Brewer expresses his appreciation for support from Canton community throughout his career

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer looks to score during Thursday night's Class 2 state championship game against Eugene at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Preston Brewer’s final words were heartfelt. “Thank you, Canton,” he said. That’s how the Canton boys basketball team’s senior all-state forward ended his final interview, which took place in the tunnel looking out into a then-mostly empty Mizzou Arena after Canton’s 72-61 loss to Eugene in Thursday’s Class 2 state championship game.…

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Photo gallery: Canton brings home second-place trophy from Class 2 state tournament

Canton junior Kaden Oliver shows love to the crowd following the Tigers' 72-61 loss to Eugene in the Class 2 state championship game Thursday night at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team’s deepest postseason run in program history ended with a state title game appearance Thursday night. The Tigers led Eugene 49-45 heading to the fourth quarter at Mizzou Arena, but the Eagles rallied for a 72-61 victory. The second-place finish marks the third state trophy the Canton boys…

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Large and in charge: Canton’s size advantage spearheads second-half surge, leads to spot in state title game

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer slaps hands with a teammate during the first half of Wednesday night's 65-50 victory over Puxico in the Class 2 state semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — How much of an advantage did the Canton boys basketball team have on the interior during Wednesday’s Class 2 semifinal game against Puxico? “A lot,” Tigers coach Dalton Armontrout said. As the game progressed, that edge became more and more apparent. All the Tigers had to do was recognize it. “We did…

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‘We’re not done yet’: Brewer, Tigers remain locked in on mission following semifinal win

Canton's Blake Sparrow, left, and Bleu Taylor hug at the end of the Tigers' 65-50 victory over Puxico in Wednesday's semifinals of the Class 2 state tournament at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Preston Brewer tamed his excitement. As the Canton senior forward exited Wednesday’s Class 2 semifinal game against Puxico for the final time with the Tigers 1:12 away from securing the program’s first ever trip to a state title game, Brewer kept saying to his teammates, “One more.” Brewer did not want to…

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Photo gallery: Canton wins Class 2 state semifinal, will play for first championship in program history

The Canton crowd celebrates the Tigers' 65-50 victory over Puxico in the Class 2 state semifinals Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team overcame a third-quarter deficit by dominating the interior in a 65-50 victory over Puxico in Wednesday night’s Class 2 state semifinals at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers shot 61.7 percent from the field and outrebounded the Indians 40-16. The Tigers will face Eugene at 8 p.m. Thursday in…

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Tigers plan to stick to what they know in preparing for Class 2 state final four appearance

Canton boys basketball coach Dalton Armontrout gives instructions during Monday's practice at Charles Field House on the Culver-Stockton College campus as the Tigers prepare to play at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Class 2 state semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CANTON, Mo. — Whatever you want to call it — superstition, continuity, routine — it has worked. The Canton boys basketball team hasn’t changed anything about its approach, from the pregame meal to coach Dalton Armontrout’s outfit to the mode of transportation, during its run to the Class 2 state semifinals. “It’s important just to…

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Schuckman: Final game together is reminder Blue Devils’ senior class to remain forever linked

The Quincy High School boys basketball players dance in the huddle at the end of their pregame warmups prior to Monday's Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional matchup with Lisle Benet Academy at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus in Normal, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Reality hit Bradley Longcor III all at once as he took a seat on the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s bench. With 19 seconds remaining in regulation Monday night in the Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional at Illinois State University’s CEFCU Arena and the Blue Devils trailing by five points, Longcor fouled…

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‘I didn’t think we’d be in this situation’: Inefficient effort offensively dooms Blue Devils in super-sectional

Quincy High School's Max Wires, left, looks up at the clock as teammate Bradley Longcor III wipes away tears in the final 20 seconds of Monday night's 58-50 loss to Lisle Benet Academy in the Class 4A super-sectional at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Andy Douglas didn’t remember what he said in the locker room because he didn’t know what to say when he walked in there. Tasked with offering some sense of comfort to his Quincy High School boys basketball team following its 58-50 loss Monday night to Lisle Benet Academy in the Class 4A…

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Photo gallery: QHS’s season ends with loss to Benet Academy in Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas talks to his starting five just before the tipoff at the start of Monday's Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional against Lisle Benet Academy at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — A scoring droiught that lasted more than five minutes at the start of the game put the Quincy High School boys basketball team in catch-up mode for the entirety of Monday night’s 58-50 loss to Lisle Benet Academy in the Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University…

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Wires, Blue Devils putting best foot forward in search of trip to state final four

Quincy High School senior point guard Kamren Wires gets announced as a starter before last Friday's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional championship game against Normal Community at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each time Kamren Wires stood up to walk, the pain surged through his left foot and ankle, and that cast further doubt on the possibility he’d play anymore this postseason. “The doctors said I was out for three or four weeks, and I believed them,” said the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s…

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Crim: Tigers head to loaded Class 2 final four at Mizzou Arena looking to ‘make a name for ourselves’

The Canton boys basketball team's postgame celebration following last Friday's Class 2 state quarterfinal victory over Harrisburg was filled with emotion as the Tigers earned the third trip to the final four in program history. | Photo courtesy Brittany Welker

CANTON, Mo. — After accepting congratulatory handshakes and hugs and posing for pictures with teammates and fans, Preston Brewer finally felt the enormity of the moment. While trying to describe the physical pounding he took from relentless Harrisburg defenders for 32 minutes in Friday night’s Missouri Class 2 quarterfinal victory on his home court, he…

