‘They are very dynamic’: Alton girls pull away in fourth quarter for victory over Notre Dame

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler, right, looks to pass round the double team of two Alton defenders during Saturday night's game in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne summed up what the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team faced Saturday night quite succinctly. “I don’t think we’ll see a team that good unless we make the final four,” he said. The QND head coach has won enough games and been to enough state tournaments to be able to gauge…

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Miller helps Central-Southeastern show toughness, resilience in victory over Palmyra

Central-Southeastern forward Lauren Miller gets inside the Palmyra defense and finishes at the rim during Saturday's game in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Lauren Miller stood in the middle of the lane before an inbounds play with her hand cupped covering her mouth as she continually coughed. Moments later, she drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key that extended the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s first half lead over Palmyra on Saturday to eight points,…

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Saukees stop Titans’ second-half run, extend lead back to double digits in Shootout victory

West Hancock guard Grace Grothaus brings the ball up the court while being defended by Pittsfield's Reese Ramsey during Saturday's game in the KHQA/American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — An 18-point halftime lead steadily dwindled to four points by the start of the fourth quarter. Yet, the Pittsfield girls basketball team never panicked. “I like how we never felt like, ‘Oh, my gosh, they’re coming back,’” senior forward Madison Frieden said. “I felt we were pretty level-headed.” A Frieden layin with four…

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Stratton’s future teammates give ovation as she celebrates senior night with current teammates

Quincy Notre Dame senior Sage Stratton dribbles up the floor during Friday night's game at the Pit against Clopton. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — It was emotional for the four seniors on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team when they were recognized before Friday night’s game against Clopton (Mo.) High School. For Sage Stratton, it was especially touching that her future teammates and coaches from Drury University — in town to play Quincy University Saturday afternoon…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, February 7

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Feb. 7: Boys basketball Quincy High School 53, United Township 43 Jefferson City Helias 57, Quincy Notre Dame 45 Liberty 49, Payson Seymour 42 Camp Point Central 56, Rushville-Industry 36 Mendon Unity 76, Southeastern 62 Macomb 67, South Fulton 42 Brown County 69, Pittsfield 36 Pawnee…

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‘The heart they showed tonight was truly special’: Blue Devils rally from double digit deficit, earn Dance’s 100th win as QHS coach

Quincy High School sophomore guard Cameron Byquist drives along the baseline during Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Brad Dance may not have seemed overly excited when the final buzzer sounded or when he got recognized following his 100th career win as the Quincy High School girls basketball coach on Thursday, but the fashion in which the Blue Devils helped Dance reach the century mark made him proud. The Blue Devils…

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Raiders put cap on fifth straight conference championship by overwhelming Eagles in first half

LIBERTY, Ill. — Any worries about a potential letdown were quickly extinguished. Two nights after posting an emotional victory over crosstown rival Quincy High School, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team wasted little time in taking control in a West Central Conference matchup with Liberty. The state-ranked Raiders forced 16 turnovers and limited the…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls beat Alleman in WB6 action, giving Dance milestone moment as coach

Quincy High School sophomore forward Jada Brown turns to shoot a jumper during Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team rallied to beat Rock Island Alleman 66-53 in Western Big 6 Conference play Thursday night at the QHS gym, giving coach Brad Dance his 100th victory with the Blue Devils. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and put together this photo gallery:

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND slips to No. 3, while Central-Southeastern sits No. 6

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton and the Raiders are No. 3 in this week's Class 3A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings, as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Lyons (7) 27-1 95 2 2. Benet (1) 24-2 73 1 3. Kenwood 25-2 72 T3 4. Alton…

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Redemption road: Raiders travel across town to avenge loss to Blue Devils, take control from start

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Tristan Pieper gains position in the post with Quincy High School's Jada Brown on her back during Tuesday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The need for redemption lasted 370 days. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players refused to let it linger a day longer. Desperate to makes amends for last year’s 23-point loss to Quincy High School at The Pit in which they scored just 24 points, the state-ranked Raiders rattled off 10 of the…

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Durst heeds coach’s advice and lets it fly, scoring career-high 27 points in crosstown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame's Jenna Durst looks to move the ball around the perimeter while being pressured by Quincy High School's Madelyn Hamby during Tuesday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jenna Durst didn’t feel the vibes.  “I didn’t really think the first two I shot were very good,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior forward said of her 3-point attempts from the left wing and the top of the key in the first 35 seconds of Tuesday night’s game against the Quincy High School…

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Photo gallery: QND takes lead for good in second quarter of victory over QHS

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler, right, looks to runs the offense while being defended by Quincy High School's Khloe Nicholson during Tuesday's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team scored the first eight points of the second quarter Tuesday and never trailed again, building a 15-point second-half lead and fending off Quincy High School’s fourth-quarter charge for a 66-55 victory at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, February 4

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Feb. 4: Boys basketball West Hancock 74, Fort Madison (Iowa) 67 Liberty 59, Western 51 Payson Seymour 66, Pittsfield 50 Brown County 57, Southeastern 40 Monroe City 57, South Shelby 55 Canton 69, Putnam County 50 Moberly 66, Hannibal 42 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 66,…

