Countdown to tipoff: Reese returns to provide interior presence for short, scrappy Pirates

Hannibal senior forward Zaria Reese has worked her way back from a partially torn ACL to be a significant factor in the Pirates' frontcourt heading into this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Hannibal girls basketball program brought to you by: HANNIBAL, Mo. — Zaria Reese tried to play through the pain. Now she doesn’t have to, and that is a welcomed feeling for the members of the Hannibal girls basketball team. Reese, now a senior forward for the Pirates, battled pain in her left…

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Championship mentality: Quincy’s Nicholson helps AAU squad win national title while keeping her focus on improving

Quincy's Khloe Nicholson, second from right in front row, helped the Missouri Phenom 15U team win the EYBL Nike Nationals championship last month in Chicago. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — All of the windshield time her parents amassed this summer allowed 14-year-old Khloe Nicholson to catch up on two important necessities. “Sleep and watch TV,” she said. Specifically, that meant watching Netflix. “I was a little of everything,” she said. “I liked ‘Cobra Kai.’” But unlike Daniel LaRusso in “The Karate Kid” —…

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From one winning program to another: QND’s Stratton commits to play basketball at Drury

Quincy Notre Dame senior Sage Stratton recently committed to play basketball at Drury University, the Great Lakes Valley Conference's best program over the past decade. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jackson Stratton did exactly what a big brother is expected to do. He looked out for his little sister. As Sage Stratton navigated the recruiting circuit throughout the past year — the Quincy Notre Dame senior received interest from a variety of NCAA Division II women’s basketball programs — she leaned heavily on…

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Photo gallery: Muddy River Showcase through another lens

Quincy High School's Taylor Fohey, second from right, shares a laugh with her Illinois teammates during introductions prior to the girls game in the third annual Muddy River Showcase, held Saturday at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — The third annual Muddy River Showcase took place Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center with the Illinois boys and girls sweeping the all-star basketball event. The Illinois girls won 78-43, while the boys earned a 92-70 victory. Addi Zanger, a Quincy Notre Dame graduate and a sophomore at the University…

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Fohey delivers perfect Father’s Day gift by joining her dad as all-star basketball game MVPs

Illinois MVP Taylor Fohey, left, shares a laugh with her high school coach, Quincy's Brad Dance, during the fourth quarter of Saturday's third annual Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Like father, like daughter. Taylor Fohey scored 25 points and grabbed 19 rebounds Saturday afternoon to power the Illinois girls to a 78-43 victory over Missouri in the third annual Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Dominating inside on both ends of the floor, the 6-foot Quincy High…

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Photo gallery: Illinois girls power way to victory in third annual Muddy River Showcase

Illinois defenders Allison Icenogle, left, and Leah Chevalier, right, trap Missouri's Madi Gares during the second half of Saturday's third annual Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Illinois all-stars used their size and strength to control the lane and pace of play in Saturday’s third annual Muddy River Showcase, letting Quincy High School forward Taylor Fohey’s 25-point, 19-rebound effort guide them to a 78-43 victory Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Playing in Muddy River Showcase is full-circle moment for Hannibal’s Pugh and her father

The growth of Hannibal's Baylee Pugh as a basketball player has been influenced by her father, former Pirates coach Matt Pugh. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Matt Pugh recalled the conversation he had with his daughter, Baylee, when they learned she had been selected to play in this Saturday’s third annual Muddy River Showcase. “She told me, ‘Dad, I don’t know if I’m good enough to be playing in this game. I don’t ever score,’” Matt Pugh said.  His…

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West Hancock’s Woodworth ready to have hand in helping Illinois girls win Muddy River Showcase

West Hancock's Lillie Woodworth recovered in time from a right hand injury suffered playing softball April 5 to play in this Saturday's Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Lillie Woodworth’s hand has healed, and she’s ready to go. That’s not good news for the Missouri all-stars. Two months after suffering a pair of broken bones in her right hand playing softball, the West Hancock all-state basketball player is back playing in open gyms at her future college home — Lincoln Land…

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IHSA alters basketball state tournament schedule, coaches praise change

When the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team won third place at the Class 2A state tournament in 2023, the Raiders played both state finals games within an eight-hour span. New rules being implemented by the Illinois High School Association eliminate the need for teams to play twice on the same day at the state tournament. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — The experience. Until Monday, this was the main concern surrounding the IHSA state basketball tournament schedule. Now, that concern is a thing of the past. At Monday’s monthly meeting in Bloomington, Ill., the IHSA Board of Directors approved a recommendation for a new state finals schedule that will ensure a two-day experience for…

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Shot clock is coming to Illinois prep basketball in 2026-27 season, but coaches remain divided on its need

QUINCY — The future implementation of the shot clock in Illinois high school basketball has coaches conflicted over how the game will look and operate, especially at different levels of the sport. Monday, the Illinois High School Association Board of Directors approved using a 35-second shot clock for all varsity girls and boys basketball games…

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Muddy River Showcase profile: CSE’s Lantz looks to give back to community in healthcare field

Central-Southeastern guard Brilyn Lantz will play for the Illinois all-stars in the Muddy River Showcase, which takes place at 2 p.m. June 15 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

AUGUSTA, Ill. — An anatomy and physiology class helped give Brilyn Lantz direction. Thoroughly invested in her science classes at Southeastern High School and wanting a profession that enabled her to give back to the community, Lantz discovered a career in radiology would achieve that. “I love science,” Lantz said. “It was a big motivator…

