Posts Tagged ‘Boys basketball’
Chiefs’ size tips scale in fourth quarter as Raiders close regular season with loss at home
QUINCY — Kevin Meyer felt the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team was about to turn the “juice” loose. Alas, there was no juice. Only squeezing. And it was the Raiders who wound up getting squeezed over the final eight minutes Friday night in a 55-45 loss to Keokuk in front of a Senior Night…
Read MoreBrown County eighth graders continue lockdown defense, win IESA Class 2A state championship
KANKAKEE, Ill. — The trend continued and it led to a championship. The Brown County eighth-grade boys basketball team put the clamps on each of its opponents in the first quarter of each Illinois Elementary School Association Class 2A state tournament game, including Thursday night’s title tilt against Assumption Central A&M. The Hornets allowed just…
Read More‘I think it came down to toughness’: Blue Devils’ strong second half carries them to WB6 crown
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Nobody can say Quincy High School didn’t earn the 2023-24 Western Big 6 Conference boys basketball championship. The state’s Class 4A fifth-ranked Blue Devils beat Rock Island for the second time in three days on Thursday evening, using a similar script to Tuesday’s home victory. Getting enough offense at the right…
Read MoreQuincy Catholic eighth-grade team throws scare at defending champs before losing IESA title game
TOLONO, Ill. — When it fell behind 17-2 in the first quarter of Thursday night’s championship game in the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 8-3A state tournament, the Quincy Catholic eighth-grade boys basketball team could have easily folded. After all, Metamora won the Class 7-3A state title last year and has gone 68-1 since the…
Read MoreBlue Devils clamp down on high-scoring Rocks, force winner-take-all WB6 championship game on Thursday
QUINCY — To take advantage of the switching man-to-man defense used by the Quincy High School boys basketball team, Rock Island tried to isolate K.J. Lamonte, its top scorer, on Keshaun Thomas, the Blue Devils’ 6-foot-5 junior forward. Every time Lamonte tried to slash to the basket in the first half, Thomas forced him to…
Read MoreAllensworth’s career night carries Raiders past Titans, forges ties for WCC championship
WARSAW, Ill. — Fittingly, it was Jace Allensworth who sealed the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 68-64 victory Tuesday night over West Hancock. Allensworth, a 6-foot sophomore guard, swished a pair of free throws with 11 seconds remaining to cap a brilliant offensive night for himself and punctuate an impressive turnaround for the Raiders.…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra sweeps doubleheader from Hannibal at Korf Gym
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams, both ranked in Class 3 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association polls, continued to show Tuesday night why they are considered among the state’s elite. The Palmyra girls used a fourth-quarter surge to put away Hannibal 51-36 at Korf Gym. The Panthers, ranked seventh, limited…
Read MoreBlue Devils shoot plenty of layups while sharing ball in commanding road victory over Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — How easy was it for the Quincy High School boys basketball team to score against a porous Jacksonville defense on Saturday night? One play in the second quarter provided a perfect example. Blue Devils guard Kamren Wires was about to be trapped by two Jacksonville defenders in front of the Quincy bench,…
Read MoreRaiders set up showdown with Titans for WCC supremacy by finishing off Rockets
QUINCY — The game featured all the ingredients of a blowout. The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team used full-court defensive pressure to hold Rushville-Industry without a field goal attempt during the opening four minutes Saturday night and created more turnovers (11) than points allowed (10) in the first half. The Raiders stretched their 21-point…
Read MoreMarooned in Moline: Blue Devils fall out of first place in WB6 with loss at Wharton Field House
MOLINE, Ill. — How a game of such magnitude elicited such minimal energy from his players left Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas as dumbfounded as it did irritated. “There was just a different look on their face than we’ve seen out of the group,” he said. It wasn’t a good look. Facing…
Read MoreToughness and defense: Griggsville-Perry gets back to basics in practice, then routs Payson Seymour
PAYSON, Ill. — The last two days of practice for the Griggsville-Perry boys basketball team were not much fun. Tornadoes coach Garrett White thought his team needed a lesson on toughness after it suffered a 54-50 loss on Tuesday to South County, snapping an eight-game winning streak. It was only the fourth time this season…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Tornadoes blow away Indians with 10 3-pointers
PAYSON, Ill. — Michael Myers made four 3-pointers and finished with 19 points to lead Griggsville-Perry to a 60-32 victory over Payson Seymour on Friday night. The Tornadoes made 10 3-pointers in 17 attempts, while the Indians missed on 14 of their 16 3-point tries. MRN Editor David Adam took photos of some of the…
Read MoreConnoyer calms down after technical foul, scores game-high 17 points to lead QND boys past Liberty