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Muddy Night Hoops Episode 6

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy High School coach Brad Dance and KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr and on the Hess Auto Hotline by Brown County coach Dave Phelps and Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey to break down the prep basketball scene…

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‘It was time to get up and go to work’: Miller, Panthers fight through sickness to upend Saukees

Central-Southeastern senior Lauren Miller drives to the basket during Monday's game against Pittsfield in Camp Point, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Lauren Miller did not make any excuses, even after she vomited at halftime of the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s game against Pittsfield on Monday. “It was just from all the hacking and coughing,” she said. “It seems like that’s just going around.” Miller, like several of her teammates, felt under the…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, Feb. 3

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Feb. 3: Boys basketball Liberty 65, West Prairie 47 North Callaway 64, Highland 41 Wright City 61, Mark Twain 37 Marion County 51, Knox County 39 Girls basketball Central-Southeastern 60, Pittsfield 37 Brown County 52, Macomb 48 Highland 62, North Callaway 36 Canton 78, Atlanta 31…

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Muddy Night Hoops’ Starry Star of the Week

QUINCY — Each week during Muddy Night Hoops powered by Farm & Home Supply — a 90-minute talk show centered on prep basketball — the Starry Star of the Week will be presented to one area student-athlete. Sponsored by Refreshment Services Pepsi, the Starry Star of the Week looks to highlight someone who did something…

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Defense dictates QND girls basketball team’s ability to control tempo in victory over Monroe City

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton applies defensive pressure to Monroe City's Myra Jones during Saturday's game in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton could sense the Raiders’ defense was making Monroe City uncomfortable, and that’s just the way she and the Raiders like it. “That’s always our goal,” Stratton said. The Raiders held the Panthers to nine first half points and pulled away for a 57-27 victory…

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Photo gallery: QND boys and girls sweep hoops doubleheader from Monroe City

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton applies defensive pressure to Monroe City's Myra Jones during Saturday's game in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team held up its end of the bargain this time. For the second time this season, the QND boys and girls basketball teams played a twinbill against a Clarence Cannon Conference team. In December, the Raiders split with Palmyra. Saturday night, it was a showdown…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, February 1

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Feb. 1: Boys basketball Quincy High School 49, Chaminade 44 Quincy Notre Dame 66, Monroe City 57 Illini West 50, Abingdon-Avon 42 Hale Bosworth 63, North Shelby 42 Girls basketball Sterling 42, Quincy High School 40 Quincy Notre Dame 57, Monroe City 27 Central-Southeastern 63, Cissna…

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Cougars dig heels in defensively, stymie Lady Birds on offense to earn crucial CCC victory

Highland senior guard Ellie Goehl lines up a 3-pointer during Friday's Clarence Cannon Conference game against South Shelby in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — When the Highland girls basketball team fell behind by eight points a little more than a minute into the third quarter of Friday’s Clarence Cannon Conference clash with South Shelby, the Cougars’ mindset was simple. Flush it. “Coming out in the second half, they were knocking down shots, and we couldn’t let…

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Photo gallery: Highland, South Shelby split Clarence Cannon Conference twinbill

Highland junior guard Addy Abell brings the ball up the floor during Friday's Clarence Cannon Conference game against South Shelby in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The Highland girls basketball team scored a significant victory with its 38-36 triumph over South Shelby in Clarence Cannon Conference play Friday night, while the South Shelby boys rolled to a 72-44 victory over Highland in the nightcap of the twinbill. Muddy Rivr Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was at Highland and put…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, January 31

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, January 31: Boys basketball Quincy High School 84, Sterling 45 West Hancock 61, Camp Point Central 31 Liberty 63, Brown County 51 Payson Seymour 66, Southeastern 57 (OT) Macomb 56, Havana 22 South Shelby 72, Highland 44 Palmyra 64, Macon 45 Kirksville 43, Hannibal 31 Monroe…

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Sweet 16: Kassing scores 30 on her birthday as Hornets gain measure of revenge with win over Saukees

Brown County sophomore guard Kenzie Kassing reacts to the Hornets' 65-54 victory over Pittsfield on Thursday night in Mt. Sterling, Ill. It was the Hornets' first victory over the Saukees in three tries this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

MT. STERLING, Ill. — Brown County sophomore Kenzie Kassing could have gotten her driver’s license on Thursday, but she chose to wait until Friday. She wanted as few distractions as possible from what awaited her Thursday night — a third crack at Pittsfield. “I had to lock in for the game today,” Kassing said. On…

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Longcor’s trey gives Blue Devils confidence boost as they win first leg of three-game gauntlet

Quincy High School sophomore guard Myley Longcor made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining in regulation Thursday night in a 56-54 victory over Galesburg at John Thiel Gym in Galesburg, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance dubbed it the “3A gauntlet.” Three games in six days against teams ranked in the top 11 in the state in Class 3A. “Yeah, that’s a challenge,” Dance said. The Blue Devils proved they’re up to the task. Myley Longcor buried a 3-pointer with…

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Photo gallery: Brown County girls basketball team upends Pittsfield by building early lead