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Speed in abundance is Missouri girls roster’s edge for upcoming Muddy River Showcase

Palmyra's Taytum White is one of several multi-sport players representing the Missouri girls team in the Muddy River Showcase, taking place at 2 p.m. June 15 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — The collection of all-stars comprising the Missouri girls roster for the Muddy River Showcase don’t have to worry about a need for speed. They have it in abundance. Four members of the Show Me State squad competed in the state track and field championships, two others plan to play softball in college and…

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Illinois girls roster for Muddy River Showcase full of grit, toughness and winners

Quincy High School's Leila Dade, right, will be joined by teammate Taylor Fohey, center, on the Illinois all-star roster for the Muddy River Showcase, taking place June 15 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Tough. It is the first word that comes to mind scanning the roster of the Illinois girls team for the upcoming Muddy River Showcase. From Brilyn Lantz’s scrappiness that propelled Central-Southeastern to a Class 2A super-sectional berth last winter to Taylor Fohey’s willingness to battle on the block in guiding Quincy High to…

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Muddy River Showcase profile: Canton’s Macie Fisher contributes to Tigers’ winning legacy

Canton's Macie Fisher was a multi-sport standout in high school who plans to play softball at Kirkwood Community College. | Mathew Kirby photo

CANTON, Mo. — Macie Fisher is getting a double dose of all-star activities. Not only will Fisher represent Canton on the Missouri squad for the Muddy River Showcase, which takes place June 15 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center, but she participated in the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association all-star game in…

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Schuck on a Truck: KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr talks basketball awards, spring sports

QUINCY — The end of the prep basketball season turns into awards season the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association announcing their all-state honors and local media outlets all-area teams. Or in the case of KHQA Sports Director Chris Duerr, he unveils his All-Do or Die teams. Duerr joined Muddy River…

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Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Instincts, intangibles set Central-Southeastern’s Miller apart more than numbers, accolades

Central-Southeastern junior forward Lauren Miller, who led the Panthers to a 29-3 record, has been named the Muddy River Sports 2023-34 Girls Basketball Player of the Year. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — As good as Lauren Miller’s statistical resume is, the numbers alone don’t set her apart. Nor do the postseason accolades, which proved be across-the-board impressive when you realize the Central-Southeastern junior forward was considered one of the 10 best Class 2A girls basketball players in the state by two different organizations.…

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2023-24 Girls basketball all-area team: Freshmen emerge, juniors rise to occasion, seniors shine

QUINCY — From freshmen making an immediate impact to seniors leaving a lasting legacy, the area girls basketball scene featured remarkable individual performances that led to widespread team success. Eleven players earned all-state honors while six teams won at least 20 games with two regional titles, one district championship and two sectional crowns. It made…

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Palmyra’s King, South Shelby’s McWilliams earn Class 3 all-state recognition

Palmyra senior forward Candra King was named to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 3 all-state team for the second time in her prep career. | Mathew Kirby photo

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A pair of area Clarence Cannon Conference standouts received all-state honors from the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. Palmyra senior Candra King and South Shelby junior Callie McWilliams were named to the 20-player Class 3 team. Also receiving all-state nods from the CCC were the Centralia duo of Braylin Brunkhorst and Ryenn…

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Top Missouri players earn all-district honors with four receiving Player of the Year nods

Palmyra senior guard Bear Bock was named the Class 3 District 6 Player of the Year. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Four area basketball players were named Player of the Year in their respective districts by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and four coaches received the top district honor as well. The MBCA all-district selections are not based on district tournament performances. They are supposed to be an overview of the entire season…

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Crim: With more than five decades of coaching experience to share, Fray still willing to answer call

Mike Fray, left, and Pat Rafferty, longtime friends and basketball coaching counterparts, continue to offer decades of knowledge to teams and younger coaches while also engaging in conversation every Thursday at Sprout's Inn in Quincy. | Don Crim photo

QUINCY — Mike Fray and Pat Rafferty lunch together every Thursday morning at Sprout’s Inn, arriving when the restaurant opens at 10:30. A corner window booth is set aside if it’s just the two of them, a table if they call ahead to say there will be guests. Tracy, their waitress, has their drinks already…

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CSE’s Miller leads brigade of area girls players receiving all-state honors from IBCA

Central-Southeastern junior forward Lauren Miller received Class 2A first-team all-state honors from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Lauren Miller’s ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and her Central-Southeastern girls basketball teammates elevated her game to that of a first-team all-stater. The 5-foot-10 junior forward was named to the Class 2A all-state first team by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, one of three CSE players to be honored by the…

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Schuckman: Strength of character shows in how Wires, Buehler handled adversity

Quincy High School senior guard Ralph Wires displayed character and maturity in how he handled the season-ending loss to Normal Community in the Class 4A sectional championship game in Pekin, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Adversity doesn’t build character. It reveals it. That adage, originally coined by 19th century American novelist James Lane Allen, and variations of it have been used endlessly. But as I sat here mulling over what already has transpired this basketball postseason, that adage kept coming to mind. The toughest moments have shown us…

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CSE’s Miller receives second-team all-state honors, three others earn honorable mention

Central-Southeastern junior forward Lauren Miller, who was named a Class 2A second-team all-stater by the Illinois Media, led the Panthers to a 29-3 record and a super-sectional berth. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Lauren Miller’s game is drawing interest from NCAA Division I and II women’s basketball coaches throughout the Midwest. For good reason. The Central-Southeastern junior forward was named a Class 2A second-team all-stater this week by the Illinois Media. She is the only area girls player to be named all-state in any of the…