LIBERTY, Ill. – Quincy Notre Dame forward Jackson Connoyer had to refocus after receiving a technical foul following a scramble for a rebound under his own basket midway through the second quarter Friday night. His actions resulted in two free throws that gave Liberty a seven-point lead. “I said things I shouldn’t have said,” Connoyer…
Read MoreRight on the money: Bock, state-ranked Panthers make right plays in capturing 16th straight victory
PALMYRA, Mo. — Bear Bock found himself with what looked to be a breakaway layup in the second half, only to eventually run into some Bowling Green defenders blocking his path to the basket. No problem. Bock fired a behind-the-back pass to trailing teammate Luke Sheppard, who secured the toss and cashed in a layup.…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils move back to No. 3 in Class 4A
CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Homewood-Flossmoor (9) 25-3 132 1 2. Curie (4) 25-2 130 2 3. Quincy 25-2 108 4 4. Downers North 22-4 73 6 5. Bolingbrook 21-4 67 8…
Read MoreBlue Devils’ chase of WB6 crown comes down to three-game gauntlet after dispatching Pioneers
QUINCY — A slight rewrite to the lyrics of Elvis Presley’s “Blue Suede Shoes” might be apropos for the Quincy High School boys basketball team heading into the homestretch of the Western Big 6 Conference season. “Well, it’s one for the chance, two for the show, Three for the glory, now go, Devils, go.“ Tuesday…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: QHS stays perfect at Blue Devil Gym with victory over Alleman
QUINCY — A perfect season at home is one victory away. The Quincy High School boys basketball team improved to 12-0 at Blue Devil Gym this season with Tuesday night’s 78-33 victory over Rock Island Alleman in Western Big 6 Conference play. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the action.
Read MorePalmyra boys vow to keep focus after knocking off arch-rival Monroe City for 15th straight victory
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Palmyra took another huge step toward the Clarence Cannon Conference boys basketball championship Tuesday night. The storyline was a familiar one. “Defense,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. “It’s always defense.” There’s absolutely no arguing that point. The 48-25 victory over arch-rival Monroe City — which, like Palmyra, entered the game unbeaten…
Read MoreQND, Unity boys each dominate a half, but Raiders come out on top 78-66
QUINCY — Charles Dickens famously opened his historic novel, “A Tale of Two Cities,” with the line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” During the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 78-66 victory over Unity Tuesday night, both coaches felt those emotions — in the opposite order. In the…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Sophomores Connoyer, Allensworth lead Notre Dame boys to 14th victory
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team improved to 14-9 with a 78-66 victory over Unity on Tuesday night at the Pit. The Raiders were paced by sophomores Jackson Connoyer with a career-high 16 points and Jace Allensworth with 14 points. Unity (13-12) placed three players in double figures — Melvin McMillen with…
Read MoreWinchester West Central escapes ‘dogfight’ at the Pit, snaps four-game winning streak for QND boys
QUINCY — As he lowered his MVP trophy to the ground and attempted to find one more ounce of energy before loading the bus back to Winchester, Zack Evans tried to put into words what the previous 90 minutes felt like. “Anytime you come to QND, it’s going to be a dogfight,” Evans said. “That’s…
Read MoreCentral boys bounce back from losses to Unity, Griggsville-Perry to win twice in 24 hours
QUINCY — The week ended much better than it began for the Camp Point Central boys basketball team. After suffering back-to-back upset losses to Mendon Unity and Griggsville-Perry, the Panthers whipped Rushville-Industry Friday night and then pulled away in the second half Saturday afternoon for a 59-46 victory over Van-Far (Mo.) in the American Family…
Read MoreThomas’ toughness on full display as Blue Devils ground Flyers in Shootout victory
NORMAL, Ill. — Nothing is going to keep Keshaun Thomas down. With 1 minute, 55 seconds remaining in the first half of Saturday’s game against East St. Louis in the Midwest Crossroads Shootout, the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s junior forward was knocked to the floor, forcing a pause in the action and the…
Read More‘We just do what we do’: Palmyra boys hold 14th opponent below 40 points, improve to 19-1
PALMYRA, Mo. — Brian Rea offered a hint late Friday night as to why the Palmyra boys basketball team enjoys playing defense so much. “It’s a mindset, and it’s a testament to our guys who have totally bought into it,” said Rea, the second-year coach whose club is now 19-1 following a 47-25 Clarence Cannon…
Read MoreDefensive dominance in first quarter allows Blue Devils to keep pace with Rock Island in WB6
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team forced United Township to burn nearly a minute off the clock on its opening possession Friday night before finally yielding a pull-up jumper from the left baseline by Dominic Rhoden. It was a harbinger of things to come. Quincy’s suffocating defense forced six turnovers and seven…
Read MoreLunt helps Raiders overcome sickly week, scores 16 points in hard-fought victory over Madison