Brown County sophomore guard Kenzie Kassing gets off a contested shot during Thursday's game against Pittsfield in Mt. Sterling, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

MT. STERLING, Ill. — The Brown County girls basketball team gained a measure of revenge Thursday night, beating Pittsfield 65-54. The Saukees won two previous meetings with the Hornets this season. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was on hand and put together this photo gallery:

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: Spots remain unchanged for QND, Central-Southeastern

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team remained No. 2 in this week's Associated Press Class 3A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings, as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Benet (10) 22-1 109 1 2. Lyons (1) 24-1 96 2 3. Alton 23-1 79 3 (tie) Kenwood 23-2 79…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 28

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard from Tuesday, Jan. 28: Boys basketball Quincy High School 90, Galesburg 35 Quincy Notre Dame 61, Illini West 48 West Hancock 72, Keokuk (Iowa) 28 Brown County 65, Payson Seymour 58 Pittsfield 40, Camp Point Central 37 Jacksonville Routt 62, Liberty 49 Macomb 55, Bushnell-Prairie City 29 Monroe…

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Muddy Night Hoops Episode 5

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy Notre Dame guard Alex Dance and on the Hess Auto Hotline by Quincy High School coach Andy Douglas, Central Illinois Sports’ Brian Shoemaker and Highland guard Addy Abell to break down the prep basketball scene for the…

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Shooting woes in fourth quarter, scoring drought cost QHS girls chance to win in return to Shootout

Quincy High School junior guard Madelyn Hamby, right, looks to throw a pass to the block during Saturday's game against Millard North of Omaha, Neb., in the Quincy Shootout in Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — About the only thing any of the Quincy High School girls basketball players would change about their return to the Quincy Shootout field is the ending. The Blue Devils would like a redo on the fourth quarter, too. The Blue Devils led Millard North, of Omaha, Neb., by 11 points at the start…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team battles Millard North to final buzzer

Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance offers instructions to his team during a break in action in Saturday's game against Millard North of Omaha, Neb., in the Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team saw its second-half lead evaporate, but the Blue Devils fought until the final seconds ticked away in a 56-52 loss to Millard North of Omaha, Neb., on Saturday during the seventh Quincy Shootout in Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and…

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Raiders work themselves out of frantic mode, gain separation in victory over Saints

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton attacks the Bloomington Central Catholic defense during Saturday's game at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team got lured into the chaos. “I feel like we kind of fell into that trap,” Raiders senior guard Sage Stratton said. After scoring four points in the first 13 seconds of Saturday’s game against Bloomington Central Catholic, the Raiders missed 13 of their next 16 shots…

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Cougars’ second-quarter attack proves to be too much for Pirates to handle in Lenzini title game

The Highland girls basketball team celebrates winning the championship of the Tony Lenzini Tournament with Saturday night's victory over Hannibal at Palmyra High School. | Submitted photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Addy Abell looked at the scoreboard, then her teammates. “It was time for us to go,” said Abell, the Highland girls basketball team’s high-scoring junior guard. With Abell serving as the ringleader, Highland hit Hannibal with a second-quarter blitzkrieg that paved the way for a 55-38 win Saturday night in the finals…

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Second-ranked Raiders need time to get back in groove, roll past Chargers once they find rhythm

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton, right, scored 24 points in Thursday night's victory over Illini West at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Fresh off a much-needed four-day break following an 11-day gauntlet that saw it face five state-ranked teams, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team was eager to get off to a good start Thursday night against Illini West. A little too eager, as it turned out. “We didn’t start out the best,” admitted…

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Cougars dismantle Panthers for sixth straight victory, reach title game of Lenzini Tournament

Highland girls basketball coach Ashton Jaco and the Cougars will play for the championship of the 82nd Tony Lenzini Tournament after beating Hannibal 50-19 Thursday night in Palmyra, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Highland girls basketball team is on a serious roll. The Cougars’ sixth straight victory, an emphatic 50-19 throttling of Monroe City, came in Thursday night’s semifinals of the 82nd Tony Lenzini Tournament at Palmyra High School. The two clubs had met a month ago in the third-place game of the Monroe…

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Swashbuckling spot in title game: Pirates to play for Lenzini championship for first time since 1977

Hannibal girls basketball coach Shawn Gaines guided the Pirates to a 60-54 victory over Palmyra in Wednesday's semifinals of the Tony Lenzini Tournament in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The last time Hannibal’s girls basketball team played in the finals of the Tony Lenzini Tournament was way back in the 1976-77 season.  “I wasn’t even born yet,” current Hannibal coach Shawn Gaines was quick to point out. Hannibal’s title-game drought will end Saturday when the Pirates return to the finals for…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 22

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 22: Boys basketball Greenfield-Northwestern 56, Pittsfield 39 Tony Lenzini Invitational Palmyra 69, Van-Far 39 Highland 55, Hannibal 45 North Shelby Tournament North Shelby 70, Schuyler County 68 (OT) Marion County 67, Knox County 50 Girls basketball Mendon Unity 51, Liberty 41 Tony Lenzini Invitational Hannibal…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND, Central-Southeastern, Brown County remain in top 10