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Nashville Blues: Hornettes’ defensive length overwhelms Central-Southeastern in super-sectional

Nashville's Emma Behrmann consoles Central-Southeastern's Lauren Miller during the final seconds of Monday's Class 2A girls basketball super-sectional at Vandalia High School. Holding the ball is Nashville's Summer Brinkmann. In the background is Central-Southeastern's Brilyn Lantz. | David Adam photo

VANDALIA, Ill. — The southern half of the state already has learned. The rest of the state will find out this weekend. The Nashville girls basketball team is exceptionally good and a state championship threat — now and for the next three years. The Hornettes, ranked No. 3 in the Class 2A state poll, field…

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Lady Birds show depth, tenacity in second half to knock out Indians and reach state quarterfinals

South Shelby's Callie McWilliams, right, looks to attack Elsberry's defense during Monday night's Class 3 sectional game in Shelbina, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mark Requet, Shelby County Herald

SHELBINA, Mo. — Belle Roush didn’t come out of the locker room at the start of the second half Monday night. Her teammates didn’t let it faze them. The South Shelby girls basketball team’s all-conference junior forward scored 12 points in the first half to stake the Lady Birds to a 27-21 lead over Elsberry…

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Photo Gallery: Panthers get within four points but fail to score from field in fourth quarter

Central-Southeastern's Carly Peters tries to shoot an underhanded layup despite the presence of Nashville's Avery Reeder during Monday night's Class 2A girls basketball super-sectional at Vandalia High School. | David Adam photo

VANDALIA, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team trailed for all but the opening minutes in Monday night’s 41-32 loss to Nashville in the Class 2A super-sectional at Vandalia High School. CSE got within 36-32 with 3:51 to play but didn’t score again, making just three free throws in the final eight minutes. Lauren Miller…

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Crim: Postseason basketball outcomes create intrigue, questions how futures unfold

Illini West boys basketball coach Blaize Kimmel led the Chargers to a 21-11 record in his first season at the helm. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Questions and observations as the march toward high school state basketball tournaments continues in both Illinois and Missouri, with some college teams harboring postseason aspirations in the waning days of February: First-year Illini West boys coach Blaize Kimmel stood outside his team’s locker room giving fist-bumps and hugs while offering words of encouragement…

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Lady Birds continue postseason mastery of Panthers by winning another district crown

Palmyra's Bella McBride, right, pressures South Shelby's Callie McWilliams during Friday night's Class 3 District 6 championship game in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — While the regular season matchups belonged to Palmyra, the South Shelby girls basketball team still owns the postseason. The second-seeded Lady Birds outscored the top-seeded Panthers 21-2 during a 6 1/2-minute stretch beginning late in the third quarter Friday night to erase a six-point deficit and pull away for a 63-50 victory…

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Postseason scoreboard: Illinois boys regional championships, Missouri girls district titles decided

QUINCY — Here are the results of the Illinois boys regional championship and Missouri girls district championships and the sectional matchups from both sides of the Mississippi River. The Missouri boys district championships will be decided Saturday. Illinois girls Class 3A Decatur MacArthur Sectional Tuesday, February 20 Game 1 — Quincy Notre Dame 63, Mahomet-Seymour…

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Trusting process carries Central-Southeastern past Pleasant Plains and to sectional title

The Central-Southeastern girls basketball players celebrate winning the Class 2A Beardstown Sectional championship following Thursday night's 43-37 victory over Pleasant Plains at Beardstown High School. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — There were quite a few blue T-shirts with white lettering scattered across the Central-Southeastern stands Thursday night. The message the shirts carried was a simple one: “Trust the Process.” CSE girls basketball coach Matt Long’s explanation of that phrase was not particularly complicated, but still rather poignant — even more so following…

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‘I feel heartbreak for the kids’: Bid for sectional title falls one point short for Notre Dame girls

Quincy Notre Dame's Jenna Durst tries to dribble past Chatham Glenwood's Rowann Law during the second half of Thursday night's Class 3A girls basketball sectional championship at MacArthur High School in Decatur, Ill. | David Adam photo

DECATUR, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team couldn’t have asked for a better player to step to the free-throw line. Sophomore Ari Buehler, who had scored eight points in the fourth quarter and expertly handled Chatham Glenwood’s unrelenting defensive pressure to keep the Raiders close, was fouled near mid-court with eight-tenths of…

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Photo gallery: Central-Southeastern shows resiliency in winning sectional championship

Central-Southeastern coach Matt Long gives the Panthers instructions during a timeout in the Class 2A Beardstown Sectional championship game against Pleasant Plains on Thursday night in Beardstown, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball players never lost faith in each other or the belief the sectional championship would be theirs, fending off Pleasant Plains 43-37 to win the Class 2A Beardstown Sectional on Thursday night. Photographer Mike Pritchard shared this photo gallery of the Panthers’ victory:

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Photo Gallery: Buehler, Durst spark comeback for Raiders after trailing by 10 points in first half

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler is fouled by Chatham Glenwood's Hope Gilmore (34) with eight-tenths of a second to play during Thursday night's Class 3A girls basketball sectional championship game at MacArthur High School in Decatur, Ill. | David Adam photo

DECATUR, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team didn’t score a field goal in the first quarter and trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but it rallied to take the lead in the third quarter and several times in the fourth quarter in a 44-43 loss to Chatham…