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Schuckman: Douglas clings to Lepper’s words and their friendship while helping Blue Devils fight way to sectional championship victory

The Quincy High School boys basketball coaching staff left an open seat on the bench with Tom Lepper's jersey on it during Friday night's Class 4A Collinsvills Sectional championship victory over Normal Community aty Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville,. Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — After what had been a restless night with little to no sleep, Andy Douglas got the phone call he was expecting. On the other end was Tom Lepper, the voice Douglas needed to hear. This was only 12 hours or so after the Quincy High School boys basketball team had lost 44-43…

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‘It feels amazing’: Blue Devils put past disappointment to rest, beat Ironmen for sectional championship

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III reacts to the Blue Devils putting away their 61-54 overtime victory over Normal Community in Friday night's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional championship at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — No over-the-counter remedy could help those associated with the Quincy High School boys basketball program overcome the gnawing disappointment which had lingered for the equivalent of a calendar year. This wasn’t heartburn. This was heartache. “We know what it feels like to be one inch away,” said senior point guard Kamren Wires,…

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‘We get to practice tomorrow’: Canton fends off Harrisburg to reach Class 2 final four

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer, right, runs to join his team in celebration after the Tigers beat Harrisburg 65-60 Friday in the Class 2 state quarterfinals in Canton, Mo. | Photo courtesy Brittany Welker

CANTON, Mo. — The Harrisburg boys basketball team was determined Preston Brewer would not beat it Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Class 2 state tournament. So, Kaden Oliver and Drew Gottman stepped up to keep Canton’s magical season alive. Oliver buried four of his five 3-pointers in the second half — all…

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‘They were just one step ahead of us’: Knights gain early edge, fend off Hornets in sectional semfinals

Brown County sophomore forward Jackson McNeff gets off a shot over Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran's Kaleb Turney during Wednesday's Class 1A North Greene sectional semifinal game in White Hall, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WHITE HALL, Ill. — As the minutes ticked off the clock and the goose egg stayed on the scoreboard, the frustration for Jackson McNeff and the Brown County boys basketball team continued to mount. “It just felt like we couldn’t shoot the ball in the ocean,” said McNeff, a sophomore forward. For the first 9…

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‘The sky’s the limit’: Youthful Hornets lay foundation for future success

Brown County freshman guard Michael Kassing probes the Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran defense during Wednesday's Class 1A North Greene Sectional semifinal game in White Hall, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WHITE HALL, Ill. — An abrupt ending to a resurgent season did not prevent Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff or his players from recognizing what they accomplished. When Bottorff addressed his team in the locker room following the Hornets’ 59-40 loss to Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran in Wednesday’s Class 1A North Greene Sectional semifinal,…

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Fletcher Gym’s friendly confines bring out best in Blue Devils in sectional semifinal victory

Quincy High School's Dom Clay, left, and Rico Clay Jr., center, celebrate toward the end of the Blue Devils' 56-33 victory over Alton in Tuesday night's Class 4A sectional semifinal at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Milton Whitfield had yet to experience playing in historic Vergil Fletcher Gym prior to Tuesday night. “All I wanted was a chance on this floor,” the Quincy High School junior guard said. For good reason. “It’s very beautiful, very big, very spacious,” Whitfield said. “The kind of floor you want to run…

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Rematch with Ironmen in sectional championship brings about plenty of emotion for Blue Devils

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, left, and senior guard Bradley Longcor III discuss defensive assignments during a free throw in the first half of Tuesday's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional semifinal at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — As they filed out of Vergil Fletcher Gym on Tuesday night, the Quincy High School boys basketball players weren’t aware of who their opponent would be in Friday’s Class 4A Collinsville Sectional title game. “Either one, I’m excited to play,” senior guard Bradley Longcor III said. He knew there would be motivation…

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Canton boys end sectional jinx, power past Clopton to reach Class 2 state quarterfinals

The Canton boys basketball team warms up for Monday's Class 2 sectional against Clopton in Clarksville, Mo. | Don Crim photo

CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — Two seasons in a row, the Canton boys basketball team had reached the Missouri Class 2 sectional, and both times the final buzzer sounded the end to its season. This time, the Tigers got to celebrate. Canton scored the game’s opening 10 points and built a 20-point lead by the end of…

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Palmyra puts up first-quarter fight, but Principia showcases its firepower thereafter in sectional victory

Palmyra's Mason Smith, right, hugs teammate Ryan McKinney following their loss to Principia in the Class 3 sectionals on Monday night in St. Louis. | Photo courtesy Paul Baillargeon, Archview Photos

ST. LOUIS — Through the first eight minutes of Monday night’s sectional, the Palmyra boys basketball team went toe-to-toe with the top-ranked team in Missouri Class 3. “I was happy,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. “I just wanted to have a little more movement and some better action that we could get some easy buckets…

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Crim: Centralia’s Bennett maintains focus on what’s next for Orphans after milestone victory

Centralia boys basketball coach Lee Bennett, a Pittsfield native, poses with a group of students after the Orphans won their semifinal in the Class 3A Effingham Regional, giving Bennett his 700th career victory. | Photo courtesy Toby Gullion

QUINCY — Lee Bennett took a moment to pose for a photograph with a group of Centralia High School students acknowledging his 700th career coaching victory last Wednesday night after the Orphans demolished Charleston in the semifinals of the Class 3A Effingham boys basketball regional. The celebration was short. “There’s a lot of people who…

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Hornets display maturity beyond their years in upsetting Rockets in overtime for regional title

