Posts Tagged ‘Boys basketball’
Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 28
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard from Tuesday, Jan. 28: Boys basketball Quincy High School 90, Galesburg 35 Quincy Notre Dame 61, Illini West 48 West Hancock 72, Keokuk (Iowa) 28 Brown County 65, Payson Seymour 58 Pittsfield 40, Camp Point Central 37 Jacksonville Routt 62, Liberty 49 Macomb 55, Bushnell-Prairie City 29 Monroe…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops Episode 5
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy Notre Dame guard Alex Dance and on the Hess Auto Hotline by Quincy High School coach Andy Douglas, Central Illinois Sports’ Brian Shoemaker and Highland guard Addy Abell to break down the prep basketball scene for the…
Read More‘I wouldn’t want to guard him’: Length, skill and humble work ethic make Canton’s Brewer tough to defend
CANTON, Mo. — A humble beast. Kaden Oliver, a junior guard on the Canton boys basketball team, gave that moniker to Preston Brewer, the Tigers’ 6-foot-8 senior forward and a friend of Oliver’s for 10 years. “He’s probably the most humble guy I’ve ever met in my life,” Oliver said. “He’s very hard-working, takes criticism…
Read MoreSchuckman: Underwood’s appearance, Wentura’s birthday, Stratman’s effort make Quincy Shootout memorable
QUINCY — The Quincy High School administration obliged. So did Brad Underwood. That turned the Quincy Shootout into a memorable moment for a vast number of fans. At some point early Saturday afternoon, Quincy boys basketball coach Andy Douglas learned Underwood, the head coach of the University of Illinois men’s basketball program, and Illini assistant…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Quincy Shootout provides memorable moments, high-level competition
QUINCY — The seventh Quincy Shootout is in the books. What will we remember from it? Brad Underwood’s appearance, Oak Park’s impressive play, Chris Cenac’s name, Blue Devil Gym packed to the rafters and so much more. A basketball junkie’s dream weekend was undoubtedly successful yet again. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent Saturday…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout schedule and scores
QUINCY — The seventh Quincy Shootout is taking place this weekend at Blue Devil Gym and The Pit. All games are being streamed on the Central Illinois Sports channel on YouTube. Here is the schedule: Friday’s games At Blue Devil Gym Sunrise Christian 76, Father Tolton 40 MVP — Sunrise Christian guard Jacob Walker, who…
Read MoreChance to make Shootout statement slips away from top-ranked Blue Devils in loss to Knights
QUINCY — This one stings, not because of the outcome but more so because of the preparation. When you’re the No. 1-ranked boys basketball team in the Illinois Class 4A state poll and you’re asked to defend your home court in a spotlight matchup in a ballyhooed event, you can’t coast through the week. It’s…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS boys suffer setback in marquee game of Quincy Shootout
QUINCY — The top-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team suffered its second loss of the season, falling 53-46 to Bishop O’Connell of Arlington, Va., in the marquee game of the seventh Quincy Shootout on Saturday night at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreMonroe City boys win another tourney title by beating rival Palmyra in championship game
PALMYRA, Mo. — There seems to be a trend developing. For the second time this season, Monroe City has won a boys basketball tournament at the expense of rival Palmyra. Monroe City controlled Saturday night’s championship game of the 82nd Tony Lenzini Tournament in impressive fashion before settling for a 62-50 victory in front of…
Read MoreRaiders adjust to how officials call tight, physical game and run away from Tigers for WCC victory
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Greg Altmix didn’t have to think too long when asked to describe how his Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team regrouped following a first quarter riddled with fouls and even more free throw attempts. “We started moving our feet more and hands less,” the Raiders coach said. The defensive shift allowed QND…
Read More‘We have to come with energy’: Blue Devils prep for showdown with Knights by dispatching Maple Leafs
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team wasn’t going to disrespect the opponent, the event or the sport with a nonchalant effort. There’s too much riding on this weekend to be anything less than focused. So despite knowing what the outcome of Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Geneseo could have…
Read MoreSchuckman: Blue Devils’ camaraderie and love for each other brings proper perspective to milestone moments
QUINCY — Andy Douglas called timeout as soon as the ball tickled the twine. He wasn’t letting this moment pass by. With less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter of Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Geneseo, Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III buried a 3-pointer from the left…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Quincy Shootout kicks off with spirited play at Blue Devil Gym