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Panthers, Lady Birds to collide in district championship game

PALMYRA, Mo. — Sydney Compton and Clare Williams each scored five first-quarter points as the Palmyra girls basketball team built a 10-point advantage and rolled to a 49-38 victory over Macon in Wednesday night’s Class 3 District 6 semifinals. The Tigerettes scored 15 second-quarter points to trim the deficit to six at halftime, but the…

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Raiders shake off first-quarter slumber, advance to third straight sectional championship game

Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne gives instructions to his team during a timeout in the Class 3A sectional semifinal Tuesday night against Mahomet-Seymour in Decatur, Ill. | Ron Kinscherf photo

DECATUR, Ill. — Survive and advance. That’s all. “It was not our best game obviously,” Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne said after the Raiders eliminated Mahomet-Seymour with Tuesday night’s 63-46 victory in the semifinals of the Class 3A Decatur MacArthur Sectional. “But you know at this time of year, you got to…

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Peters’ free throws help CSE hold off Staunton’s fourth-quarter surge and reach sectional title game

The Central-Southeastern girls basketball players react to a Lauren Miller basket during Tuesday night's Class 2A sectional semifinal against Staunton in Beardstown, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Lauren Miller’s assessment was spot on. “We have to do better Thursday,” the Central-Southeastern junior forward said. The CSE girls basketball team escaped Tuesday night’s Class 2 sectional semifinal game with a hard-earned 56-50 victory over Staunton in front of about 600 fans at Beardstown High School. Central-Southeastern (28-2) advances to face…

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Photo gallery: CSE advances to sectional championship game by beating Staunton

Central-Southeastern's Claire Huston pressures Staunton's Ele Feldmann during Tuesday night's Class 2A Beardstown Sectional semifinal in Beardstown, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The fourth quarter may have gotten a little too close for comfort, but the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team withstood Staunton’s late surge to secure a 56-50 victory in the semifinals of the Class 2A Beardstown Sectional on Tuesday night. Photographer Mike Pritchard shared this photo gallery from the game:

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Stratton clamps down on another top scorer, leads QND girls to 31st regional title in school history

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton defends Jerseyville's Tessa Crawford during Thursday night's Class 3A girls basketball regional championship game at George Havens Gym in Jerseyville. | David Adam

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — When Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne walked into the gym for practice on Tuesday afternoon, he noticed junior guard Sage Stratton was already shooting around. When Orne made eye contact with Stratton, he flashed the number two with his hand twice. Stratton quietly nodded and said, “I know.” Stratton…

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Lantz’s free throws enable Central-Southeastern to fend off SHG for Class 2A regional title

The Central-Southeastern players and bench react to beating Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 44-41 for the Class 2A regional championship Thursday night in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Karly Peters’ response was both euphoric and prophetic. “This feeling is amazing, and we’re not done yet,” said Peters, a 5-foot-9 junior forward for Central-Southeastern’s No. 6-ranked Class 2A girls basketball team. Peters was one of several Panthers who figured prominently in the CSE’s 44-41 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin during…

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Opportunity to stay with defending state champs eludes Blue Devils in regional championship loss

Quincy High School freshman forward Jada Brown, left, gets in position for a rebound during Thursday's Class 4A regional championship against O'Fallon in O'Fallon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Paul Baillargeon, Archview Photos

O’FALLON, Ill. — Brad Dance could feel how much the missed opportunities hurt. The Quincy High School girls basketball team trailed defending state champion O’Fallon 15-10 in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Class 4A regional championship, but had it not been for squandering a couple of offensive chances, the Blue Devils could have been…

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Photo gallery: Central-Southeastern wins regional championship clash with SHG

Central-Southeastern coach Matt Long talks to his team during a timeout during Thursday night's Class 2A regional championship game against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team took advantage of the friendly confines of its home gym Thursday night, earning a 44-41 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in the Class 2A regional championship in front of a standing room-only crowd. The Panthers went 14-0 at home this season while advancing to the Beardstown…

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Photo Gallery: Barrage of 3-pointers in second quarter fuels Raiders’ victory at Jerseyville

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton celebrates after being handed the Class 3A regional plaque after Thursday night's game in Jerseyville. | David Adam photo

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team went a 19-2 run, punctuated by four 3-pointers, in the second quarter and went on to win 49-30 over Jerseyville on Thursday night in the Class 3A regional championship game.  Tristan Pieper and Marie Eversman had one 3-pointer in the run and Sage Stratton made two…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls see 25-win season come to end in regional title loss to O’Fallon

Quincy High School guard Leila Dade, left, wipes her eyes after the Blue Devils suffered a 55-40 loss to O'Fallon in Thursday night's Class 4A regional champiosnhip game in O'Fallon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Paul Baillargeon, Archview Photos

O’FALLON, Ill. — The Class 4A sub-sectional the Quincy High School girls basketball team was assigned proved to be as challening as expected. The third-seeded Blue Devils suffered a 55-40 loss to second-seeded O’Fallon in Thursday night’s regional championship, ending Quincy’s season with a 25-7 record. Freelance photographer Paul Baillargeon put together this photo gallery…

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Photo gallery: Palmyra sweeps doubleheader from Hannibal at Korf Gym

Palmyra's Clare Williams goes to block a shot during Tuesday night's game against Hannibal at Korf Gym in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams, both ranked in Class 3 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association polls, continued to show Tuesday night why they are considered among the state’s elite. The Palmyra girls used a fourth-quarter surge to put away Hannibal 51-36 at Korf Gym. The Panthers, ranked seventh, limited…

