Posts Tagged ‘Boys basketball’
Schuckman: Blue Devils’ Douglas pours every beat of his heart into love for his players
NORMAL, Ill. — Restless nights tend to accompany the calendar flip, when January rolls into February and high school basketball coaches worry about how to prepare for and sustain postseason success. When the nights grow shorter and sleep is a struggle in the middle of October rather than the middle of the season, something other…
Read MoreClass 1A super-sectional notebook: Stephens’ dominant junior season heightens expectations for senior campaign
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Danny Stephens will be back for a curtain call. The 6-foot-7 Stephens’ junior year came to halt Monday night when he and his Southeastern Suns were beaten by a talented — and deep — Liberty team 49-42 in the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional at the Jacksonville Bowl. The defeat did not diminish…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Quincy High School vs. Bolingbrook in Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional
NORMAL, Ill. — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured some of the action, reaction and atmosphere in photos during Monday night’s Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional between the Quincy High School and Bolingbrook boys basketball teams. Check out a gallery of his images below.
Read MoreCrim: Walton’s journey brings him home, where teaching and coaching made for a fulfilling career
CANTON, Mo. — Rod Walton quietly moved back to Canton last month, a place he called home during a 30-year association with Culver-Stockton College. He spends his days visiting with old friends, some former high school basketball coaching colleagues, and other old C-SC hands he remained in contact with after retiring in 2012. He tries…
Read MoreSweet to Elite: Blue Devils upend third-ranked Ironmen for first sectional title since 2000
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas’ heart nearly sank. Fortunately for Douglas and the Blue Devils, Normal Community’s Zach Cleveland’s potential game-tying 3-pointer with three seconds left didn’t fall either. “It did everything but go in. It hit the backboard then rimmed out. It takes a little bit of luck…
Read MoreInjuries, defensive pressure trip up Raiders in sectional title game as Saints shoot way to crown
STANFORD, Ill. — When Cole Certa caught the ball two steps beyond the volleyball spike line and almost nonchalantly dribbled forward, concern immediately spread up and down the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s bench. “We were talking and saying, ‘He’s pulling it, he’s pulling it,’” Raiders coach Kevin Meyer said. “Sure enough he does.”…
Read MoreEagles move step closer to fulfilling boyhood dreams, will play for spot in Class 1A final four
WHITE HALL, Ill. — Understandably, Breiton Klingele found it difficult to keep his emotions in check. “Ever since I was little, all I have wanted to do was play in the state tournament,” he said. Well, Klingele, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, and his Liberty teammates now find themselves one step away from the Class 1A…
Read MoreStephens, Suns power through to capture program’s first sectional title in 30 years
ABINGDON, Ill. — Late in the first half Friday night, Danny Stephens turned to the bench and tugged at his jersey, signaling he needed a break. The breather never came for the Southeastern standout forward, but that didn’t stop him from powering the Suns to a dazzling finish and 45-34 victory over Peoria Christian in…
Read More‘There’s more in the tank’: QND boys rely on defense to pave way to sectional title game
STANFORD, Ill. — The first four minutes of the second half Wednesday night may have been the most energetic and engaged stretch defensively the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team has played this season. The Raiders even smiled at the suggestion they are at their best right now. But don’t read too much into that.…
Read MoreRaiders gain instant energy when Lavery, Bocke come off bench and change tone of semifinal win
STANFORD, Ill. — Charlie Lavery embraced the moment with vigor. Then Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer reminded him the job wasn’t complete. The Raiders led Maroa-Forsyth by 14 points with a little more than six minutes to play Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Class 2A Stanford Olympia Sectional when Lavery,…
Read More‘I thought it was money’: Talton’s half-court heave narrowly misses mark as Monroe City bows out
COTTLEVILLE, Mo. — Oh, to be in the right place at the right time. Amongst a sea of hands, Nathan DeGuentz rebounded a wild shot and put in the game-winning layup with 1.2 seconds left to give the Duchesne boys basketball team a 45-44 victory over Monroe City in Wednesday’s Class 3 sectional at Francis…
Read MoreJWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Record-setting Stolte making most of senior season with Pirates