QUINCY — The first night of the seventh Quincy Shootout produced what basketball fans have come to expect from the marquee event of the winter — high-level teams competing with energy and enthusiasm, college-level talent playing above the rim and games decided in the waning seconds. More of the same is expected Saturday, when nine…
Read More‘We were kind of shocked’: Simeon’s blitz puts QND on its heels, leads to lopsided loss for Raiders
QUINCY — The first six minutes the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team played against Chicago Simeon in the Quincy Shootout on Friday were as close to as perfect as Raiders coach Greg Altmix could have asked for. “If we can do that for 32 minutes, there’s no team in Class 2A we can’t play…
Read MoreTitans ground Bombers with ‘best overall defensive effort of the season’ in 14-point victory
WARSAW, Ill. — The West Hancock boys basketball team proved Friday night its victory over Macomb in late December was no fluke. The Titans controlled every aspect of the return engagement, ending with a 54-40 triumph Friday night at Warsaw High School. West Hancock is now 19-4 and within one win of a third straight…
Read MoreFrom A to Z: Deep dive reveals incredible talent coming to Quincy Shootout once again
QUINCY — The Quincy Shootout returns Friday with four games being played at both Blue Devil Gym and The Pit on Friday night and nine games taking place Saturday at Blue Devil Gym. Here’s an A-to-Z look at what to expect and what to be on the lookout for this weekend: A is for attendance,…
Read MoreMonroe City’s cushion withstands Canton’s late barrage with spot in Lenzini Tournament title game at stake
PALMYRA, Mo. — Canton boys basketball coach Dalton Armontrout looked at the post-game numbers and shrugged his shoulders. “Too little, too late, I guess,” he said, trying to analyze what had just unfolded in the semifinals of the 82nd Tony Lenzini Tournament at Palmyra High School. No argument with that assessment. Monroe City held off…
Read MoreOld-school look leads to old-school ways as Palmyra rolls into tournament title game
PALMYRA, Mo. — Brian Rea opted for a little back to the future to serve as inspiration for the Palmyra boys basketball team. The Panthers’ fourth-year coach wanted to revisit the past in an imaginative way in an effort to simultaneously light a late-season fire under his club and have some fun as the season’s…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 22
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 22: Boys basketball Greenfield-Northwestern 56, Pittsfield 39 Tony Lenzini Invitational Palmyra 69, Van-Far 39 Highland 55, Hannibal 45 North Shelby Tournament North Shelby 70, Schuyler County 68 (OT) Marion County 67, Knox County 50 Girls basketball Mendon Unity 51, Liberty 41 Tony Lenzini Invitational Hannibal…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils stay No. 1 ahead of Quincy Shootout showdown
CHICAGO — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as compiled by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from across the state. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Quincy (8) 18-1 142 1 2. Kenwood (2) 20-1 126 2 3. Bolingbrook (3) 20-2 122…
Read MoreCrim: Wootten carves own niche at Bishop O’Connell while following in legendary father’s footsteps
QUINCY. — Joe Wootten returned the phone call from his car four hours before his Bishop O’Connell High School boys basketball team was scheduled to play Fairfax (Va.) Christian in a Monday afternoon matinee. The severe winter storm that descended upon the Washington, D.C. area earlier this month forced teams to postpone and reschedule games.…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 21
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 21: Boys basketball Payson Seymour 45, Camp Point Central 34 Illini West 60, Liberty 47 Jacksonville Routt 50, Griggsville-Perry 36 Tony Lenzini Invitational Canton 69, Brookfield 47 Monroe City 54, Clark County 33 North Shelby Tournament South Shelby 71, la Plata 51 Scotland County 89,…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops Episode 4
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined on the Hess Auto Hotline by Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne, Payson Seymour coach Tyler Duschinsky, Moline coach Sean Taylor and West Hancock point guard Gavin Grothaus to break down the prep basketball scene for the latest episode of Muddy Night Hoops powered by…
Read MoreRaiders show composure, willingness to battle in knocking off Normal U-High in MLK Challenge
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Greg Altmix debated taking a timeout as Normal U-High inched closer and closer to erasing the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s lead in the third quarter Monday afternoon. “But I’m like, ‘What do I tell them? Make your shots?’” the QND coach said. “We were getting good shots. They just have…
Read MoreLongcor outscores Lincoln by himself as No. 1 Quincy caps perfect week with lopsided victory
