WB6 play
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team took care of one of its mid-week chores Tuesday night, dispatching Galesburg 82-39 in the first Western Big 6 Conference game at home this season. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 10
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 10: Boys basketball Quincy High School 82, Galesburg 39 Liberty 75, Southeastern 58 Illini West 51, Mendon Unity 28 Winchester West Central 56, Pittsfield 48 Griggsville-Perry 48, Western 28 Macomb 46, Farmington 33 Fulton 51, Hannibal 39 Canton 86, Clopton 78 100th Monroe City Tournament…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 9
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 9: Boys basketball 100th Monroe City Tournament Marion County 67, Paris 49 Monroe City 59, Louisiana 28 Girls basketball Central-Southeastern 55, Illini West 27 Brown County 69, Carrollton 55 Pittsfield 45, Petersburg PORTA 39 West Hancock 60, Payson Seymour 30 Macomb 61, Bushnell-Prairie City 9…
Read MoreCentury of memories: Monroe City celebrates 100-year milestone for basketball invitational
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The semi-weekly Monroe City News reported in its Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1925, edition that a four-county basketball tournament would be played the following Friday and Saturday at Monroe City High School. Featuring teams from Monroe, Marion, Ralls and Shelby counties, it was billed as “the largest and most interest event in…
Read More‘We weren’t frustrated’: Slow start doesn’t deter Blue Devils from steamrolling another opponent
QUINCY — There were no alarms sounding, no distress flags being raised. The Quincy High School boys basketball team needed a full first quarter Saturday night for its offense to find a comfortable second gear, but once it did, it became obvious — and rather quickly — it was not a matter of if the…
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