The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team remains No. 6 in the Class 2A state poll. | Addi Zanger photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings, as compiled by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from across the state. First-place votes are in parenthesis. Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Benet (8) 20-1 125 1 2. Lyons (4) 22-1 114 2 3. Alton (1) 20-1 93…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 21

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 21: Boys basketball Payson Seymour 45, Camp Point Central 34 Illini West 60, Liberty 47 Jacksonville Routt 50, Griggsville-Perry 36 Tony Lenzini Invitational Canton 69, Brookfield 47 Monroe City 54, Clark County 33 North Shelby Tournament South Shelby 71, la Plata 51 Scotland County 89,…

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Muddy Night Hoops Episode 4

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined on the Hess Auto Hotline by Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne, Payson Seymour coach Tyler Duschinsky, Moline coach Sean Taylor and West Hancock point guard Gavin Grothaus to break down the prep basketball scene for the latest episode of Muddy Night Hoops powered by…

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Hornets show resilience, but inability to get over hump during comeback results in loss

Brown County sophomore guard Kenzie Kassing rises for a layup during Monday's game against Sherrard in the Jerry Logan Shootout in Carthage, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — The Brown County girls basketball team could see the light at the end of the tunnel, but whenever the Hornets approached it Monday, it seemed to vanish. The Hornets only trailed by more than six points for 30 seconds in the final 10 minutes and were never down by more than eight…

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Bombers make sure their energy doesn’t fizzle out, tame Mustangs with complete team effort

Macomb junior forward Ella Hare examines her offensive options during Monday's game against Mendon Unity in the Jerry Logan Shootout in Carthage, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — There was no letdown for the Macomb girls basketball team on Monday. Instead, the effort the Bombers put forth in the Jerry Logan Shootout against Mendon Unity was what Bombers coach Jackson Kane called “as close to a complete 32 minutes as we’ve had all year.” “We were making shots, defending at…

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Chargers still looking for consistency from Reed’s supporting cast after Shootout loss

Illini West senior Reagan Reed sizes up Monmouth-Roseville's Lilly Mahoney during Monday's game in the Jerry Logan Shootout in Carthage, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Monmouth-Roseville girls basketball coach Scott Weber knew how dangerous Reagan Reed — Illini West’s career points leader — would be. It was a matter of stopping everyone else. “Reed is going to get her points,” Weber said. “She’s a really good player who knows how to score. We knew she would get…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 18

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 18: Boys basketball Quincy High School 44, Lincoln 21 Tolono Unity 57, Quincy Notre Dame 54 Macomb 50, Monmouth-Roseville 33 Hancock County Tournament West Hancock 47, Illini West 39 Southeastern 63, West Prairie 53 Winchester Invitational Consolation Championship Payson Seymour 58, North Greene 55 Fifth-place…

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Covering the spread: QND girls switch philosophy in fourth quarter to hand South Shelby first defeat

South Shelby's Jayda Lanpher tries to pass the ball to teammate Bella Cook while defended by Quincy Notre Dame's Marie Eversman (back) and Tristan Pieper (left) during Friday night's high school basketball game at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Try as it might, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team couldn’t gain separation from South Shelby for the first three quarters of Friday night’s showdown between two state-ranked teams. Raiders coach Eric Orne decided he needed to change his team’s offensive approach as it nursed a six-point lead through three quarters, “We…

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Palmyra girls unable to rev up after tepid pregame warmups, fall in CCC opener to Centralia

Palmyra's Anna James, right, looks for a path to the basket during Friday night's Clarence Cannon Conference game against Centralia in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — Sydney Compton had an inkling during warmups her team wasn’t prepared for the challenge that awaited. “My dad tells me all the time how we warm up is how we’re going to play,” the Palmyra forward explained. “We warmed up really slow and not having all that much energy, and that’s exactly…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 17

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 17: Boys basketball Quincy High School 56, Rock Island 44 Palmyra 72, Centralia 58 Canton 56, North Shelby 49 Wellsville-Middletown 53, Mark Twain 41 Hancock County Tournament West Hancock 96, Southeastern 40 Illini West 65, Mendon Unity 63 Winchester Invitational Brown County 54, Liberty 47…

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Top-ranked Raiders gear up for challenging weekend by controlling victory over Rockets

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler gets fouled on a drive to the basket during Thursday night's 66-31 victory Rochester at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A basic geometric principle applies to basketball as well. The quickest way from Point A to Point B is a straight line. “We’re trying to keep a straight line every game,” Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler said. That means snaring the lead, applying pressure, building an advantage and emptying the bench…

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‘She’s put the work in’: Stratton breaks QND record for career 3-pointers during victory over Rochester

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, right, drives past Rochester's Taylor Offer during Thursday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Sage Stratton knows the tally thanks to her teammates. A senior four-year starting guard on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, Stratton broke the program record for career 3-pointers made with her second trey of the first quarter Thursday night in a 66-31 victory over Rochester at The Pit. But did she…

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Photo gallery: QND girls basketball team rolls past Rochester at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame forward Lauren Hummel steals the ball from Rochester during the first quarter of Thursday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team lived up to the ranking Thursday night. Tied with Washington as the No. 1 team in Class 3A in the latest Associated Press state poll, the Raiders rolled past Rochester 66-31 at The Pit. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this…

