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

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

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

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Connection to JWCC coaching staff makes for logical transition for Panthers’ Peters

Central-Southeastern senior guard Karly Peters, who has committed to play at John Wood Community College next season, leads the Panthers into this week's State Farm Holiday Classic as the defending champion in the small school girls bracket. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Shots fall to allow Raiders to run away from top-ranked opponent, cap challenging week with victory

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ellie Bozarth attacks the rim while being defending by Cairo (Mo.) Northeast's Avery Brumley, left, during Saturday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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,…

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Blue Devils secure 200th victory of Dance’s coaching career by dominating Pirates

The Quincy High School girls basketball players celebrate coach brad Dance's 200th career victory at the end of Saturday's 55-29 victory over Boonville (Mo.) in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College. | Addi Zanger photo

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,…

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Aggressive play from Climer results in double-double and key plays in victory over Palmyra

West Hancock girls basketball coach Jerry Jerome talks with his team during a timeout during Saturday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Scenes from final day of 17th Rumble on the River at JWCC

North Shelby guard Jay Miles passes the ball before getting trapped by Liberty's Reed Sparrow, left, and Jack Sparrow during Saturday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Scoreboard, 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…

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Raiders unable to make shots fall, so they rely on defense to rumble past Pirates

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler, right, pressures Boonville's Lillian Newham during Friday night's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Blue Devils find nice rhythm offensively, answer every one of Bearcats’ challenges

Quincy High School sophomore guard Myley Longcor sizes up the Hermann (Mo.) defense during the second half of Friday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Palmyra’s James showcases growing confidence by knocking down six 3-pointers in victory

Palmyra sophomore guard Anna James examines her options on offense during the second half of Friday's game against Mendon Unity in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Area 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,…

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Strong second half defensively gets Blue Devils back to .500 mark in conference play

Quincy High School sophomore guard Cameron Byquist applies defensive pressure to United Township's Reemaz Adam during Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Central-Southeastern’s defense swallows up Clopton, sets stage for run at Christmas tourney title

Central-Southeastern's Lexi Niekmap, right, pressures Clopton's Charleigh Spoonster during Thursday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Monroe City girls take advantage of being able to switch defensive assignments in shutting down Higbee

Monroe City's Cahlin Chapman gets fouled on her way to the basket during Thursday night's game against Higbee (Mo.) in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Scenes from Thursday’s action during Rumble on the River at JWCC

Monroe City guard Marty Smyser III, right, gets pressured by Troy Buchanan's Tyler Gray during Thursday night's game in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Hannibal boys, girls suffer losses to Mexico at Korf Gym

Hannibal senior Mariah Mayfield puts up a shot during Thursday night's game against Mexico at Korf Gym in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

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…

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Raiders go on tide-turning run to erase slow start and rumble to victory over Trojans

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, left, and Jenna Durst, right, battle Troy Buchanan's Miley Twellman during Wednesday's game in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Hornets apply consistent, constant pressure while rolling past Indians for Rumble on the River victory

Brown County's Maggi Henry puts up a shot while in traffic in the lane during Wednesday night's game against Van-Far in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: QND, Brown County girls basketball teams pick up Rumble on the River victories

Brown County sophomore Kenzie Kassing pulls down a rebound during the second half of Wednesday's victory over Van-Far in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND only area team remaining in top 10

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Tristan Pieper and the Raiders are ranked No. 6 in Class 3A in the latest Associated Press state basketball polls.

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.…

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Pieper’s presence looms large as Raiders fend off Panthers in second half

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper puts up a free throw during Tuesday night's game against Palmyra in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Mustangs ride hustle, defense to seventh straight victory by outrunning Hornets

Mendon Unity's Morgan Arnsman catches the ball on the block before making an offensive move during Tuesday night's victory over Atlanta (Mo.) in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Mustangs sweep Hornets on second night of Rumble on the River

Mendon Unity girls basketball coach Cole Thompson, sporting a festive holiday look, talks to his players before the opening tip of Tuesday night's game against Atlanta (Mo.) in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: QND, Palmyra split basketball doubleheader in Flower City

Quincy Notre Dame guard Sage Stratton directs the offense during Tuesday night's game against Palmyra in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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:

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Area 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…

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Panthers rumble to victory behind Youngblood’s interior dominance, defensive pressure

Monroe City's Audri Youngblood shoots over a Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame defender during Monday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Monroe City cruises to victory in opening game of Rumble on the River

