Tournament central: Check out the holiday basketball tournament brackets

QUINCY — Here are the brackets for holiday boys and girls basketball tournaments involving area teams: Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic State Farm Holiday Classic small school boys State Farm Holiday Classic small school girls State Farm Holiday Classic large school girls Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic MVIT St. Dominic Christmas Tournament (boys…

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Big first quarter carries West Hancock, while Central-Southeastern relies on suffocating defense

Central-Southeastern's Claire Huston battles for a loose ball during Thursday night's game against Fort Madison (Iowa) in the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of girls basketball teams hoping to build momentum before tackling the challenging task of being the No. 1 seed in a holiday tournament gained a much-needed boost Thursday night. It just happened to come in vastly different ways. West Hancock, the No. 1 seed in the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, used…

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Photo gallery: West Hancock, Central-Southeastern cap Rumble on the River with victories

West Hancock's Lillie Woodworth fakes an inbounds pass during Thursday's game against Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The West Hancock and Central-Southeastern girls basketball teams put a cap on the 16th Rumble on the River Holiday Shootout with victories Thursday night. The Titans beat Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton 58-49 and the Panthers dispatched Fort Madison (Iowa) 49-16. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at John Wood Community…

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Rumble on the River final scoreboard

QUINCY — Here is a look at the scoreboard for the 16th Rumble on the River Holiday Shootout: Played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center Friday, December 15 Quincy Notre Dame girls 59, Hannibal 21 MVP — QND’s Sage Stratton Saturday, December 16 North Shelby girls 38, Payson Seymour 33 MVP — North…

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Raiders show no let up in rumbling to victory over Burlington Notre Dame

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper, right, goes up for a shot during Wednesday's game against Bulrington (Iowa) Notre Dame in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — After seeing an apparent blowout turn into a nail-biting victory Monday night against Central-Southeastern, Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne reiterated to his team the importance of playing with the same intensity for four quarters. Consider the message received. Behind the perimeter shooting of guard Sage Stratton and a smothering defense,…

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Tale of two halves: QND outlasts Central-Southeastern despite Panthers’ epic rally

Central-Southeastern's Lauren Miller, right, pressures Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton during Monday night's game at The Pit. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne’s post-game expressions captured his thoughts perfectly. There was the occasional wince, coupled with the rubbing of the top of his head with the palm of his hand. Even an occasional sigh. “Today is my birthday … and I feel like I aged 10 years tonight,” said Orne, the veteran Quincy Notre…

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Photo gallery: Missouri squads gain edge on third night of Rumble on the River

Palmyra's Bear Bock dives a loose ball while surrounded by sevreral Payson Seymour players during Monday night's matchup in the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Monday night proved to be Missouri’s night. Three Missouri squads — the Monroe City boys and girls basketball teams along with the Palmyra boys — snared victories at the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Monroe City girls used eight points apiece from JWCC signee…

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Rumble on the River Day 3 scoreboard and upcoming schedule

QUINCY — Here is a look at the scoreboard and upcoming schedule for the 16th Rumble on the River: Played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center Friday, December 15 Quincy Notre Dame girls 59, Hannibal 21 MVP — QND’s Sage Stratton Saturday, December 16 North Shelby girls 38, Payson Seymour 33 MVP —…

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Eversman’s baseline jumper caps comeback, lifts QND girls to victory in Rumble on the River

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, left, looks to pass out of trouble during the Raiders' 51-49 victory over Troy (Mo.) Buchanan in the Rumble on the River on Saturday at John Wood Community College. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Sage Stratton could see it in Marie Eversman’s approach. “She was not scared,” Stratton. Not at all. The freshman guard’s baseline jumper with two seconds remaining in regulation Saturday afternoon gave the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball a 51-49 victory over Troy (Mo.) Buchanan in the 16th Rumble on the River at John…

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QHS’s twin towers power way past Cairo Northwest during Rumble on the River victory

Quincy High School's Leah Chevalier pressures Cairo (Mo.) Northwest guard Mallori Hankins during Saturday's game in the Rumble on the River. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Taylor Fohey and Jada Brown are at opposite ends of their high school careers, one signed to play college basketball next season and the other about to finish the first semester of her freshman year. Yet, when they meet in the middle, they are as formidable as any twin towers around. Cairo (Mo.)…

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Photo gallery: Full slate of games on second day of Rumble on the River

Hannibal's C.J. Anderson attempts to avoid a trap from Illini West's Reece Shoup, top, and Colby Robertson, right, during Saturday's game in the Rumble on the River. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Rumble on the River rumbled on Saturday with eight games being played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was there for half of the slate and put together this photo gallery:

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‘We put defense first’: Raiders put clamps on Pirates’ attack to run away with Rumble victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Marie Eversman, right, pressures Hannibal's Malia Stolte during the first half of Friday night's game in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Sage Stratton’s assessment of the nearly 12-minute stretch in which the Hannibal girls basketball team went without a field goal Friday night should attract as much attention as the effort itself. “We put defense first and we work hard on defense,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior guard said. “It doesn’t matter what court…

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Photo gallery: QND, Hannibal girls kick off Rumble on the River

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, left, and Sage Stratton react to a play made by a teammate during the fourth quarter of Friday night's victory over Hannibal in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s defensive dominance led to a 59-21 victory over Hannibal on Friday night in the opening game of the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Pittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team wins IESA Class 3A state championship

The Pittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team won the Class 3A state championship with Thursday night's 39-20 victory over Germantown Hills. | Photo courtesy Pikeland School District

GERMANTOWN HILLS, Ill. — The Pittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team is coming home with a state championship. Pittsfield outscored Germantown Hills 12-2 in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Illinois Elementary School Association Class 3A title game, setting the tone for a 39-20 victory at Germantown Hills Middle School. The Lady Braves finished their…

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Three area girls basketball teams crack top 10 in first Illinois state rankings

Central-Southeastern coach Matt Long's team is ranked No. 8 in Class 2A in the initial Associated Press state poll. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CHICAGO — Here is a look at the Illinois Associated Press girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School                       W-L   Pts  1. Bolingbrook (4)           9-0   71   2. Loyola (2) …

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Home is where victories are: QND girls run win streak at The Pit to 24 straight by beating Palmyra

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper, right, attempts to block a shot by Palmyra's Candra King during Tuesday night's game at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Above all else, protect The Pit. That’s more or less an unwritten rule when it comes to the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. The Raiders’ home floor — a.k.a. The Pit — is more than a safe haven for the QND team. It has become a full-fledged basketball sanctuary for one of…

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Photo gallery: QND boys and girls sweep cross-river doubleheader from Palmyra

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton dives for a loose ball during Tuesday night's game against Palmyra at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Pit is a tough place for opposing teams to win. Tuesday night, the Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams saw why. A strong start by the Quincy Notre Dame boys led to a 54-42 victory, while the QND girls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 45-35 victory — their 24th…

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Nothing but net: Williams’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer lifts Palmyra girls to tourney championship

The Palmyra girls basketball team won the championship of the 99th Monroe City Tournament by beating South Shelby 64-61 Saturday night in Monroe City, Mo. | Submitted photo

MONROE CITY, Mo. — By design, Clare Williams’ first option was to pass the ball. Fortunately, that did not work out. Williams wound up unleashing a 22-foot bomb that found nothing but net as time expired Saturday night, sending the Palmyra girls basketball team to a 64-61 victory over South Shelby in the finals of…

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Western seventh grade girls basketball team finishes as Class 1A state runner-up

The Western seventh grade girls basketball team finished second in the IESA Class 1A state tournament. | Submitted photo

ASSUMPTION, Ill. — It took the best defensive team in the state to derail the Western seventh-grade girls basketball team’s state championship dreams. Washington St. Patrick, which didn’t allow more than 13 points in any postseason game, clamped down defensively on the Wildcats in a 22-6 victory Thursday night in the IESA Class 1A state…

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Prairie State Profile: Woodworth is enjoying grand time helping Titans succeed

West Hancock senior Lillie Woodworth celebrates scoring her 1,000th career point earlier this season. | Photo courtesy West Hancock athletics

HAMILTON, Ill. — Lillie Woodworth is part of the final class of high school student-athletes who had their careers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The West Hancock basketball standout played only nine games as a freshman when the Illinois High School Association altered its calendar and shrunk season lengths  in hopes of getting all fall,…

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Silver Streaks’ perimeter game leads to critical WB6 victory over Blue Devils

Quincy High School's Bri Lannerd, right, drives to the basket during Thursday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at John Thiel Gym in Galesburg, Ill. | Photo courtesy Steve Davis

GALESBURG, Ill. — It didn’t matter what defense the Quincy High School  girls basketball team employed. Galesburg found a way to beat it. The Silver Streaks were able to get into gaps and knock down perimeter jumpers, burying nine 3-pointers while securing the top spot in the Western Big 6 Conference with a 55-41 victory…

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Central-Southeastern ratchets up defensive effort in second half to run away from Illini West

Central-Southeastern guard Karly Peters helped spark a 46-22 victory over Illini West on Monday night in Carthage, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Karly Peters did not offer any excuses. Nor did she try to sugarcoat the first-half performance turned in by the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team. “We weren’t working hard enough on defense in the first half, but we kind of locked it down in the second half,” said Peters, a 5-foot-9 junior. That…

