Posts Tagged ‘Girls basketball’
Photo gallery: Second-ranked QND overwhelms Beardstown with defensive intensity
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…
Read MoreArea 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,…
Read MorePalmyra overcomes first-half deficit, pulls away from Canton to earn spot in tourney title tilt
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…
Read MoreChiefs feeling right at home at Highland Tournament, upend Cougars in semifinals
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…
Read MoreArea 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…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra, Keokuk girls win Highland Tournament semifinals
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:
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND climbs to No. 2, CSE moves in at No. 5 and Pittsfield at No. 9
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…
Read More‘I just kind of had my fingers crossed’: QND outlasts CSE as showdown comes down to final shot
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…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Battle of state-ranked foes lives up to hype as QND, CSE go head-to-head
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…
Read MoreArea 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…
Read MoreMuddy 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…
Read MoreBalancing act: Jaco does her best at being both mom to newborn and coach to Highland girls
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…
Read MoreMuddy 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…
Read MoreCSE opens floor with 3-point barrage, exacts revenge on Mater Dei with victory
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…
Read MoreStart to finish, Blue Devils maintain command in first victory of new year
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…
Read MoreArea 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,…
Read MoreRaiders set appropriate tone for new year by dispatching Mustangs in WCC matchup
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…
Read MoreArea 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…
Read MoreMuddy 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.
Read MorePanthers complete three-peat by winning another State Farm Holiday Classic championship
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…
Read MoreSaukees keep undefeated record intact after historic title run at Lady Tiger Classic
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…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic closes with Pittsfield winning championship
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…
Read MoreCSE one victory from third straight title, but Long hopes more difficult schedule has team ready for postseason
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…
Read MorePinpoint passing leads to sharp shooting as QHS girls wrap up Classic with impressive victory
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…
Read MoreTitans take out another top seed, set up title game showdown with undefeated Saukees
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Pittsfield girls basketball team better be aware of what West Hancock is doing. The Titans are chopping seeded opponents down to size. West Hancock, seeded 10th in the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, upended a higher seeded opponent for the third straight game Saturday night, knocking off sixth-seeded Carrollton 48-47 in overtime…
Read MoreAnother game, another rout for CSE in bid to repeat as State Farm Holiday Classic champs
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…
Read MoreSaukees, Hornets to collide in semifinals at Beardstown, while Titans stay in title chase
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…
Read MoreWolfpack’s perimeter shooting holds Blue Devils at bay in quarterfinal loss in Bloomington
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…
Read MoreSecond-half comeback by Lady Birds highlights solid efforts by area teams at Moberly Shootout
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…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops ready to debut Dec. 30 with smorgasbord of prep basketball talk
QUINCY — The debut episode Muddy Night Hoops, powered by Farm & Home Supply, is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 30 live from the Refreshment Services Pepsi studio in downtown Quincy.
Read MoreBlue Devils clamp down defensively in third quarter to separate themselves from Tigers
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…
Read MoreHoliday Tournament Scoreboard: Schedules and scores for area teams
QUINCY — Here are the schedules and scores from holiday boys and girls basketball tournaments involving area teams: Boys Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic At Collinsville, Ill. Friday, Dec. 27 At Vergil Fletcher Gym Game 1 — Troy Triad 45, Decatur Eisenhower 29 Game 2 — Belleville Althoff 71, Rockford East 53 Game 3 —…
Read MoreConnection to JWCC coaching staff makes for logical transition for Panthers’ Peters
CAMP POINT, Ill. — It was a no-brainer for Karly Peters. The same goes for Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger. When Schwagmeyer-Belger was hired as the head coach of the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team in June, Peters’ decision on where to play college basketball became much easier. “I knew right when she got the job…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops — 90-minute live talk show dedicated to prep basketball — will debut Dec. 30
