Delivering big blows: Connoyer’s home run helps shift momentum in QND’s favor in regional title game against Beardstown

The Quincy Notre Dame baseball team celebrates its Class 2A regional championship after beating Beardstown 6-2 on Monday at the Ferd. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The old bully on the postseason playground threatened to derail the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s title quest yet again. That was until a tag and swing knocked Beardstown to its knees. A legendary coaching career went down with it. The Raiders escaped danger in the first inning, tagging out the Tigers’ William…

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Fischer’s limitless amount of energy provides QND softball team with injection of life

Quincy Notre Dame senior catcher Lindsey Fischer provides the Raiders with a jolt of energy and exuberance every time she takes the field. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eryn Cornwell’s focus and concentration when she’s in the pitcher’s circle often robs her of the chance to appreciate Lindsey Fischer’s exuberance. Playing third base provides Cornwell an entirely different view of the show. “I kind of like playing third because I can sit there and watch Lindsey do her thing,” Cornwell said.…

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‘Everyone worked for this’: QND girls basketball team finishes magical season with Class 2A state championship

Members of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team rush forward to receive their state championship trophy after beating Winnebago 63-56 Saturday afternoon in the Class 2A title game at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. Photo courtesy Clark Brooks/PhotoNews Media

NORMAL, Ill. — Blair Eftink looked down at the state championship medal hanging around her neck and shook her head from side to side, almost in disbelief. “It’s crazy,” she said. Eftink then glanced around at her Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball teammates, who were milling about in the hallway outside the media room in…

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Injuries, defensive pressure trip up Raiders in sectional title game as Saints shoot way to crown

Quincy Notre Dame point guard Jake Hoyt, right, gets a helping hand from teammates after getting knocked to the floor during the second half of Friday night's loss to Bloomington Central Catholic in the Class 2A sectional championship. Matt Schuckman photo

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.”…

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‘You just don’t want it to end’: Raiders to play for state championship after confidence-soaring victory in semifinals over Panthers

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players celebrate after beating Pana 56-44 in the Class 2A state semifinals Thursday at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Redbird Arena can’t exactly be called cavernous, but the shooting background can create a need for an adjustment. Blair Eftink didn’t seem to mind, especially when 3-pointer after 3-pointer kept falling during warmups. “Abbey (Schreacke) was telling me the depth perception was a lot different than where we normally play,” Eftink said.…

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Schreacke beats buzzer twice, gives QND girls needed momentum in state semifinal victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Eryn Cornwell, right, celebrates with teammate Abbey Schreacke after Schreacke buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the first quarter Thursday in the Class 2A state semifinals against Pana at Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The ball ending up in Abbey Schreacke’s hands with the seconds ticking away didn’t come as a surprise. Neither did the fact she made the shot. Well, the first one wasn’t a shocker. The second made those inside Redbird Arena either jump for joy or drop their head into their hands. Schreacke,…

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State tournament notebook: Raiders to take advantage of extra day to prep for title game

Quincy Notre Dame assistant coach Bob Sheffield, left, and head coach Eric Orne, center, watch the final seconds tick off the clock on the 56-44 victory over Pana in the Class 2A state semifinals Thursday at Redbird Arena. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — A dramatic change in the way the Illinois High School Association schedules the boys and girls state basketball tournament games has completely altered the weekend plans. It’s a blessing in disguise for Quincy Notre Dame. After beating Pana 56-44 Thursday afternoon in the Class 2A girls state semifinals at Illinois State University’s…

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Raiders create bevy of turnovers, throttle past Rockets into Class 2A regional semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame's Calvin Lavery, right, battles for a rebound with Rushville-Industry's James Corrie during Saturday's Class 2A regional quarterfinal at The Pit. Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Raiders rev up in second quarter, win regional championship behind Schreacke’s 29 points

Submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s struggling start was erased when Abbey Schreacke scored with 6.6 seconds remaining in the first quarter to give the Raiders’ the lead. QND never trailed again. Off a Williamsville turnover with 15.1 seconds left in the quarter, QND got the ball into Schreacke’s hands, and…

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Illinois girls state basketball polls: Quincy Notre Dame moves to No. 1 in Class 2A

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team is the new No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A, the first time the Raiders have been No. 1 in the state since the 2012 season. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For the first time since 2012, when the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team won the second of its three straight state championships, the Raiders are the No. 1-ranked team in the state. QND and Winnebago switched spots atop the Class 2A state poll after the Raiders beat third-ranked Illini West on the…

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