QUINCY — Kevin Meyer wasn’t sure what to expect from his Quincy Notre Dame basketball team on the opening night of the KHQA-American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout. “We were kind of a walking Infirmary for part of the week,” Meyer said of the Raiders’ battle with sickness that spread through the squad. What Meyer discovered…
Read MoreSiegfried’s driving basket with two seconds left caps West Hancock comeback at KHQA Superfan Shootout
QUINCY — The final play was designed to go to Gage Scott, but when the ball eventually went into the hands of Lewis Siegfried, West Hancock coach Jeff Dahl knew his team was in good hands. Siegfried scored on a driving layup with two seconds to play, giving the Titans a 58-56 victory over the…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Winning streak for QND boys reaches four, and guys join girls on dance floor
The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team held an explosive Madison (11-10) squad well below its season-average point total in a 54-47 victory on Friday night at the Pit. The Raiders kept the Trojans’ leading scorer Elijah Williams relatively in check. Williams averages 22 points a game and was limited to 13. QND has won…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Sophomore Knowles difference maker in Titans’ second-half comeback
West Hancock’s comeback 58-56 victory over KIPP Academy of St. Louis on Friday night at the Pit was led by 6-foot-6 sophomore Cooper Knowles. He scored four points during a 12-4 run that got West Hancock within 44-42 at the end of the quarter, then scored the first three baskets in the fourth quarter —…
Read MorePhpto Gallery: Longcor leads QHS boys with 17, Kamren Wires provides spark in reserve role
Bradley Longcor III scored 17 points to lead the Quincy high School boys basketball team to a 65-32 Western Big 6 Conference victory over United Township on Friday night. Junior guard Kamren Wires came off the bench in the second quarter to provide an offensive spark. He tipped in a missed shot, drilled a 3-pointer…
Read MoreQHS boys at No. 4 in Associated Press Class 4A state poll; Central slides in at No. 10 in Class 1A
Here are the Associated Press boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous ranking. Class 4ASchoolW-LPtsPrv1. Homewood-Flossmoor (10)22-211722. Curie (1)23-210913. Waubonsie Valley (1)22-09144. Quincy22-27735. Lisle (Benet Academy)20-36576. Downers North20-44887. Normal Community22-44458. Bolingbrook18-33899. Collinsville23-330610. Gurnee Warren22-413NR Others receiving votes: Kenwood 9. Glenbrook North 8. Moline 5. New Trier 3. Rock…
Read MoreVictory over defending state champs moves QHS boys into first-place tie in Western Big Six
QUINCY – A couple of explosive offensive spurts and a lockdown defense proved to be a winning formula. Three consecutive 3-pointers by Bradley Longcor III that created separation in the second quarter, and nine straight points in 92 seconds in the third period, were enough to carry the Quincy High School boys basketball team to…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Longcor’s marksmanship in second quarter propels Blue Devils to home-court victory
Three consecutive 3-pointers by Bradley Longcor III created separation in the second quarter, giving the Quincy High School boys basketball team at 24-9 lead in its way to a 54-37 victory over Moline Tuesday night in Blue Devil Gym. Longcor finished with 19 points. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the action from the…
Read MoreBlue Devils bounce back from road loss, blanket Batavia defensively to stay unbeaten at home
QUINCY — The longest road trip in the Western Big Six Conference seemed to last forever Friday night after a surprising loss to Sterling. “Man, that hurt,” Quincy High School junior Dom Clay said. “It was really quiet (on the bus).” The Blue Devils lost for only the second time in 22 games on a…
Read MoreLast-place Southwest Baptist rallies to defeat QU men, now tied for seventh in GLVC
BOLIVAR, Mo. — The Quincy University men’s basketball team led by as many as 11 points in the first half and held the lead for the first 31 minutes of Saturday’s game. Once the Hawks lost the lead, they never got it back. Drew McMillin made a 3-pointer with 9:10 remaining in the game to…
Read MoreSterling provides wake-up call as Klaver’s game-winning 3-pointer knocks Blue Devils from top of WB6
STERLING, Ill. – The Western Big Six Conference race just got a little tighter. Sterling guard Andre Klaver buried a contested 3-pointer from deep on the left wing with 5.6 seconds remaining Friday night to stun third-ranked Quincy High School 65-62 in Homer Musgrove Fieldhouse. The Blue Devils, who beat the Golden Warriors 66-41 at…
Read MoreMoore-to-Blewett basket late in game propels Central boys past West Hancock
WARSAW, Ill. — Camp Point Central guard Nick Moore launched a seeing-eye pass from the top left corner of the key, aimed directly at Gavin Blewett, who was wide open about five feet to the right of the basket. Blewett reeled in the laser-like toss, took one step toward the hoop and calmly banked in…
Read MoreBlistering beginning puts Hawks in command as they climb back to .500 mark in GLVC
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – There are fast starts, and then there is what the Quincy University men’s basketball team did Thursday night. The Hawks blitzed Drury by sinking their first nine shots, six of them from 3-point range, to take a 27-13 lead just six minutes into the contest. They held on for an 83-78 victory…
