Energy shift goes against Blue Devils as Generals repeat as tourney champions at Collinsville

Quincy High School guard Ralph Wires tries to corral a loose ball during Friday's championship game of the 38th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic against Decatur MacArthur at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The most unfortunate thing to happen to the Quincy High School boys basketball team Friday night was for time to run out in the first quarter. The brief interlude between quarters was exactly what Decatur MacArthur needed. The Blue Devils opened the championship game of the 38th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic…

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Photo gallery: Quincy High School faces Decatur MacArthur for championship at Collinsville

The Quincy High School boys basketball players stand with the second-place trophy during postgame ceremonies after losing to Decatur MacArthur 57-53 in the championship game of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Decatur MacArthur denied the Quincy High School boys basketball team its first championship of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic in a quarter century Friday night when the Generals recovered from a 16-4 first-quarter deficit and earned a 57-53 victory at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Freelance photographer Tim Vizer captured the action and…

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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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Schuckman: Blue or black doesn’t matter as long as jersey is worn with respect and pride

Sophomore guard Dominique Clay, right, dishes a pass during the Quincy High School boys basketball team's game against Collierville (Tenn.) in the quarterfinals of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic on Thursday at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Shock. That’s what Dominique Clay’s expression screamed. He wasn’t alone in his jaw-dropping assessment. “I had the same look, too,” Camden Brown said. After the Quincy High School boys basketball team dispatched Collierville (Tenn.) 62-48 in Thursday’s quarterfinals of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic, the Blue Devils were headed to the…

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Photo gallery: QHS wins twice to reach title game game of Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, center, and senior guard Reid O'Brien, left, react to a play during the semifinal victory over Rockford East in the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic in Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team will play in the championship game of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic after beating Collierville (Tenn.) 62-48 in Thursday afternoon’s quarterfinals and Rockford East 47-41 in the Thursday night’s semifinals at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Freelance photographer Tim Vizer captured all of the action and…

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Strong start, tepid finish leaves Blue Devils yearning to play better as tourney path continues

Quincy High School guard Camden Brown soars towards the basket during the first half of Wednesday’s game against Alton in the first round of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Andy Douglas had a pocket full of excuses if he needed any. The Quincy High School boys basketball coach refused to let the Blue Devils use them. A scintillating first half devolved into less-than-ideal execution in the second half Wednesday night in the opening round of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic,…

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Late start, intriguing draw for Blue Devils at Collinsville Praririe Farms Holiday Classic

Quincy High School's Tyler Sprick, left, and Dominique Clay hope to help the Blue Devils chase the championship at the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic later this month. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team’s path to the championship of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic is filled with obstacles. That starts with playing the final game of the opening round. The Blue Devils (7-0) drew Alton (1-6) in the 9 p.m. game in the first round, the last of eight…

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Another slow start spells doom for Blue Devils in third-place game at Collinsville

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — A trend developed in the three days the Quincy High School boys basketball team spent at the 37th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic that has Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas legitimately concerned. His team keeps stumbling out of the blocks. It happened again Wednesday night in the third-place game against Collinsville. The…

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Blue Devils turn over chance to play for title, lose to Generals in overtime in tourney semis

Quincy High School freshman guard Bradley Longcor III, left, looks to make a pass to the low block to teammate Keshaun Thomas during Tuesday night's game against Decatur MacArthur. Photo courtesy Paul Baillargeon, Archview Photos

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Faced with a setback for only the second time this season and denied a shot at a tournament championship for the first time, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas both understood and appreciated the Blue Devils’ reaction. They were disappointed, not despondent. The Blue Devils squandered a two-point lead with…

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Blue Devils rally in fourth quarter to beat Railsplitters, will face Generals in semifinals

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Whew. That was the collective reaction from the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s bench and the throng of Blue Devil backers inside Vergil Fletcher Gym on Tuesday afternoon. The Blue Devils were held scoreless the first four minutes of the second half of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic semifinal against…

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Blue Devils change course at halftime, return energetic in blowing past Crusaders

Jeremiah Talton drives to the basket during the first half of the Quincy High School boys basketball team's opening-round game against Belleville Althoff in the 37th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. Photo courtesy Paul Baillargeon, Archview Photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Sam Mulherin understands good things happen if you put yourself in the right position. Necessary things happen, too. Mulherin’s energetic pursuit of offensive rebounds helped the Quincy High School boys basketball team shake its first-half slumber and ignited a 31-point third quarter against Belleville Althoff on Monday afternoon at Vergil Fletcher Gym.…

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