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Blue Devils’ defensive dominance continues in another WB6 whitewashing

Quincy High School forward Taylor Fohey pressures a Sterling player during Saturday's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There is no quantitative goal the Quincy High School girls basketball players set for what they hope to accomplish defensively each game. However, there is an emotional response they look to achieve. “I guess the goal would be to kind of embarrass the opponent in a sense,” senior point guard Leila Dade said.…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team overwhelms another WB6 foe with defense

Quincy High School freshman forward Jada Brown, left, gains position on the block during the first half of Saturday's game against Sterling at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team limited Sterling to five points in the first quarter and 11 overall in the first half, rolling to a 21-point lead by halftime and cruising to a 52-29 victory in Western Big 6 Conference action Saturday at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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Putting away victory over Canton part of evolution for Palmyra girls basketball team

Palmyra guard Clare Williams puts up a shot during the first half of Friday night's game against Canton in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The question is twofold. Just how good is the Palmyra girls basketball team at this point? Conversely, how accomplished can it eventually become? Junior guard Clare Williams said the evolution of this year’s club will be a process. It’s a long season and success will likely be measured by increments, not exclamation…

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Photo gallery: Palmyra basketball teams sweep doubleheader from Canton

Palmyra forward Candra King puts up a shot during Friday night's game against Canton in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams completed a sweep of Canton on Friday night with the boys winning 57-37 and the girls battling for a 48-39 victory. Photographer Mathew Kirby spent his evening in the Palmyra gym and put together this photo gallery:

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Titans give Raiders tussle, but third-quarter run tilts game in QND’s favor

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper was one of four players to score in double figures during Thursday night's victory over West Hancock at The Pit. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — Tristan Pieper cut right to the chase in her postgame assessment of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 60-54 victory over West Hancock. “We knew they’d be strong,” said Pieper, a 6-foot sophomore who was one of four Raiders to score in double figures Thursday night at The Pit. In a game…

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Photo gallery: Palmyra basketball teams sweep doubleheader from Mark Twain

Palmyra senior guard Taytum White scores during Tuesday's season opener against Mark Twain in Palmyra, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Kelsey Stuart coaching era is off and running. The Brian Rea coaching era continues to breed success. The combination should make for an entertaining winter in the Flower City. The Palmyra girls basketball team stormed past Mark Twain 58-24 on Tuesday night in the Panthers’ season opener and Stuart’s first game…

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Raiders hold off Bulldogs to secure 1,000th victory in girls basketball program’s history

Quincy Notre Dame’s Tristan Pieper, right, looks to shoot while being defended by Highland’s Larissa Taylor during the second half of Saturday night’s girls basketball game during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 37-31 victory over Highland on Saturday evening was the 1,000th in program history. But that historic win did not come without a struggle. QND, which remains undefeated at 4-0, was not able to put away Highland (1-4) until the final minute of play at The Pit.…

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Photo Gallery: QND girls basketball team stays unbeaten with home victory over Highland (Ill.)

Quincy Notre Dame's Marie Eversman looks to pass the ball while Highland's Sophia Fleming guards her during Saturday night's girls basketball game at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team remained unbeaten after four games with a 37-31 victory over Highland (Ill.) on Saturday during the Gully Transportation Basketball Shootout in the Pit. Jenna Durst had 14 points, and Sage Stratton had 12 for the Raiders. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the action from…

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In-your-face defense never goes out of style for QND girls basketball team

Quincy Notre Dame’s Jenna Durst, background left, and Marie Eversman force a jump ball with Belleville Althoff’s Emilee Travnicek during Friday night’s girls basketball game in the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The players may graduate, but the in-your-face style the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball program plays year-to-year doesn’t seem to go anywhere. The Raiders’ suffocating defense once again was on display in their 52-27 win over Belleville Althoff in Friday’s start to the two-night Gully Transportation Shootout at The Pit. QND (3-0) forced…

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Photo Gallery: QND girls force 32 turnovers in victory over Belleville Althoff

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, right, goes up with her left hand for a layup while Belleville Althoff's Riley Fairborn defends during Friday night's game in the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team remained unbeaten after three games with a 52-27 victory over Belleville Althoff on Friday night during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. Tristan Pieper led the Raiders with 13 points and Sage Stratton added 11. QND forced 32 turnovers by the Crusaders. MRN Editor David…

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Defense takes center stage for Blue Devils as curtain rises on home opener

Quincy High School forward Taylor Fohey looks to score in the first quarter of Wednesday night's game against Pleasant Plains at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The curtain splitting the Quincy High School gym into two distinct segments slowly started to rise when Wednesday night’s junior varsity girls basketball game ended. Behind it sat the QHS pep band, ready to belt out the school fight song, among other tunes. “I love our band,” QHS senior forward Taylor Fohey said.…

