Central boys bounce back from losses to Unity, Griggsville-Perry to win twice in 24 hours

Camp Point Central's Drew Paben drives to the basket while Van-Far's Gage Gibson defends during Saturday afternoon's high school boys basketball game at the Pit in Quincy during the KHQA Superfan Shootout. | Photo courtesy of Mike Pritchard

QUINCY — The week ended much better than it began for the Camp Point Central boys basketball team. After suffering back-to-back upset losses to Mendon Unity and Griggsville-Perry, the Panthers whipped Rushville-Industry Friday night and then pulled away in the second half Saturday afternoon for a 59-46 victory over Van-Far (Mo.) in the American Family…

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Panthers head to Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament yet to allow any opponent 40 points

Camp Point Central guard Drew Paben has been part of a stout defense that is allowing just 28 points per game. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Defense is top priority at Camp Point Central, no matter the sport. “We preach it. It’s not just me preaching it,” said James Barnett, the boys basketball coach whose team enters the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament this week not having allowed an opponent to score 40 points in a game yet this…

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Opportunity awaits: Behind another dominant first quarter, Central earns rematch with Lena-Winslow in Class 1A title game

Camp Point Central sophomore defensive tackle Kadin Niekamp points the Panthers in the right direction during Saturday's 54-20 victory over Greenfield-Northwestern in the Class 1A state semifinal in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The politically correct expression would be “unfinished business.” In football layman’s terms, Camp Point Central tight end Jack Thompson may have hit the nail on the proverbial head. “We want some revenge,” Thompson said only moments following the Panthers’ 54-20 rout of Greenfield Northwestern in the Class 1A semifinals Saturday afternoon…

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Schuck on a Truck: Central linebackers discuss playoff atmosphere, community support

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The crowd’s presence was undeniable. No matter if they were on the field or on the sideline, the Camp Point Central football players could hear its overflowing crowd and feel its energy during last Saturday’s Class 1A state quarterfinal victory over Belleville Althoff. The Panthers expect a more boisterous and potentially…

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Panthers’ first-quarter blitz knocks Crusaders out, sends Central to Class 1A state semifinals

Camp Point Central's Drew Paben, left, and Conner Griffin celebrate Paben's touchdown reception that extended the Panthers' first-quarter lead to 30-0 against Belleville Althoff in Saturday's Class 1A state quarterfinal matchup in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Many of those attending Saturday’s playoff game at Camp Point Central High School likely passed a particular sign on the west side of Illinois 94. The placard reads: “Small Town. Big dreams.” Oh so true on both accounts. On paper, the Central football team faced a daunting task in its Class…

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Paben puts finishing touch on Central football team’s second-round playoff victory

Camp Point Central running back Drew Paben, right, stiff-arms a Hardin Calhoun defender during Saturday's Class 1A second-round playoff game in Hardin, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

HARDIN, Ill. — Drew Paben’s first touchdown run was by design, but his second was more or less an accident. Paben scored twice in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon to propel Camp Point Central past Hardin Calhoun 32-14 in the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs. Paben’s two touchdowns allowed Central to pull…

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Off and running: Genenbacher’s first-play touchdown sets stage for Central’s playoff win

Camp Point Central running back Elijah Genenbacher runs throw a gaping hole on the left side of the line on the Panthers' first offensive play in a 54-0 rout of Bridgeport Red Hill in the opening round of the Class 1A playoffs Saturday in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The first time Elijah Genenbacher touched the ball proved to be a harbinger of things to come Saturday afternoon. For both Genenbacher and the Camp Point Central football team. Genenbacher, a junior running back whose true passion is playing linebacker on defense, was handed the ball on Central’s first offensive play…

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Stand and deliver: Panthers put up fourth-down roadblock to fend off Warriors in WIVC clash

Camp Point Central sophomore defensive tackle Kadin Niekamp, center, reacts to stopping Hardin Calhoun on a fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter of Friday night's game. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — All of the game’s scoring occurred in the first half. All of the suspense materialized during a frantic final five minutes of the fourth quarter. The Central football team escaped its home opener Friday night with a 30-22 victory over Hardin Calhoun in a Western Illinois Valley Conference crossover game. The…

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