Suns unable to stem changing tide late in second set, fall to Comets in Class 1A super-sectional

Southeastern's Kenzie Griswold, right, drives a shot past a Sterling Newman Central Catholic block during Friday's Class 1A Eastland Super-Sectional in Lanark, Ill. | Photo courtesy Earleen Hinton, Shaw Media

LANARK, Ill. — After falling into a deep hole to start Friday night’s Class 1A Eastland Super-Sectional, the Southeastern volleyball team looked like it had recovered and regained control of the match. But the Suns couldn’t fend off a Sterling Newman Central Catholic rally in the second set, and the Class 1A runners-up from a…

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Running against the wind: QND capitalizes on directional decision, buries BCC with first-half onslaught to reach state final four

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson reacts to a goal-scoring opportunity narrowly missed during the second half of Wednesday's Class 1A Chillicothe Super-Sectional against Bloomington Central Catholic in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Mother Nature posed a challenge no matter which direction the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team chose to attack in the first half Wednesday night. Sun in the eyes or wind in the face. So Raiders coach Greg Reis asked goalkeepers coach Kasey Gerding for his opinion on which way to go.…

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Photo gallery: QND soccer team beats Bloomington Central Catholic in Class 1A super-sectional

Quincy Notre Dame's Jake Hoyt, left, marks a Bloomington Central Catholic attacker during Wednesday's Class 1A Chillicothe Super-Sectional in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team earned a spot in the state final four for the eighth time in program history, beating Bloomington Central Catholic 5-1 Wednesday night in the Class 1A Chillicothe Super-Sectional. The Raiders (17-6-2) advance to face Elmhurst Timothy Christian (16-9) at 7 p.m. Friday at the EastSide…

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No interfering with history: Hornets snuff out Hawks’ seventh-inning threat to reach state finals for first time ever

Brown County baseball coach Jared Hoots, left, and starting pitcher Colby Wort celebrate after the final out was recorded in the Hornets' 4-3 victory over Carrollton in Monday's Class 1A super-sectional at Lincoln Land Community College's Claude Kracik Field. Matt Schuckman photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Everyone in the Brown County baseball team’s dugout and those on the field could see Carrollton’s Grant Pohlman looming in the on-deck circle and casting a rather sizable shadow over the Claude Kracik Field grass. “We knew he was coming up and we knew what he had done to us,” Hornets catcher…

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Brown County pitcher’s bulldogged nature guides Hornets to program’s biggest victory ever

Brown County right-handed starter Colby Wort delivers a pitch during Monday's Class 1A Springfield Super-Sectional against Carrollton at Lincoln Land Community College's Claude Kracik Field. Matt Schuckman photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Brown County baseball coach Jared Hoots struggled a little to come up with an apt description for Colby Wort’s effort. “He is a competitive animal,” Hoot said. “Whatever adjective you want to use, go for it. The slang would be a dog. Some people say a competitive fire. I don’t know what…

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Photo gallery: Brown County beats Carrollton in Class 1A baseball super-sectional

Brown County's Gabe Blakeley, left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring the game's first run in the top of the first inning against Carrollton in the Class 1A Springfield Super-Sectional at Claude Kracik Field. Matt Schuckman photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Brown County baseball team made history Monday, beating Carrollton 4-3 in the Class 1A Springfield Super-Sectional at Lincoln Land Community College’s Claude Kracik Field to advance to the state final four for the first time ever. The Hornets are guaranteed to bring home the first state trophy in school history. Muddy…

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Return engagement: QND girls soccer team upends defending state champ to return to final four in Naperville

Quincy Notre Dame's Lauryn Peters begins to celebrate as Lia Quintero's header bounces into the goal past the arms of Belleville Althoff keeper Anna Brewer with seven minutes remaining in the second overtime of Tuesday's Class 1A Columbia Super-Sectional in Columbia, Ill. Matt Schuckman photo

COLUMBIA, Ill. — The Illinois girls state soccer championships are returning to North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville this weekend for the first time in three years. It’s only fitting Quincy Notre Dame returns, too. As QND coach Mark Longo put it, it is the Raiders’ “home away from home.” Figuring out how to…

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Photo gallery: Liberty vs. Southeastern in Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional

Liberty fans react during the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional on Monday night at the Jacksonville Bowl. Liberty defeated Southeastern 49-42 to advance to the state final four in Champaign. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The fans of the Liberty and Southeastern boys basketball teams filled the Jacksonville Bowl on Monday night for a titanic matchup in the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional. Photographer Steve Davis captured the moments from start to finish. Below is a gallery of Davis’ images.

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Taste of Champaign: Klauser’s play speaks volumes as Liberty eclipses Southeastern for spot in Class 1A state semifinals

Liberty senior forward Logan Robbins leaps into the air and pumps his fist as time expires on the Eagles' 49-42 victory over Southeastern in Monday night’s Class 1A Jacksonville Super Sectional at the Jacksonville Bowl. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Devin Klauser likely has never been in trouble for talking in class at Liberty High School. The senior is a guy of few words. Very, very few words. “He’s kind of shy,” Eagles teammate Cannen Wolf said, with the expected grin. The 6-foot-6 Klauser let his performance on the floor do his…

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Class 1A super-sectional notebook: Stephens’ dominant junior season heightens expectations for senior campaign

Southeastern's Danny Stephens puts up a shot during the Suns' 49-42 loss to Liberty on Monday night in the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional at the Jacksonville Bowl. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

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…

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