QUINCY — Let’s talk basketball. That’s our plan. Muddy Night Hoops, powered by Farm & Home Supply, will debut Dec. 30, bringing you a 90-minute live talk show dedicated to high school boys and girls basketball that will be streamed on Muddy River Sports and its social media platforms. The show will air from 8-9:30…
Read MoreShots fall to allow Raiders to run away from top-ranked opponent, cap challenging week with victory
QUINCY — When Sage Stratton’s transition layup attempt rolled off the rim on the first possession of Saturday’s game, the best thing the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players could do was laugh it off. When Tristan Pieper’s shot from the block on the next possession missed the mark, there was a collective “Oh, no,…
Read MoreBlue Devils secure 200th victory of Dance’s coaching career by dominating Pirates
QUINCY — Brad Dance is a proven success as a girls basketball coach. As a math wiz, however, Dance may need to sharpen his skills. Moments after his Quincy High School team had dominated Boonville 55-29 on Saturday during the final day of the week-long 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College,…
Read MoreAggressive play from Climer results in double-double and key plays in victory over Palmyra
QUINCY — Jadyn Climer barely had to pause when asked about her style of play. “Aggression is my thing,” she said. The 6-foot-1 West Hancock junior backed up those words — rather emphatically — Saturday night during the Titans’ 53-46 girls basketball victory at John Wood Community College. Climer scored 18 points and secured 17…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from final day of 17th Rumble on the River at JWCC
QUINCY — A competitive week that brought the best in small-school basketball from West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri wrapped up Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The 17th Rumble on the River was a bonafide success, especially with teams walking out of the gym saying they will be back next year. Muddy…
Read MoreScoreboard, schedule for 17th Rumble on the River
QUINCY — Here are the scores and schedule for the 17th Rumble on the River, taking place at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center: Monday, Dec. 16 Monroe City girls 56, Burlington Notre Dame 22 Tuesday, Dec. 17 Mendon Unity girls 54, Atlanta 22 Mendon Unity boys 62, Atlanta 54 Wednesday, Dec. 18 Brown…
Read MoreRaiders unable to make shots fall, so they rely on defense to rumble past Pirates
QUINCY — No exaggeration of the number of field goal attempts the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team missed within 6 feet of the basket was going to be too high. “Way too many,” junior point guard Ari Buehler said. Raiders coach Eric Orne just shook his head. “They just didn’t fall,” he said. “I…
Read MoreBlue Devils find nice rhythm offensively, answer every one of Bearcats’ challenges
QUINCY — Brad Dance is finding himself in the holiday spirit, and he wants the stockings of all of the Quincy High School girls basketball players to be filled with good vibes. “I told the girls we have to start finding the positives in things,” the Blue Devils coach said. Friday night, there was nothing…
Read MorePalmyra’s James showcases growing confidence by knocking down six 3-pointers in victory
PALMYRA, Mo. — Anna James’ confidence is growing, and her performance Friday provided sound evidence of that. The Palmyra sophomore guard made six 3-pointers for her 18 points and provided a spark that catapulted the Panthers to a 55-29 win over Unity. “I’ve really been trying to work on my confidence, and when I get…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20: Boys basketball Quincy High School 69, United Township 53 Quincy Notre Dame 58, Camp Point Central 20 West Hancock 59, Western 35 Brown County 60, Beardstown 38 Macomb 56, Liberty 39 North Greene 42, Pittsfield 18 Jacksonville Routt 89, Pleasant Hill 42 Palmyra 64,…
Read MoreStrong second half defensively gets Blue Devils back to .500 mark in conference play
QUINCY — The first half was far from a masterpiece, but the final product looked significantly better. The Quincy High School girls basketball team put the pedal to the metal in the second half of Thursday’s Western Big 6 Conference tilt with United Township, outscoring the Panthers 36-10 in the final 16 minutes on its…
Read MoreCentral-Southeastern’s defense swallows up Clopton, sets stage for run at Christmas tourney title
QUINCY — Physical defense wins games. “It does in our opinion,” Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long said. And you can’t ease into that. “It’s even more important to do it out of the gate and get them down early,” Panthers guard Karly Peters said. It’s precisely what the Panthers did Thursday in overwhelming previously…
Read MoreMonroe City girls take advantage of being able to switch defensive assignments in shutting down Higbee
QUINCY — The roster inside the 17th Rumble on the River program may define each of the Monroe City girls basketball players by their position, but truth be told, the Panthers feel they are essentially positionless. “We are all alike,” junior guard Ava Potterfield said. That makes finding a mismatch awfully difficult. The Panthers used…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from Thursday’s action during Rumble on the River at JWCC