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Area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 16

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 16: Boys basketball Marion County 75, Madison 16 South Shelby 64, Louisiana 49 Bowling Green 74, Mark Twain 24 Winchester Invitational Payson Seymour 59, Carrollton 48 North Greene 65, Griggsville-Perry 62 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 66, Rochester 31 Rock Island 45, Quincy High School…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND climbs into tie for No. 1 in Class 3A

Junior guard Ari Buehler and her Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball teammates moved into a tie for the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Class 3A state poll this week. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Benet (3) 17-1 48 1 2. Lyons (1) 19-1 43 2 3. Kenwood (1) 18-1 40 3 4. Alton…

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Panthers’ rust from lengthy break doesn’t show in defensive effort in victory over Indians

Monroe City senior forward Cahlin Chapman converts a layup while being fouled by Elsberry's Kenzie Koch during Tuesday's game in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City girls basketball team may have been a bit rusty offensively on Tuesday, but their defensive effort did not skip a beat. Some timely shooting helped the Panthers’ cause, too. Playing their first game since Dec. 19, the Panthers were 18 seconds away from holding their fourth consecutive opponent…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 14

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 14: Boys basketball Quincy High School 71, Moline 56 Monroe City 66, Hannibal 49 Palmyra 70, Kirksville 65 Canton 67, Highland 43 South Shelby 66, Van-Far 34 Marion County 80, Bucklin/Macon County 46 North Shelby 60, Schuyler County 44 Hancock County Tournament Illini West 61,…

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Muddy Night Hoops, Episode 3

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi studio by Quincy High School all-state guard Bradley Longcor III as well as on the Hess Auto Hotline by Palmyra senior forward Sydney Compton, Illini West boys basketball coach Blaize Kimmell and Canton boys basketball coach Dalton Armontrout to break…

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Raiders fend off pesky Saukees, escape with road win in battle of state-ranked teams

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler examines her options during Monday's game against Pittsfield at Voshall Gymnasium in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Ari Buehler knew the Pittsfield girls basketball team would not go away. “They’ll fight,” said Buehler, Quincy Notre Dame’s junior point guard. “They’ll keep coming back.” So will the Raiders. “We’re not going to step down when things get hard,” Buehler said. So when the Saukees erased an 11-point third quarter deficit…

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‘We got up and kept working’: Even in loss, Saukees prove they belong in conversation among state’s best

Pittsfield girls basketball coach Noah Mendenhall high fives Sophie Gengler as she comes to the bench during Monday night's game against Quincy Notre Dame at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pittsfield girls basketball coach Noah Mendenhall knows one result does not define a season. But in the Saukees’ case, one game could provide a snapshot of a team’s potential. On Monday, the state-ranked Saukees rallied from a 41-30 third quarter deficit against Quincy Notre Dame, the No. 2 team Class 3A, to…

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Photo gallery: Raiders, Saukees engage in one of top showdowns of season

Pittsfield freshman guard Reese Ramsey, left, attacks Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton off the dribble during Monday night's game at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A matchup of state-ranked teams turned out to be a nail-biter for the second week in a row. And the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team found a way to come out on a top again. One week after beating fifth-ranked Central-Southeastern by a point, the Raiders knocked off Pittsfield, ranked ninth…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, Jan. 13

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Jan. 13: Boys basketball Marion County 67, Wellsville 37 Hancock County Tournament Mendon Unity 70, Southeastern 56 West Hancock 74, West Prairie 25 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 54, Pittsfield 49 Central-Southeastern 72, Payson Seymour 21 Brown County 61, South Fulton 27 Macomb 56, North Fulton…

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C-SC women go overtime to defeat second-place Benedictine for eighth straight home victory

Culver-Stockton's Misora Nambara goes past Benedictine defenders Lauryn Dubbert (12) and Riley Rottinghaus (33) during Monday night's Heart of America Athletic Conference women's basketball game in Canton, Mo. | Photo courtesy of Culver-Stockton College

CANTON, Mo. — Avery Oetting made a 3-pointer to put the Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team ahead for good at the start of overtime, and the Wildcats held on to defeat Benedictine (Kan.) 64-59 in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game Monday night. The victory is the eighth straight at Joe Charles Field House…

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Blue Devils look to recharge themselves following overtime loss in Sophie Cunningham Classic

Quincy High School sophomore forward Jada Brown scored 25 points in Sunday's overtime loss to Strafford (Mo.) in the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team plays only one game in the next 10 days, giving the Blue Devils a chance to recharge, refocus and recover. All are needed. Sunday’s 60-54 overtime loss to Strafford (Mo.) in the Sophie Cunningham Classic at Columbia College’s Southwell Complex marked Quincy’s third game in…

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Blue Devils overcome sluggish start as Longcor, Byquist spark rally to beat Panthers in overtime

Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance talks to his team during a timeout during Saturday's game against St. Louis Principia in the Sophie Cunningham Classic in Columbia, Mo. | Photo courtesy Sophie Cunningham Classic

