Posts Tagged ‘Girls basketball’
Second-ranked Raiders need time to get back in groove, roll past Chargers once they find rhythm
QUINCY — Fresh off a much-needed four-day break following an 11-day gauntlet that saw it face five state-ranked teams, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team was eager to get off to a good start Thursday night against Illini West. A little too eager, as it turned out. “We didn’t start out the best,” admitted…
Read MoreCougars dismantle Panthers for sixth straight victory, reach title game of Lenzini Tournament
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Highland girls basketball team is on a serious roll. The Cougars’ sixth straight victory, an emphatic 50-19 throttling of Monroe City, came in Thursday night’s semifinals of the 82nd Tony Lenzini Tournament at Palmyra High School. The two clubs had met a month ago in the third-place game of the Monroe…
Read MoreSwashbuckling spot in title game: Pirates to play for Lenzini championship for first time since 1977
PALMYRA, Mo. — The last time Hannibal’s girls basketball team played in the finals of the Tony Lenzini Tournament was way back in the 1976-77 season. “I wasn’t even born yet,” current Hannibal coach Shawn Gaines was quick to point out. Hannibal’s title-game drought will end Saturday when the Pirates return to the finals for…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 22
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 22: Boys basketball Greenfield-Northwestern 56, Pittsfield 39 Tony Lenzini Invitational Palmyra 69, Van-Far 39 Highland 55, Hannibal 45 North Shelby Tournament North Shelby 70, Schuyler County 68 (OT) Marion County 67, Knox County 50 Girls basketball Mendon Unity 51, Liberty 41 Tony Lenzini Invitational Hannibal…
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND, Central-Southeastern, Brown County remain in top 10
CHICAGO — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings, as compiled by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from across the state. First-place votes are in parenthesis. Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Benet (8) 20-1 125 1 2. Lyons (4) 22-1 114 2 3. Alton (1) 20-1 93…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 21
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 21: Boys basketball Payson Seymour 45, Camp Point Central 34 Illini West 60, Liberty 47 Jacksonville Routt 50, Griggsville-Perry 36 Tony Lenzini Invitational Canton 69, Brookfield 47 Monroe City 54, Clark County 33 North Shelby Tournament South Shelby 71, la Plata 51 Scotland County 89,…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops Episode 4
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined on the Hess Auto Hotline by Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne, Payson Seymour coach Tyler Duschinsky, Moline coach Sean Taylor and West Hancock point guard Gavin Grothaus to break down the prep basketball scene for the latest episode of Muddy Night Hoops powered by…
Read MoreHornets show resilience, but inability to get over hump during comeback results in loss
CARTHAGE, Ill. — The Brown County girls basketball team could see the light at the end of the tunnel, but whenever the Hornets approached it Monday, it seemed to vanish. The Hornets only trailed by more than six points for 30 seconds in the final 10 minutes and were never down by more than eight…
Read MoreBombers make sure their energy doesn’t fizzle out, tame Mustangs with complete team effort
CARTHAGE, Ill. — There was no letdown for the Macomb girls basketball team on Monday. Instead, the effort the Bombers put forth in the Jerry Logan Shootout against Mendon Unity was what Bombers coach Jackson Kane called “as close to a complete 32 minutes as we’ve had all year.” “We were making shots, defending at…
Read MoreChargers still looking for consistency from Reed’s supporting cast after Shootout loss
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Monmouth-Roseville girls basketball coach Scott Weber knew how dangerous Reagan Reed — Illini West’s career points leader — would be. It was a matter of stopping everyone else. “Reed is going to get her points,” Weber said. “She’s a really good player who knows how to score. We knew she would get…
Read MorePanthers’ third-quarter burst provides separation in victory over No. 1-ranked Raiders
HARRISBURG, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s inability to clear the defensive glass proved costly early. The inability to get defensive stops proved costly late. Centralia (Mo.) scored the final eight points of the first quarter — all off offensive rebounds — and rattled off a 9-0 run in the third quarter,…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 18
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 18: Boys basketball Quincy High School 44, Lincoln 21 Tolono Unity 57, Quincy Notre Dame 54 Macomb 50, Monmouth-Roseville 33 Hancock County Tournament West Hancock 47, Illini West 39 Southeastern 63, West Prairie 53 Winchester Invitational Consolation Championship Payson Seymour 58, North Greene 55 Fifth-place…
Read MoreCovering the spread: QND girls switch philosophy in fourth quarter to hand South Shelby first defeat
QUINCY — Try as it might, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team couldn’t gain separation from South Shelby for the first three quarters of Friday night’s showdown between two state-ranked teams. Raiders coach Eric Orne decided he needed to change his team’s offensive approach as it nursed a six-point lead through three quarters, “We…