The Brown County boys basketball team and the crowd celebrate beating top-seeded Jacksonville Routt 67-65 in overtime in the championship game of the Class 1A Griggsville-Perry Regional on Friday night in Griggsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — What was it that Roger Daltrey of The Who told us in the early days of what we now refer to as classic rock? Wasn’t it something about, “The kids are alright?” Yes, it was. And yes, they are. The Brown County boys basketball team, dominated by a kiddie corps of 10…

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‘Now it’s on to the next’: Regional championship is start of what Blue Devils hope is fruitful postseason

The Quincy High School boys basketball players hoist the Class 4A Belleville West Regional championship plaque after defeating Belleville East 57-50 in Friday's championship game in Belleville, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The sea of blue that flooded the Belleville West High School gym made Dom Clay feel like he was at Blue Devil Gym. “It felt like home, for sure,” Clay said. As the Quincy High School boys basketball team kept extending their blistering scoring run to start Friday’s Class 4A Belleville West…

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Family of winners: Blue Devils’ fourth straight regional title is result of brotherhood

Quincy High School senior guard Dom Clay, right, poses for a picture with Quincy coach Andy Douglas' daughter, Sloan, after the Blue Devils' 57-50 victory over Belleville East on Friday night in the Class 4A Belleville West Regional championship in Belleville, ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — When the Quincy High School boys basketball team breaks their huddle with shouts of ‘Family,’ that is no coincidence. “It’s a testament to what they’ve built over the years,” Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas said. “They truly care about each other on the floor, and they care about each other more off…

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Palmyra exacts its revenge, beats top-seeded Monroe City for district championship

Palmyra senior guard Mason Smith slides to the basket for a layin during Friday night's Class 3 District 6 championship game against Monroe City in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Ryan McKinney was all smiles as he was surrounded by a sea of jubilant Palmyra fans. “We had nothing to lose coming into this game,” the junior guard said. “I mean, we had already lost to them three times. But, you know, if you win the one that matters, those three losses…

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Right on target: Bullets guard leads second-half offensive surge, ending Raiders’ season

Quincy Notre Dame's Jace Allensworth drives past Williamsville's Carson Doran and attempts a reverse layup in the second half of the Class 2A boys basketball regional championship game Friday night at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | David Adam photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Brayden Saling’s second-half performance was so impressive that it even caught his coach off guard. As a matter of fact, Williamsville boys basketball coach Nick Beard was dumbfounded to learn his senior southpaw guard was held scoreless for the first two quarters. “I had no idea,” Beard said. But Beard wasn’t completely…

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Perfect execution on final possession boosts Macomb to regional title on home floor

The Macomb boys basketball team poses for a photo after beating Rockridge 42-41 for the Class 2A Macomb Regional championship on Friday night in Macomb, Ill. | Photo courtesy Andrea Ratermann

MACOMB, Ill. — The significance of playing the Class 2A regional championship at The Hangar wasn’t lost on Macomb boys basketball coach Jeremy Anderson or assistant coach Zach Keene. “Between the two of us, that’s more than 40 years of coaching,” Anderson said. “And we could only come up with four or five times we…

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Collective effort carries Raiders to lopsided victory over Bluejays in regional semifinal

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Robbie Reed makes a pass during Wednesday's Class 2A Pittsfield Regional semifinal game at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Greg Altmix was curious leading up to Wednesday’s Class 2A Pittsfield Regional semifinal game against Petersburg PORTA just how the Raiders would react. “When you come into a new program, you never know how guys are going to respond in the postseason,” said Altmix, the first-year…

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Dunk and destroy: Clay’s breakaway slam ignites massive surge as Blue Devils win regional semi

Quincy High School senior forward Keshaun Thomas scores in the post during Wednesday night's Class 4A Belleville West Regional semifinal against O'Fallon in Belleville, ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Rico Clay Jr.’s instincts when it comes to making a play on the ball brought more than a handful of college football recruiters to visit the talented cornerback last summer and fall. Those same instincts helped ensure the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s season didn’t end prematurely. With the top-seeded Blue…

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‘It’s pretty high stakes’: Monroe City, Palmyra to meet for fourth time, this one for district title

Monroe City's Abram Smyser looks toward the basket during Wednesday night's Class 3A boys basketball district semifinal at Palmyra High School. At left is Monroe City's Brent Holland. At right is Clark County's Reid Sammons. | David Adam photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Get ready for Monroe City versus Palmyra IV. As expected, the top two seeds in the Class 3 District 6 boys basketball tournament won their semifinal-round games Wednesday night to set the stage for a fourth meeting this season in Friday night’s championship game. Trey Smyser hit four 3-pointers in the first…

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Valiant effort by Chargers falls just short in regional semifinal loss to state-ranked Bullets

Illini West junior forward Wesley Robertson rises for a layup between Williamsville's Brayden Saling and, left, and Garrett Timm during Wednesday's Class 2A Pittsfield Regional semifinal game at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The slight fadeaway. The tired legs from playing every minute of the game. Any number of factors could have contributed to the shot coming up just short.  While the outcome was not what Tre Neiderman or the Illini West boys basketball team wanted, Neiderman accepted the result. “The fact that the last…

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Photo gallery: Monroe City, Palmyra boys win district semifinals to set up another showdown

Palmyra boys basketball coach Brian Rea barks out instructions during Wednesday night's 53-37 victory over South Shelby in the semifinals of the Class 3 District 6 tournament in Palmyra, Mo. | David Adam photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Panthers will be playing in the Class 3 sectionals next week, but will it be the Monroe City Panthers or the Palmyra Panthers? The Clarence Cannon Conference rivals advanced to the championship of the Class 3 District 6 boys basketball tournament with semifinal victories Wednesday night. Top-seeded Monroe City beat fourth-seeded…