Monroe City junior guard Naaron Hays drives to the basket during the first half of Monday's game against Burlington Notre Dame in the Rumble at the River at the John Wood Community College Student Activity Center in Quincy. | Shane Hulsey photo

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:

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Area 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…

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Carthage eighth graders to play for state title, Nauvoo-Colusa in third-place game

The Carthage eighth grade girls basketball team will play for a state championship Thursday night at Havana Junior High School against Illiini Bluffs. | Submitted photo

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,…

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Missouri Basketball Coaches Association state prep polls make season debut

The South Shelby girls basketball team is ranked No. 5 in the Class 3 state poll following its overtime victory over No. 10 Palmyra in the championship game of the Monroe City Tournament. | Shane Hulsey photo

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

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McWilliams’ free throw lifts South Shelby girls past Palmyra in OT in tournament title tilt

South Shelby guard Callie McWilliams drives toward the middle of the floor during Saturday night's 100th Monroe City Tournament championship game against Palmyra in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Monroe City boys, South Shelby girls win tournament championships

The Monroe City boys basketball players celebrate their 51-47 overtime victory against Palmyra in the championship game of the Monroe City Tournament with the student body, which stormed the court after the game. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Area 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…

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‘It’s pretty crazy’: Norm Stewart Classic provides full circle moment for Hannibal’s Gaines

Hannibal girls basketball coach Shawn Gaines talks to his team during a timeout during Friday's game against Rock Bridge in the Norm Stewart Classic at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Photo courtesy Norm Stewart Classic

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.…

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Area 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,…

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Brown County seventh graders rally to win IESA girls basketball state championship

The Brown County seventh grade girls basketball team celebrates its victory over Spring Valley Kennedy in the Class 7-2A state championship game Thursday night in Riverton, Ill. | Submitted photo

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…

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Raiders take wind out of Cyclones’ offense throughout first half in earning road victory

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Jenna Durst was one of three Raiders to score nine points in leading the offense during Thursday's 47-27 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in Springfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Area 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…

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Panthers survive Cougars’ fourth-quarter rally, will play for Monroe City Tournament championship

Palmyra senior point guard Clare Williams celebrates with her team after the Panthers' 48-43 victory over Highland in the 100th Monroe City Tournament semifinals on Wednesday night in Monroe City, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND moves to No. 5, CSE up one spot to No. 8

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team moved from No. 8 to No. 5 in this week's Class 3A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Sluggish start, stellar finish defensively enables Blue Devils to dispatch Bombers

Quincy High School freshman guard Khloe Nicholson finished with eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and six blocked shots in Wednesday's victory over Macomb at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Monroe City boys, Palmyra girls advance to tourney title games

Monroe City senior guard Trey Smyser shoots a jumper over Marion County senior guard Joey Lagemann during Wednesday's Monroe City Tournament semifinal game at Monroe City High School. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Area 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…

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‘Let’s just bury them’: Third-quarter blitz carries Raiders to lopsided victory over Cardinals

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler, left, runs the offense while being pressured by Pleasant Plains' Bailey Leach during Tuesday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

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:…

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Photo gallery: QND girls basketball team nearly pitches second-half shutout

Quincy Notre Dame's Marie Eversman sets herself to go up with a shot from the right block during the first half of Tuesday night's game against Pleasant Plains at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

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:

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Area 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…

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CSE raises aggressiveness, intensity in third quarter to meet its standard in win over Illini West

Central-Southeastern senior guards Lauren Miller, left, and Karly Peters apply pressure to Illini West junior Lanie Housewright during Monday's game at Central High School in Camp Point, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

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,…

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Photo gallery: CSE girls basketball team pulls away in victory over Illini West

Central-Southeastern's Kayli Bockhold chases down a loose ball during Monday night's game against Illini West in Camp Point, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

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:

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Area 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…

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Century of memories: Monroe City celebrates 100-year milestone for basketball invitational

Monroe City boys basketball coach Brock Edris will lead the Panthers in pursuit of their 26th championship in the 100-year history of the Monroe City Tournament beginning Monday in Monroe City, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Last-second shot doesn’t fall, but struggles throughout fourth quarter doom Blue Devils

Quincy High School sophomore guard Cameron Byquist goes in for a layup during the first half of Saturday's game against Sterling at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Area 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…