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Show Me Spotlight: Family support helps Palmyra’s King hit personal marks, goals

Palmyra junior Candra King unleashes a throw during the discus finals at the Class 3 girls state track and field championships at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Will Johnson

PALMYRA, Mo. — Over the past couple of falls, Candra King has hardly missed a University of Central Missouri football game. “There were a couple of weekends this fall where I was on a college visit and that made it tough,” she said. Watching her older brother, Weston, finish his career at the NCAA Division…

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Prairie State Profile: Mustangs’ Shaffer brings fun-loving attitude, leadership to senior season

Sophia Shaffer has played a significant role in helping the Unity volleyball team exceed early season expectations. | Photo courtesy Sarah Donley Photography

MENDON, Ill. — Sophia Shaffer is trying to savor the moment. A senior multi-sport athlete at Unity High School, Shaffer has learned through injury and triumph to be undeterred and play for the love of the game. “It’s why I want to make sure this year is fun,” Shaffer said. She also realizes this is…

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Show Me Spotlight: Flying high helps Pirates’ Minor gain unique perspective on success

Kate Minor, a senior on the Hannibal girls golf team, will help the Pirates chase a district championship this season. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The adventurous and curious side of Kate Minor shines through no matter what the Hannibal multi-sport standout is doing. That’s especially true when she’s flying above the clouds or taking a walk in the woods. Outside of playing golf and basketball for the Pirates, Minor is a pilot in training, taking lessons…

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Show Me Spotlight: Canton’s Fisher authoring memorable career as three-sport athlete

Canton center fielder Macie Fisher will be one of the experienced players hoping to guide the Tigers back to the Class 1 state tournament this fall. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CANTON, Mo. — Macie Fisher and the Canton softball players open the season with a target squarely on them. Not only are the Tigers the reigning Class 1 state champions, but with a wealth of talent and experience returning, they should be the team to beat in Northeast Missouri this fall. That means every opponent…

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Arnsman’d and dangerous: Illinois girls pull away in third quarter to win Muddy River Showcase

South Shelby's Milli Mozee-Williams, left, tries to deny Unity's Ashlynn Arnsman a look at the basket during Saturday's Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It became obvious to the Illinois all-stars during their preparation for the Muddy River Showcase that Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne was taking this as seriously as anyone.. “Coach Orne made it really intense,” Unity’s Ashlynn Arnsman said. “It felt like a real regular-season game.” The Missouri all-stars realized how…

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Showcase notebook: Reunion of traveling team quite Magic-al for Illinois all-stars

The Illinois girls all-star team for the Muddy River Showcase featured six players who teamed together for the Q-City Magic travel team as sixth graders. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Do you believe in Magic? The Illinois girls all-stars certainly do. Q-City Magic, that is. Six of the 10 players on the Illinois roster for the Saturday’s Muddy River Showcase began playing together in sixth grade as part of the Q-City Magic program coached by the late Gayland Blakemore. It allowed the Showcase…

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Photo gallery: Illinois, Missouri girls put skills on display in Muddy River Showcase

From left to right, Illinois all-stars Abbey Schreacke, Lia Quintero, Blair Eftink and Rylee Reed walk back on the court following a timeout during Saturday's Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Illinois girls had length and athleticism. The Missouri girls had guard play and quickness. It made for an entertaining chess match in the second Muddy River Showcase, played Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. A 30-10 spurt in the third quarter enabled the Illinois squad to pull away for…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Unity’s Ashlynn Arnsman

Unity's Ashlynn Arnsman earned honorable mention all-state honors last winter when she led the Mustangs to 29 victories. | Matt Schuckman photo

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. MENDON, Ill. — Ashlynn…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: North Shelby’s Ava Williams

Ava Williams earned Class 1 all-state honors from the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association after leading the North Shelby girls basketball team to a 25-4 record last winter. | Photo courtesy Marlana Smith, Shelby County Herald

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. SHELBYVILLE, Mo. — Ava…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: South Shelby’s Milli Mozee-Williams

South Shelby's Milli Mozee-Williams is adept at getting herself into position to rebound no matter who she is up against, a skill she will display in the Muddy River Showcase on June 17 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. SHELBINA, Mo. — Culver-Stockton…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Hannibal’s Nora Hark

Hannibal's Nora Hark will represent the Missouri squad in the Muddy River Showcase, taking place June 17 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. HANNIBAL, Mo. — Nora…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Quincy Notre Dame’s Abbey Schreacke

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke will represent the Illinois squad in the Muddy River Showcase, being played June 17 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. QUINCY — When it…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: South Shelby’s Miranda Patterson