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Muddy Night Hoops Episode 9

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined on the Hess Auto Hotline by Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne, Central-Southeastern girls coach Matt Long, Quincy High School boys coach Andy Douglas and Payson Seymour boys coach Tyler Duschinsky to break down the prep basketball scene for the latest episode of…

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Crim: Payson’s Schwartz views his milestone scoring achievement as team accomplishment

Payson Seymour senior guard Blake Schwartz passed Paul Lentz to become the program's all-time leading scorer. | Addi Zanger photo

PAYSON, Ill. — One by one, seniors and their parents were introduced before last Friday night’s boys high school basketball game between Payson Seymour and Western. Blake Schwartz’s name was called last. After exchanging hugs with his mom and dad in front of the Payson bench, he was asked by the public address announcer to…

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Fourth-quarter rally enables QND to end regular season with confidence after beating Keokuk

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Beau Eftink made four 3-pointers in the second half of Friday night's 64-62 victory over Keokuk at Wright Fieldhouse in Keokuk, Iowa. | Matt Schuckman photo

KEOKUK, Iowa — All that Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Greg Altmix wanted was a chance.  Through two and a half quarters of Friday’s affair with Keokuk, it looked like that opportunity may never materialize. But the Raiders never relented. “The guys just kept battling,” Altmix said. “They didn’t give up.” Down double digits…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, February 21

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, February 21: Boys basketball Quincy Notre Dame 64, Keokuk (Iowa) 62 Brown County 87, Pleasant Hill 55 Monmouth-Roseville 43, Macomb 37 Palmyra 69, Highland 36 Monroe City 52, Macon 20 South Shelby 60, Higbee 48 Marion County 63, North Shelby 59 Louisiana 72, Mark Twain 49…

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QJHS, Camp Point Central eighth graders finish as state runners-up, Southeastern takes fourth

The Quincy Junior High School eighth grade boys basketball team finished as the state runner-up in the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 4A state tournament, suffering a 46-42 loss to the Michelle Obama School of Technology and the Arts on Thursday night. | Photo courtesy Quincy Junior High School

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — Trailing by 13 points early in the second half, the Quincy Junior High School eighth grade boys basketball team got within two points in the fourth quarter but never got the lead in a 46-42 loss to the Michelle Obama School of Technology and the Arts (STA) from Park Forest in the…

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‘We knew we could get it’: Chargers set new single-season wins record by beating Rockets

Illini West senior guard Tre Neiderman shoots a 3-pointer during Wednesday's game against Rushville-Industry in Carthage, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Twenty-two. Tre Neiderman and the Illini West boys basketball players have had that magic number in their sights since setting a goal during summer workouts to eclipse the program’s single-season record for victories. “We knew that we could get it,” Neiderman said. Now the Chargers have it. With a 57-40 victory over…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils drop to No. 3, Titans climb to No. 10 in final poll

From left, West Hancock's Gavin Grothaus, Cooper Knowles and Nolan Gooding have guided the Titans to a 27-win regular season and the No. 10 ranking in the Associated Press Class 2A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Associated Press Illinois boys basketball state rankings, as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (11) 27-1 118 1 2. Marist 28-2 92 5 3. Quincy (1) 27-3 86 2 4. Waubonsie Valley…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, February 19

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, February 19: Boys basketball Brown County 64, Carrollton 45 Illini West 57, Rushville-Industry 40 Calhoun 53, Pittsfield 34 Palmyra 54, Clark County 39 Columbia Battle 76, Monroe City 41 Girls basketball Palmyra 54, Clark County 49 Men’s basketball Central Methodist 87, Culver-Stockton College 63 Women’s basketball…

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Victory of Titan-ic proportions: West Hancock wins West Central Conference title, beats QND at The Pit

West Hancock junior center Cooper Knowles, right, blocks a shot by Quincy Notre Dame's Jace Allensworth during the first half of Tuesday night's West Central Conference game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As he dribbled from one side of the court to the other, West Hancock senior guard Gavin Grothaus found himself dangerously close to a five-second violation.  A turnover could have changed the outcome of the game. Instead, Grothaus avoided the mishap and made the biggest pass of Tuesday’s showdown with Quincy Notre Dame,…

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Rocks deny Blue Devils’ bid to finish conference play undefeated in regular-season finale

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III and the Blue Devils suffered a 58-53 loss to Rock Island in Western Big 6 Conference play Tuesday night in Rock Island, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — For a moment, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas thought maybe his team’s lackluster demeanor was just an aberration. The state-ranked Blue Devils lethargically took the floor for warmups prior to Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island at the Rocky Fieldhouse with a chance to…

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Photo gallery: Titans, Raiders trade punches in postseason atmosphere

West Hancock coach Jeff Dahl, left, gives instructions to the Titans' Hunter Froman, center, and Lewis Siegfried in the fourth quarter of Tuesday night's game against Quincy Notre Dame at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The West Hancock boys basketball team went toe-to-toe with Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday night with a packed house at The Pit raising the decibel levels to as loud as the gym has been all winter. The Titans put a stamp on their West Central Conference title with a 65-58 victory. Muddy River…

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Smith’s field goals to start fourth quarter make certain Panthers hold Pirates at bay