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Strong start propels Blue Devils into rematch with Panthers for regional championship

Quincy High School's Leah Chevalier, left, and Myley Longcor trap Belleville East's Taylor Smith during Monday night's Class 4A regional semifinal at O'Fallon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Paul Baillargeon, Archview Photos

O’FALLON, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls basketball players didn’t get caught up in the scouting report or overly concern themselves with how Belleville East would attack. “They just want to go out and play and do what’s expected of them,” Quincy coach Brad Dance said. And they expected to earn a spot in…

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Raiders settle in defensively, pull away from Crimsons to earn spot in Class 3A regional title tilt

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore forward Tristan Pieper scored a game-high 24 points in Monday's victory over Jacksonville in the Class 3A regional semifinals in Jerseyville, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

JERSEYVILLE, Ill. — A minute into Monday night’s Class 3A Jerseyville Regional semifinal, Jacksonville led the top-seeded Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team 4-2 and maybe saw a glimmer of hope it could pull off an upset. That faded fast. The Raiders went on a 9-0 run to take the lead and then held the…

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Postseason scoreboard: Girls regional championship matchups set

QUINCY — Here are the pairings for the Illinois girls basketball postseason tournaments: Class 1A Mendon Regional Saturday, February 10 Game 1 — Rushville-Industry 51, Payson Seymour 38 Game 2 — Liberty 58, West Prairie 7 Monday, February 12 Game 3 — Illini Bluffs 60, Rushville-Industry 25 Game 4 — Mendon Unity 48, Liberty 30…

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Panthers see room for improvement before Thursday’s regional championship game

Central-Southeastern guard Brilyn Lantz applies pressure to Pittsfield guard Lila Simon during Monday's Class 2A regional semifinal in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — From Matt Long’s perspective, Monday night was a borderline disappointment — except for the final score. From the way Lauren Miller saw things, there’s room for improvement but a win’s still a win. The bottom line? The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s 18th straight victory was a little rough around the edges,…

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SHG clamps down defensively after first quarter, knocks West Hancock out of postseason

West Hancock's Lillie Woodworth, left, drives the baseline during the first quarter of Monday's Class 2A regional semifinal against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The West Hancock girls basketball team opened Monday night’s Class 2A regional semifinal game with an impressive 16-point first quarter against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin. Unfortunately, the Titans only scored 16 more points the rest of the game. Sacred Heart-Griffin’s defense and a ball-control offense in the fourth quarter combined to eliminate…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls blitz Belleville East to reach regional title game

Quincy High School's Taylor Fohey, right, looks to get to the basket during Monday night's Class 4A regional semifinal against Belleville East at O'Fallon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Paul Baillargeon, Archview Photos

O’FALLON, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team scored the game’s first 17 points and rolled to a 68-30 victory over Belleville East in Monday night’s semifinals of the Class 4A O’Fallon Regional. The Blue Devils (25-6) will face O’Fallon at 7 p.m. Thursday for the regional championship. Photographer Paul Baillargeon of Archview…

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Photo gallery: CSE, SHG pick up Class 2A regional semifinal victories

The Central-Southeastern girls basketball players await the playing of the national anthem prior to Monday's Class 2A regional semifinal against Pittsfield in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The top-seeded Central-Southeastern girls basketball team and fourth-seeded Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin remained on a collision course as both won Class 2A regional semifinals Monday night at Central High School. The Panthers beat Pittsfield 51-28 and the Cyclones upended West Hancock 42-32. Freelance photographer Mike Pritchard shared this photo gallery from semifinal…

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In their own words: Players sum up CSE coach Matt Long’s impact after he reaches 600-victory plateau during regular season

Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long became the 16th coach in Illinois High School Association history to record 600 career victories. | Matt Schuckman photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — During the 25-2 regular-season record the state-ranked Central-Southeastern girls basketball team compiled, a milestone moment occurred that allowed current and former Panthers to celebrate the impact of their coach. Matt Long, who has been at the helm since the 1993-94 season, won the 600th game of his career, becoming just the…

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State-ranked Palmyra girls shake off sluggish start to power past Bowling Green

Palmyra's Ashley Bode, left, looks to score during Thursday's game against Bowling Green in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — Enough was enough. About halfway through the first quarter Thursday night, Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart had witnessed her club commit too many turnovers, miss way too many free throws and play a generally ineffective brand of basketball. She called for a timeout. What was actually said during that break in…

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Back home again: Quincy girls start fast en route to 58-28 thumping of Hannibal

Quincy High School's Leila Dade tries to stop Hannibal's Alyson Falconer from shooting during Wednesday night's girls basketball game at the QHS gymnasium. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Leah Chevalier’s reasoning was understandable. Slightly flawed, maybe, but completely understandable. “This win allowed us to finish unbeaten at home,” said the Quincy High School girls basketball team’s senior point guard following Wednesday night’s 58-28 victory over Hannibal in front of a crowd of about 550 at the QHS gym. But … ummm…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND, Central-Southeastern hold steady

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team will take a No. 3 ranking in Class 3A into the postseason. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (7) 31-0 79 1 2. Alton 27-2 65 2 3. Bolingbrook (1) 23-3 63 3 4. Maine South 27-1 48 5 (tie) Nazareth 24-3 48 4…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils celebrate Senior Night by finishing 9-0 in QHS gym