The Show-Me Spotlight will appear each week to highlight Missouri area student-athletes. HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aaris Stolte’s historic season isn’t over. He’s confident the Hannibal boys basketball team’s run isn’t about to be through either. A senior guard who broke Brice Scott’s single-season 3-pointer record, Stolte and the second-seeded Pirates are looking to slide past…
Read MoreClutch performances from Blue Devils’ supporting cast lead to sectional semifinal victory
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Reid O’Brien dared the Collinsville boys basketball team to do it again. “If you leave me open, I’m going to make it,” he said with a smirk and a shrug. The Kahoks left him wide open twice. The Quincy High School junior guard made them both times. Tied at 17 at halftime…
Read MoreWreck it, Ralph! QHS sophomore guard’s game-winning layup ends Kahoks’ win streak, sends Blue Devils into sectional title game
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Any aspect of the final sequence — the split, the bounce or the bucket — could have been negated by a whistle. Ralph Wires prayed he wouldn’t hear one. With time evaporating rapidly and overtime looming, the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s sophomore point guard found himself in a now-or-never situation.…
Read MoreScoreboard for Saturday, February 26
Boys basketball At Monroe City, Mo. Class 3 District 6 championship Monroe City 69, Highland 40. Click here for the story. Girls basketball At Monroe City, Mo. Class 3 District 6 championship South Shelby 59, Palmyra 55. Click here for the story. Men’s basketball At Meyer Sports Center, Bolivar, Mo. Southwest Baptist 86, Quincy University…
Read MorePerfect exit: Monroe City seniors win final home game for program’s sixth straight district crown
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The last act deserved a standing ovation. The Monroe City faithful obliged. The final time a senior class that has set itself apart as one of the most successful in program history played at home resulted in an incredible accomplishment as the top-seeded Monroe City boys basketball team won its sixth…
Read MoreScoreboard for Friday, February 25
Boys basketball At Alton, Ill. Class 4A Alton Regional Quincy High School 56, O’Fallon 49. Click here for the story and photos. At Beardstown, Ill. Class 2A Beardstown Regional Quincy Notre Dame 48, Pleasant Plains 37. Click here for the story and photos. At Griggsville, Ill. Class 1A Griggsville-Perry Regional Liberty 59, Winchester West Central…
Read MoreTop-seeded Panthers, third-seeded Cougars will meet for district championship
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Joshua Talton and the Monroe City boys basketball team made it crystal clear who the team to beat in the Class 3 District 6 tournament is. And it didn’t take long to deliver the message. Talton, the senior guard, scored 14 of the top-seeded Panthers’ 25 first-quarter points Friday night and…
Read MoreBlue Devils toughen up in second half, rally to knock off Panthers for Class 4A regional crown
ALTON, Ill. — Quincy High School senior Jeremiah Talton identified the problem in a first half that saw the Blue Devils heavily outrebounded and settling for outside shots. “We were playing soft,” Talton said. “We weren’t playing our brand of basketball.” Talton put Quincy back on brand, scoring 13 of his 18 points in the…
Read More50 After 50: No. 18 Eagles reset mindset after late-season setbacks, make run to history
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read MoreScoreboard for Wednesday, February 23
Boys basketball At Beardstown, Ill. Class 2A Beardstown Regional Quincy Notre Dame 57, Illini West 37. Click here for the story and photos. Pleasant Plains 63, West Hancock 61. Click here for the story and photos. At Griggsville, Ill. Class 1A Griggsville-Perry Regional Liberty 61, Griggsville-Perry 47. Click here for the story and photos. Winchester…
Read MorePayson boys unable to clear West Central hurdle, bow out in regional semifinals
GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Unfortunately, the third time was not the charm for the Payson Seymour boys basketball team. The Indians saw their postseason run come to an abrupt end Wednesday night when Winchester West Central posted a 62-49 victory in a Class 1A Griggsville-Perry Regional semifinal game. West Central’s victory was its third this season…
Read MoreSchuckman: Staff’s commitment to QND basketball creates memories he will have ‘just forever’
QUINCY — The jersey slipped on perfectly. It was trim and tight where it needed to be so Mike Staff had the sleek look of a basketball player, but it was loose enough for him to be able to twist, turn and attack without feeling constricted. He only wished he could do those things, but…
Read MoreScoreboard for Tuesday, February 22
Boys basketball At Alton, Ill. Class 4A Alton Regional Quincy High School 49, Edwardsville 37. Click here for the story. At Monroe City, Mo. Class 3 District 6 South Shelby 50, Mark Twain 47: Jaaron Durbin’s 3-pointer at the buzzer pushed the fourth-seeded Cardinals into a semifinal matchup with top-seeded Monroe City on Thursday. Durbin…
