Crim: Coaching, teaching basketball keeps JWCC assistant Rafferty in ‘his happy place’

John Wood Community College assistant men's basketball coach Pat Rafferty, who has been coaching nearly a half-century, continues to provide insight for JWCC coach Brad Hoyt and the Trail Blazers. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Pat Rafferty says he will know when it’s finally time to walk away from basketball and coaching. At 72, after spending nearly a half-century with teams in high school and college gymnasiums, that time has yet to arrive. “He’s in his happy place,” John Wood Community College coach Brad Hoyt said of his…

Read More

First-half drought too much for John Wood men to overcome in home setback

John Wood Community College's Logan Robbins dribbles past Parkland's Isaac Mapson during Saturday afternoon's men's basketball game in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY — When you’re a .500 team, you win some and you lose some. You will have good moments and bad moments.  The John Wood Community College men’s basketball team lost Saturday afternoon at home to Parkland College 65-62. The Trail Blazers’ record sits at 14-13, and like their season, the contest included good things…

Read More

Trail Blazers survive Cougars’ pressure and chaotic pace to capture MWAC victory in OT

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt should have felt comfortable watching his team control the tempo and continuing to knock down shots to open a 19-point lead at home five minutes into the second half. He wasn’t. “It made me nervous,” the John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach admitted. His apprehension proved to be well founded.…

Read More

Trail Blazers unable to meet challenge Bears present in suffering double-digit loss

QUINCY — Coming out of the holiday break, John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt gave his team an immediate challenge. The Trail Blazers struggled to meet it. Des Moines Area Community College, ranked 15th in the latest NJCAA Division II national poll, used an opening salvo that created an 11-point lead in…

Read More

Trail Blazers unable to sidestep own ‘ragged’ effort in loss to open weekend

QUINCY — Darius Bolden was disappointed in the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team’s inconsistent play Friday night. The Trail Blazers sophomore guard went as far as to say JWCC’s overall performance bordered on “ragged.” It was hard to argue. Kansas City (Kan.) Community College pulled away down the stretch for an 82-73 victory…

Read More

Schuckman: JWCC showcases family-based culture for entire community to see

A pair of John Wood Community College cheerleaders try to entice passerbys to get their car washed as part of the Blazer Bash, which was held Saturday on the JWCC campus. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Saturday felt like a warm, welcoming hug. John Wood Community College opened its arms to the community, and Quincy embraced it. “Yeah, this is neat,” Trail Blazers athletic director Brad Hoyt said as he surveyed the meshing of JWCC athletes and personnel with fans and community members across a large swath of the…

Read More

Search for right fit leads QHS all-stater Talton to JWCC to continue basketball career

Quincy High School's Jeremiah Talton, right, signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play basketball at John Wood Community College. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jeremiah Talton wanted to play for a college basketball coach he could build a relationship with beyond the court and a program that would help his game mature. He didn’t have to leave town to find the right combination. The Quincy High School all-state swingman signed his national letter of intent with John…

Read More

Successful night all around for Hoyt family as JWCC men advance to Region 24 semifinals

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt is the long-time men’s basketball coach at John Wood Community College. He’s also the father of 17-year-old Jake Hoyt, a member of the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team. While Brad was coaching Wednesday night, Jake was playing against Maroa-Forsyth in a sectional tournament game at Stanford Olympia. Both enjoyed victories.…

Read More

Trail Blazers believe November setback will benefit them in February’s postseason pursuit

John Wood Community College's Jarvis Jennings, right, begins his drive to the basket with 20 seconds remaining in overtime and Saturday's game against Des Moines Area Community College tied at 81. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Come February, Jarvis Jennings believes the scenario plays out differently. Three months from now, Brad Hoyt expects to make a wiser decision. Together, they are supremely confident the John Wood Community College men’s basketball team will be entertaining a shot at reaching the NJCAA Division II national tournament because of what transpired Saturday…

Read More

Stout second-half effort propels Trail Blazers to statement victory over Hawks

QUINCY — John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach Brad Hoyt figured the gauntlet the Trail Blazers were about to run would reveal if they deserved to be in the conversation as one of the nation’s top teams. Or were they just pretending to be in the mix? Friday night, the 11th-ranked Trail Blazers proved…

Read More

Trail Blazers hope experienced, savvy lineup leads to more national success

John Wood Community College men's basketball coach Brad Hoyt has four starters returning this season, including first-team All-American forward Jarvis Jennings. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone. Brad Hoyt is counting on the first part of Irish poet Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated adage to hold true. If the second part is more accurate, the veteran John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach might find himself feeling a little more haggard come…

Read More

Sit down with the AD: Brad Hoyt discusses the future of JWCC athletics

Brad Hoyt, who serves as the head men's basketball coach and athletic director at John Wood Community College, is pushing the Trail Blazers in pursuit of more championship moments. Submitted photo

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt thrives on chasing championship moments. The John Wood Community College men’s basketball coach places such a high priority on that concept his players use the “championships are cool” mantra whenever they discuss expectations and goals. The other JWCC coaches are embracing the idea, too. It’s why Hoyt, who also serves as…

Read More