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The moment nearly swept the Quincy High School girls basketball team away. Playing in the Sophie Cunningham Classic at Columbia College’s Southwell Complex on Saturday, the Blue Devils had the opportunity to meet Cunningham, the former Mizzou standout and current Phoenix Mercury guard, and experience what it is like to play in…

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Raiders suffer first loss of season after scoring just three second-quarter points against Cougars

Quincy Notre Dame forward Lauren Hummel attacks off the dribble while being guarded by Breese Central's Lily Butler during Saturday's game in the PAWS Shootout in Breese, Ill. | Photo courtesy Jeremy Chawgo

BREESE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team couldn’t speed up top-ranked Breese Central the way it has so many opponents during the undefeated start to this season. That explains why the Raiders suffered their first loss Saturday. Breese Central committed just 11 turnovers, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field in a…

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Power in paint enables Keokuk to outlast Palmyra for girls title at Highland Tournament

Palmyra's Sydney Compton drives to the basket during Saturday's Highland Tournament championship game against Keokuk in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — As the second half played out, the ending seemed inevitable. Minute by minute, possession by possession, the Keokuk girls basketball team’s commanding inside presence methodically wore down Palmyra until eventually collecting a 65-62 victory in the championship game of the 53rd Highland Tournament. Keokuk’s title was its second straight and came largely…

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Photo gallery: Keokuk sweeps championships of 53rd Highland Tournament

Palmyra senior guard Clare Williams executes a crossover dribble during Saturday's Highland Tournament championship game against Keokuk in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The championships of the 53rd Highland Tournament are heading north of the state line. The Keokuk (Iowa) boys and girls basketball teams swept Saturday’s title games, beating Palmyra 65-62 in the girls matchup and knocking off Canton 59-52 to win the boys title. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside for…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11: Boys basketball Quincy High School 80, Springfield 56 Hancock County Tournament Illini West 54, Southeastern 46 Mendon Unity 80, West Prairie 72 (OT) Winchester Invitational Jacksonville Routt 42, Griggsville-Perry 35 Triopia 60, Western 26 Calhoun 62, Carlinville 46 Petersburg PORTA 45, North Greene 23…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 10

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 10: Boys basketball Quincy High School 90, Rock Island Alleman 34 Payson Seymour 56, Illini West 55 Williamsville 68, West Hancock 60 Rushville-Industry 61, Southeastern 43 Highland Tournament Third-place game Palmyra 62, Kirksville 57 Girls basketball Highland Tournament Third-place game Highland 31, Canton 29

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Photo gallery: Second-ranked QND overwhelms Beardstown with defensive intensity

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton applies backcourt pressure during Thursday's game against Beardstown at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There was no hangover from a showdown. Two days after playing state-ranked Central-Southeastern in arguably one of the most physical and intense games of the season and earning a 37-36 victory, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team showed no signs of letting down. The Raiders, ranked second in Class 3A, held Beardstown…

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Area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9: Boys basketball Brown County 63, Rushville-Industry 58 Triopia 75, Pleasant Hill 71 Calhoun 59, Payson Seymour 42 Cairo 59, South Shelby 56 Highland Tournament Canton 66, Palmyra 52 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 73, Beardstown 11 Quincy High School 61, Moline 58 Pittsfield 69,…

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Palmyra overcomes first-half deficit, pulls away from Canton to earn spot in tourney title tilt

The Palmyra girls basketball team's bench reacts to a play made by the Panthers during the third quarter of Wednesday night's victory over Canton in the semifinals of the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The rematch is set. The top-seeded Palmyra girls basketball team set up a showdown with third-seeded Keokuk (Iowa) in the finals of the 53rd Highland Tournament by beating Canton 57-34 in Wednesday night’s semifinals, giving the Panthers a chance to avenge last year’s title loss. Keokuk beat Palmyra 48-40 in the championship…

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Chiefs feeling right at home at Highland Tournament, upend Cougars in semifinals

Keokuk forward Kendra Boatman, left, looks for space while being defended by Highland's Addy Abell during Wednesday night's semifinals of the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Matt McGhghy is learning to enjoy that 45-mile commute. The second-year Keokuk (Iowa) girls basketball coach has brought his team to the Highland Tournament for the past two seasons and has yet to taste defeat. Third-seeded Keokuk’s latest victory came in Wednesday night’s 54-44 semifinal conquest of second-seeded Highland. That victory sets…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8: Boys basketball West Hancock 69, Mercer County 31 Liberty 78, Mendon Unity 76 Griggsville-Perry 39, North Greene 31 Girls basketball Illini West 47, Mendon Unity 40 South Shelby 78, Meadville 22 Highland Tournament Palmyra 54, Canton 34 Keokuk 54, Highland 44 Men’s basketball Central…

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Photo gallery: Palmyra, Keokuk girls win Highland Tournament semifinals

Palmyra guard Clare Williams, right, runs the offense against Canton during Wednesday night's semifinal matchup in the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The Palmyra and Keokuk girls basketball teams set up a championship rematch by winning their semifinals of the 53rd Highland Tournament on Wednesday night. Muddy River Sports Photographer Addi Zanger was there and put together this photo gallery:

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND climbs to No. 2, CSE moves in at No. 5 and Pittsfield at No. 9

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler and the Raiders are No. 2 in the Associated Press Class 3A state poll after improving moving to 16-0. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press girls basketball state rankings as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Benet (4) (15-1) 72 2 2. Lyons (2) (16-1) 68 1 3. Kenwood (1) (16-1) 64 3 4. Alton (1) (16-1) 53…

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‘I just kind of had my fingers crossed’: QND outlasts CSE as showdown comes down to final shot

A loose ball results in a scrum for possession during the first quarter of Tuesday night's battle between the Quincy Notre Dame and Central-Southeastern girls basketball teams in Camp Point, Ill. | Addi Zanger photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Karly Peters diplomatically handled the question of whether Tristan Pieper fouled her. “I don’t know,” said Peters, a senior guard on the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team. “I mean, I think so, but it doesn’t really matter now.” With Quincy Notre Dame leading CSE 37-34 and three seconds left in Tuesday’s West…

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Photo gallery: Battle of state-ranked foes lives up to hype as QND, CSE go head-to-head

Quincy Notre Dame point guard Ari Buehler, left, sizes up the defense applied by Central-Southeastern's Karly Peters before running the offense during Tuesday night's game in Camp Point, Ill. | Addi Zanger photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — A battle of state-ranked teams unfolded the way you might expect — no breathing room for either. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, ranked sixth in Class 3A, outlasted Central-Southeastern, receiving votes in the Class 2A poll, 37-36 Tuesday night in Central’s North Gym. Muddy River Sports Photographer Addi Zanger…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 7

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 7: Boys basketball West Hancock 64, Beardstown 19 Illini West 54, Western 31 Macomb 60, Mercer County 31 Pleasant Plains 54, Pittsfield 30 Greenfield-Northwestern 66, Brown County 52 Highland Tournament Canton 56, Clark County 42 Kirksville 72, Highland 34 Keokuk 60, Macon 20 Girls basketball…

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Muddy Night Hoops, Episode 2

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined by five guests on the Hess Auto Hotline — Quincy Notre Dame boys coach Greg Altmix, Monroe City boys coach Brock Edris, Quincy High School senior forward Kate Mettemeyer, Breese Journal Sports Editor Jeremy Chawgo and Hannibal girls coach Shawn Gaines — to break down…

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Balancing act: Jaco does her best at being both mom to newborn and coach to Highland girls

Highland girls basketball Ashton Jaco, left, poses for a family photo with, from left, her daughter Emerson, her son Judson and her husband Trevor after giving birth to Emerson on Dec. 1. | Submitted photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The 24-hour period from when Ashton Jaco woke up on Nov. 30 through the morning of Dec. 1 was possibly the most eventful and memorable of her life. The Highland girls basketball coach guided the Cougars to a 55-31 victory over Belleville Althoff in Quincy on Nov. 30, although she hadn’t expected…

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CSE opens floor with 3-point barrage, exacts revenge on Mater Dei with victory

Central-Southeastern forward Lauren Miller puts up a jumper during Saturday's game against Breese Mater Dei on Fred Rakers Court in Breese, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

BREESE, Ill. — How do you combat a 6-foot-6 presence looming in the middle of the lane who is 8 inches taller than anyone else on the court? Bury enough 3-pointers to make her wingspan inconsequential. That’s exactly what the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team did Saturday afternoon. The Panthers made six 3-pointers in the first…

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Start to finish, Blue Devils maintain command in first victory of new year

From left, Quincy High School's Laila Gay, Mia Ellefritz, Bristol Walker and Emma Bunch react on the bench to a teammate making a 3-pointer during Saturday's game against Springfield Southeast at the QHS gym. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Mark this victory down as comfortably easy. The Quincy High School girls basketball team’s 63-42 victory over Springfield Southeast did not quite qualify as a blowout, but neither was it a nailbiter. “It felt a lot closer than a 21-point game, but at several points it seemed like we were going to blow…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4

QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4: Boys basketball Jacksonville Routt 69, Payson Seymour 60 Griggsville-Perry 55, Illini West 43 Highland Shootout St. Louis Vashon 59, Quincy High School 56 Carl Sandburg Shootout West Hancock 57, Sherrard 47 Girls basketball Quincy High School 63, Springfield Southeast 42 Quincy Notre Dame 58,…

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Raiders set appropriate tone for new year by dispatching Mustangs in WCC matchup

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Tristan Pieper executes a post move against Mendon Unity's Kodi Duke during Friday's West Central Conference game at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s mission on Friday was simple — set the tone, not only for their West Central Conference game against Mendon Unity, but for the new calendar year and the grueling schedule that lies ahead. The Raiders did just that in dispatching the Mustangs 67-20. “You can’t be…

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Area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 3

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard from Friday, Jan. 3: Boys basketball Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Mendon Unity 62, Griggsville-Perry 61 Calhoun 70, Brown County 55 South Shelby 73, North Shelby 60 Palmyra 60, Elsberry 52 Canton 68, Schuyler County 41 Clopton 73, Highland 26 Girls basketball…

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Muddy Night Hoops, Episode 1

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas and Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff for the debut episode of Muddy Night Hoops powered by Farm & Home Supply.