Quincy High School's Taylor Fohey wrestles for possession of the basketball with Hannibal's Katelynn Ferguson-Minor during Wednesday night's girls basketball game in the QHS gymnasium. | David Adam

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team led 21-3 after the opening eight minutes and went on to defeat Hannibal 56-26 at the QHS gymnasium. The game had a celebratory feel to it, despite the Blue Devils (23-6) coming off a loss on Saturday in Blue Devil Gym to United Township. QHS coach…

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‘Unfinished business’: Palmyra girls gain revenge for earlier loss to Monroe City

Palmyra's Sydney Compton dribbles past Monroe City's Audri Youngblood during Tuesday night's high school girls basketball game at Monroe City High School. | Photo courtesy of Alicia Deming

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart referred to the rather one-sided 50-28 victory over rival Monroe City as “unfinished business.” There might have been a wink in her eye when she said that. At the very least, there was the distinct hint of a wry smile. Palmyra made no secret of…

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QND girls dominate final three quarters 43-9 to blow out defending Class 1A state champions

Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Hummel, left, and Sage Stratton defend Okawville's Alayna Kraus during Saturday night's high school girls basketball game during the KHQA Superfan Shootout at the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — No rest for the weary? Well, there is a bit of a respite now for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. The Raiders completed a grueling five-games-in-five days sojourn with a dominating 52-25 victory Saturday night at The Pit over defending Class 1A state champ Okawville during the American Family Insurance-KHQA Superfan Shootout.…

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C-SE girls race to 17-point halftime lead, force 26 Palmyra turnovers to win 15th consecutive game

Central-Southeastern's Agnes Genenbacher tries to shoot a reverse layup while Palmyra's Candra King tries to block the shot during Saturday afternoon's girls basketball game in the KHQA Superfan Shootout at the Pit. | Photo courtesy of Mike Pritchard

QUINCY – About 20 hours after rallying late to beat South Shelby in a Clarence Cannon Conference game at home, the Palmyra girls basketball team discovered Central-Southeastern doesn’t give up leads so easily. Lauren Miller scored 10 of her game-high 20 points in the first quarter and C-SE grabbed a 17-point halftime lead Saturday afternoon…

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Quincy girls held to lowest point total since 2017, lose WB6 showdown with United Township

Quincy High School's Jada Brown looks to shoot while United Township's Lorena Awou defends during Saturday's high school girls basketball game in Blue Devil Gym. | David Adam

QUINCY — The knockout punch came early, and it was impressive. Unlike recent United Township victories over the Quincy High School girls basketball team, when the outcome was in doubt until the final seconds, Saturday’s verdict was never in question from about midway through the second quarter. With 6-foot-5 Lorena Awou — a North Carolina…

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Fast finish in fourth fuels furious Palmyra girls’ comeback in victory over South Shelby 

Palmyra's Clare Williams, who scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds goes up for a shot during Friday night's girls basketball game against South Shelby in Palmyra, Mo. | Photo courtesy of Alicia Deming

PALMYRA, Mo. — When asked if she had been worried at any point, Palmyra junior point guard Clare Williams responded matter-of-factly, “I knew we’d eventually have a run.” Palmyra did just that Friday night, rattling off 12 straight points in the fourth quarter on the way to a 50-44 Clarence Cannon Conference girls basketball victory…

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Sweet Sixteen: Pieper turns in 19-point performance on birthday as QND girls edge Clopton

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper looks to shoot over Clopton's Ashlyn Noah during Friday night's high school girls basketball game at the KHQA Superfan Shootout in the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — There are not many better ways for a 16-year-old to celebrate her birthday than to spend it with her friends. Tristan Pieper’s friends took care of her Friday night.  Pieper, a sophomore, led all scorers with 19 points as the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team fought off Clopton 44-37 at the American…

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Photo Gallery: With defending champions on tap for Saturday, Raiders hold off late Clopton rally

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler tries to dribble up the court while guarded by Clopton's Jasmine Hammett during Friday night's girls basketball game in the KHQA Superfan Shootout on Friday night at the Pit. | David Adam

Eight straight points, capped off by two 3-pointers, pulled Clopton within 40-37 with 6:40 to play in the game, but a driving layup by Raiders guard Ari Buehler broke Clopton’s momentum, and the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team held on for 44-37 victory on Friday night at the Pit. Junior Sage Stratton and sophomore…

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QHS girls climb one spot in Associated Press Class 4A poll; C-SE rises one spot in 2A, QND drops one spot in 3A

Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Wiewel tries to block a shot by Quincy High School's Leah Chevalier during Tuesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam

Here are the Associated Press girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (4) 29-0 66 1 2. Alton (3) 25-1 64 2 3. Bolingbrook 21-2 55 3 4. Nazareth 21-3 38 5 5. Maine South 25-1 37 4 6.…

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Stratton reaches 1,000 career points as Notre Dame girls rebound after rare loss

Pittsfield's Sophie Gengler drives to the basket while Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton defends during Wednesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY — When Sage Stratton dropped through a second-quarter field goal Wednesday night, the game came to an immediate halt. Public address announcer Frank Cash then informed the crowd at The Pit that Stratton, a junior guard for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, had become the 17th player in the long and storied…

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Photo Gallery: Raiders bounce back after loss to QHS by overwhelming Pittsfield

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper, center, gets tied up by Pittsfield's Taylor Peebles, left, while Hannah Williams defends during Wednesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit in Quincy. | David Adam