Read MoreStrong finish to second quarter propels Quincy Notre Dame boys to easy victory at home
QUINCY — The lead was in double digits ,but as the second quarter neared an end in Thursday night’s home tilt with Western, Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer wasn’t exactly comfortable. “We had to challenge them a little bit during one of (Western’s) timeouts and tell them, ‘You’ve got to match their…
Read MoreLeathernecks win for 10th time in 11 games, move into first place tie atop Ohio Valley Conference
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Western Illinois men’s basketball team proved it is ready for prime time, picking up a win in front of a nationally televised audience on Thursday, topping Southern Indiana 73-68 in Evansville, Indiana. The win is the 10th in 11 games for the Leathernecks (13-7, 6-1), who move into a first-place tie…
Read MoreQHS boys stay at No. 3 in Class 4A, but three of top six teams in poll suffered losses Tuesday night
The Quincy High School boys basketball team remains at No. 3 in the Associated Press Class 4A basketball poll. The top two teams in the poll lost on Tuesday — Homewood-Flossmoor was beaten 65-61 by Bradley-Bourbonnais, and Curie lost 73-66 to Lindblom. No. 6 Collinsville also lost 62-57 to Highland in overtime. However, voters turned…
Read MoreBlue Devils create energy level necessary to maintain momentum against Silver Streaks
QUINCY — Challenge accepted and met. Coming off Saturday’s high-octane, high-profile victory over Imhotep Charter of Philadelphia in the marquee game of the Quincy Shootout, the Quincy High School boys basketball team was tasked with rekindling that energy Tuesday to face Galesburg, which it beat by 52 points in early December. “Our pregame speech tonight…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS boys basketball team easily dispatches Galesburg in WB6 battle
QUINCY — The Galesburg boys basketball team scored the first five points of Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game at Blue Devil Gym. Quincy High School did the rest, rolling to a 77-35 victory to improve to 20-1 overall. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreRaiders flourish in fourth quarter, show signs of starting late-season push
CARTHAGE, Ill. — In the eyes of Aden Genenbacher and Noah Lunt, it’s time to start focusing on the postseason. Following the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 51-41 victory Tuesday night over Illini West, both Genenbacher and Lunt were looking into the not-too-distant future. “We’d like to put together a run before the postseason…
Read MoreSchuckman: Quincy Shootout provides moments easily considered best of the best
QUINCY — Over the span of 32 hours and 13 games, the players, teams and coaches who participated in the sixth Quincy Shootout put on quite a show in Blue Devil Gym. Here are some of the best things I witnessed: Best player: Wasatch Academy point guard John Mobley Jr. has signed with Ohio State…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from the Quincy Shootout
QUINCY — A gym full of basketball junkies enjoyed being treated to top-level talent during the sixth Quincy Shootout, which took place Friday and Saturday at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent all 13 games courtside and put together this photo gallery of scenes from the shootout:
Read MoreCrim: Britton turns high school hoops passion into information superhighway for fans
QUINCY — Aaron Britton fell in love with basketball growing up on a dairy farm in southern Illinois. He remembers watching tape-delayed television broadcasts of University of Kentucky games in the 1990s when Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith were guiding the Wildcats to national championships. He was a member of the Mounds Meridian High School…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Marquee game brings out marquee performance in QHS boys basketball team
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team used the spotlight brought on by the nationally respected field assembled for the Quincy Shootout to showcase just how skilled it is. Saturday night’s 74-62 victory over Imhotep Charter certainly did that. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the game courtside in Blue Devil Gym…
Read MoreChartering a new course: Victory over nationally respected Imhotep could vault QHS to No. 1 in state poll
QUINCY — The loudest statement in front of the loudest crowd could have the loudest impact. The Quincy High School boys basketball team may find itself as the No. 1-ranked team in Illinois this coming week. Toppling a team with a nationally respected resume like Imhotep Charter Prep could do that. Playing with the most…
Read MoreHot Wires-d: Tenacious play of QHS guard sets tone for dynamic defensive effort
QUINCY — The pain was worth it. “Of course,” Ralph Wires said. With three minutes remaining in Saturday night’s marquee game of the Quincy Shootout, the Quincy High School senior guard was fouled, knocked to the floor and struggled to get to his feet because of the cramping in his left calf. Eventually, Wires made…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Principia, Wasatch Academy bookend Saturday slate with victories