Palmyra senior guard Mason Smith drives to the basket during Tuesday's game against Hannibal in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. —The Palmyra boys basketball team scored the first 21 points Tuesday night against Hannibal. Game, set, match. Right? Well, not quite. Palmyra was not able to deliver what amounted to be the ultimate knockout punch until the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. That’s when the Panthers’ 6-foot-3 Mason Smith connected on a…

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Muddy Night Hoops Episode 8

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined on the Hess Auto Hotline by Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance, Illini West girls coach Grant Surprenant, West Hancock senior guard Lewis Siegfried and Canton senior forward Preston Brewer to break down the prep basketball scene for the latest episode of Muddy…

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Blue Devils put away pesky Crimsons to secure victory in final game at Blue Devil Gym

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III throws down a dunk in the second half of Saturday's game against Jacksonville at Blue Devil Gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Dom Clay got all the tears out of his system on Friday night, but that did not make Saturday any less emotional or memorable. For Clay and the seven other seniors on the Quincy High School boys basketball team, Saturday’s clash with Jacksonville marked their final game at Blue Devil Gym. “It hit…

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Quincy, Camp Point eighth grade boys basketball teams to play for state titles, Southeastern to play for third

Comets use strong second half to reach title game TAYLORVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Junior High School eighth grade boys basketball team will play for an Illinois Elementary School Association Class 4A state championship Thursday after winning a pair of games Saturday at Taylorville High School. The Comets beat O’Fallon Carriel 33-20 in the quarterfinals…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, February 15

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, February 15: Boys basketball Quincy High School 66, Jacksonville 49 Palmyra 69, Bowling Green 56 Girls basketball Class 2A Illini West Regional Illini West 43, South County 40 West Hancock 39, Beardstown 29 Class 1A Payson Regional West Prairie 64, Payson Seymour 33 Rushville-Industry 56, Bushnell-Prairie…

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Power in the post: Thomas dominates inside as Blue Devils win WB6 championship outright

Quincy High School senior forward Keshaun Thomas gains inside position as he turns to the basket and scores during the first half of Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Moline at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each time Keshaun Thomas gained position on a Moline defender in the post Friday night, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas could hear former assistant coach Tom Lepper barking at the guards to make the entry pass. In fact, Douglas could envision the lumbering 6-foot-9 Lepper getting off the bench and…

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‘I’m glad we could get one for her’: Saukees grind out win in first game since Ramsey’s death

Pittsfield junior guard Taylor Graham shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter of Friday's game against Western in Barry, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

BARRY, Ill. — Taylor Graham had no doubt he got some heavenly help to allow his pivotal free throw to rattle in. “It definitely felt like it,” Graham said. “To be honest, out of the hand, I thought I missed it.” That free throw, which came with 13.6 seconds left and gave the Pittsfield boys…

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‘We knew it was our moment’: Seniors help Raiders take 20-2 lead, roll to victory over Liberty

Quincy Notre Dame's Alex Dance defends Liberty's Tate Huber from making a pass to teammate Reed Sparrow in the lane during Friday night's boys basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Alex Dance and his four Quincy Notre Dame senior teammates don’t get many chances to play together at the same time on the basketball court. Naturally, they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity on Senior Night. “We knew this was one of our last chances to start together,” Dance said. “We just…

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Titans continue rolling toward postseason, handle Suns for second time this season

West Hancock point guard Gavin Grothaus scored 12 points in Friday night's victory over Southeastern in Warsaw, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

WARSAW, Ill. — Southeastern boys basketball coach Brandon Gooding was honest in his assessment. Brutally honest. “If we’d play a great team like West Hancock 100 times, they’d probably win all 100,” Gooding said. “But we’re trying to emphasize to our kids go out there and be a puncher, play as hard as you can.”…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils move step closer to undefeated conference championship

Quincy High School senior forward Dom Clay wraps a pass around Moline defender Braden Freeman during the first half of Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference victory at Blue Devil Gym, | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team needs a victory Tuesday night at Rock Island to finish undefeated in the Western Big 6 Conferenece following a 69-52 victory over Moline on Friday night at Blue Devil Gym,. The Blue Devils are 26-2 overall and 11-0 in the WB6. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Photo Gallery: QND boys race to huge lead in claiming West Central Conference victory

Liberty's Jack Sparrow gets an earful from the Quincy Notre Dame student section during Friday night's boys basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team led 20-2 after one quarter and 39-8 at halftime as they rolled to a 71-29 victory over Liberty during Friday’s West Central Conference tussle at The Pit. Four seniors — Alex Dance, Conner Young, Jackson Pyatt and Carter Miller — combined for 11 points in the…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, February 14

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, February 14: Boys basketball Quincy High School 69, Moline 52 Quincy Notre Dame 71, Liberty 29 West Hancock 63, Southeastern 27 Pittsfield 49, Western 43 Griggsville-Perry 60, Payson Seymour 54 (2OT) Jacksonville Routt 51, Brown County 45 Illini West 47, Bushnell-Prairie City 26 Macomb 49, Camp…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils move back to No. 2 in Class 4A

The Quincy High School boys basketball team is No. 2 in the Class 4A state poll heading into a pivotal weekend against Moline and Jacksonville with both games at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (10) 25-1 109 1 2. Quincy (1) 25-2 95 3 3. Homewood-Flossmoor 25-2 89 2 4. Hinsdale Central 27-2…

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Blue Devils take care of business against Pioneers, set up showdowns with Maroons, Rocks to finish WB6 play