Read MorePalmyra girls unable to rev up after tepid pregame warmups, fall in CCC opener to Centralia
PALMYRA, Mo. — Sydney Compton had an inkling during warmups her team wasn’t prepared for the challenge that awaited. “My dad tells me all the time how we warm up is how we’re going to play,” the Palmyra forward explained. “We warmed up really slow and not having all that much energy, and that’s exactly…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 17
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 17: Boys basketball Quincy High School 56, Rock Island 44 Palmyra 72, Centralia 58 Canton 56, North Shelby 49 Wellsville-Middletown 53, Mark Twain 41 Hancock County Tournament West Hancock 96, Southeastern 40 Illini West 65, Mendon Unity 63 Winchester Invitational Brown County 54, Liberty 47…
Read MoreTop-ranked Raiders gear up for challenging weekend by controlling victory over Rockets
QUINCY — A basic geometric principle applies to basketball as well. The quickest way from Point A to Point B is a straight line. “We’re trying to keep a straight line every game,” Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler said. That means snaring the lead, applying pressure, building an advantage and emptying the bench…
Read More‘She’s put the work in’: Stratton breaks QND record for career 3-pointers during victory over Rochester
QUINCY — Sage Stratton knows the tally thanks to her teammates. A senior four-year starting guard on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, Stratton broke the program record for career 3-pointers made with her second trey of the first quarter Thursday night in a 66-31 victory over Rochester at The Pit. But did she…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND girls basketball team rolls past Rochester at The Pit
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team lived up to the ranking Thursday night. Tied with Washington as the No. 1 team in Class 3A in the latest Associated Press state poll, the Raiders rolled past Rochester 66-31 at The Pit. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 16
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 16: Boys basketball Marion County 75, Madison 16 South Shelby 64, Louisiana 49 Bowling Green 74, Mark Twain 24 Winchester Invitational Payson Seymour 59, Carrollton 48 North Greene 65, Griggsville-Perry 62 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 66, Rochester 31 Rock Island 45, Quincy High School…
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND climbs into tie for No. 1 in Class 3A
CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Benet (3) 17-1 48 1 2. Lyons (1) 19-1 43 2 3. Kenwood (1) 18-1 40 3 4. Alton…
Read MorePanthers’ rust from lengthy break doesn’t show in defensive effort in victory over Indians
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City girls basketball team may have been a bit rusty offensively on Tuesday, but their defensive effort did not skip a beat. Some timely shooting helped the Panthers’ cause, too. Playing their first game since Dec. 19, the Panthers were 18 seconds away from holding their fourth consecutive opponent…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 14
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 14: Boys basketball Quincy High School 71, Moline 56 Monroe City 66, Hannibal 49 Palmyra 70, Kirksville 65 Canton 67, Highland 43 South Shelby 66, Van-Far 34 Marion County 80, Bucklin/Macon County 46 North Shelby 60, Schuyler County 44 Hancock County Tournament Illini West 61,…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 3
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi studio by Quincy High School all-state guard Bradley Longcor III as well as on the Hess Auto Hotline by Palmyra senior forward Sydney Compton, Illini West boys basketball coach Blaize Kimmell and Canton boys basketball coach Dalton Armontrout to break…
Read MoreRaiders fend off pesky Saukees, escape with road win in battle of state-ranked teams
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Ari Buehler knew the Pittsfield girls basketball team would not go away. “They’ll fight,” said Buehler, Quincy Notre Dame’s junior point guard. “They’ll keep coming back.” So will the Raiders. “We’re not going to step down when things get hard,” Buehler said. So when the Saukees erased an 11-point third quarter deficit…
Read More‘We got up and kept working’: Even in loss, Saukees prove they belong in conversation among state’s best
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pittsfield girls basketball coach Noah Mendenhall knows one result does not define a season. But in the Saukees’ case, one game could provide a snapshot of a team’s potential. On Monday, the state-ranked Saukees rallied from a 41-30 third quarter deficit against Quincy Notre Dame, the No. 2 team Class 3A, to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Raiders, Saukees engage in one of top showdowns of season
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A matchup of state-ranked teams turned out to be a nail-biter for the second week in a row. And the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team found a way to come out on a top again. One week after beating fifth-ranked Central-Southeastern by a point, the Raiders knocked off Pittsfield, ranked ninth…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 3: Big week awaits Longcor, QHS boys basketball team
