Schuckman: Devilishly good decade coming to end for trio of QHS basketball teammates

Three Quincy High School teammates — Cam Brown, left, Ralph Wires, second from right, and Tyler Sprick, right — will play their final game together Saturday in the third annual Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Before the Lil’ Devils program brought them together, before they spent 10 consecutive winters running side-by-side, there were games in the YMCA basketball league where Ralph Wires, Tyler Sprick and Cam Brown were on opposite sides. “I tore them apart per usual,” Wires said with a mischievous, sarcastic grin. His ability to dart…

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State-ranked Blue Devils use 3-point barrage and stingy defense to bury Railers

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas talks to his team during a timeout during Saturday night's game against Lincoln at Roy S. Anderson Gym in Lincoln, Ill. | Submitted photo

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…

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Blue Devils’ defense ensures lead is quite safe in dispatching Titans

Quincy High School's Camden Brown wins the opening tip of Friday night's game against Tinley Park in the 52nd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. | Photo courtesy Samantha Carmean

QUINCY — There was no letting a big lead slip away this time. One night after nearly squandering a seemingly insurmountable 24-point cushion in the second half, the Quincy High School boys basketball team limited Tinley Park to just five field goals over the final three quarters to cruise to a 69-29 victory Friday in…

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‘These are the games we need’: Brown’s three-point play highlights late comeback by Blue Devils

Quincy High School's Camden Brown goes up to score the game-tying basket with 22 seconds remaining in Saturday night's game against Lincoln at Blue Devil Gym. Brown was fouled on the play by Payton Cook, and he made a free throw to put the Blue Devils ahead for good. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Playing the Lincoln Railsplitters is about as entertaining for the Quincy High School boys basketball team as shaving your head with a cheese grater. “I think anybody will say that Lincoln is like the least fun team to play all year long,” junior guard Ralph Wires said. “We want to run, but they…

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Pair of hard-fought victories put Blue Devils in position to play for tournament championship

Quincy High School guard Camden Brown drives to the basket during Thursday's semifinal matchup with Rockford East in the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — It has taken the Quincy High School boys basketball team a decade to get back to where it could possibly end what is now a quarter-century drought. A shot at redemption comes with it, too. The Blue Devils will play for the championship of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic for the…

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Blue Devils to use time prior to holiday tournament wisely, emphasize consistency and energy

Quincy High School sophomore guard Bradley Longcor III starts the offense during Saturday night's game against Quincy Notre Dame at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It sounds relaxing when you say it out loud. The Quincy High School boys basketball team has 11 days until its next game. That offers the impression it will be a low-key holiday week leading up to Christmas and then a couple of get-back-into-the-groove days before the Blue Devils head off to play…

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Chills and thrills: Blazing start, defensive stranglehold catapult Blue Devils to victory in season opener

Quincy High School junior swingman Camden Brown defends at the point of the Blue Devils' 1-2-2 zone during Thursday's game against Dixon in the 51st Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The lights go down, the flames go up and everyone in Blue Devil Gym awaiting the Devil’s arrival feels the chills. The players aren’t immune to that, no matter how focused on the game they might be. “I would think any abnormal person would say no they don’t feel anything,” said Tyler Sprick,…

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