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Palmyra’s dynamic duo is too much for Canton to overcome

Palmyra senior Sydney Compton shoots a jumper over Canton's Brenna Brewer during the second half of the Panthers' 54-49 victory over the Tigers on Friday in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Palmyra sweeps Canton in pair of tight battles on hardwood

Palmyra senior Sydney Compton sets up a driving attempt during the second half of the Panthers' 54-49 victory over Canton on Friday in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Area 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…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND, Central-Southeastern crack top 10

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team is tied for eighth in the first Class 3A state poll of the season. | Addi Zanger photo

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.…

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Area 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…

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Sounds of silence: Panthers regain proper mentality following tourney loss, steamroll Hornets

Central-Southeastern's Luaren Miller applies pressure to Brown County's Kenzie Kassing during Monday's girls basketball game in Mt. Sterling, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

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…

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Area 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…

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Photo gallery: Rivals square off on hardwood as Brown County boys, Central-Southeastern girls win

Camp Point Central's Elijah Genenbacher, right, tries to throw a pass around Brown County's Jackson McNeff during Monday night's game in Mt. Sterling, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

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:

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Blistering start enables QND girls basketball team to roll past Carrollton, remain undefeated

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, right, defends Carrollton's Harper Darr during Saturday's QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tournament game at The Pit. | Addi Zanger photo

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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Shifting gears: Raiders ratchet up intensity in second half to put away Warriors in home debut

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler sets up the offense during Friday night's game against Calhoun in the QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tournament at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s energy was far from coach Eric Orne’s liking in the first 16 minutes of the Raiders’ home opener against Hardin Calhoun on Friday. “We weren’t playing Lady Raider basketball in the first half, just sluggish, a lot of standing around,” Orne said. “I thought with our…

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Photo gallery: Raiders sweep first night of QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tourney

Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Greg Altmix gives instructions in a huddle during Friday night's season debut against McCluer (Mo.) at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys and girls basketball teams made it a successful home debut Friday night at The Pit. The QND boys beat McCluer (Mo.) 65-40 in Greg Altmix’s first game as head coach, while the QND girls ran away from Calhoun 62-32 in the QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tourney. Muddy River Sports…

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Area scoreboard for Wednesday, Nov. 27

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Nov. 27: Boys basketball Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament Pittsfield 55, Camp Point Central 38 Liberty 55, Petersburg PORTA 47 Beardstown Tournament Brown County 77, Griggsville-Perry JV 26 Southeastern 49, Beardstown 45 Spartan Tip-Off Tournament Illini West 39, Bushnell-Prairie City 15 Illini Bluffs 48, Macomb…

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Brown, Blue Devils put together can’t-miss effort in opening WB6 play by crushing Rocks

Quincy High School sophomore forward Jada Brown, right, attacks the Rock Island defense during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — For nearly 28 minutes of game time, Jada Brown could not miss. The Quincy High School sophomore forward scored the Blue Devils’ first nine points, made her first 12 shots and poured in 31 points in the Blue Devils’ 64-42 victory over Rock Island in Tuesday’s Western Big 6 Conference opener at the…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team opens WB6 play against Rock Island

Quincy High School sophomore Cameron Byquist runs the offense during the second half of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball players are finding the comforts of home much to their liking. The Blue Devils beat Rock Island 64-42 Tuesday night in their Western Big 6 Conference opener and improved to 2-0 at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this…

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Area scoreboard for Tuesday, Nov. 26

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Nov. 26: Boys basketball Bowling Green 61, Hannibal 56 Canton 56, Knox County 26 Monroe City 59, Moberly 45 Mark Twain 49, Paris 46 Kirksville 59, Highland 22 Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament Camp Point Central 33, Western 21 Petersburg PORTA 59, Payson Seymour 50…

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Area scoreboard for Monday, Nov. 25

QUINCY — Here are the local scores from Monday, November 25: Boys basketball Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament Liberty 56, Payson Seymour 47 Pittsfield 49, Western 36 Beardstown Tournament Mendon Unity 76, Hartsburg-Emden 40 Spartan Tip-Off Tournament Illini West 51, West Prairie 22 Macomb 54, Bushnell-Prairie City 23 Girls basketball Hannibal 73, Bowling Green 14 Brown County…

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Countdown to tipoff: Raiders finding competitive edge to carry them through Class 3A postseason