QUINCY — The top-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team heads a week that could define the Western Big 6 Conference title chase. The Blue Devils go to third-place Moline on Tuesday and play host to Rock Island on Friday. The Rocks and the Blue Devils are tied for the league lead at 5-0 and…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Jan. 13
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Jan. 13: Boys basketball Marion County 67, Wellsville 37 Hancock County Tournament Mendon Unity 70, Southeastern 56 West Hancock 74, West Prairie 25 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 54, Pittsfield 49 Central-Southeastern 72, Payson Seymour 21 Brown County 61, South Fulton 27 Macomb 56, North Fulton…
Read MoreC-SC women go overtime to defeat second-place Benedictine for eighth straight home victory
CANTON, Mo. — Avery Oetting made a 3-pointer to put the Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball team ahead for good at the start of overtime, and the Wildcats held on to defeat Benedictine (Kan.) 64-59 in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game Monday night. The victory is the eighth straight at Joe Charles Field House…
Read MoreBlue Devils look to recharge themselves following overtime loss in Sophie Cunningham Classic
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team plays only one game in the next 10 days, giving the Blue Devils a chance to recharge, refocus and recover. All are needed. Sunday’s 60-54 overtime loss to Strafford (Mo.) in the Sophie Cunningham Classic at Columbia College’s Southwell Complex marked Quincy’s third game in…
Read MoreBlue Devils overcome sluggish start as Longcor, Byquist spark rally to beat Panthers in overtime
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The moment nearly swept the Quincy High School girls basketball team away. Playing in the Sophie Cunningham Classic at Columbia College’s Southwell Complex on Saturday, the Blue Devils had the opportunity to meet Cunningham, the former Mizzou standout and current Phoenix Mercury guard, and experience what it is like to play in…
Read MoreRaiders suffer first loss of season after scoring just three second-quarter points against Cougars
BREESE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team couldn’t speed up top-ranked Breese Central the way it has so many opponents during the undefeated start to this season. That explains why the Raiders suffered their first loss Saturday. Breese Central committed just 11 turnovers, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field in a…
Read MorePower in paint enables Keokuk to outlast Palmyra for girls title at Highland Tournament
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — As the second half played out, the ending seemed inevitable. Minute by minute, possession by possession, the Keokuk girls basketball team’s commanding inside presence methodically wore down Palmyra until eventually collecting a 65-62 victory in the championship game of the 53rd Highland Tournament. Keokuk’s title was its second straight and came largely…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Keokuk sweeps championships of 53rd Highland Tournament
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The championships of the 53rd Highland Tournament are heading north of the state line. The Keokuk (Iowa) boys and girls basketball teams swept Saturday’s title games, beating Palmyra 65-62 in the girls matchup and knocking off Canton 59-52 to win the boys title. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside for…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 11: Boys basketball Quincy High School 80, Springfield 56 Hancock County Tournament Illini West 54, Southeastern 46 Mendon Unity 80, West Prairie 72 (OT) Winchester Invitational Jacksonville Routt 42, Griggsville-Perry 35 Triopia 60, Western 26 Calhoun 62, Carlinville 46 Petersburg PORTA 45, North Greene 23…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 10
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 10: Boys basketball Quincy High School 90, Rock Island Alleman 34 Payson Seymour 56, Illini West 55 Williamsville 68, West Hancock 60 Rushville-Industry 61, Southeastern 43 Highland Tournament Third-place game Palmyra 62, Kirksville 57 Girls basketball Highland Tournament Third-place game Highland 31, Canton 29
Read MorePhoto gallery: Second-ranked QND overwhelms Beardstown with defensive intensity
QUINCY — There was no hangover from a showdown. Two days after playing state-ranked Central-Southeastern in arguably one of the most physical and intense games of the season and earning a 37-36 victory, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team showed no signs of letting down. The Raiders, ranked second in Class 3A, held Beardstown…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Thursday, Jan. 9: Boys basketball Brown County 63, Rushville-Industry 58 Triopia 75, Pleasant Hill 71 Calhoun 59, Payson Seymour 42 Cairo 59, South Shelby 56 Highland Tournament Canton 66, Palmyra 52 Girls basketball Quincy Notre Dame 73, Beardstown 11 Quincy High School 61, Moline 58 Pittsfield 69,…
Read MorePalmyra overcomes first-half deficit, pulls away from Canton to earn spot in tourney title tilt
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The rematch is set. The top-seeded Palmyra girls basketball team set up a showdown with third-seeded Keokuk (Iowa) in the finals of the 53rd Highland Tournament by beating Canton 57-34 in Wednesday night’s semifinals, giving the Panthers a chance to avenge last year’s title loss. Keokuk beat Palmyra 48-40 in the championship…
Read MoreChiefs feeling right at home at Highland Tournament, upend Cougars in semifinals