QUINCY — Here is a look at what transpired Saturday during the sixth Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym: Principia 74, Winchester West Central 49 An 11-point lead at halftime ballooned as the Panthers imposed their will in the paint and in transition. Principia shot 44.9 percent from the floor and held a 43-29 edge…
Read MorePalmyra boys win Lenzini Tournament championship for first time in quarter century
PALMYRA, Mo. — The wait is over. Finally. “We all knew it had been a long time,” Palmyra senior point guard Bear Bock said. “It’s an awesome feeling.” When the Bock-led Panthers captured the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament boys basketball championship Saturday night it marked the first time Palmyra had won its own event since…
Read MoreTide turns on technical as QND uses late first-half boost to carry it to victory
QUINCY — Floundering and frustrated, the Quincy Notre Dame basketball team was in desperate search of a second quarter spark during Saturday night’s affair with Beardstown at The Pit. The Raiders found the flare from their opponent. With less than three minutes left before halftime and staring down a double-digit deficit, QND forward Jackson Meyer…
Read MoreSchuckman: Soaking in crowd’s fervor is something QHS’s bench brigade appreciates
QUINCY — The rumble, roar and electricity created by a Blue Devil Gym crowd is something easily felt in heightened moments of most Western Big 6 Conference boys basketball games. The intensity grows when you’re actually on the court. “It’s really like no other,” Quincy High School senior guard Seth Rupert said. “I don’t think…
Read MoreBe prepared: Blue Devils’ approach allows them to blow away Maple Leafs for WB6 victory
QUINCY — The schedule listed Friday night’s opponent as Geneseo. It may as well have read Homewood-Flossmoor, Bolingbrook or any other state-ranked team the Quincy High School boys basketball team could conceivably face. “Your preparation is for the best teams on your schedule, and that doesn’t change when you’re not playing the best teams on…
Read MorePhoto gallery: First night of Quincy Shootout entertains basketball-loving fanbase
QUINCY — The appetizer was quite tasty. The main course promises to be just as delictable. The sixth Quincy Shootout kicked off Friday night with four games each at Blue Devil Gym and The Pit, and the matchups produced plenty of highlights, including a 75-13 whitewashing of Geneseo by the Quincy High School boys basketball…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Scoreboard and schedule
QUINCY — The sixth Quincy Shootout kicked off Friday night with games at Blue Devil Gym and the Pit. Here are those results and a look at Saturday’s schedule: Friday’s games At Blue Devil Gym Wasatch Academy 83, iSchool of Lewisville 54 MVP — Wasatch Academy’s Chris Nwuli (18 points, 8 rebounds) Link Academy 69,…
Read MorePrincipia’s defense creates havoc, deficit QND is unable to erase
QUINCY — After having not played in 13 days, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players figured they would have to knock off a little rust. The Raiders just didn’t expect it would take them until the second half to do it. By that time, it was too late. Principia’s tenacious defense limited QND to…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: QHS boys basketball coach Andy Douglas discusses Quincy Shootout, Blue Devils’ progress
QUINCY — Sitting on the tailgate of Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman’s pickup didn’t make much sense with snow blowing and temperatures dipping, so the latest episode of “Schuck on a Truck” became an inside edition as he and Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas hung out in the Blue Devils’ locker…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils move to No. 3 in Class 4A
CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Homewood-Flossmoor (6) 17-1 105 2 2. Curie (5) 17-1 104 1 3. Quincy 17-1 74 5 4. Waubonsie Valley 18-0 66 NR 5. Lisle (Benet Academy) 15-2 62 7…
Read MoreFrom A to Z, Quincy Shootout promises to be wonderland for basketball junkies
QUINCY — The sixth Quincy Shootout is arguably the most talented collection of athletes and teams Gem City basketball fans have seen. Players who have committed to, signed with or received offers from three of the top four teams in the Associated Press college basketball top 25 will be playing in Quincy this weekend. In…
Read MoreState-ranked Palmyra girls roll in opening round of Tony Lenzini Tournament
PALMYRA, Mo. — The target on their backs isn’t bothering the Palmyra girls basketball players. Ranked fifth in the latest Class 3 state poll and seeded No. 1 for the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament, the Panthers outscored Van-Far 24-1 in the second quarter Monday night and cruised to a 69-37 victory in the opening round…
Read MoreState-ranked Blue Devils use 3-point barrage and stingy defense to bury Railers
LINCOLN, Ill. — Bradley Longcor III’s 3-pointer from the left wing on the opening possession at Saturday night’s game was a harbinger of things to come. Longcor hit three more treys in the first half and the Quincy High School boys basketball team buried seven 3-pointers in building a 18-point advantage by intermission and cruising…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils slide up to No. 5 in Class 4A
CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Curie (4) 16-1 100 1 2. Homewood-Flossmoor (5) 15-1 99 T2 3. Normal Community (2) 15-1 81 4 4. Collinsville 18-1 66 T2 5. Quincy 16-1 65 7 6.…
Read MoreBock’s 3-point barrage sparks Palmyra’s surge in title game victory over Canton