Read MoreTotal team mentality: Blue Devils rely on scoring balance to carry them to regional title tilt
ALTON, Ill. — Presented with intel the Quincy High School boys basketball team had its two leading scorers fail to reach double figures in the same game for the first time this season, junior guard Reid O’Brien shrugged it off. The Blue Devils, in his eyes, are the epitome of a team. “We have winners,”…
Read MoreSchuckman: Journey back to prosperity has been emotional ride for Blue Devils’ Douglas
QUINCY — His voice quivered. His eyes glistened. And the words Andy Dougals felt best described the agony and ecstasy that bookended the past year were difficult to utter. “Damn, I didn’t know I’d get this emotional,” he said. So Douglas took off his glasses, dabbed at the corner of his eyes and took a…
Read MoreCrim: Miller’s 30-point fourth quarter remains one of finest performances in state postseason history
It has been exactly 39 years and Rusty Miller still can’t explain how he managed to score 30 points in a single quarter of a high school regional tournament basketball game. “I’ve had people come up to me over the years and ask, ‘How in the hell did you do that?’ ” he said. “Wish…
Read MoreScoreboard for Saturday, February 19
Boys basketball At The Pit, Quincy Class 2A Beardstown Regional Quincy Notre Dame 64, Rushville-Industry 25. Click here for the story and photos. At Carthage, Ill. Class 2A Beardstown Regional Illini West 69, Beardstown 50: Max Richardson scored 28 points and Nolan Deitrich added 14 as the Chargers advanced to the semifinals to face Quincy…
Read MoreRaiders create bevy of turnovers, throttle past Rockets into Class 2A regional semifinals
QUINCY — At halftime of Saturday’s Class 2A Beardstown Regional quarterfinal at The Pit, the Rushville-Industry boys basketball team had as many turnovers as points. Quincy Notre Dame coach Kevin Meyer likes that ratio. “We got after it defensively and turned it back into offense,” Meyer said. “I was pretty happy with it. That’s a…
Read MoreScoreboard for Friday, February 18
Boys basketball At The Pit, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 69, Keokuk 43. Click here for the story and photos. At Monroe City, Mo. Monroe City 62, Macon 48: The Panthers wrapped up a perfect run through the Clarence Cannon Conference to win their fourth consecutive league championship. Girls basketball At Jim Belz Gym, Springfield, Ill.…
Read MoreRaiders rebound from tough loss, find confidence and momentum heading into postseason
QUINCY — Enough was enough. The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players needed to address the reasons why they lost to West Hancock on the road Tuesday night and what was contributing to the Raiders’ recent slump. So when the coaching staff gathered them for practice at the Pit, the Raiders seized the opportunity to…
Read MoreBig game in the Big Easy: Quincy’s Talton commits to the University of New Orleans
QUINCY — Cameron Bergman knew what was potentially transpiring as Jeremiah Talton chatted with University of New Orleans assistant basketball coach Kris Arkenberg following Tuesday night’s game against Galesburg. So Bergman, a senior on the Quincy High School boys basketball team, waited around to find out if there was any news. “Did you get it?”…
Read More50 After 50: No. 21 Mustangs use their ‘Towers of Power’ to make everyone say ’30 and Oh, Baby’
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read MoreLiquor Booth Shot of the Game: Talton’s dunk brings Blue Devil Gym to life
QUINCY — Trying to find the right footing during the regular season finale against Galesburg on Tuesday night at Blue Devil Gym, the Quincy High School boys basketball team needed a jolt. Jeremiah Talton provided it. Trailing 11-9 with less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter, Talton contested a shot by the Silver…
Read MoreScoreboard for Wednesday February 16
Boys basketball At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 62, Pittsfield 34: The Eagles, ranked fourth in Class 1A, finished off the regular season with a dominant defensive effort. Liberty led 18-4 at the end of the first quarter after allowing just one field goal, and the Eagles allowed no more than 11 points in any quarter. Balanced…
Read MoreScoreboard for Tuesday, February 15
Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 65, Galesburg 57. Click here for the story and photos. At Hamilton, Ill. West Hancock 68, Quincy Notre Dame 58. Click here for the story. At Camp Point, Ill. Central 50, Winchester West Central 43: The Panthers limited the Cougars to two field goals and…
Read More50 After 50: No. 22 Titans look part of state contender, nearly reach ultimate destination
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read MoreThe Devils made him do it: Talton powers QHS to outright WB6 championship with determined effort
QUINCY — Jeremiah Talton decided to act a little devilish. Envious of those who made winning a Western Big 6 Conference championship a point of pride within the Quincy High School boys basketball program and greedy enough to want to win the first WB6 crown of his career outright, Talton took that as inspiration and…