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Matt McGhghy is learning to enjoy that 45-mile commute. The second-year Keokuk (Iowa) girls basketball coach has brought his team to the Highland Tournament for the past two seasons and has yet to taste defeat. Third-seeded Keokuk’s latest victory came in Wednesday night’s 54-44 semifinal conquest of second-seeded Highland. That victory sets…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Wednesday, Jan. 8: Boys basketball West Hancock 69, Mercer County 31 Liberty 78, Mendon Unity 76 Griggsville-Perry 39, North Greene 31 Girls basketball Illini West 47, Mendon Unity 40 South Shelby 78, Meadville 22 Highland Tournament Palmyra 54, Canton 34 Keokuk 54, Highland 44 Men’s basketball Central…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Palmyra, Keokuk girls win Highland Tournament semifinals
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The Palmyra and Keokuk girls basketball teams set up a championship rematch by winning their semifinals of the 53rd Highland Tournament on Wednesday night. Muddy River Sports Photographer Addi Zanger was there and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND climbs to No. 2, CSE moves in at No. 5 and Pittsfield at No. 9
CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press girls basketball state rankings as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Benet (4) (15-1) 72 2 2. Lyons (2) (16-1) 68 1 3. Kenwood (1) (16-1) 64 3 4. Alton (1) (16-1) 53…
Read More‘I just kind of had my fingers crossed’: QND outlasts CSE as showdown comes down to final shot
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Karly Peters diplomatically handled the question of whether Tristan Pieper fouled her. “I don’t know,” said Peters, a senior guard on the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team. “I mean, I think so, but it doesn’t really matter now.” With Quincy Notre Dame leading CSE 37-34 and three seconds left in Tuesday’s West…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Battle of state-ranked foes lives up to hype as QND, CSE go head-to-head
CAMP POINT, Ill. — A battle of state-ranked teams unfolded the way you might expect — no breathing room for either. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, ranked sixth in Class 3A, outlasted Central-Southeastern, receiving votes in the Class 2A poll, 37-36 Tuesday night in Central’s North Gym. Muddy River Sports Photographer Addi Zanger…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 7
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Jan. 7: Boys basketball West Hancock 64, Beardstown 19 Illini West 54, Western 31 Macomb 60, Mercer County 31 Pleasant Plains 54, Pittsfield 30 Greenfield-Northwestern 66, Brown County 52 Highland Tournament Canton 56, Clark County 42 Kirksville 72, Highland 34 Keokuk 60, Macon 20 Girls basketball…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 2
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined by five guests on the Hess Auto Hotline — Quincy Notre Dame boys coach Greg Altmix, Monroe City boys coach Brock Edris, Quincy High School senior forward Kate Mettemeyer, Breese Journal Sports Editor Jeremy Chawgo and Hannibal girls coach Shawn Gaines — to break down…
Read MoreBalancing act: Jaco does her best at being both mom to newborn and coach to Highland girls
LEWISTOWN, Mo. — The 24-hour period from when Ashton Jaco woke up on Nov. 30 through the morning of Dec. 1 was possibly the most eventful and memorable of her life. The Highland girls basketball coach guided the Cougars to a 55-31 victory over Belleville Althoff in Quincy on Nov. 30, although she hadn’t expected…
Read MoreCSE opens floor with 3-point barrage, exacts revenge on Mater Dei with victory
BREESE, Ill. — How do you combat a 6-foot-6 presence looming in the middle of the lane who is 8 inches taller than anyone else on the court? Bury enough 3-pointers to make her wingspan inconsequential. That’s exactly what the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team did Saturday afternoon. The Panthers made six 3-pointers in the first…
Read MoreStart to finish, Blue Devils maintain command in first victory of new year
QUINCY — Mark this victory down as comfortably easy. The Quincy High School girls basketball team’s 63-42 victory over Springfield Southeast did not quite qualify as a blowout, but neither was it a nailbiter. “It felt a lot closer than a 21-point game, but at several points it seemed like we were going to blow…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Jan. 4: Boys basketball Jacksonville Routt 69, Payson Seymour 60 Griggsville-Perry 55, Illini West 43 Highland Shootout St. Louis Vashon 59, Quincy High School 56 Carl Sandburg Shootout West Hancock 57, Sherrard 47 Girls basketball Quincy High School 63, Springfield Southeast 42 Quincy Notre Dame 58,…
Read MoreRaiders set appropriate tone for new year by dispatching Mustangs in WCC matchup
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s mission on Friday was simple — set the tone, not only for their West Central Conference game against Mendon Unity, but for the new calendar year and the grueling schedule that lies ahead. The Raiders did just that in dispatching the Mustangs 67-20. “You can’t be…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Jan. 3
QUINCY — Here is a look at the area scoreboard from Friday, Jan. 3: Boys basketball Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Mendon Unity 62, Griggsville-Perry 61 Calhoun 70, Brown County 55 South Shelby 73, North Shelby 60 Palmyra 60, Elsberry 52 Canton 68, Schuyler County 41 Clopton 73, Highland 26 Girls basketball…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops, Episode 1
QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman is joined in the Refreshment Services Pepsi Studio by Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas and Brown County boys basketball coach Jeff Bottorff for the debut episode of Muddy Night Hoops powered by Farm & Home Supply.
Read MorePanthers complete three-peat by winning another State Farm Holiday Classic championship
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — When Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long burned a timeout 2 minutes, 13 seconds into the second half Monday, his players fully understood why. “We had some dumb turnovers and silly decisions,” senior forward Lauren Miller said. A 14-point halftime advantage had been sliced in half as Bloomington Central Catholic opened the…
Read MoreSaukees keep undefeated record intact after historic title run at Lady Tiger Classic
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — For the first 41 years of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, the Pittsfield girls basketball team had never so much as reached the championship game. Now, in the 42nd edition, the Saukees have a tournament title to their name, and they will ring in the new year with a zero still in…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic closes with Pittsfield winning championship
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Pittsfield girls basketball team won the championship of the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic for the first time in the 42-year history of the event, beating West Hancock 53-40 Monday night to complete a four-game run through the tourney field. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was on site for the title…
Read MoreCSE one victory from third straight title, but Long hopes more difficult schedule has team ready for postseason
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Sure, winning a third consecutive championship at the State Farm Holiday Classic would be nice. The top-seeded Central-Southeastern girls basketball team received celebratory hugs and pats on the back after Saturday night’s 56-42 victory over Paris in the semifinals of the small school girls bracket. The Panthers earned a spot in Monday’s…
Read MorePinpoint passing leads to sharp shooting as QHS girls wrap up Classic with impressive victory
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The first three quarters of Saturday afternoon’s game at the Shirk Center in the State Farm Holiday Classic showed just how good the Quincy High School girls basketball team can be. One moment halfway through the fourth quarter showed how fragile that success is. The Blue Devils posted a 61-42 victory over…
Read MoreTitans take out another top seed, set up title game showdown with undefeated Saukees
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Pittsfield girls basketball team better be aware of what West Hancock is doing. The Titans are chopping seeded opponents down to size. West Hancock, seeded 10th in the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, upended a higher seeded opponent for the third straight game Saturday night, knocking off sixth-seeded Carrollton 48-47 in overtime…
Read MoreAnother game, another rout for CSE in bid to repeat as State Farm Holiday Classic champs
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The play actually proved to be meaningless … which is why it was emblematic as well. The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team already had built a 30-point lead late in the third quarter Friday night and was on its way to a 56-25 victory over Winnebago in a quarterfinal game in the small…
Read MoreSaukees, Hornets to collide in semifinals at Beardstown, while Titans stay in title chase
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Some of the area’s top underclass talent will go head-to-head Saturday with a berth in the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic championship game on the line. But don’t count out the old guard from having a say in which team advances. The top-seeded Pittsfield girls basketball team reached the semifinals with a 58-45…
Read MoreWolfpack’s perimeter shooting holds Blue Devils at bay in quarterfinal loss in Bloomington
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — No matter what the Quincy High School girls basketball team did, Chicago St. Ignatius always had an answer. Typically, it was in the form of a 3-pointer. Sally Kennedy’s 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer Friday night gave the Wolfpack a four-point halftime edge, while Reganne Reardon bookended a tide-turning 10-2 run in…
Read MoreSecond-half comeback by Lady Birds highlights solid efforts by area teams at Moberly Shootout
MOBERLY, Mo. — The state-ranked South Shelby and Highland girls basketball teams put the strength of the Clarence Cannon Conference on display Saturday. Trailing by 12 points at halftime, the Lady Birds rallied for a 52-44 victory over California in the Peak Sport and Spine Holiday Shootout at Moberly Area Community College. Callie McWilliams scored…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops ready to debut Dec. 30 with smorgasbord of prep basketball talk
QUINCY — The debut episode Muddy Night Hoops, powered by Farm & Home Supply, is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 30 live from the Refreshment Services Pepsi studio in downtown Quincy.