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Hudson Bock has a shooter’s conscience. In Bock’s world, if that first field goal attempt is off the mark, it’s not a big deal. The Palmyra boys basketball team’s freshman guard knows there’s a good chance the next shot he hoists from long distance will find the bottom of the net. That’s…
Read MoreTaking away Lions’ ability to score in paint allows Blue Devils to pull away for Highland Shootout victory
HIGHLAND, Ill. — The second-quarter surge St. Louis Cardinal Ritter enjoyed during Saturday’s Highland Shootout matchup with the Quincy High School boys basketball team made one thing obvious. “When they get to the paint, they’re going to finish,” QHS coach Andy Douglas said. That left the Blue Devils with one task in the second half…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils pull away from Lions in fourth quarter at Highland Shootout
HIGHLAND, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team outscored St. Louis Cardinal Ritter 26-13 in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game in the 32nd Highland Shootout, securing a 62-49 victory for back-to-back victories to start the new year. Freelance photographer Tim Vizer spent Saturday afternoon at the Shootout and put together this photo…
Read MoreUndefeated Rockets apply constant pressure in beating Raiders in Christie Clinic Shootout
ST. JOSEPH, Ill. — The response didn’t surprise Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer and it shouldn’t have surprised anyone. When the Raiders teetered, Tolono Unity went for the kill. The Rockets bolted to an 8-2 lead at the start of Saturday’s game in the Christie Clinic Shootout at St. Joseph-Odgen High School,…
Read MoreRaiders pull away in fourth quarter to win defensive slugfest against Saukees
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pittsfield boys basketball coach Brad Tomhave and Quincy Notre Dame coach Kevin Meyer shared a common assessment of their respective team’s defensive effort in Friday night’s game at Voshall Gym. Both were encouraged by the engagement. Offensively, however, their critiques were polar opposites. Meyer liked how the Raiders worked the ball from…
Read MoreBlue Devils handle first leg of weekend road trip with swift offensive execution
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team didn’t want to linger at Don Morris Gym any longer than necessary. An opportunistic offense made sure the exit was swift. Quincy opened Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup against Rock Island Alleman on a 22-4 run, led by 33 points at halftime…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Pittsfield boys basketball teams renew rivalry at Voshall Gym
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield and Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball teams collided in their 2024 openers Friday night at Voshall Gym. The Raiders built a double-digit lead, saw the Saukees whittle it to eight points on two separate occasions in the second half and then pulled away for a 50-31 victory. Muddy River Sports…
Read MoreDifferent approach, same result: Titans use inside presence to beat Panthers for second time
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The West Hancock boys basketball team has knocked off rival Camp Point Central twice in a six-day span. The Titans’ two victories, however, were hardly mirror images. West Hancock’s 45-42 West Central Conference victory before 625 fans on Thursday night resulted from a second-half comeback and a reliance on a strong…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: QHS, Camp Point Central in top 10 to start new year
CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes: Class 4A 1. Chicago Curie (4) 14-1 119 2 2. Collinsville (4) 16-0 97 10 (tie) Homewood-Flossmoor (4) 13-1 97 4 4. Normal Community (1) 12-1 82 1 5. Gurnee Warren 15-1 76 8 (tie) Lisle Benet 14-1 76…
Read MoreBombers battle to erase deficit, come up short in Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament title game
MACOMB, Ill. — Two of the best defensive teams in the field squared off in the championship game of the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. As expected, it was a grind-it-out affair. Third-seeded Rockridge built a 10-point halftime cushion despite leading scorer Landon Bull spending the final 6:35 on the bench with two personal fouls and held…
Read More‘Collinsville out-toughed us tonight’: Kahoks deny Blue Devils tourney title with physical play in critical stretches
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Decked out in his travel gear with his backpack slung over his shoulders, Ralph Wires emerged from the Quincy High School locker room with a basketball in hand and casually strolled onto the Vergil Fletcher Gym floor. At the opposite end of the court from where Collinsville celebrated its championship of the…
Read MoreStrong second half carries Mustangs to championship of MVIT
MENDON, Ill. — The halftime adjustments Unity boys basketball coach Keith Carothers made worked perfectly. The Mustangs trailed Bushnell-Prairie City 27-24 at halftime of Friday night’s championship game of the Mississippi Valley Invitational Tournament before taking the lead with a 17-point third quarter and holding the Spartans to a single point in the fourth quarter.…
Read MoreStrong effort in final tourney game gives QND boys basketball team something to build upon