Read MoreTriple the pain: Titans continually knock down 3-pointers, hand Raiders untimely loss
HAMILTON, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s inability to run West Hancock off the 3-point strip Tuesday is alarming with the start of postseason play just four days away. The Titans made 13 3-pointers and maintained a 13-point advantage throughout the second and third quarters, parlaying it into a 68-58 West Central…
Read MoreScoreboard for Monday, February 14
Boys basketball At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 68, Rushville-Industry 35: The Eagles improved to 24-5 and wrapped up the West Central Conference championship. At Augusta, Ill. Southeastern 70, Unity 47: The Suns continue rolling toward the postseason as Danny Stephens scored 29 points and Ramsey Fry added 28. Melvin McMillen led the Mustangs with 16 points,…
Read MoreStrong connection: Raiders share basketball, scoring and responsibilities in dismantling Rockets
QUINCY — One of the themes Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer touched on during his team’s shootaround Saturday afternoon was staying connected. The Raiders were locked together front to back and side to side Saturday night in a 74-38 dismantling of Rushville-Industry at The Pit in the first meeting between the schools…
Read MoreBlue Devils maintain focus, Talton finds rhythm, and momentum is building following victory over Crimsons
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — With a monumental conference victory in its rear view and an outright championship to fight for looking ahead, the Quincy High School boys basketball team could have been caught lollygagging through Saturday night’s game. That didn’t happen. The Blue Devils scored the game’s first 15 points, held Jacksonville scoreless for the first…
Read MoreScoreboard for Friday, February 11
Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 49, Rock Island 47. Click here for the story and photos. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 57, Quincy Notre Dame 43. Click here for the story and photos. At Voshall Gym, Pittsfield, Ill. Pittsfield 56, Western 34: TJ Reel hit a pair of 3-pointers in the…
Read More‘This is our team up on the wall’: Blue Devils finish off Rocks to guarantee themselves share of WB6 championship
QUINCY — To leave a legacy within Quincy High School’s tradition-rich boys basketball program, you have to put a number on the wall. Jeremiah Talton finally gets that opportunity. Bradley Longcor III and his classmates may end up doing it multiple times. Friday night, these Blue Devils earned the right to be part of history…
Read MoreScoreboard for Thursday, February 10
Boys basketball At Rushville, Ill. Central 79, Rushville-Industry 57: Panthers junior forward Isaac Genenbacher proved unstoppable in the post, scoring nine points in the pivotal second quarter. Central outscored Rushville 21-9 in the second quarter and maintained the double digit lead the remainder of the game. Genenbacher finished with a career-high 33 points without a…
Read MoreSeeds for IHSA boys basketball postseason create intriguing matchups and potential showdowns
QUINCY — An opponent the Quincy High School boys basketball team missed out on seeing during the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic could be the one that stands between the Blue Devils and a regional championship. Meanwhile, Liberty and Southeastern are on a collision course for an epic showdown — if both can survive. The…
Read MoreCarthage eighth graders win sectional title, earn spot in state quarterfinals
The Carthage eighth grade boys basketball team is headed to the state tournament. Carthage beat West Prairie 48-31 in the Class 2A sectional championship Wednesday night at Unity High School in Mendon. Carthage (18-3) will face Decatur Robinson (15-0) at 10 a.m. Saturday in the state quarterfinals at Mount Pulaski High School. Meanwhile, the Quincy…
Read MoreScoreboard for Wednesday, February 9
Boys basketball At Voshall Gym, Pittsfield, Ill. Pittsfield 59, Jerseyville 56: The Saukees erased a 14-point deficit to force overtime and got five points from Nate Scranton in the extra period to snake out a victory. Scranton finished with 23 points as Pittsfield outscored Jerseyville 9-6 in overtime. TJ Reel added 16 points for the…
Read MoreSchuckman: Former QHS standout finds his happiness and his game with basketball in his hands
QUINCY — The ball seemed so much more comfortable in his hands — certainly coming off his hands it was picturesque — than it ever did on his foot. Jaeden Smith knew it, but he needed to embrace it. Once he did, it made his happiness complete. A two-sport standout at Quincy High School who…
Read MoreIllinois boys basketball state rankings: Liberty stays in middle of Class 1A’s top 10, QHS still receiving votes
QUINCY — The Moline boys basketball team’s victory over Quincy High School last Friday night at Wharton Field House vaulted the Maroons into the Class 4A state rankings, while the Blue Devils remain among the others receiving votes. Liberty is still the only area team ranked, although the Eagles dropped one spot to No. 5…