Read MoreBlue Devils clamp down defensively in third quarter to separate themselves from Tigers
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — If the State Farm Holiday Classic organizing committee had chosen to incorporate the shot clock for this year’s tournament, the Quincy High School girls basketball team’s nine-point halftime lead Thursday night could have been substantially more. “I bet we force another four or five turnovers,” QHS coach Brad Dance said. “Our defense…
Read MoreHoliday Tournament Scoreboard: Schedules and scores for area teams
QUINCY — Here are the schedules and scores from holiday boys and girls basketball tournaments involving area teams: Boys Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic At Collinsville, Ill. Friday, Dec. 27 At Vergil Fletcher Gym Game 1 — Troy Triad 45, Decatur Eisenhower 29 Game 2 — Belleville Althoff 71, Rockford East 53 Game 3 —…
Read MoreConnection to JWCC coaching staff makes for logical transition for Panthers’ Peters
CAMP POINT, Ill. — It was a no-brainer for Karly Peters. The same goes for Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger. When Schwagmeyer-Belger was hired as the head coach of the John Wood Community College women’s basketball team in June, Peters’ decision on where to play college basketball became much easier. “I knew right when she got the job…
Read MoreMuddy Night Hoops — 90-minute live talk show dedicated to prep basketball — will debut Dec. 30
QUINCY — Let’s talk basketball. That’s our plan. Muddy Night Hoops, powered by Farm & Home Supply, will debut Dec. 30, bringing you a 90-minute live talk show dedicated to high school boys and girls basketball that will be streamed on Muddy River Sports and its social media platforms. The show will air from 8-9:30…
Read MoreShots fall to allow Raiders to run away from top-ranked opponent, cap challenging week with victory
QUINCY — When Sage Stratton’s transition layup attempt rolled off the rim on the first possession of Saturday’s game, the best thing the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players could do was laugh it off. When Tristan Pieper’s shot from the block on the next possession missed the mark, there was a collective “Oh, no,…
Read MoreBlue Devils secure 200th victory of Dance’s coaching career by dominating Pirates
QUINCY — Brad Dance is a proven success as a girls basketball coach. As a math wiz, however, Dance may need to sharpen his skills. Moments after his Quincy High School team had dominated Boonville 55-29 on Saturday during the final day of the week-long 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College,…
Read MoreAggressive play from Climer results in double-double and key plays in victory over Palmyra
QUINCY — Jadyn Climer barely had to pause when asked about her style of play. “Aggression is my thing,” she said. The 6-foot-1 West Hancock junior backed up those words — rather emphatically — Saturday night during the Titans’ 53-46 girls basketball victory at John Wood Community College. Climer scored 18 points and secured 17…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from final day of 17th Rumble on the River at JWCC
QUINCY — A competitive week that brought the best in small-school basketball from West-Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri wrapped up Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The 17th Rumble on the River was a bonafide success, especially with teams walking out of the gym saying they will be back next year. Muddy…
Read MoreScoreboard, schedule for 17th Rumble on the River
QUINCY — Here are the scores and schedule for the 17th Rumble on the River, taking place at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center: Monday, Dec. 16 Monroe City girls 56, Burlington Notre Dame 22 Tuesday, Dec. 17 Mendon Unity girls 54, Atlanta 22 Mendon Unity boys 62, Atlanta 54 Wednesday, Dec. 18 Brown…
Read MoreRaiders unable to make shots fall, so they rely on defense to rumble past Pirates
QUINCY — No exaggeration of the number of field goal attempts the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team missed within 6 feet of the basket was going to be too high. “Way too many,” junior point guard Ari Buehler said. Raiders coach Eric Orne just shook his head. “They just didn’t fall,” he said. “I…
Read MoreBlue Devils find nice rhythm offensively, answer every one of Bearcats’ challenges
QUINCY — Brad Dance is finding himself in the holiday spirit, and he wants the stockings of all of the Quincy High School girls basketball players to be filled with good vibes. “I told the girls we have to start finding the positives in things,” the Blue Devils coach said. Friday night, there was nothing…
Read MorePalmyra’s James showcases growing confidence by knocking down six 3-pointers in victory