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Panthers complete three-peat by winning another State Farm Holiday Classic championship

The Central-Southeastern girls basketball players celebrate their third consecutive State Farm Holiday Classic championship after beating Bloomington Central Catholic 62-35 on Monday at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — When Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long burned a timeout 2 minutes, 13 seconds into the second half Monday, his players fully understood why. “We had some dumb turnovers and silly decisions,” senior forward Lauren Miller said. A 14-point halftime advantage had been sliced in half as Bloomington Central Catholic opened the…

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Saukees keep undefeated record intact after historic title run at Lady Tiger Classic

Pittsfield's Lila Simon, left, and Madison Frieden hoist the championship trophy the Pittsfield girls basketball team won with Monday night's 53-40 victory over West Hancock in the championship game of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic in Beardstown, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — For the first 41 years of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, the Pittsfield girls basketball team had never so much as reached the championship game. Now, in the 42nd edition, the Saukees have a tournament title to their name, and they will ring in the new year with a zero still in…

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Photo gallery: Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic closes with Pittsfield winning championship

The Pittsfield girls basketball players line up to take a picture with the championship trophy after winning the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic on Monday night. | Shane Hulsey photo

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Pittsfield girls basketball team won the championship of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic for the first time in the 42-year history of the event, beating West Hancock 53-40 Monday night to complete a four-game run through the tourney field. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was on site for the title…

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CSE one victory from third straight title, but Long hopes more difficult schedule has team ready for postseason

Central-Southeastern's Lexi Niekamp makes a pass during Saturday afternoon's basketball game in the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Sure, winning a third consecutive championship at the State Farm Holiday Classic would be nice.  The top-seeded Central-Southeastern girls basketball team received celebratory hugs and pats on the back after Saturday night’s 56-42 victory over Paris in the semifinals of the small school girls bracket. The Panthers earned a spot in Monday’s…

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Pinpoint passing leads to sharp shooting as QHS girls wrap up Classic with impressive victory

Quincy High School's Jada Brown goes up for a shot between Plainfield North defenders in the first half of Saturday afternoon's game in the large school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The first three quarters of Saturday afternoon’s game at the Shirk Center in the State Farm Holiday Classic showed just how good the Quincy High School girls basketball team can be. One moment halfway through the fourth quarter showed how fragile that success is. The Blue Devils posted a 61-42 victory over…

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Another game, another rout for CSE in bid to repeat as State Farm Holiday Classic champs

Central-Southeastern's Kayli Bockhold, right, puts defensive pressure on Winnebago's Izzy Nelson during the first half of Friday night's game in the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Bloomington High School. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The play actually proved to be meaningless … which is why it was emblematic as well. The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team already had built a 30-point lead late in the third quarter Friday night and was on its way to a 56-25 victory over Winnebago in a quarterfinal game in the small…

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Saukees, Hornets to collide in semifinals at Beardstown, while Titans stay in title chase

Pittsfield freshman guard Lincoln McCartney handles the ball during Friday's quarterfinals of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic in Beardstown, Ill. | Addi Zanger photo

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Some of the area’s top underclass talent will go head-to-head Saturday with a berth in the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic championship game on the line. But don’t count out the old guard from having a say in which team advances. The top-seeded Pittsfield girls basketball team reached the semifinals with a 58-45…

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Wolfpack’s perimeter shooting holds Blue Devils at bay in quarterfinal loss in Bloomington

Quincy's Jada Brown is defended by St. Ignatius' Reganne Reardon during Friday night's game in the large school girls basketball bracket in the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal Community High School. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — No matter what the Quincy High School girls basketball team did, Chicago St. Ignatius always had an answer. Typically, it was in the form of a 3-pointer. Sally Kennedy’s 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer Friday night gave the Wolfpack a four-point halftime edge, while Reganne Reardon bookended a tide-turning 10-2 run in…

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Second-half comeback by Lady Birds highlights solid efforts by area teams at Moberly Shootout

Highland's Addy Abell chases down a loose ball during Friday's game against Higbee in the Peak Sport and Spine Holiday Shootout at Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo. | Will Johnson photo

MOBERLY, Mo. — The state-ranked South Shelby and Highland girls basketball teams put the strength of the Clarence Cannon Conference on display Saturday. Trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Lady Birds rallied for a 52-44 victory over California in the Peak Sport and Spine Holiday Shootout at Moberly Area Community College. Callie McWilliams scored…

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Blue Devils clamp down defensively in third quarter to separate themselves from Tigers

Quincy High School's Cameron Byquist drives to the basket and is fouled by Wheaton Warrenville South's Brooke Ittersagen during the second quarter of Thursday night's first-round game in the large school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Bloomington High School. Byquist made the basket and completed the three-point play. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — If the State Farm Holiday Classic organizing committee had chosen to incorporate the shot clock for this year’s tournament, the Quincy High School girls basketball team’s nine-point halftime lead Thursday night could have been substantially more. “I bet we force another four or five turnovers,” QHS coach Brad Dance said. “Our defense…

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