QUINCY — The Monroe City boys and girls basketball teams, along with Central-Southeastern, continued to show the strength of area hoops squads by picking up victories Thursday in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Central-Southeastern kicked off the night with a 64-31 victory over Clopton (Mo.), while…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Hannibal boys, girls suffer losses to Mexico at Korf Gym
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The North Central Missouri Conference doubleheader the Hannibal boys and girls basketball teams played Thursday night at Korf Gym proved to be a challenge. Mexico, which is receiving votes in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 4 state poll, raced to a 74-40 victory in the boys game. Ben Richards led the…
Read MoreRaiders go on tide-turning run to erase slow start and rumble to victory over Trojans
QUINCY — The halftime disposition of Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne split the difference between Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk. Not too mild-mannered. Not too barbaric either. “A little bit of both,” junior forward Tristan Pieper said. “Kind of right in between.” The Raiders trailed Troy (Mo.) Buchanan 20-14 at the…
Read MoreHornets apply consistent, constant pressure while rolling past Indians for Rumble on the River victory
QUINCY — Brown County girls basketball coach David Phelps routinely harps on the Hornets’ need to run the alleys, spread the floor and share the basketball while in transition. “Every darn day,” Phelps said. He isn’t kidding. “Every day,” sophomore guard Kenzie Kassing said. “Yeah, it’s every day.” The reason why is so the Hornets…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Brown County girls basketball teams pick up Rumble on the River victories
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame and Brown County girls basketball teams rumbled to victories Wednesday in different ways. The Raiders went a 29-1 run to erase a 14-point deficit and rally in the second half for a 48-36 victory over Troy (Mo.) Buchanan in the 17th playing of the Rumble on the River at…
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND only area team remaining in top 10
CHICAGO — Here are the latest Association Press girls basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Lyons (6) (11-0) 60 1 2. Benet (9-1) 51 2 3. Kenwood (11-1) 40 8 4.…
Read MorePieper’s presence looms large as Raiders fend off Panthers in second half
PALMYRA, Mo. — Tristan Pieper never flinched. After Pieper, a junior forward on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, watched the Raiders’ 27-8 lead over Palmyra dwindle to 31-27 thanks to a 16-point second quarter by Panthers point guard Clare Williams capped off by a buzzer-beating half court shot, she knew the Raiders would…
Read MoreMustangs ride hustle, defense to seventh straight victory by outrunning Hornets
QUINCY — The best is probably yet to come for the Mendon Unity girls basketball team. The Mustangs entered the season eyeing a seventh straight winning record. And? So far, so good — despite a rough start. Unity’s 54-22 domination of Atlanta (Mo.) during Tuesday night’s Rumble on the River competition produced the Mustangs’ seventh…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Mustangs sweep Hornets on second night of Rumble on the River
QUINCY — The Mendon Unity boys and girls basketball teams gave Illinois the edge after two nights of the 17th edition of the Rumble on the River, sweeping a pair of games from Atlanta (Mo.) at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Unity girls scored a 54-22 victory, and the boys followed with…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Palmyra split basketball doubleheader in Flower City
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame and Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams split a twinbill Tuesday night at Palmyra High School as the Raiders won the girls matchup 58-44 and the Panthers won the boys game 66-58. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17: Boys basketball Palmyra 66, Quincy Notre Dame 58 Liberty 55, Beardstown 30 Payson Seymour 56, Triopia 41 Brown County 63, Havana 37 Illini West 61, South Fulton 20 Moberly 69, Hannibal 53 Canton 53, South Shelby 48 Monroe City 81, Mark Twain 33 Rumble…
Read MorePanthers rumble to victory behind Youngblood’s interior dominance, defensive pressure
QUINCY — From the opening tip, the Monroe City girls basketball team’s game plan was evident — feed the ball to Audri Youngblood to set the tone in the post and use pressure defense to discombobulate Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame. The Panthers accomplished each of those tasks in a 56-22 demolition of the Nikes in…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Monroe City cruises to victory in opening game of Rumble on the River
QUINCY — The Monroe City girls basketball team overwhelmed Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame in a 56-22 victory Monday in the opening game of the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 16
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 16: Girls basketball Rock Island Alleman 56, Quincy High School 52 Central-Southeastern 61, Winchester West Central 41 Pittsfield 50, Liberty 38 Mendon Unity 37, Pleasant Hill 30 Illini West 64, Bushnell-Prairie City 19 Highland 65, Scotland County 30 Paris 35, North Shelby 27 Mark Twain…
Read MoreCarthage eighth graders to play for state title, Nauvoo-Colusa in third-place game