PALMYRA, Mo. — Anna James’ confidence is growing, and her performance Friday provided sound evidence of that. The Palmyra sophomore guard made six 3-pointers for her 18 points and provided a spark that catapulted the Panthers to a 55-29 win over Unity. “I’ve really been trying to work on my confidence, and when I get…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Friday, Dec. 20: Boys basketball Quincy High School 69, United Township 53 Quincy Notre Dame 58, Camp Point Central 20 West Hancock 59, Western 35 Brown County 60, Beardstown 38 Macomb 56, Liberty 39 North Greene 42, Pittsfield 18 Jacksonville Routt 89, Pleasant Hill 42 Palmyra 64,…
Read MoreStrong second half defensively gets Blue Devils back to .500 mark in conference play
QUINCY — The first half was far from a masterpiece, but the final product looked significantly better. The Quincy High School girls basketball team put the pedal to the metal in the second half of Thursday’s Western Big 6 Conference tilt with United Township, outscoring the Panthers 36-10 in the final 16 minutes on its…
Read MoreCentral-Southeastern’s defense swallows up Clopton, sets stage for run at Christmas tourney title
QUINCY — Physical defense wins games. “It does in our opinion,” Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long said. And you can’t ease into that. “It’s even more important to do it out of the gate and get them down early,” Panthers guard Karly Peters said. It’s precisely what the Panthers did Thursday in overwhelming previously…
Read MoreMonroe City girls take advantage of being able to switch defensive assignments in shutting down Higbee
QUINCY — The roster inside the 17th Rumble on the River program may define each of the Monroe City girls basketball players by their position, but truth be told, the Panthers feel they are essentially positionless. “We are all alike,” junior guard Ava Potterfield said. That makes finding a mismatch awfully difficult. The Panthers used…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from Thursday’s action during Rumble on the River at JWCC
QUINCY — The Monroe City boys and girls basketball teams, along with Central-Southeastern, continued to show the strength of area hoops squads by picking up victories Thursday in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Central-Southeastern kicked off the night with a 64-31 victory over Clopton (Mo.), while…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Hannibal boys, girls suffer losses to Mexico at Korf Gym
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The North Central Missouri Conference doubleheader the Hannibal boys and girls basketball teams played Thursday night at Korf Gym proved to be a challenge. Mexico, which is receiving votes in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 4 state poll, raced to a 74-40 victory in the boys game. Ben Richards led the…
Read MoreRaiders go on tide-turning run to erase slow start and rumble to victory over Trojans
QUINCY — The halftime disposition of Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne split the difference between Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk. Not too mild-mannered. Not too barbaric either. “A little bit of both,” junior forward Tristan Pieper said. “Kind of right in between.” The Raiders trailed Troy (Mo.) Buchanan 20-14 at the…
Read MoreHornets apply consistent, constant pressure while rolling past Indians for Rumble on the River victory
QUINCY — Brown County girls basketball coach David Phelps routinely harps on the Hornets’ need to run the alleys, spread the floor and share the basketball while in transition. “Every darn day,” Phelps said. He isn’t kidding. “Every day,” sophomore guard Kenzie Kassing said. “Yeah, it’s every day.” The reason why is so the Hornets…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Brown County girls basketball teams pick up Rumble on the River victories
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame and Brown County girls basketball teams rumbled to victories Wednesday in different ways. The Raiders went a 29-1 run to erase a 14-point deficit and rally in the second half for a 48-36 victory over Troy (Mo.) Buchanan in the 17th playing of the Rumble on the River at…
Read MoreIllinois girls basketball state rankings: QND only area team remaining in top 10
CHICAGO — Here are the latest Association Press girls basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Lyons (6) (11-0) 60 1 2. Benet (9-1) 51 2 3. Kenwood (11-1) 40 8 4.…
Read MorePieper’s presence looms large as Raiders fend off Panthers in second half
PALMYRA, Mo. — Tristan Pieper never flinched. After Pieper, a junior forward on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, watched the Raiders’ 27-8 lead over Palmyra dwindle to 31-27 thanks to a 16-point second quarter by Panthers point guard Clare Williams capped off by a buzzer-beating half court shot, she knew the Raiders would…