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team earned a much-needed victory Wednesday night with a 55-37 decision over Pittsfield at the Pit. The Raiders rebounded 24 hours after getting thumped by crosstown rival Quincy High School 47-24. Notre Dame led 34-10 halftime and 43-19 after three quarters. Pittsfield (10-11) rebounded with a strong fourth quarter,…

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One off the checklist: Blue Devils lead wire to wire in victory over cross-town rival Raiders

Quincy High School's Leah Chevalier reaches back to grab a rebound during Tuesday night's girls basketball game against Quincy Notre Dame at the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — How well is the Quincy High School girls basketball team playing at the moment? “I think we’re probably playing the best ball we have all season right now,” senior center Taylor Fohey said following Tuesday night’s 47-24 victory over rival Quincy Notre Dame at The Pit. It would be difficult to dispute Fohey’s…

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Photo Gallery: Fohey, Brown combine for 31 points, 17 rebounds for QHS girls

Quincy High School's Laila Dade, right, drives to the basket while Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, left, defends during Tuesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam

The Quincy High School girls basketball team, ranked No. 8 in Class 4A, led wire-to-wire in a 47-24 victory on Tuesday night at the Pit. The Blue Devils held Quincy Notre Dame, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, to its lowest offensive output in 97 games, dating to late in the 2020-21 season when the…

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Blass sparks fourth-quarter comeback as QU women erase 10-point deficit to win on road

Mikayla Huffine | MRN File Photo

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Trailing by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, the Quincy University women’s basketball team outscored Southwest Baptist 22-4 during the final 10 minutes and won 72-65 on Saturday afternoon at the Meyer Sports Center in a Great Lakes Valley Conference game. The victory keeps the Hawks (7-12, 6-7 in the GLVC) in…

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Blue Devils shoot 68 percent from field, win impressively in battle of state-ranked conference foes

Quincy's Jada Brown goes up for a shot while Galesburg's Syriah Boyd tries to defend during Thursday night's girls basketball game at the QHS gymnasium. | David Adam

QUINCY — It isn’t supposed to look that easy. The inside scoring of Jada Brown … the perimeter shooting of Myley Longcor … the post passing from the perimeter … the defensive pressure on Galesburg’s guards … it all came together on Thursday night in a masterful performance. A game between two state-ranked girls basketball…

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Pieper helps QND girls pull away in second half to defeat South Shelby

Tristan Pieper, shown in a game earlier this season against Highland (Ill.), scored 16 points on Thursday night against South Shelby. | MRN File photo

SHELBINA, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team held South Shelby to just 16 points in the second half in posting a 53-40 victory on Thursday night. The Raiders led 27-24 at halftime, and they made a concerted effort to get the ball inside to Tristan Pieper. She scored eight of her game-high…

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Photo Gallery: Freshman Brown contributes 28 points, nine rebounds in victory over Silver Streaks

Quincy's Leah Chevalier, right, dribbles to the baseline while Galesburg's Kiarra Kilgore defends. | David Adam

QUINCY — Freshman Jada Brown scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help the Quincy High School girls basketball team defeat Galesburg 62-43 in a Western Big Six Conference game Thursday night at the QHS gymnasium. The Silver Streaks led 2-0, and the Blue Devils quickly grabbed the lead and never relinquished it. MRN…

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QHS girls stay at No. 8 in Class 4A poll, while QND girls move up one spot to No. 3 in Class 3A

Quincy Notre Dame's Eric Orne talks to his team during a timeout in a game at John Wood Community College in December. | Muddy River News file photo by Addi Sanger

Here are the girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (7) 27-0 106 1 2. Alton (3) 24-1 92 T2 3. Bolingbrook (1) 20-2 88 T2 4. Maine South 22-1 75 4 5. Nazareth 18-3 61 5 6. Normal…

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Monroe City’s turnaround continues with victory over Canton in tourney title game

Monroe City's Maridith Gares puts up a free-throw attempt during Saturday night's championship game of the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Maridith Gares knows exactly when the Monroe City girls basketball team’s season did an about-face. “We had just lost by 20 points to Elsberry, and we all knew something had to change,” the 5-foot-7 senior guard said. And it most certainly has. More proof of that tcame Saturday night when Monroe City…

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Panthers pluck Ducks with overwhelming first quarter to win ninth straight game

Central-Southeastern's Lauren Miller scored 26 points in guiding the Panthers to a 59-40 victory over Havana on Thursday night in Camp Point, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Havana girls basketball coach Michelle Brady cut right to the chase. “We got our teeth kicked in,” Brady said without one bit of hesitation at the onset of her postgame assessment. Brady’s remark came moments following state-ranked Central-Southeastern’s 59-40 victory on a Thursday night when the outcome was all but decided…

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Shutting out Chargers in second quarter propels state-ranked Raiders to victory

Quincy Notre Dame guard Sage Stratton scored 16 points in Thursday night's victory over Illini West in Carthage, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — A slow start didn’t translate to a sluggish finish for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. Defense turned everything around. Trailing Illini West 9-7 at the end of the first quarter Thursday night, the state-ranked Raiders shut out the Chargers in the second quarter, then scored 23 points in the third…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QHS up two spots in Class 4A, QND and Central-Southeastern remain in poll

The Quincy High School girls basketball team moved up to No. 8 in this week's Associated Press Class 4A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (5) 22-0 75 1 2. Alton (2) 21-1 67 3 (tie) Bolingbrook (1) 18-2 67 5 4. Maine South 20-1 42 2 5. Nazareth 15-3 38 6 6.…