HAVANA, Ill. — A pair of area eighth grade girls basketball teams will be bringing home hardware from their respective state tournaments. One has the chance to be called state champion. Carthage played its way into the Class 8-2A title game by winning a pair of games last Saturday at Havana Junior High School. Meanwhile,…
Read MoreMissouri Basketball Coaches Association state prep polls make season debut
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association released its first state polls of the high school season Monday and will release new polls each week moving forward, alternating between boys and girls. Here are this week’s polls: Missouri boys Missouri girls
Read MoreMcWilliams’ free throw lifts South Shelby girls past Palmyra in OT in tournament title tilt
MONROE CITY, Mo. — In last season’s Monroe City Tournament championship game, the South Shelby girls basketball team did not have the opportunity to respond to a buzzer beater at the end of regulation. This year, the Lady Birds got that chance, and they exacted some revenge in the process thanks in large part to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Monroe City boys, South Shelby girls win tournament championships
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The 100th Monroe City Tournament produced a pair of epic finishes. First, the South Shelby girls basketball team withstood a game-tying, buzzer-beating shot by Palmyra’s Sydney Compton at the end of regulation to pull out a 58-57 victory in overtime. Then the Monroe City boys outlasted Palmyra 51-47 in overtime to…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14: Boys basketball Hannibal 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Illini West 48, Mercer County 36 100th Monroe City Tournament Championship Monroe City 51, Palmyra 47 Third place South Shelby 69, Marion County 53 Girls basketball A-Town Holiday Classic Byron 56, Central-Southeastern 49 Macomb 44, Rockridge…
Read More‘It’s pretty crazy’: Norm Stewart Classic provides full circle moment for Hannibal’s Gaines
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Friday started just like any other day for Hannibal girls basketball coach Shawn Gaines. “I woke up at my normal time. I typically wake up about 4:30 a.m.,” Gaines said. “I went to exercise, then I came home.” When he returned home, though, the nerves were flowing a little faster than normal.…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 13
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 13: Boys basketball Quincy High School 81, Sterling 43 Quincy Notre Dame 70, Southeastern 37 West Hancock 88, Rushville-Industry 36 Mendon Unity 57, Payson Seymour 56 Triopia 68, Liberty 63 Riverton 57, Pittsfield 36 Macomb 42, Illini West 38 100th Monroe City Tournament Louisiana 54,…
Read MoreBrown County seventh graders rally to win IESA girls basketball state championship
RIVERTON, Ill. — Steadily, the Brown County seventh grade girls basketball team chiseled away the deficit until taking control of its fate in the fourth quarter Thursday night. The Hornets outscored Spring Valley Kennedy 8-4 in the final quarter and rallied for a 31-28 victory in the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 7-2A state championship…
Read MoreLaHarpe seventh grade girls basketball team wins IESA state championship
ASSUMPTION, Ill. — The LaHarpe seventh grade girls basketball team overcame a first-quarter deficit and marched to a 32-24 victory over Carrollton St. John in Thursday night’s Illinois Elementary School Association Class 7-1A state championship game. The Eagles trailed 11-6 after the first quarter, but outscored the Redbirds 11-4 in the second quarter and never…
Read MoreTop-seeded South Shelby uses ‘gritty performance’ to reach tournament title game
MONROE CITY, Mo. — If nothing else, the South Shelby girls basketball team proved it is more than a one-man band. As a result, the Cardinals find themselves in position to win a second straight Monroe City Tournament title. South Shelby’s high-scoring Callie McWilliams never found her shooting touch Thursday night, but her teammates more…
Read MoreRaiders take wind out of Cyclones’ offense throughout first half in earning road victory
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Possession by possession and minute by minute, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s lead grew and the goose egg on Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s side of the scoreboard loomed larger. It was that way for the first 14 minutes of Thursday night’s game. The Raiders, ranked fifth in the Class 3A state…
Read MoreBlue Devils’ offense goes quiet as Silver Streaks build big enough lead to survive WB6 battle
QUINCY — The offense went silent for too long. The Quincy High School girls basketball team staked itself to a seven-point lead in Thursday night’s showdown with state-ranked Galesburg midway through the second quarter before everything went awry. The Blue Devils scored just two points over the final 5 minutes, 24 seconds of the first…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 12
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 12: Boys basketball Beardstown 56, Camp Point Central 46 Canton 61, Clark County 43 100th Monroe City Tournament Palmyra 43, South Shelby 35 Mark Twain 51, Highland 40 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 47, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 27 Galesburg 44, Quincy High School 41 Central-Southeastern…
Read MorePanthers survive Cougars’ fourth-quarter rally, will play for Monroe City Tournament championship