Read MoreLiquor Booth Shot of the Game: Monroe City’s Talton beats Liberty at end of second overtime
QUINCY — Time running down, game on the line and the Monroe City boys basketball team has the possession. Who gets the ball? All-state senior guard Joshua Talton of course. “We took a timeout and everyone was saying, ‘Get it to Josh and he’s going to make a play,’” Panthers senior guard Kyle Hays said.…
Read MoreScoreboard for Tuesday, February 8
Boys basketball At Geneseo, Ill. Quincy High School 71, Geneseo 32. Click here for the story. At The Pit, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 67, Unity 55. Click here for the story and photos. At Monroe City, Mo. Monroe City 62, Palmyra 31. Click here for the story and photos. At Warsaw, Ill. Liberty 68, West…
Read MoreRaiders able to breathe life into their attack, get back on track with victory over Mustangs
QUINCY — Take a breath. Such a simple directive, but it’s one the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players needed to hear and follow. Back-to-back losses to state-ranked Jacksonville Routt and 20-win Southeastern made Tuesday night’s game at The Pit against Unity a must win in the words of Raiders coach Kevin Meyer. But instead…
Read MoreDevilishly good: Talton outscores, outshoots Geneseo in first half as QHS inches closer to WB6 crown
GENESEO, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team dropped its first Western Big 6 Conference game last Friday night, but the Blue Devils made sure to put Tuesday’s league contest out of reach by halftime. Geneseo lost control early and things quickly got out of hand as Quincy cruised to a 71-32 victory.…
Read MorePalmyra girls weather first-half storm, Monroe City boys take control early in CCC victories
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City girls basketball team had everyone thinking upset. The Palmyra boys never got that chance. In a Clarence Cannon Conference showcase doubleheader Tuesday, the two teams either state ranked or in that conversation walked away with victories, albeit in decidedly different manners. Outscored 16-4 in the first quarter and…
Read MoreScoreboard for Monday, February 7
Boys basketball At The Pit, Quincy Southeastern 62, Quincy Notre Dame 52. Click here for the story and photos. At Canton, Mo. North Shelby 67, Canton 58: Preston Brewer led the Tigers with 17 points as they fell to 6-14 overall. Robert Uhlmeyer led the Raiders with 19 points. Girls basketball At Macomb, Ill. Illini…
Read MoreOut of the Fry-ing pan, into the fire: Suns senior guard finishes off Raiders with critical plays in fourth quarter
QUINCY — The lead never grew large enough for either the Southeastern boys basketball team to get comfortable or Quincy Notre Dame to get discouraged. Not until the Raiders got Fry-ed. Leading 51-47 with less than four minutes to play in regulation Monday night at The Pit, Suns senior guard Ramsey Fry made a series…
Read MoreCrim: Time doesn’t change Siebers’ approach to doing things all out, all the time
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Mike Siebers brings the same exuberance to a weekend interview with an old sports writer as he did to high school basketball courts and soccer fields four decades ago while playing for Quincy Notre Dame. All out, all the time. “Sorry for taking so much of your time,” he said as the…
Read More50 After 50: New beginning, tough ending in sectional for No. 26 Raiders
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read MoreCrusaders win regional title with another overwhelming effort
WINCHESTER, Ill. — The Quincy Catholic eighth grade boys basketball team finished off a dominant run to the regional championship, blasting Winchester 50-18 to advance to Wednesday’s Illinois Elementary School Association sectional. The Crusaders are 20-3 and outscored their two regional opponents by a combined 62 points. Quincy Catholic will face Springfield Lincoln at 6:30…
Read MoreScoreboard for Saturday, February 5
Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 62, Webster Groves 54. Click here for the story. At The Pit, Quincy SuperFan Shootout Jacksonville Routt 36, Quincy Notre Dame 35. Click here for the story and photos. Monroe City 54, Liberty 53. Click here for the story, photos and video. Winchester West Central…
Read MoreSuperFan Shootout: Talton’s field goal gives Panthers final edge in epic state-ranked showdown with Eagles
QUINCY — Tied up, off target, then true. Joshua Talton smiled knowing the last one was the only one that mattered. Stymied at the end of regulation when his drive to the basket resulted in a jump ball and foiled at the end of the first overtime when his elbow jumper caromed off the rim,…
Read MoreBlue Devils find footing after first quarter, figure out way to finally beat Statesmen
QUINCY — Coming off of its first Western Big 6 Conference setback of the season Friday night against Moline, the Quincy High School boys basketball team had less than 24 hours to wipe the memory clean. It turns out a few extra minutes were needed. Like eight extra. A slow first quarter offensively pinned the…