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III scored 15 points in Tuesday night's 76-33 victory over Alleman at Don Morris Gym in Rock Island, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — For a moment Tuesday night, however brief it was, the Rock Island Alleman boys basketball team led state-ranked Quincy High School. Then the Blue Devils took possession of the ball, the lead and the game. Alleman sophomore guard Jack Wendt scored on a drive down the left side of the lane…

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Monroe City’s hot 3-point shooting in first quarter sparks 24-point victory over Palmyra in CCC play

Monroe City junior guard Quincy Mayfield shoots a 3-pointer over Palmyra's Ryan McKinney during Tuesday's Clarence Cannon Conference game in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Monroe City boys basketball coach Brock Edris joked with his team after the fact, but there was no joke about the effort his players put forth against Palmyra on Tuesday. Following a five-game stretch in which it went 3-2 with wins by a combined seven points against teams with a collective…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, February 11

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, February 11: Boys basketball Quincy High School 76, Alleman 33 Quincy Notre Dame 80, Mendon Unity 39 Winchester West Central 69, Payson Seymour 63 Illini West 42, Camp Point Central 23 Brown County 55, Western 37 Beardstown 54, Pittsfield 43 Monroe City 68, Palmyra 44 South…

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Muddy Night Hoops Episode 7

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy High School senior guard Kamren Wires and Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Tristan Pieper and on the Hess Auto Hotline by Marion County boys coach Reed Plunkett and Canton girls coach Danielle Baker to break down the…

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Balanced offensive attack, stout defensive effort contribute to Titans blowing out Eagles

West Hancock senior guard Gavin Grothaus turns to shoot a jumper while being guarded by Liberty's Vince Cramsy during Monday's West Central Conference game in Liberty, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

LIBERTY, Ill. — Balanced and connected. When the West Hancock boys basketball team is both of those things — like it was on Monday — Titans senior guard Lewis Siegfried would hate to play against them. “It’s scary just thinking about it,” Siegfried said. The Titans put four players in double figures and clamped down…

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Three area eighth grade boys basketball teams qualify for state tourney in respective classes

QUINCY — The Quincy Junior High School eighth grade boys basketball team is headed to the Illinois Elementary School Association state tournament. Camp Point Central and Augusta Southeastern are, too. The three squads won sectional championships in their respective classes Monday night, advancing to the state quarterfinals on Saturday. Quincy defeated Mt. Zion 32-23 at…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, February 10

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard from Monday, Feb. 10: Boys basketball West Hancock 64, Liberty 35 Payson Seymour 58, Beardstown 52 (OT) North Mac 49, Pittsfield 40 Southeastern 67, Pleasant Hill 53 Girls basketball Brown County 72, Mendon Unity 57 Pittsfield 65, Greenfield/Northwestern 36 Macomb 68, Illini West 49 Men’s basketball Clarke University…

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Friday night’s sluggish start becomes distant memory as Blue Devils race to 35-9 lead in rout

Quincy High School senior guard Kamren Wires gets fouled on a drive to the basket during Saturday night's game against Batavia at Blue Devil Gym. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — It wasn’t going to be a repeat performance. One night after being held to a lone field goal in the first quarter and to just 13 points in the opening half against United Township, the Quincy High School boys basketball team made sure there would be no need for any second-half heroics. Beginning…

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Mexico’s blistering shooting continues, while turnovers continue to plague QND

Mexico's Holden Aulbur tries to trach down a ball near midcourt while guarded by Quincy Notre Dame's Jackson Connoyer during Saturday night's game at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Darren Pappas has seen this act before.  The coach of the Mexico (Mo.) boys basketball team has had a front row seat to the Bulldogs’ perimeter prowess. “When we get our feet set, I like our chances,” Pappas said with a grin. Mexico made eight of its first nine shots, had seven first…

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Smith’s putback dunk adds exclamation point to Palmyra’s overtime victory over Routt

Palmyra's Ryan McKinney looks for space to dribble inside the Jacksonville Routt defense during Saturday's game in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Hudson Bock’s surprise turned to delight in a blink. With the Palmyra boys basketball team leading Jacksonville Routt 58-57 in overtime, Bock turned a steal into a fastbreak which he figured he’d finish with a left-handed layup. The ball had other ideas, rolling off the right side of the rim. “I saw it…

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Smyser’s trey gives Monroe City boost in finishing off Liberty in final minutes of regulation

Monroe City's Trey Smyser, left, pressures Liberty's Reed Sparrow during Saturday's game in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As his teammates moved the ball up the floor, Trey Smyser gravitated to one of his favorite spots on the floor. “I like shooting on the wing,” he said. Apparently so. The Monroe City senior guard buried a 3-pointer from the right wing in front of the Panthers’ bench with 49.1 seconds remaining…

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Seniors in West Hancock backcourt lead charge as Titans use tide-turning run to hold off Hawks

West Hancock senior guard Lewis Siegfried directs traffic during the first half of Saturday's game against Clopton (Mo.) in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Lewis Siegfried, Gavin Grothaus and the West Hancock boys basketball team went on the attack. Trailing Clopton (Mo.) 13-12 with less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter Saturday in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout, the Titans went on a 15-0 run while holding the Hawks without a field goal for…

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Blue Devils battle back from first-half effort deemed ‘worst of all time’ to fend off Panthers

Quincy High School forward Keshaun Thomas looks to kick the ball out of the post as United Township's Tucker Speckman, left, reaches in to knock the ball away during Friday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It is not an exaggeration to say the Quincy High School boys basketball team played its worst 16 minutes of the season Friday night. It’s not hyperbole either to suggest it was the worst half of the Blue Devils’ careers. They freely admitted it was a struggle beyond measure. “Worst of all time,”…