MONROE CITY, Mo. — Why? That is all Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart could think as she watched Highland eat away at the Panthers’ 19-point lead over the final 4 minutes, 45 seconds of Wednesday night’s semifinal in the 100th Monroe City Tournament. “Why did we decide to feel comfortable even though I warned…
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND moves to No. 5, CSE up one spot to No. 8
CHICAGO — Here are the latest Associated Press Illinois boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the stat. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Lyons (2) (8-0) 64 3 2. Benet (7-1) 52 T6 3. Whitney Young…
Read MoreSluggish start, stellar finish defensively enables Blue Devils to dispatch Bombers
QUINCY — Quincy High School’s girls basketball team received the perfect wake-up call Wednesday night. A bit painful, but perfect. “We came out flat, and Macomb punched us right in the mouth,” Blue Devils coach Brad Dance said. Macomb dominated the first quarter, racing to a 16-9 lead, but those opening eight minutes wound up…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Monroe City boys, Palmyra girls advance to tourney title games
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City boys basketball team and the Palmyra girls will play for championships Saturday night, having navigated Wednesday’s semifinals of the 100th Monroe City Tournament. Monroe City beat Marion County 77-25, while Palmyra held off Highland 48-43. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was in Monroe City and put together…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Wednesday, Dec. 11
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Dec. 11: Boys basketball 100th Monroe City Tournament Monroe City 77, Marion County 25 Louisiana 41, Paris 37 Girls basketball Quincy High School 50, Macomb 30 100th Monroe City Tournament Palmyra 48, Highland 43 Paris 56, Mark Twain 45 Men’s basketball Culver-Stockton College 97, Mount Mercy…
Read More‘Let’s just bury them’: Third-quarter blitz carries Raiders to lopsided victory over Cardinals
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players decided they had allowed Pleasant Plains to hang around long enough. So when they went to the locker room at halftime Tuesday night with an eight-point lead, there wasn’t much need for a discussion on how to approach the second half. The plan was quite simple:…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND girls basketball team nearly pitches second-half shutout
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team outscored Pleasant Plains 28-4 in the second half Tuesday at The Pit, rolling to a 53-21 victory to improve to 6-0. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 10
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 10: Boys basketball Quincy High School 82, Galesburg 39 Liberty 75, Southeastern 58 Illini West 51, Mendon Unity 28 Winchester West Central 56, Pittsfield 48 Griggsville-Perry 48, Western 28 Macomb 46, Farmington 33 Fulton 51, Hannibal 39 Canton 86, Clopton 78 100th Monroe City Tournament…
Read MoreCSE raises aggressiveness, intensity in third quarter to meet its standard in win over Illini West
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Lexi Niekamp has only played eight games for the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team, but the freshman guard already understands the Panthers’ standard. Niekamp also knew that despite leading 27-13 at halftime against Illini West on Monday, the Panthers did not meet that standard for a significant portion of that first half,…
Read MorePhoto gallery: CSE girls basketball team pulls away in victory over Illini West
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team, ranked ninth in the Class 2A state poll, outscored Illini West 21-6 in the third quarter and pulled away for a 55-27 victory Monday night in the Central old gym. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was on hand and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 9
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 9: Boys basketball 100th Monroe City Tournament Marion County 67, Paris 49 Monroe City 59, Louisiana 28 Girls basketball Central-Southeastern 55, Illini West 27 Brown County 69, Carrollton 55 Pittsfield 45, Petersburg PORTA 39 West Hancock 60, Payson Seymour 30 Macomb 61, Bushnell-Prairie City 9…
Read MoreCentury of memories: Monroe City celebrates 100-year milestone for basketball invitational
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The semi-weekly Monroe City News reported in its Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1925, edition that a four-county basketball tournament would be played the following Friday and Saturday at Monroe City High School. Featuring teams from Monroe, Marion, Ralls and Shelby counties, it was billed as “the largest and most interest event in…
Read MoreLast-second shot doesn’t fall, but struggles throughout fourth quarter doom Blue Devils
QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team executed the play. The shot just did not go in. The Blue Devils trailed Sterling 48-46 with six seconds left during Saturday’s Western Big 6 Conference clash at the QHS gym. On an inbounds play underneath the Sterling basket, Quincy sophomore guard Myley Longor got the…
Read MoreBrown County, LaHarpe seventh grade girls basketball teams to play for IESA state titles