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State-ranked Palmyra girls roll in opening round of Tony Lenzini Tournament

Palmyra guard Alaina Loman handles the ball during Monday night's game against Van-Far in the opening round of the Tony Lenzini Tournament in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The target on their backs isn’t bothering the Palmyra girls basketball players. Ranked fifth in the latest Class 3 state poll and seeded No. 1 for the 81st Tony Lenzini Tournament, the Panthers outscored Van-Far 24-1 in the second quarter Monday night and cruised to a 69-37 victory in the opening round…

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Unrelenting defensive effort carries QHS girls basketball team to WB6 victory over Rocky

Quincy High School guard Leah Chevalier, left, looks to throw a pass to the post during Thursday night's game against Rock Island at the QHS gym. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team put a disappointing loss behind it. Another dynamic defensive effort helped do that. Rock Island made just one field goal in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym, trailed by as many as 14 points early and couldn’t…

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Lantz, Panthers take control early in dispatching Chargers to finish CSE Classic pool play undefeated

Central-Southeastern senior guard Brilyn Lantz scored 19 points in Thursday's victory over Illini West in the CSE Classic in Camp Point, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Brilyn Lantz preferred to look at the big picture following the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s 48-38 victory over Illini West. Sure, she posted team highs of 19 points and five rebounds Thursday night during the final game of pool play in the 31st CSE Classic, but she was most concerned with…

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Prairie State Profile: Robinson gives Bombers leadership, confidence heading into new year

Macomb junior guard Kylie Robinson led the Bombers to a fifth-place finish at the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic and was named to the all-tournament team. | Submitted photo

MACOMB, Ill. — As challenging as 2023 seemed to be at times for Kylie Robinson and the Macomb girls basketball team, the year ended with the right springboard to brighter days. The Bombers finished fifth in the 41st Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, winning four of five games over a four-day span the week between Christmas…

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Illinois girls state basketball rankings: QND slides up to No. 3, QHS and CSE remain in top 10s

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team moved up to No. 3 in the Class 3A state poll this week. | Addi Zanger photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (2) 18-0 45 1 2. Maine South 20-0 44 3 3. Alton (3) 15-0 40 2 4. Normal Community 18-2 23 4 5. Bolingbrook 14-2 22 5 6.…

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Unable to score in overtime, Blue Devils suffer loss in Sophie Cunningham Classic

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

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team had its chances. Forced to go to overtime against Columbia Battle in Sunday’s Sophie Cunningham Classic, the state-ranked Blue Devils failed to score on all five possessions in the extra period and suffered a 42-38 loss at Columbia College’s Southwell Gymnasium. The Spartans outscored the…

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Koerkenmeier’s last-second field goal gives Mater Dei edge in rematch with QND girls

Quincy Notre Dame guard Sage Stratton looks to drive to the basket during Saturday's game against Breese Mater Dei in the Breese Central PAWS Shootout in Breese, Ill. | Photo courtesy Jeremy Chawgo

BREESE, Ill. — On the final possession of regulation in Saturday afternoon’s state tournament rematch, the Breese Mater Dei girls basketball team adapted Wee Willie Keeler’s most famous quote to suit its needs. Instead of “hit ‘em where they ain’t,” as the National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee is credited with saying, the Knights decided…

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Turnovers, struggles engaging offensively cost Palmyra girls chance to win Highland tourney title

Palmyra forward Candra King looks for room to attack the basket between two Keokuk defenders during Saturday's championship game of the Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Addi Zanger photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The numbers don’t lie. “This was not our best game,” said Palmyra girls basketball coach Kelsey Stuart, shaking her head Saturday evening as she dissected a 48-40 loss to Keokuk in the finals of the 52nd Highland Tournament. The state-ranked Panthers, who saw a four-game win streak come to an end, turned…

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Locking down defensively allows Blue Devils to kickstart 2024 with WB6 victory

Quincy High School's Bri Lannerd, left, goes up for a shot while Moline's Taleah Tirrell goes for the block during Thursday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — Taylor Fohey’s reaction spoke volumes. “Really?” she said with wide eyes and an I-didn’t-know-that expression when told the Quincy High School girls basketball team didn’t allow Moline to score a field goal in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game. “Honestly, I don’t think too much about what we’re…

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Illinois girls state basketball rankings: QHS, QND, Central-Southeastern all in respective top 10s

The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team is one of three area teams to be ranked in the Associated Press state polls. | David Adam photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous rank. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (3) 18-0 62 2 2. Alton (3) 15-0 58 3 3. Maine South (1) 18-0 52 7 4. Normal Community 17-1 42 8 5. Bolingbrook…

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‘I knew we weren’t going to give up’: Central-Southeastern overcomes 16-point deficit to repeat as State Farm Holiday Classic champs

Members of the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team celebrate after receiving the gold ball trophy for winning the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic in the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team is becoming pretty good at playing from behind. Eleven days ago, the Panthers trailed Quincy Notre Dame 27-2 but had two chances to win the game in a 35-31 loss. Twenty-four hours before playing in the small school girls bracket championship at the State Farm Holiday Classic,…

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Photo Gallery: CSE captures third gold ball in school history

Central-Southeastern's Brilyn Lantz looks at the official after battling Galena's Nevaeh Hauber for a loose ball during Saturday afternoon's championship game in the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to hand Galena its first loss in a 45-40 victory in the championship game in the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the action from the game.

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