Read MoreSuperFan Shootout Roundup: Mustangs overwhelm Cougars with balanced offense
QUINCY — Four players scored in double figures for the Unity girls basketball team in a resounding 73-31 victory over Winchester West Central on Saturday afternoon during the SuperFan Shootout at the Pit. Unity (23-4) led 18-10 after the first quarter, then outscored the Cougars 20-4 in the second quarter. The lead never dipped below…
Read MoreScoreboard for Friday, February 4
Boys basketball At Wharton Field House, Moline, Ill. Moline 76, Quincy High School 57. Click here for the story and photos. At The Pit, Quincy SuperFan Shootout Quincy Notre Dame 68, Northeast Cairo 65. Click here for the story and photos. Illini West 59, Griggsville-Perry 49. Click here for the story. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty…
Read MoreWharton wipeout: Blue Devils’ opportunity to go undefeated in WB6 ends with loss to Maroons
MOLINE, Ill. — Momentum began to teeter in the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s direction Friday night when back-to-back baskets preceded the third quarter mask timeout. All the Blue Devils needed was a defensive stop or two when play resumed to sustain it. “(Assistant coach Bruce Bonness) mentioned that if we’re going to go…
Read MoreSuperFan Shootout: Stratton fuels Raiders’ stretch drive, spearheads fourth-quarter rally
QUINCY — The analogy offered by Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer was spot on. “In NASCAR terms, it was a splash and go,” Meyer said. Meyer was recounting the fourth-quarter contribution of 6-foot-1 guard Jackson Stratton, who scored 18 of his 23 points over the final eight minutes — including 14 at…
Read MoreSuperFan Shootout: Strong start propels Chargers to victory as Deitrich scores 27 points
QUINCY — Nolan Deitrich made four 3-pointers in the first quarter to stake Illini West to a lead it never relinquished in a 59-49 victory over Griggsville-Perry in a boys basketball game during the SuperFan Shootout on Friday night at the Pit. Deitrich finished with five 3-pointers and led all scorers with 27 points. Max…
Read MoreGame Night Guide: WB6 clash, SuperFan Shootout, wrestling regionals highlight weekend
QUINCY — A colossal conference clash. A cross-river showdown of state-ranked teams. A collegiate matchup with first place in the conference on the line. And champions to be crowned. It’s going to be quite a weekend. The madness starts Friday night when the Quincy High School boys basketball team travels to Moline with the chance…
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase to bring back Illinois vs. Missouri all-star basketball games
QUINCY — Brad Hoyt remembers fondly going head-to-head with players from the opposite side of the Mississippi River in a summer all-star basketball game while creating long-lasting relationships with rivals he played against during the regular season. “There are stories from that game that we still share,” Hoyt said. And it’s been almost 30 years…
Read MorePrep notebook: Hannibal’s McPike earns opportunity to officiate at state tournament
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Wayne McPike’s diligence, hard work and ability to relate to high school basketball players has earned him the opportunity to officiate on the state’s highest stage. The Hannibal native has been selected to work the Show-Me Showdown state finals taking place in March at JQH Arena and the Hammons Student Center on…
Read MoreTwo seventh-grade boys basketball teams fall in sectionals
A pair of seventh-grade boys basketball teams vying for spots in the Illinois Elementary Schools Association state tournament fell short of those bids with losses in the sectional Tuesday night. In Class 3A at Auburn, Quincy Catholic suffered a 38-12 loss to Williamsville, ending the Crusaders’ season with a 12-13 record. Quincy Catholic trailed 4-2…
Read More50 After 50: No. 29 Mustangs became epitome of sharing glory and banding together to make history
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read MoreScoreboard for Tuesday, February 1
Boys basketball At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 78, Western 39: The Eagles, ranked fifth in Class 1A, tuned up for a weekend showdown with Monroe City, the No. 1-ranked team in Missouri Class 3, by overwhelming the Wildcats and earning their 20th victory of the season. Cannen Wolf led the Eagles with 23 points, while Breiton…
Read MoreScoreboard for Monday, January 31
Boys basketball At Mendon, Ill. Illini West 73, Unity 41: The Chargers finally put the finishing touch on their Hancock County Tournament championship by outgunning the Mustangs in the weather-delayed finale. Nolan Deitrich made four 3-pointers and scored 14 of the Chargers’ 16 points in the first quarter as they bolted to a 16-10 lead.…
Read MoreShow-Me Spotlight: Highland’s Mallett runs full speed into every season
The Show-Me Spotlight will appear each week to highlight a Missouri area student-athlete. EWING, Mo. — If you were to line up the fastest of the fast — there are a few Highland boys who qualify for such a distinction — who ends up winning? Drew Mallett has a pretty good idea. “Well, I would…