RIVERTON, Ill. — The Brown County seventh grade girls basketball team will play for a state championship after remaining undefeated with a pair of victories Saturday in the Class 7-2A state tournament. The Hornets will be joined in the title pursuit by LaHarpe, which advanced to the Class 7-1A championship game. Liberty fell a game…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 7
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 7: Boys basketball Quincy High School 55, Deerfield 32 Quincy Notre Dame 46, Macomb 34 West Hancock 63, Payson Seymour 35 Biggsville West Central 55, Southeastern 53 Illini West 50, Farmington 39 Mendon Unity 53, Central Lee (Iowa) 51 West Burlington (Iowa) 76, Canton 59…
Read MorePalmyra’s dynamic duo is too much for Canton to overcome
CANTON, Mo. — The Palmyra girls basketball team’s dynamic duo was extra dynamic on Friday. Seniors Clare Williams and Sydney Compton combined for all but three of Palmyra’s points as the Panthers outlasted Canton 54-49. Williams poured in 15 points in the first half and finished with 22 total. Compton caught fire in the second…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra sweeps Canton in pair of tight battles on hardwood
CANTON, Mo. — In a pair of games that weren’t deecided until the final minute — the final seconds in one case — the Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams each left Canton with a victory Friday night. The Palmyra girls won 54-49 before the boys sweated out a 64-62 victory. Muddy River Sports Writer…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 5
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Dec. 5: Boys basketball Liberty 64, Highland 27 Carrollton 47, Griggsville-Perry 31 Marion County 64, Bevier 33 Girls basketball Quincy High School 72, Geneseo 19 Quincy Notre Dame 72, West Hancock 32 Central-Southeastern 56, Macomb 40 Pittsfield 47, Winchester West Central 20 Illini West 48, Rushville-Industry…
Read MoreSimple is as simple does: Blue Devils settle in, take care of business against Maple Leafs
QUINCY — Once the Quincy High School girls basketball team quit trying to do too much, it proved to be too much for Geneseo. The Blue Devils scored two quick baskets before turning the ball over five times in the opening 3 minutes, 19 seconds of Thursday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game at the…
Read MoreState-ranked Raiders rout Titans on road behind relentless defensive effort
HAMILTON, Ill. — Make no mistake, at this point of the season the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team is far from a finished product. But the work-in-progress Raiders still aren’t too shabby. Notre Dame, ranked No. 8 in this week’s Associated Press Class 3A state poll, overwhelmed West Hancock 72-32 before about 350 fans…
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND, Central-Southeastern crack top 10
CHICAGO — Here is a look at the first Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sports writers and sportscasters from throughout the state: Class 4A Rank School Total Points 1. Loyola (4) (5-0) 40 2. Whitney Young (1-0) 35 3. Lyons (5-0) 27 4.…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 3
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 3: Boys basketball Griggsville-Perry 61, Brown County (3OT) Mendon Unity 58, Pittsfield 54 Macomb 68, Geneseo 41 North Greene 51, Pleasant Hill 50 Palmyra 79, Mark Twain 38 Louisiana 58, Highland 48 Marion County 57, Community R-VI 36 Girls basketball Hannibal 68, Hazelwood East 25…
Read MoreSounds of silence: Panthers regain proper mentality following tourney loss, steamroll Hornets
MT. STERLING, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team didn’t need a pep talk. In fact, Panthers coach Matt Long had not spoken a word to his team from the moment they left the gym after their 56-37 loss to Breese Mater Dei on Saturday in the Pana Thanksgiving Tournament championship to when they took…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 2
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 2: Boys basketball Brown County 62, Camp Point Central 34 Canton 65, Monroe City 42 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 65, Western 24 Central-Southeastern 59, Brown County 26 Illini West 46, West Hancock 42 Macomb 58, Lewistown 25 Monroe City 61, Canton 49 Men’s basketball…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Rivals square off on hardwood as Brown County boys, Central-Southeastern girls win
MT. STERLING, Ill. — The rivalry between Brown County and Camp Point Central took center stage Monday night with the Brown County boys basketball team winning 62-34 and the Central-Southeastern girls winning 59-26 in the head-to-head matchups. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MorePittsfield’s Hull to be inducted into IBCA Hall of Fame as part of Class of 2025
QUINCY — Jack Hull has been affiliated with bringing high school sports to Pike County fans over the airwaves for more than three decades, and he’s done so by being relatable, charismatic and honest. Those are the hallmarks of a Hall of Fame broadcaster. Hull, a former play-by-play voice for WBBA radio and one of…
Read MoreBlistering start enables QND girls basketball team to roll past Carrollton, remain undefeated
QUINCY — Eric Orne could see it in his players’ eyes and attitude during Saturday morning’s shootaround. The “rough game” he referred to Friday wasn’t going to repeat itself 24 hours later. “They knew (Friday) night wasn’t what we wanted to represent,” Orne said. However, few could have anticipated what transpired in the early stages…
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