Clamping down defensively allows top-ranked Blue Devils to crumble Rocks in WB6 showdown

Quincy High School senior guard Dom Clay dives to save the ball and make a steal in the second half of Friday night's 56-44 victory over Rock Island in Western Big 6 Conference play at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The challengers continue to line up to take a crack at knocking the Quincy High School boys basketball team from its best-team-in-the-state perch. They keep failing for one very significant reason. The Blue Devils adjust, anchor down and get aggressive defensively. “I like our odds against anybody as long as we do what…

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Blue Devils put end to Wharton jinx, take down Maroons on road for first time since 2017

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas talks to his team at a break between quarters during Tuesday night's 71-56 victory over Moline at Wharton Field House in Moline, Ill. | Submitted photo

MOLINE, Ill. — Dom Clay didn’t try to hide what this one meant. As the final seconds ticked away on Tuesday night’s 71-56 Western Big 6 Conference victory over the Moline boys basketball team at Wharton Field House, the Quincy High School senior guard stood near midcourt pumping his right arm in celebration. “​​It was…

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Thomas, top-ranked Blue Devils refuse to coast, keep energy high throughout victory over Senators

Quincy High School forward Keshaun Thomas pulls a rebound away from a pair of Springfield players during Saturday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Keshaun Thomas despises the idea of coasting into halftime. “Everybody has to go out there and hustle their hardest, no matter how much we’re up,” said Thomas, the 6-foot-6 senior forward with a relentless motor who has helped the Quincy High School boys basketball rise to No. 1 in the Class 4A state…

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‘They made more plays’: Blue Devils suffer first loss to top-ranked Wolverines at Highland Shootout

Quincy High School point guard Kamren Wires, right, fights through the pressure from Vashon's Jimmy McKinney III during Saturday's game in the Highland Shootout in Highland, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

HIGHLAND, Ill. — There was optimism amid disappointment Saturday night, which is a sign the Quincy High School boys basketball team will be better because of this. For starters, the Blue Devils were adamant a single loss will not derail them. “We are still hungry and not satisfied where we are right now,” senior guard…

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Countdown to tipoff: Experience will help Blue Devils meet heightened expectations

Senior guard Bradley Longcor III, a first-team all-state selection as a junior, is one of three returning starters for the Quincy High School boys basketball team with three years of a varsity experience to lean on. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the QHS boys basketball team is brought to you by: QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball players don’t shy away from harboring state championship aspirations. “That’s my goal every time I play,” 6-foot-3 senior guard Bradley Longcor III said. Still, becoming preoccupied with that title pursuit is the last thing the…

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Strong sense of family at Austin Peay leads Blue Devils’ Clay to commit to play for Governors

Quincy High School senior guard Dom Clay's play this summer with the Michael Porter Jr. Elite AAU program helped land him a scholarship offer from Austin Peay State University. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

QUINCY — Dom Clay’s junior season with the Quincy High School boys basketball team ended with a lot of people curious where his natural gifts and improving consistency might take him. They now know. It’s carrying him to the NCAA Division I level. The 6-foot-3 Clay recently committed to Austin Peay State University, making him…

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Blue Devils bounce back from road loss, blanket Batavia defensively to stay unbeaten at home

Quincy High School's Bradley Longcor splits Batavia defenders on his way to two of his 18 points during Saturday night's victory at Blue Devil Gym. | Contributed photo

QUINCY — The longest road trip in the Western Big Six Conference seemed to last forever Friday night after a surprising loss to Sterling. “Man, that hurt,” Quincy High School junior Dom Clay said. “It was really quiet (on the bus).” The Blue Devils lost for only the second time in 22 games on a…

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