Read MoreCrim: From Warsaw to West Point to the world, Rothert’s journey is fascinating tale
ANKARA, Turkey — Steve Rothert was preparing to play for the Illinois All-Stars in the 1986 McDonald’s/Herald-Whig Classic when we sat down to discuss his all-state basketball career at Warsaw High School and appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. The essence of the column I wrote then was that Rothert was…
Read More50 After 50: Pain of loss in super-sectional still something No. 30 Wildcats cannot shake
The Illinois High School Association created a second class for boys basketball for the 1971-72 school year. The 2020-21 season would have been the 50th year of the boys basketball small-school tournament. Muddy River Sports is celebrating 50 years of small-school boys basketball by ranking the 50 best teams in Adams, Brown, Pike and Hancock…
Read MoreScoreboard for Friday, January 28
Boys basketball At Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse, Sterling, Ill. Quincy High School 60, Sterling 32. Click here for the story and video interview. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 57, Brown County 52: A 20-point lead at the end of the third quarter got uncomfortably tight near the end as the Hornets rallied. The fifth-ranked Eagles used…
Read MoreDefensive-minded Devils shut down Golden Warriors, increase lead in WB6 title chase
STERLING, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team’s effort last weekend against United Township resulted in a victory, but it was anything but perfect. Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas might describe it as imperfect. “There wasn’t a defensive possession in the first quarter where we didn’t make a mistake,” Douglas said. So he…
Read MoreQuincy Catholic seventh grade boys win Class 3A regional championship
WINCHESTER, Ill. — The Quincy Catholic seventh grade boys basketball team won a Class 3A regional championship Thursday night, beating Winchester 33-28. John Venvertloh led the Crusaders with 11 points, while Abel Berhorst and Venvertloh both made two free throws in the final minute to stave off Winchester, who had closed within one point. Gabe…
Read MoreScoreboard for Thursday, January 27
Boys basketball At Monroe City, Mo. Columbia Father Tolton 59, Monroe City 41: In a battle of state-ranked teams, the Trailblazers gained the edge by limiting the Panthers to 15 combined points in the second and third quarters. Monroe City, ranked second in Class 3 according to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association polls, trailed 32-18…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: QHS Hall of Famer Kyle Cartmill
QUINCY — As a kid, Kyle Cartmill chose to be the Blue Devil mascot for his Halloween costume. His passion for the Quincy High School boys basketball program has never waned, no matter where life’s road has taken him. Cartmill, a 1995 QHS graduate, became a Hall of Fame player who enjoyed a solid career…
Read MoreIllinois boys state basketball polls: Liberty receives first-place vote in Class 1A
QUINCY — Respect is growing for the Liberty boys basketball team. The Eagles remained No. 5 in the Class 1A state poll released Wednesday, but they received a first-place vote as the top of the Class 1A poll remains stacked. Four teams received first-place votes with No. 2 Yorkville Christian receiving the most with seven.…
Read MoreScoreboard for Tuesday, January 25
Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 66, Alleman 33. Click here for the story and photos. At Carthage, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 57, Illini West 45. Click here for the story. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 61, Jacksonville Routt 47: The fifth-ranked Eagles used their size to their advantage as their frontcourt…
Read MoreShooting down records: Talton breaks Douglas’ single-season 3-point mark as Blue Devil romp
QUINCY — Had Andy Douglas wanted to keep his single-season 3-point shooting record just a little while longer, he could have benched Jeremiah Talton after the senior sharpshooter made his fifth trey Tuesday night. “I should have,” Douglas said with a laugh. “That would have been hilarious.” Even if Douglas had taken Talton out, he…
Read MoreSchuckman: Roar after Wells’ shot is reminder he is small part of Blue Devil tradition now and forever
QUINCY — The clamor began as soon as Wil Wells stood up and made his way to the scorer’s table to check in to Tuesday night’s game against Rock Island Alleman. He knew it wouldn’t stop until he scored. “It’s a little bit of pressure, I have to admit,” Wells said. A senior forward on…
Read MoreRaiders salt away road victory with stellar effort at free-throw line
CARTHAGE, Ill. — A team that hadn’t been the most efficient from the free-throw line is figuring out how to use the charity stripe to its advantage. It paid off down the stretch Tuesday night. The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team, which was collectively shooting 59 percent from the line, made 7 of 10…