South Shelby's Miranda Patterson will represent the Missouri squad in the Muddy River Showcase being played June 17 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. SHELBINA, Mo. — Miranda…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Quincy Notre Dame’s Lia Quintero

Quincy Notre Dame's Lia Quintero was a three-sport standout who won two state championships and four state medals during her high school career. | Matt Schuckman photo

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. QUINCY — The bookends…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Highland’s Ansley Bringer

Highland senior Ansley Bringer averaged 15 points per game and collected 90 steals last winter. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. EWING, Mo. — Ansley…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Unity’s Kyra Carothers

Three-sport standout Kyra Carothers will represent Unity in the Muddy River Showcase, taking place June 17 at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. MENDON, Ill. — A…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Brown County’s Katey Flynn

Brown County guard Katey Flynn earned honorable mention all-state honors last winter while guiding the Hornets to a single-season school-record 31 victories. | Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. MOUNT STERLING, Ill. —…

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Palmyra School Board votes not to renew contract of Southers as teacher, girls basketball coach

Palmyra girls basketball coach Tim Southers, front, poses for a selfie with his players following a game last winter. Southers will not have his contract renewed by Palmyra. | Submitted photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The state of flux the Palmyra High School athletic department finds itself in continued Tuesday night when the school board voted unanimously to not renew the contract of Tim Southers as both a teacher and the varsity girls basketball coach. Southers was informed at noon Tuesday both of his positions would be…

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Begeman resigns after highly successful 15-year run as Unity girls basketball coach

Unity girls basketball coach Brad Begeman, right, led the Mustangs to 273 victories and five regional titles over 15 seasons. | Matt Schuckman photo

MENDON, Ill. — Brad Begeman hit pause before he hit send. At the end of last week, Begeman informed the Unity School District’s administration he planned to resign as the varsity girls basketball coach. Sunday night, following his team’s end-of-the-season banquet, Begeman told his players of his decision. All that was left was to email…

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Photo gallery: QND celebrates girls basketball team’s Class 2A third-place state finish

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players prepare for their fire truck ride through Quincy on Tuesday in celebration of their third-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — With spring break scheduled immediately after the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team won the third-place trophy at the Class 2A state tournament at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena, the welcome home celebration had to be put on hold. Tuesday, the Raiders finally were able to enjoy their fire truck ride and the…

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Schuckman: IHSA fails to meet its mission by forcing basketball teams to play third-place games hours after semifinals

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players return to the floor following a timeout in the second half of their Class 2A third-place game against Chicago Butler College Prep on Thursday night at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne listened intently as senior guard Abbey Schreacke discussed how the Raiders needed to regroup following a gut-punch loss Thursday in the Class 2A state semifinals and play the third-place game two hours later. “We’re going to have to find something deeper inside of us…

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Capping it the right way: QND rebounds from semifinal loss to win third-place game

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players celebrate with the third-place trophy after beating Chicago Butler College Prep 66-57 in the Class 2A state tournament Thursday at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

NORMAL, ill. — Denied their chance at making history, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players wouldn’t be denied their shot at redemption. An opportunity to reminisce came with it, too. Forced to play the third-place game of the Class 2A state tournament less than three hours after losing to Breese Mater Dei in the…

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Photo gallery: QND beats Chicago Butler to finish third at Class 2A state tournament

Quincy Notre Dame senior Abbey Schreacke, second from left, hugs freshman Tristan Pieper, while senior Blair Eftink, second from right, hugs freshman Ari Buehler at the end of the Raiders' 66-57 victory over Chicago Butler College Prep in the Class 2A third-place game Thursday at Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team found a way to push their tears and frustration aside following a loss in the semifinals of the Class 2A state tournament and rebounded for a 66-57 victory over Chicago Butler College Prep late Thursday evening at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena. Muddy River Sports…

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QND’s dream of back-to-back state titles gets dashed with semifinal loss to Mater Dei

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke, right, fights for a loose ball against Breese Mater Dei's Alyssa Koerkenmeier during Thursday's Class 2A state semifinal at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The coaching adage “you can’t teach size” needs to come with a addendum. It would read, “You can’t always combat it either.” The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team discovered how true that can be Thursday. Forced to contend with Breese Mater Dei’s Alyssa Koerkenmeier — a 6-foot-5 sophomore forward — and…

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Photo gallery: QND loses to Breese Mater Dei in Class 2A state semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke, left, applies pressure to Breese Mater Dei's Amelia Beer during the Class 2A state semifinal matchup Thursday at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill.