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — After playing arguably its worst half of the season Friday afternoon, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team returned three hours later to turn in perhaps its most complete overall performance. Thirteen players scored, with eight sinking at least one 3-pointer, to carry the Raiders to a convincing 78-56 victory over Rockford…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils, Kahoks go toe-to-toe in battle of Class 4A heavyweights
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The difference between the Quincy High School and Collinsville boys basketball teams isn’t substantial, but it is apparent. The Kahoks are tougher. At least they were Friday night. Collinsville won the championship of the 39th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic with a 44-39 victory at Vergil Fletcher Gym, improving to 16-0 in…
Read MoreHoliday tournament central; Friday’s scores, Saturday’s schedule and livestream links
QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores and upcoming schedule: Friday’s games Boys At Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Collinsville 44, Quincy High School 39 At State Farm Holiday Classic Small School Bracket At Bloomington High School Minonk Fieldcrest 64, Quincy Notre Dame 40 Quincy Notre Dame 78, Rockford Lutheran…
Read MoreTimeout turns tide as Blue Devils rally in third quarter, fight way into title game at Collinsville
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Andy Douglas hasn’t found a need to burn many timeouts this season. “A majority of games we’re walking away with six timeouts left,” the Quincy High School boys basketball coach said. “I just don’t call a ton.” Even in tight, tense situations, he allows the veteran lineup to navigate its own way. …
Read MoreRaiders follow forgettable first half with fabulous second half, rout Stanford Olympia in consolation bracket
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Roller coasters certainly are fun if you ride them during a trip to Six Flags or Disney World, but they’re a little rough if they are used to describe a basketball season. The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team followed a sloppy first half with a snappy second half in Thursday afternoon’s…
Read MorePair of undefeated titans to go head-to-head as Quincy will face Collinsville for tourney title
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Tyler Sprick insisted the Quincy High School boys basketball players didn’t look too far ahead when checking out the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic bracket. “It was, ‘Who’s on our list and what do we have to do to beat them?’’ the senior guard said. Still, the Blue Devils knew what potentially…
Read MoreHoliday tournament Central: Thursday’s scores, Friday’s schedule and livestream links
QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores and upcoming schedule: Thursday’s games Boys At Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Quincy High School 61, Belleville Althoff 48 Quincy High School 57, O’Fallon 46 At State Farm Holiday Classic Small School Bracket At Shirk Center Quincy Notre Dame 60, Stanford Olympia 28…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils use second-half surge to power past Panthers
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Two minutes into the second half Thursday night, the Quincy High School boys basketball team found itself trailing O’Fallon by eight points and riding the wrong end of a seven-point scoring binge. Less than 90 seconds later, the game was tied and the tide had completely turned. The Blue Devils used an…
Read MoreSchuckman: Collinsville pays fitting tribute to Hummel, who loved basketball and holiday tourney as much as his alma mater
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Rick Hummel’s career as a Hall of Fame baseball writer didn’t afford the Quincy native many opportunities to be nothing more than a fan. Christmas always did. That’s when Hummel spent hours upon hours at the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic, watching some of the Metro East’s top prep basketball talent. More…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS boys move into tourney semifinals by shutting down Althoff
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — An eight-minute stretch spanning the final six minutes of the second quarter and the first 2 1/2 minutes of the third quarter in which the Belleville Althoff boys basketball team went scoreless enabled state-ranked Quincy High School to take control of its 61-48 victory Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Collinsville…
Read MoreBlue Devils offer each other assistance in rolling to opening-round victory at Collinsville
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — One of the unique aspects of holiday tournament play — at least at the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic — is each coach is handed a sheet of halftime stats on the way to the locker room. When Quincy High School coach Andy Douglas perused how his team constructed its 30-point lead…
Read MoreHoliday tournament central: Wednesday’s scores, Thursday’s schedule and livestream links
QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores and upcoming schedule: Wednesday’s games Boys At Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Quincy High School 76, Oakville (Mo.) 38 Click here for complete scores and bracket At State Farm Holiday Classic Pecatonica 55, Quincy Notre Dame 50 Click here for complete scores and…