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Helias capitalizes on swing moment in fourth quarter, fends off QND’s comeback

Quincy Notre Dame's Jackson Connoyer looks to pass while defended by Jefferson City Helias' Alex Wood, left, and Jordan Sykes during Friday night's game in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The pass was perfect and the shot was open.  “Everything was right there,” Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Greg Altmix said. Everything except the tide-turning moment it was set up to be. The Raiders had cut an 18-point, second-half deficit to seven in the early stages of the fourth quarter of Friday’s…

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Photo gallery: QHS avoids WB6 upset by going on 30-3 run to erase forgettable first half

Quincy High School guard Bradley Longcor III pressures United Township's Tyler Horvath in the backcourt during Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team scored just three points in the first quarter Friday night against United Township and trailed 22-5 with three minutes to go in the first half, but the Blue Devils went on a 30-3 run to take control and post a 53-43 Western Big 6 Conference victory…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, February 7

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Feb. 7: Boys basketball Quincy High School 53, United Township 43 Jefferson City Helias 57, Quincy Notre Dame 45 Liberty 49, Payson Seymour 42 Camp Point Central 56, Rushville-Industry 36 Mendon Unity 76, Southeastern 62 Macomb 67, South Fulton 42 Brown County 69, Pittsfield 36 Pawnee…

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Hall of Fame QHS basketball player Gary Phillips passes away at age of 85

Gary Phillips, a charter member of the Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame, passed away recently in Austin, Texas. He was 85. | Photo courtesy Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame

QUINCY — Gary Phillips didn’t return to his roots often, but when he did, the Quincy High School Hall of Fame basketball player was treated with legendary status. Even if he shied away from it. A star for the Blue Devils in the 1950s who became an All-American at the University of Houston and played…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils slip to No. 3, Titans on edge of Class 2A top 10

Senior forward Keshaun Thomas, left, and senior guard Bradley Longcor III have led the Blue Devils to a 22-2 record and a No. 3 ranking in this week's Associated Press Class 4A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (11) 23-1 119 1 2. Homewood-Flossmoor 23-2 106 3 3. Quincy (1) 22-2 103 2 4. Bolingbrook (1)…

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Knowles’ triple-double helps Titans grind out overtime victory over Bloodhounds

West Hancock junior center Cooper Knowles scored 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked 12 shots in Tuesday night's victory over Fort Madison (Iowa) in overtime in Hamilton, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

HAMILTON, Ill. — West Hancock boys basketball coach Jeff Dahl tried his best to wrap his arms around what had just transpired. “This … was a grinder,” he said. West Hancock survived an overtime struggle with Fort Madison (Iowa), winning 74-67 Tuesday night to extend its win streak to nine in front of a crowd…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, February 4

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Feb. 4: Boys basketball West Hancock 74, Fort Madison (Iowa) 67 Liberty 59, Western 51 Payson Seymour 66, Pittsfield 50 Brown County 57, Southeastern 40 Monroe City 57, South Shelby 55 Canton 69, Putnam County 50 Moberly 66, Hannibal 42 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 66,…

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Muddy Night Hoops Episode 6

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy High School coach Brad Dance and KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr and on the Hess Auto Hotline by Brown County coach Dave Phelps and Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey to break down the prep basketball scene…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, Feb. 3

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Feb. 3: Boys basketball Liberty 65, West Prairie 47 North Callaway 64, Highland 41 Wright City 61, Mark Twain 37 Marion County 51, Knox County 39 Girls basketball Central-Southeastern 60, Pittsfield 37 Brown County 52, Macomb 48 Highland 62, North Callaway 36 Canton 78, Atlanta 31…

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Schuckman: Milestone moments continue to pile up for QHS senior class

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III moved into second place on the QHS career scoring charts, passing Jack Kramer with Saturday's 20-point effort against Chaminade at the Midwest Crossroads Shootout at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. Longocr currently has 1,773 career points. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — Crunching some numbers as the Quincy High School boys basketball players continue to reach milestones … • When Bradley Longcor III passed Jeff Klingler for third place on the program’s all-time scoring list, someone noticed and asked about Jack Kramer’s point total at No. 2. There was a discrepancy between Kramer’s Hall of…

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Efficient effort offensively, toughness defensively carry Blue Devils to Shootout victory over Red Devils

Quincy High School junior guard Milton Whitfield claps as the Blue Devils walk off the floor following their 49-44 victory over St. Louis Chaminade in the Midwest Crossroads Shootout on Saturday at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The efficiency with which the Quincy High School boys basketball team runs its offense typically means a shot is going up after one, two or at most three passes. “Normally, We don’t normally get a reversal,” Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas said.  The patience with which the Blue Devils played Saturday night…

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‘They just kept battling and battling’: Raiders dig out of 13-point hole, rally to beat state-ranked Panthers

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Alex Dance, foreground, celebrates with his teammates after QND's 66-57 victory over Monroe City on Saturday in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — When their team allows the first 13 points of a game, a basketball coach may be inclined to make significant adjustments. But even when the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team fell behind by a baker’s dozen in the first 4:45 against Monroe City on Saturday, Raiders coach Greg Altmix did…

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Photo gallery: QHS boys basketball team never relinquishes lead in second half against Chaminade