NORMAL, Ill. — The chance to defend its Class 2A state championship eluded the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team after the Raiders fell 61-54 to Breese Mater Dei in Thursday’s semifinals of the state tournament at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman put together this gallery of images he…

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QND’s Schreacke is top vote-getter once again for Associated Press Class 2A all-state team

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Abbey Schreacke was the top vote-getter for the Associated Press Class 2A all-state team. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Only two girls basketball players across Illinois were named first-team all-staters on every ballot submitted by the Associated Press panel of voters. It’s no surprise Abbey Schreacke was one of them. The Quincy Notre Dame senior guard was the leading vote-getter in Class 2A for the second straight year after guiding the top-ranked…

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Return to Redbird: Raiders blanket Chiefs with defensive pressure, earn spot in Class 2A final four

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players celebrate after receiving the Class 2A Macomb Super-Sectional plaque following a 51-23 victory over Deer Creek-Mackinaw on Monday at The Hangar at Macomb High School. | Matt Schuckman photo

MACOMB, Ill. — The realization they’d achieved a significant goal meant a larger one is now within the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players’ reach. It also means the Raiders must maintain a workmanlike effort with everything they do. They made it abundantly clear that’s how they will approach the Class 2A final four after…

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Raiders’ balance offensively puts Chiefs’ defense in bind in super-sectional matchup

Quincy Notre Dame freshman forward Tristan Pieper scored six points off the bench Monday night in helping the Raiders beat Deer Creek-Mackinaw 51-23 in the Class 2A Macomb Super-Sectional at The Hangar. | Matt Schuckman photo

MACOMB, Ill. — A year ago, Tristan Pieper had to watch somewhat from afar as the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team won the Class 2A state championship. “The very top of the student section,” Pieper said of her seat in Redbird Arena. The view will be quite different this year. “Of course, it will,”…

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Photo gallery: QND wins Class 2A super-sectional and advances to final four at Redbird Arena

Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne, right, gives senior guard Abbey Schreacke a fist bump after she left Monday night's Class 2A Macomb Super-Sectional in the fourth quarter and the Raiders on their way to a 51-23 victory over Deer Creek-Mackinaw. | Matt Schuckman photo

MACOMB, Ill. — A 15-0 run over the final five minutes of the first half put the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team in complete control of its 51-23 victory over Deer Creek-Mackinaw in the Class 2A Macomb Super-Sectional on Monday night at The Hangar, earning the Raiders a spot in the final four. Muddy…

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Blue Devils’ Longcor, Fohey earn first-team All-Western Big 6 Conference honors

Quincy High School sophomore guard Bradley Longcor III, left, and junior forward Taylor Fohey were first-team selections for the All-Western Big 6 Conference boys and girls basketball teams, respectively. | Matt Schuckman photos

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team’s second-place finish in the Western Big 6 Conference led to three players earning all-conference honors. Meanwhile, the QHS girls placed two players on the All-WB6 squad. Sophomore guard Bradley Longcor III garnered first-team plaudits, while sophomore forward Keshaun Thomas was a second-team selection and junior guard…

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Freshmen don’t wither in spotlight, help QND girls capture sectional title over Central-Southeastern

Quincy Notre Dame's Jenna Durst, right, drives past Central-Southeastern's Amanda Stephens during the second half of Thursday night's Class 2A girls basketball sectional championship game at Pleasant Plains High School. | David Adam photo

PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long was asked any advice he has for the seven teams left in the Class 2A state tournament for how to beat Quincy Notre Dame. “It’s only happened once,” he said succinctly. “Good luck.” The No. 1-ranked Raiders took early command of Thursday night’s sectional championship…

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Photo gallery: Winning streak for QND girls hits 26 straight after sectional title

Abbey Schreacke, center, turns to her teammates after she was handed the Class 2A sectional trophy after Thursday night's Class 2A girls basketball sectional championship game at Pleasant Plains High School. | David Adam photo

PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, the defending Class 2A state champion, won its 26th consecutive game on Thursday night with a 44-29 decision over Central-Southeastern in the sectional championship at Pleasant Plains High School. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the images from the game.

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Havana’s physical play slows Brown County in season-ending loss in sectional title game

Havana's Taryn Wickman, right, attempts to knock the ball away from Brown County's Katey Flynn during Thursday night's Class 1A sectional championship game in Abingdon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

ABINGDON, Ill. — Dave Phelps tried to highlight the Brown County girls basketball team’s laundry list of accomplishments this season during his postgame speech Thursday night. Those aren’t easy to see through tears. A record-setting 31-win season and the second Sweet 16 appearance in program history came to an end in the Class 1A Abingdon…

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Photo gallery: Brown County’s historic season ends in sectional championship game

Brown County's Gracie Hedden, right, drives past Havana's Hannah Hodgson during Thursday's Class 1A sectional championship game at Abingdon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