QUINCY — Bradley Longcor III doesn’t glance at the scoreboard often during a game other than to check the time remaining and occasionally see what the score might be. “Just the time really,” he said. “To be honest, that’s it.” And he ignores the individual numbers shared on the big scoreboard on the south wall…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS completes three-game sweep of tradition-rich programs by beating Lincoln
QUINCY — First, down went Moline. Then Rock Island. And lastly Lincoln. The No. 1-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team swept three tradition-rich foes this week, completing the trifecta Saturday night with a 51-21 victory over Lincoln at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo…
Read MoreTitans face halftime deficit head on, rally to win Hancock County Tournament championship
WARSAW, Ill. — Hunter Froman did not mince any words. “We thought it was going to be a cakewalk,” said the 6-foot-3 West Hancock sophomore, who was openly relieved once his club had managed to escape Saturday night with a hard-earned victory. West Hancock’s 47-39 win over Illini West in the game that decided the…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 18
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 18: Boys basketball Quincy High School 44, Lincoln 21 Tolono Unity 57, Quincy Notre Dame 54 Macomb 50, Monmouth-Roseville 33 Hancock County Tournament West Hancock 47, Illini West 39 Southeastern 63, West Prairie 53 Winchester Invitational Consolation Championship Payson Seymour 58, North Greene 55 Fifth-place…
Read MoreClamping down defensively allows top-ranked Blue Devils to crumble Rocks in WB6 showdown
QUINCY — The challengers continue to line up to take a crack at knocking the Quincy High School boys basketball team from its best-team-in-the-state perch. They keep failing for one very significant reason. The Blue Devils adjust, anchor down and get aggressive defensively. “I like our odds against anybody as long as we do what…
Read MoreSmith, Bock provide punch as Palmyra takes momentum into own tourney after CCC victory
PALMYRA. Mo. — Mason Smith and Hudson Bock are becoming a formidable one-two scoring punch. The guards combined to score 31 points in the first half and 53 overall Friday night to help carry the Palmyra boys basketball team to a 72-58 victory over Centralia in the Clarence Cannon Conference opener for both teams. Smith’s…
Read MoreSiegfried’s blistering shooting part of Titans’ overwhelming effort in Hancock County tourney
WARSAW, Ill. — Lewis Siegfried’s body language is obvious, and the confidence practically oozes from his fingertips with each release beyond the 3-point arc. “I can just feel it,” Siegfried said. “I know when I’m on.” The long-range senior assassin was certainly on Friday night. Siegfried poured through a game-best 21 points, including five 3-point…
Read MoreChargers earn chance to defend Hancock County Tournament title after dispatching Mustangs
WARSAW, Ill. — Nothing has changed in the past week. Saturday night’s matchup between the Illini West and West Hancock boys basketball teams will decide the championship of the 104th Hancock County Invitational Tournament at Warsaw High School. From the start, that was the most anticipated pairing of the week-long, round-robin event. Both schools won…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Top-ranked Blue Devils win WB6 showdown with ninth-ranked Rocks
QUINCY — A second-quarter surge carried the top-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team to a 56-44 victory over ninth-ranked Rock Island in Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference showdown at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 17
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 17: Boys basketball Quincy High School 56, Rock Island 44 Palmyra 72, Centralia 58 Canton 56, North Shelby 49 Wellsville-Middletown 53, Mark Twain 41 Hancock County Tournament West Hancock 96, Southeastern 40 Illini West 65, Mendon Unity 63 Winchester Invitational Brown County 54, Liberty 47…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 16
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 16: Boys basketball Marion County 75, Madison 16 South Shelby 64, Louisiana 49 Bowling Green 74, Mark Twain 24 Winchester Invitational Payson Seymour 59, Carrollton 48 North Greene 65, Griggsville-Perry 62 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 66, Rochester 31 Rock Island 45, Quincy High School…
Read MoreHome, sweet home: Raiders return to The Pit for first time in nearly four weeks, steamroll Saukees
QUINCY — The fact the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team hadn’t played on its home floor in nearly a month wasn’t lost on the Raiders. “It’s been a while,” QND senior guard Alex Dance said. It had been 26 days as a matter of fact. “Felt good to be back,” Dance said. Playing at…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND plays with high level of energy in comfy confines of its home court
QUINCY — Playing at home for the first time since Dec. 20, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team looked comfortable in familiar surroundings, running away from Pittsfield in a 69-40 victory Wednesday night at The Pit. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was courtside and put together this photo gallery.