Read MoreCollinsville notebook: Brown’s slip causes no worry, while O’Fallon guard sets steals record
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Afterward, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas could joke about it. In the moment, it could have been cause for trepidation. With two minutes remaining in the first quarter of Wednesday’s opening-round game of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic and the Blue Devils leading Oakville (Mo.) 16-5, Quincy swingman…
Read MoreOffensive struggles send QND boys into consolation round of small school bracket for first time
NORMAL, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer is convinced his team’s record should be much better than what it is. “I told the guys I think that you’re a 10-1 team versus the 6-5 our record says,” Meyer said after the Raiders lost 55-50 to Pecatonica Wednesday night at Normal West…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS opens tourney play at Collinsville with unselfish display offensively
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team perfectly played the role of one of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic favorites with Wednesday’s 76-38 steamrolling of Oakville (Mo.) in the first round at Vergil Fletcher Gym. The Blue Devils piled up 23 assists in shooting 52.6 percent from the field and knocking…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Raiders stay close with once-beaten Pecatonica but can’t regain lead
NORMAL, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team never trailed by more than six points but failed to regain the lead in the final 12 minutes of Wednesday night’s 55-50 loss to Pecatonica in the first round of the small school boys bracket during the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal West High…
Read MoreHoliday tournament central: Tuesday’s scores, Wednesday’s schedule and livestream links
QUINCY — Here is a look at the holiday basketball tournament scores from Tuesday and Wednesday’s schedule: Tuesday’s games Boys At MVIT Unity 67, West Prairie 49 Bushnell-Prairie City 66, Western 47 Girls At Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic West Hancock 67, Athens 34 Mendon Unity 42, Beardstown 29 Macomb 40, Illini West 34 Macomb 55,…
Read MoreTournament central: Check out the holiday basketball tournament brackets
QUINCY — Here are the brackets for holiday boys and girls basketball tournaments involving area teams: Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic State Farm Holiday Classic small school boys State Farm Holiday Classic small school girls State Farm Holiday Classic large school girls Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic MVIT St. Dominic Christmas Tournament (boys…
Read MoreAre Blue Devils, Kahoks on collision course for undefeated showdown in holiday tourney championship game?
QUINCY — It has been a quarter century since the Quincy High School boys basketball team last won a holiday tournament championship. Is this the year the drought ends? No Quincy team has gone into the Christmas break with a better record in the 26 seasons since the Blue Devils won the championship of the…
Read MoreVictory over Indians enables Raiders to take some mojo with them to holiday tournament
PAYSON, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 65-37 victory over Payson Seymour left Aden Genenbacher satisfied, but not necessarily overjoyed. “We’re still trying to find our identity,” said Genenbacher, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who scored a game-high 21 points Thursday night. The victory came after back-to-back losses for QND (6-4), which is…
Read MoreRumble on the River final scoreboard
QUINCY — Here is a look at the scoreboard for the 16th Rumble on the River Holiday Shootout: Played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center Friday, December 15 Quincy Notre Dame girls 59, Hannibal 21 MVP — QND’s Sage Stratton Saturday, December 16 North Shelby girls 38, Payson Seymour 33 MVP — North…
Read MoreRumble on the River Day 5 scoreboard and upcoming schedule
QUINCY — Here is a look at the scoreboard and upcoming schedule for the 16th Rumble on the River: Played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center Friday, December 15 Quincy Notre Dame girls 59, Hannibal 21 MVP — QND’s Sage Stratton Saturday, December 16 North Shelby girls 38, Payson Seymour 33 MVP —…
Read MoreLongcor helps Blue Devils overcome ragged start to head into holidays with unblemished record
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The fortunate thing about the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s schedule is all four of the Tuesday night games on tap the second half of the season will be played at Blue Devil Gym. The unfortunate thing is they’re still on Tuesday nights. For the second consecutive Tuesday, the Blue Devils…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Missouri squads gain edge on third night of Rumble on the River
QUINCY — Monday night proved to be Missouri’s night. Three Missouri squads — the Monroe City boys and girls basketball teams along with the Palmyra boys — snared victories at the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Monroe City girls used eight points apiece from JWCC signee…
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