ABINGDON, Ill. — The physical play of the Havana girls basketball team kept Brown County from finding any offensive rhythm Thursday night and resulted in a 40-34 loss in the Class 1A Abingdon Sectional championship game. The Hornets end their historic season with a 31-4 record. Mount Sterling photographer Scott Bemis captured the action in…

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One for the Road: QND girls play first game outside Adams County in 45 days, steamroll Hillsboro in sectional semifinal

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke, right, dribbles past Hillsboro's Kenadie Carlock during Tuesday night's Class 2A sectional semifinal game at Pleasant Plains High School. | David Adam photo

PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — After playing 13 consecutive games in Adams County, Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne thought his team needed to pack its bags and hit the road. The Raiders were 16-0 at The Pit this season, concluding with an emotional and demanding 54-43 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in the championship game…

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CSE notches record-tying 30th victory in 62-26 sectional semifinal blowout of Staunton

Central-Southeastern's Tori Fessler, right, defends Staunton's Ele Feldmann during Tuesday night's Class 2A girls basketball sectional semifinal game at Pleasant Plains High School. | David Adam

PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — Well, that didn’t take very long. Central-Southeastern had all but secured a Class 2A girls basketball sectional semifinal victory over Staunton before some patrons had found their seats Tuesday night at Pleasant Plains High School. CSE scored the first 18 points of the game, which quickly turned the contest into a…

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Flip the switch: Halftime adjustments, resilient attitude carry Hornets into sectional title game

Brown County guard Katey Flynn, right, sizes up the Elmwood defense during Tuesday night's Class 1A sectional semifinal in Abingdon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

ABINGDON, Ill. — No one actually reached for the panic button. “We kind of hovered over it a little bit,” Brown County girls basketball coach Dave Phelps said. What kept the Hornets from hitting it is what made Tuesday night’s second-half rally possible. They never lost faith in each other. A nine-minute scoring drought in…

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Photo gallery: QND girls have little trouble with Hillsboro, reach sectional title game

Quincy Notre Dame's Mara Ippensen goes up for a shot during Tuesday night's Class 2A girls basketball sectional game at Pleasant Plains High School. | David Adam

PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team went on a 30-6 run in the first half, then opened the second half with a 19-2 run as they had no problem defeating Hillsboro 67-30 in the semifinals of the Class 2A Sectional at Pleasant Plains High School on Tuesday night. MRN Editor…

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Photo gallery: CSE scores first 18 points, steamrolls Staunton in sectional semifinal

Central-Southeastern's Abbey McMillen looks to pass during Tuesday night's Class 2A girls basketball sectional semifinal game at Pleasant Plains High School. | David Adam

PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team scored the game’s first 18 points and cruised to a 62-26 victory over Staunton in the Class 2A girls basketball sectional semifinals at Pleasant Plains High School. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the images from the game.

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Photo gallery: Brown County advances to Class 1A sectional championship

The defensive pressure applied by Brown County's Ashlee Markert, center, and the Hornets limited Elmwood to five points in the third quarter of Tuesday night's Class 1A Abingdon Sectional semifinal in Abingdon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Scott Bemis

ABINGDON, Ill. — The Brown County girls basketball team overcome a rough first half offensively by scoring 19 points in the third quarter and pulling away from Elmwood for a 47-35 victory in Tuesday night’s semifinals of the Class 1A Abingdon Sectional. Mount Sterling-based photographer Scott Bemis captured action and shared this photo gallery with…

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Schuckman: Gem City basketball teams set new standard with all reaching 20-victory plateau

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Blair Eftink, center, and the Raiders are part of the winning culture within the Gem City as all four high school basketball programs reached the 20-victory plateau this season.

QUINCY — What transpires over the next three weeks will help define how the 2022-23 prep basketball season in the Gem City is remembered. Already it’s been historic. It could become legendary. The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball teams open regional play Wednesday, both harboring high hopes while knowing significant hurdles…

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Record-breaking basketball season marches into sectional for Brown County girls

Brown County's Katey Flynn screams with joy near the end of Friday night's Class 2A girls basketball regional championship game in Mount Sterling. | Photo courtesy of Scott Bemis

MOUNT STERLING, Ill — Brown County’s record-breaking girls basketball season continues. Friday night’s 69-41 victory over Biggsville West Central marked the first time in program history the No. 3-ranked Hornets had won back-to-back Class 1A regional championships. The regional title further accents a season that has produced the most victories — 30 and counting —…

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Pittsfield girls can’t overcome disastrous start; Hillsboro earns shot to knock off Quincy Notre Dame

Pittsfield's Ellie Ten Eyck dribbles up the court while being guarded by Hillsboro's Sierra Compton during the Class 2A girls basketball regional championship game Friday night at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield. | David Adam