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils remain No. 1 in Class 4A
CHICAGO — Here are this week’s 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. Quincy (4) 16-1 80 1 2. Kenwood (2) 17-1 75 T2 3. Rich Township (2) 12-4 74 T2 4.…
Read MoreBlue Devils put end to Wharton jinx, take down Maroons on road for first time since 2017
MOLINE, Ill. — Dom Clay didn’t try to hide what this one meant. As the final seconds ticked away on Tuesday night’s 71-56 Western Big 6 Conference victory over the Moline boys basketball team at Wharton Field House, the Quincy High School senior guard stood near midcourt pumping his right arm in celebration. “It was…
Read MoreMayfield, DeGrave help Panthers knock off rust from lenghty layoff, pull away from Pirates
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Quincy Mayfield took matters into his own hands, and the Monroe City boys basketball team fed off of his assertiveness. With Monroe City leading Hannibal 12-10 and 30 seconds to go in the first quarter of Tuesday’s game at the Monroe City High School gym, Mayfield turned a steal into a…
Read MoreTitans’ offense stampedes Mustangs, scoring 35 points in second quarter of tournament rout
WARSAW, Ill. — Mendon Unity boys basketball coach Keith Carothers was brutally honest Tuesday night when he was breaking down his club’s 91-42 loss to West Hancock. “They could have scored 120,” Carothers said. He meant the observation as both a compliment of West Hancock’s performance, which was accented by repeated end-to-end mercurial runs by…
Read MoreNiederman guides Chargers to victory over Cyclones in Hancock County Tournament
WARSAW, Ill. — The Illini West boys basketball team was missing its leading scorer and rebounder Tuesday night, but did not miss a beat. The Chargers kept their record spotless in the 104th Hancock County Tournament, turning back West Prairie 61-42 at Warsaw High School. Wesley Robertson, a 6-foot-1 junior guard averaging team highs of…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 14
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 14: Boys basketball Quincy High School 71, Moline 56 Monroe City 66, Hannibal 49 Palmyra 70, Kirksville 65 Canton 67, Highland 43 South Shelby 66, Van-Far 34 Marion County 80, Bucklin/Macon County 46 North Shelby 60, Schuyler County 44 Hancock County Tournament Illini West 61,…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 3
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi studio by Quincy High School all-state guard Bradley Longcor III as well as on the Hess Auto Hotline by Palmyra senior forward Sydney Compton, Illini West boys basketball coach Blaize Kimmell and Canton boys basketball coach Dalton Armontrout to break…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 3: Big week awaits Longcor, QHS boys basketball team
QUINCY — The top-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team heads a week that could define the Western Big 6 Conference title chase. The Blue Devils go to third-place Moline on Tuesday and play host to Rock Island on Friday. The Rocks and the Blue Devils are tied for the league lead at 5-0 and…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Jan. 13
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Jan. 13: Boys basketball Marion County 67, Wellsville 37 Hancock County Tournament Mendon Unity 70, Southeastern 56 West Hancock 74, West Prairie 25 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 54, Pittsfield 49 Central-Southeastern 72, Payson Seymour 21 Brown County 61, South Fulton 27 Macomb 56, North Fulton…
Read MoreThomas, 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 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…
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