‘It feels amazing’: Blue Devils put past disappointment to rest, beat Ironmen for sectional championship

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III reacts to the Blue Devils putting away their 61-54 overtime victory over Normal Community in Friday night's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional championship at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — No over-the-counter remedy could help those associated with the Quincy High School boys basketball program overcome the gnawing disappointment which had lingered for the equivalent of a calendar year. This wasn’t heartburn. This was heartache. “We know what it feels like to be one inch away,” said senior point guard Kamren Wires,…

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Fletcher Gym’s friendly confines bring out best in Blue Devils in sectional semifinal victory

Quincy High School's Dom Clay, left, and Rico Clay Jr., center, celebrate toward the end of the Blue Devils' 56-33 victory over Alton in Tuesday night's Class 4A sectional semifinal at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Milton Whitfield had yet to experience playing in historic Vergil Fletcher Gym prior to Tuesday night. “All I wanted was a chance on this floor,” the Quincy High School junior guard said. For good reason. “It’s very beautiful, very big, very spacious,” Whitfield said. “The kind of floor you want to run…

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Rematch with Ironmen in sectional championship brings about plenty of emotion for Blue Devils

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, left, and senior guard Bradley Longcor III discuss defensive assignments during a free throw in the first half of Tuesday's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional semifinal at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — As they filed out of Vergil Fletcher Gym on Tuesday night, the Quincy High School boys basketball players weren’t aware of who their opponent would be in Friday’s Class 4A Collinsville Sectional title game. “Either one, I’m excited to play,” senior guard Bradley Longcor III said. He knew there would be motivation…

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Blue Devils unable to muster fight needed to rally, bow out with sectional semifinal loss

Quincy High School guard Bradley Longcor III, left, dribbles around O’Fallon guard Jalen Smith during the Class 4A Moline Sectional semifinal played at Alton High School on Tuesday night in Alton, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

ALTON, Ill. — Camden Brown quickly pinpointed the issue. “We didn’t have any fight in us,” he said. Forced into a corner, the Quincy High School boys basketball team could not withstand O’Fallon’s constant surges. The Blue Devils did not convert shots, did not rebound and did not consistently get defensive stops, resulting in a…

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