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A sizeable crowd and a chance to win the first regional since 2009 created an atmosphere of excitement for the Pittsfield girls basketball team. All of that, combined with Hillsboro’s defensive pressure, led to shaky start to Friday night’s Class 2A regional championship game at Voshall Gym. The Saukees turned the ball…

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Photo gallery: Pittsfield girls lose to Hillsboro in regional championship game on home court

Pittsfield's Tori Waters, right, guards Hillsboro's Sierra Compton during Friday night's championship game of the Class 2A girls basketball regional at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield. | David Adam

The season for the Pittsfield girls basketball team ended Friday night with a 56-39 loss to Hillsboro. The Hilltoppers (20-11) advance to the sectional at Pleasant Plains and will meet No. 1-ranked Quincy Notre Dame (31-1), the defending Class 2A state champions, at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the semifinals. Pittsfield finishes with an 18-14 record.…

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Eftink’s steal and score provides fourth-quarter spark as QND girls advance to sectional

Quincy Notre Dame's Blair Eftink goes up for a left-handed layup over Sacred Heart-Griffin's Reese Watson during the championship game of the Class 2A girls basketball sectional on Thursday night in the Pit. Eftink stripped the ball from the Cyclones' Hannah Lambert and went in for the basket that gave QND a six-point lead with six minutes left in the game. | David Adam

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team was in unexpected trouble. The No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A led comfortably 47-31 with about five minutes left in the third quarter of Thursday night’s regional championship game at The Pit. However, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin went on a 14-2 run, culminated by Caroline Lambert’s backdoor…

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Adam: ‘I’m going to miss it a lot’; Schreacke, Eftink cherish final game at The Pit

Senior Abbey Schreacke, right, holds the regional plaque as her Quincy Notre Dame teammates come to celebrate after Thursday night's Class 2A girls basketball regional championship game at The Pit in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY — A range of emotions washed over the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team in a matter of moments on Thursday night. First was a sense of relief after the Raiders thwarted an upset bid by Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, which got as close as four points in the fourth quarter before the hosts won…

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Photo gallery: QND girls knock off Sacred Heart-Griffin to win regional on home court

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke, with ball, tries to keep the ball away from Sacred Heart-Griffin's Callie Huston during Thursday night's game in The Pit. | David Adam

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team posted a 54-43 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin on Thursday to claim their 30th regional championship in school history. QND (31-1) advances to Tuesday’s 6 p.m. semifinal in the Class 2A sectional at Pleasant Plains. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the scenes from Thursday.

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Strong second half helps QHS girls notch 20th victory in regional semifinal over Collinsville

Asia Seangmany, shown in this file photo from a game last month, scored 11 points for the Quincy High School girls basketball team on Tuesdays night at Alton. | Matt Schuckman

ALTON, Ill. — A little energy can go a long way. The Quincy High School girls basketball team proved that Tuesday night when it rallied in the second half to defeat Collinsville 45-39 in a Class 4A regional tournament semifinal game at Alton High School. Taylor Fohey scored 14 points and Asia Seangmany 11 to…

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Pittsfield girls one victory away from first regional championship since 2009

Madison Frieden

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A last-second game-tying shot rolled off the rim, allowing the Pittsfield girls basketball team to survive a comeback by North Mac and win 48-46 in the semifinals of the Class 2A regional tournament on Tuesday night at Voshall Gym. The third-seeded Saukees (18-13) advanced to Friday night’s championship game against second-seeded Hillsboro,…

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Top-ranked Raiders roll to regional victory over West Hancock; Illini West’s upset bid thwarted by No. 7 SHG

Quincy Notre Dame's Blair Eftink whips a pass under the arm of West Hancock's Alexa Gray during during Monday night's semifinal game in the Class 2A girls basketball regional at The Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — One down. Six to go. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team opened its quest for a second straight state championship with a 79-33 victory over West Hancock in the Class 2A regional semifinals Monday night at The Pit. Granted, QND (30-1) was a heavy favorite, but there was no chance of overconfidence…

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Illinois Girls Regional Roundup: Unity, Brown County cruise, but CSE needs free throw with 0:00 on clock to survive

Abbey McMillen is mobbed by her Central-Southeastern teammates after making a free throw with no time on the clock to win Monday's semifinal game in the Class 2A girls basketball regional at Petersburg PORTA High School. | Photo courtesy of Mike Pritchard

Abbey McMillen’s free throw with no time left on the clock gave the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team a 36-35 victory over Pleasant Plains on Monday night in the Class 2A regional semifinal at Petersburg PORTA High School. Pleasant Plains tied the score at 35 when freshman Anna Weber scored from inside the lane with 27.9…

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