Quincy Notre Dame junior point guard Ari Buehler, left, and veteran coach Eric Orne hope to lead the Raiders on a deep postseason run in Class 3A this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the QND girls basketball team is brought to you by: QUINCY — The smallest spark can light a fire inside Sage Stratton. “It’s easy to make me mad and make me not really like you,” Stratton said. “I try to find something not to like and that motivates me.” It’s not necessarily a…

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Area scoreboard for Saturday, November 23

Quincy High School guard Myley Longcor deals with the pressure from an Edwardsville defender during Saturday's game in the Southern Illinois Shootout in O'Fallon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Matt Kamp, Edwardsville Intelligencer

QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scores from Saturday, November 23: Girls basketball Southern Illinois Shootout Edwardsville 42, Quincy High School 29 Pana Turkey Tournament Central-Southeastern 61, Mattoon 22 Central-Southeastern 76, Pana 35 Brown County Lady Hornet Classic West Hancock 40, Rushville-Industry 37 Brown County 61, Payson Seymour 23 Beardstown 54, Mendon…

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Split decision for Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams on opening night

Palmyra senior forward Mason Smith scores on a reverse layup during Friday night's game against Clopton in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra boys basketball team showed its depth and firepower in Friday night’s season-opening 74-58 victory over Clopton. Sophomore guard Hudson Bock scored a game-high 22 points, while senior forward Mason Smith scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half in his Palmyra debut. The Panthers got to the free-throw…

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Energetic and efficient, Blue Devils open season by deflating Crimsons with defense

Quincy High School's Khloe Nicholson, right, knocks the ball away from Jacksonville's Chloe Kuhn during Tuesday night's season openr at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — At the time the Quincy High School girls basketball players went into the locker room to prepare for their varsity tilt, enough of a crowd had filtered into the QHS gym for them to know it might get a little loud. When they re-emerged, the Blue Devils had to do a double-take. The…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team is dominant in winning season opener

Quincy High School's Madelyn Hamby, left, and Kate Mettemeyer share a laugh before Tuesday night's season opener against Jacksonville at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team never gave Jacksonville a chance. The Blue Devils scored the game’s first 18 points, didn’t allow a field goal for the first 12 minutes and rolled to a 62-20 victory Tuesday night at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put…

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Countdown to tipoff: Central-Southeastern’s goal is quite simple — finish season at Redbird Arena

Central-Southeastern senior Lauren Miller, who will play any spot on the floor, is hoping to lead the Panthers to the Class 2A state tournament and the opportunity to play in Redbird Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team is brought to you by: CAMP POINT, Ill. — Amidst the individual accolades and recognition, Lauren Miller has not fulfilled her ultimate quest. That goal seems well within reach for Miller and the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team. In 2023-24, Miller averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 steals and…

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Countdown to tipoff: QHS girls see unselfish play, camaraderie going hand-in-hand with success

Sophomore forward Jada Brown, left, and freshman guard Khloe Nicholson provide the Quincy High School girls basketball team with length to disrupt things defensively and score over smaller defenders at the other end of the court. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the QHS girls basketball team brought to you by: QUINCY — No one expects it to translate to vintage “Run, Devils, Run,” but the manner in which the Quincy High School girls basketball team plays defense suggests there is a chance the Blue Devils will score often in transition. A lanky, athletic roster…

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Countdown to tipoff: Hornets’ wealth of returnees, top-notch scorers will lead to success

Brown County sophomore Kenzie Kassing averaged 21.9 points per game as a freshman and is part of a lineup capable of scoring at will on almost any opponent. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the Brown County girls basketball team provided by: MT. STERLING, Ill. — Kenzie Kassing expected her scoring prowess to translate to the high school level, but 21.9 points per game on 58 percent shooting and a school-record 43 points in a game as a freshman at Brown County?  Kassing herself could not have…

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Countdown to tipoff: Compton, Williams ready to lead Palmyra in final go-around together

Palmyra senior Sydney Compton, who has signed with Quincy University, is one of two seniors on the Panthers' roster ready to lead them in pursuit of a district championship. | Mathew Kirby photo

Coverage of the Palmyra girls basketball team is brought to you by: PALMYRA, Mo. — Kelsey Stuart noticed it right away. Put Clare Williams and Sydney Compton together on a basketball court and there’s a special connection. “It’s honestly a feeling that is difficult to describe,” said Stuart, who is entering her second season as…

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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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