Quincy High School's Keshaun Thomas, left, and Dom Clay, right, help teammate Bradley Longcor III to his feet after he was fouled during Saturday's game against Chaminade in the Midwest Crossroads Shootout at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team led by as many as eight points in the second half of Saturday’s game at the Midwest Crossroads Shootout and never gave up the lead despite St. Louis Chaminade whittling the deficit to as little as two points. The Blue Devils held on for a…

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Photo gallery: QND boys and girls sweep hoops doubleheader from Monroe City

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton applies defensive pressure to Monroe City's Myra Jones during Saturday's game in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team held up its end of the bargain this time. For the second time this season, the QND boys and girls basketball teams played a twinbill against a Clarence Cannon Conference team. In December, the Raiders split with Palmyra. Saturday night, it was a showdown…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, February 1

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Feb. 1: Boys basketball Quincy High School 49, Chaminade 44 Quincy Notre Dame 66, Monroe City 57 Illini West 50, Abingdon-Avon 42 Hale Bosworth 63, North Shelby 42 Girls basketball Sterling 42, Quincy High School 40 Quincy Notre Dame 57, Monroe City 27 Central-Southeastern 63, Cissna…

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Douglas reminds Blue Devils to stay grounded after blowing out another WB6 opponent

Sterling guard Xavian Prather tries to split the defense of Quincy High School's Kamren Wires, left, and Dom Clay, right, during the first quarter of Friday night's Western Big 6 Confernce game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Every contender wants a shot at the title. So as both the reigning Western Big 6 Conference champion and the No. 2-ranked team in the state in Class 4A, the Quincy High School boys basketball squad has to be prepared to make sure a prize fight doesn’t turn into a back-alley brawl. “Everybody…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils stay undefeated in WB6 play with victory over Golden Warriors

Quincy High School assistant coach Bruce Bonness talks with, from left, seniors Dom Clay, Kamren Wires and Bradley Longcor III near the end of Friday night's game against Sterling at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team improved to 10-0 in the Western Big 6 Conference with Friday night’s 84-45 victory over Sterling at Blue Devil Gym, giving the Blue Devils a two-game lead in the league standings. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Cardinals employ new defense while hitting their groove offensively in rolling to CCC victory

South Shelby senior forward Noah Wilt shoots a jumper over Highland's Lane Hinton, left, and Briscoe Post during Friday's Clarence Cannon Conference game in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — It took a little more than a quarter for the South Shelby boys basketball team to find its rhythm. Once the Cardinals did, it was smooth sailing. South Shelby led 14-12 after the first quarter against Highland on Friday, but the Cardinals stretched that lead to as large as 15 in the…

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Photo gallery: Highland, South Shelby split Clarence Cannon Conference twinbill

Highland junior guard Addy Abell brings the ball up the floor during Friday's Clarence Cannon Conference game against South Shelby in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The Highland girls basketball team scored a significant victory with its 38-36 triumph over South Shelby in Clarence Cannon Conference play Friday night, while the South Shelby boys rolled to a 72-44 victory over Highland in the nightcap of the twinbill. Muddy Rivr Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was at Highland and put…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, January 31

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, January 31: Boys basketball Quincy High School 84, Sterling 45 West Hancock 61, Camp Point Central 31 Liberty 63, Brown County 51 Payson Seymour 66, Southeastern 57 (OT) Macomb 56, Havana 22 South Shelby 72, Highland 44 Palmyra 64, Macon 45 Kirksville 43, Hannibal 31 Monroe…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils fall to No. 2 in Class 4A following Shootout loss

The Quincy High School boys basketball team fell to No. 2 in the Class 4A state rankings following its loss to Bishop O'Connell of Arlington, Va., in last weekend's Quincy Shootout. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (11) 22-1 135 2 2. Quincy (2) 20-2 118 1 3. Homewood-Flossmoor (1) 22-2 108 7 4. Bolingbrook 22-3…

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‘What did I just watch?’ Knowles’ reverse slam, Titans’ first quarter blitz highlight blowout of Chiefs

West Hancock senior point guard Gavin Grothaus drives to the basket during the Titans' 74-28 victory over Keokuk on Tuesday in Warsaw, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WARSAW, Ill. — Hunter Froman did a double take from the bench. Gavin Grothaus ran back on defense with his hands on his head and mouth wide open in disbelief. They were in awe of what Cooper Knowles had just done. It was just the cherry on top of a dominant sundae whipped up by…

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Raiders slam door shut on Chargers’ rally by holding them scoreless over final three minutes

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Beau Eftink drives to the basket during Tuesday night's game against Illini West at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — With a chance to leave zero doubt, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team instead gave its opponent a slither of hope. It nearly erased the best stretch of basketball the Raiders had played in quite some time.  “We got complacent,” Raiders junior forward Jackson Connoyer said. “Took our foot off the gas.”…

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Blue Devils follow through on promise to practice better in order to play better, hammer Silver Streaks

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III scored 20 points Tuesday night to lead the Blue Devils to a 90-35 Western Big 6 Conference victory over Galesburg at John Thiel Gym in Galesburg, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball players’ action spoke just as loud as their words following Saturday’s loss — just the No. 1-ranked Blue Devils’ second loss of the season and first at home in nearly two years. They said a more focused attitude at practice would lead to better on-court results.…

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Photo gallery: Strong start pushes QND boys basketball team past Illini West

Quincy Notre Dame senior Joe Warning, who is the Raider mascot, runs down the sideline during a timeout during Tuesday night's boys basketball game against Illini West at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team scored eight of the game’s first 10 points Tuesday night and never trailed in a 61-48 victory over Illini West at The Pit. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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