Read MoreHarmann’s return to Blue Devil Gym is enjoyable, memorable experience
QUINCY — As Chris Harmann strolled out of the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s locker room and onto the Blue Devil Gym court last Saturday morning, instincts took over and guided him toward the home team’s bench. Then reality set in. He wasn’t supposed to be sitting on the north end of the gym.…
Read MoreScoreboard for Monday, January 24
Boys basketball At Mendon, Ill. Brown County 63, Unity 52: Cole Behymer scored 22 points as the Hornets controlled the game in the second half. Colby Wort added 17 points for Brown County. Gavin Koenig led the Mustangs with 12 points, while Nick Maynard and Melvin McMillen scored 10 points apiece. Girls basketball At Rushville,…
Read MoreScoreboard for Saturday, January 22
Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy Shootout St. Louis University High 49, Quincy High School 40. Click here for the story and photos. Liberty 62, Dixon 48. Click here for the story and photos. At Palmyra, Mo. Tony Lenzini Tournament Monroe City 73, Hannibal 60. Click here for the story and photos. Palmyra…
Read MoreSchuckman: It’s gotta be the shoes as Quincy Shootout participants put their footware on display
Stylish, bold, eye-catching and colorful. And it’s all about sole. During the fourth Quincy Shootout, which took place Friday and Saturday at Blue Devil Gym and Friday night at the Pit, the shoe game of some of the top prep basketball players in the state and in the nation was on display. A handful of…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Kramer adds to family legacy in Blue Devil Gym by taking down Blue Devils
QUINCY — The son of a Blue Devil legend did all he could to keep a current Quincy High School boys basketball standout carving his own legacy from adding a Quincy Shootout victory to his resume. By doing so, Nick Kramer made the trip down memory lane unforgettable. Kramer, the St. Louis University High senior…
Read MoreMonroe City boys, Canton girls capture titles at 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Hannibal boys basketball team relied on its defense to keep it within striking distance of top-seeded Monroe City at halftime of Saturday night’s championship game of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational. The Panthers didn’t allow that to happen in the second half. After being held to just nine points in…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Eagles’ chemistry creates edge as they pull away from Dukes
QUINCY — The initial reaction was what Greg Altmix expected. Thursday afternoon, the Liberty boys basketball coach informed his players they had added a game to the schedule with an appearance in the fourth Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym. “(The organizers) giving us a chance to come and play in this event really got…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: iSchool of Lewisville uses 3-pointers to put stamp on victory
QUINCY — Three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter allowed the iSchool of Lewisville to finish off a 65-56 victory over Huntington Prep in the final game of the Quincy Shootout in Blue Devil Gym. Aaron Carter made two of his six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 20 points. Jason Thirdkill added 17…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Berkmar puts three in double figures, holds off Father Tolton
QUINCY — A three-pronged attack proved to be better than one dominant force. Despite getting 25 points from senior forward Jevon Porter, Columbia Father Tolton couldn’t put the clamps on Berkmar (Ga.) as the Patriots had three players score in double figures in a 60-58 victory in the Quincy Shootout. Bryce Blaine buried a 3-pointer…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Strong start gives Link Academy edge in matchup with St. Rita
QUINCY — Link Academy let Tarris Reed Jr. establish the post presence immediately. The rest of the Lions followed his lead. Reed scored nine of his 17 points in the first quarter when Link outscored Chicago St. Rita 14-9, but he had only two points in the 24-point second quarter. Six other players scored in…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Cadets’ balanced attack, stingy second-half defense lead to victory
QUINCY — The Modesto Christian boys basketball team’s 2,000-mile trip from California seemed like a worthwhile adventure when the Crusaders had a 45-40 halftime lead over CBC out of St. Louis. The Crusaders must have forgotten to pack their offense for the second half. The Cadets scored 44 points in the second half, while limiting…
Read MoreQuincy Shootout: Lions able to outlast Fighting Irish in double overtime
QUINCY — Two big defensive plays in the final minute of overtime led to Peoria Notre Dame and St. Louis Cardinal Ritter needing a second extra session. The Lions made sure there wouldn’t be a third. Robert Lewis knocked down three free throws to help Cardinal Ritter stave off PND with a 67-66 victory in…
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