Read MoreMustangs ride hustle, defense to seventh straight victory by outrunning Hornets
QUINCY — The best is probably yet to come for the Mendon Unity girls basketball team. The Mustangs entered the season eyeing a seventh straight winning record. And? So far, so good — despite a rough start. Unity’s 54-22 domination of Atlanta (Mo.) during Tuesday night’s Rumble on the River competition produced the Mustangs’ seventh…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Mustangs sweep Hornets on second night of Rumble on the River
QUINCY — The Mendon Unity boys and girls basketball teams gave Illinois the edge after two nights of the 17th edition of the Rumble on the River, sweeping a pair of games from Atlanta (Mo.) at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Unity girls scored a 54-22 victory, and the boys followed with…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Palmyra split basketball doubleheader in Flower City
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame and Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams split a twinbill Tuesday night at Palmyra High School as the Raiders won the girls matchup 58-44 and the Panthers won the boys game 66-58. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Tuesday, Dec. 17: Boys basketball Palmyra 66, Quincy Notre Dame 58 Liberty 55, Beardstown 30 Payson Seymour 56, Triopia 41 Brown County 63, Havana 37 Illini West 61, South Fulton 20 Moberly 69, Hannibal 53 Canton 53, South Shelby 48 Monroe City 81, Mark Twain 33 Rumble…
Read MorePanthers rumble to victory behind Youngblood’s interior dominance, defensive pressure
QUINCY — From the opening tip, the Monroe City girls basketball team’s game plan was evident — feed the ball to Audri Youngblood to set the tone in the post and use pressure defense to discombobulate Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame. The Panthers accomplished each of those tasks in a 56-22 demolition of the Nikes in…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Monroe City cruises to victory in opening game of Rumble on the River
QUINCY — The Monroe City girls basketball team overwhelmed Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame in a 56-22 victory Monday in the opening game of the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 16
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Monday, Dec. 16: Girls basketball Rock Island Alleman 56, Quincy High School 52 Central-Southeastern 61, Winchester West Central 41 Pittsfield 50, Liberty 38 Mendon Unity 37, Pleasant Hill 30 Illini West 64, Bushnell-Prairie City 19 Highland 65, Scotland County 30 Paris 35, North Shelby 27 Mark Twain…
Read MoreCarthage eighth graders to play for state title, Nauvoo-Colusa in third-place game
HAVANA, Ill. — A pair of area eighth grade girls basketball teams will be bringing home hardware from their respective state tournaments. One has the chance to be called state champion. Carthage played its way into the Class 8-2A title game by winning a pair of games last Saturday at Havana Junior High School. Meanwhile,…
Read MoreMissouri Basketball Coaches Association state prep polls make season debut
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association released its first state polls of the high school season Monday and will release new polls each week moving forward, alternating between boys and girls. Here are this week’s polls: Missouri boys Missouri girls
Read MoreMcWilliams’ free throw lifts South Shelby girls past Palmyra in OT in tournament title tilt
MONROE CITY, Mo. — In last season’s Monroe City Tournament championship game, the South Shelby girls basketball team did not have the opportunity to respond to a buzzer beater at the end of regulation. This year, the Lady Birds got that chance, and they exacted some revenge in the process thanks in large part to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Monroe City boys, South Shelby girls win tournament championships
MONROE CITY, Mo. — The 100th Monroe City Tournament produced a pair of epic finishes. First, the South Shelby girls basketball team withstood a game-tying, buzzer-beating shot by Palmyra’s Sydney Compton at the end of regulation to pull out a 58-57 victory in overtime. Then the Monroe City boys outlasted Palmyra 51-47 in overtime to…
Read MoreArea scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14
QUINCY — Here is the area scoreboard for Saturday, Dec. 14: Boys basketball Hannibal 58, Quincy Notre Dame 55 Illini West 48, Mercer County 36 100th Monroe City Tournament Championship Monroe City 51, Palmyra 47 Third place South Shelby 69, Marion County 53 Girls basketball A-Town Holiday Classic Byron 56, Central-Southeastern 49 Macomb 44, Rockridge…
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