After suffering 3-point loss at the Pit, Butler College Prep coach wants to see QND girls in state title game

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke, left, is guarded, from left, by Butler College Prep's Yahri Smith, Lanyra McGill and Xamiya Walton during Friday night's girls basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — Butler College Prep girls basketball coach Xaver Walton got exactly what he wanted. The Lynx returned seven players from last year’s team that lost by three points to Minonk Fieldcrest in the Class 2A super-sectional. When Walton learned defending Class 2A state champion Quincy Notre Dame was looking for a team to play…

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QHS girls basketball team uses second-half rally to nearly topple reigning WB6 champion

Quincy High School guard Leila Dade, right, tries to shake a Geneseo defender in order to get the ball from teammate Taylor Fohey, left, during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The second-half rally and fight to the finish the Quincy High School girls basketball team engaged in Tuesday night had two components. “We totally changed our mindset,” Blue Devils senior guard Leah Chevalier said. “And a few people hit shots.” It was nearly enough to topple the reigning Western Big 6 Conference champion.…

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QND’s Schreacke verbally commits to play basketball at Mizzou

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Abbey Schreacke, right, verbally committed Wednesday to play for the University of Missouri women's basketball team. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Abbey Schreacke figured Wednesday’s trip to Columbia, Mo., for an official visit with the University of Missouri women’s basketball program might end with giving Tigers coach Robin Pingeton a verbal commitment. “I was thinking about it a lot and just waiting for the right moment,” Schreacke said. It came when she learned her…

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JWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Goats and guarding made for quick summer for Palmyra’s Williams

Palmyra sophomore Clare Williams, center, shows her goat, Luigi, at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Mo. | Submitted photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The goats have gone to college. After Clare Williams, her brother Noah, and their cousin, Pierce White, finished showing goats at the Missouri State Fair, the animals were transported to the University of Missouri in Columbia for college students to observe and work with them. They earned a break from the fair…

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Schuckman: Making memories proves as important as making buckets in Muddy River Showcase

Marion County's Halle Keilholz, left, high-fives Scotland County's Hannah Feeney during the introductions prior to Saturday's Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Delaney Straus felt insulted. As the Missouri girls were milling around John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center ahead of Saturday’s Muddy River Showcase, the Marion County standout overheard a conversation in which a tongue-in-cheek prediction about the boys game was made. However, she thought the prediction of a 24-point Illinois victory was…

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Six is enough: Illinois girls outrun, outlast Missouri despite diminished roster to capture Muddy River Showcase

Missouri guard Hannah Feeney, left, pressures Illinois guard Caydee Kirkham during Saturday's inaugural Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — By the time she finally had a chance to sit and relax for a moment, Caydee Kirkham felt the aftereffects of spending 39 of the 40 minutes in the inaugural Muddy River Showcase girls basketball game on the floor. “My legs are cramping a lot,” she said. “But it was fun, so that’s…

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Photo gallery: Muddy River Showcase girls basketball all-star game

Missouri's Delaney Straus, left, and Hannah Feeney, right, trap Illinois' Brooklyn Stiefel during Saturday's Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The inaugural Muddy River Showcase got off to a rousing start as the Illinois girls all-stars overcome diminished depth to outrun Missouri and post a 67-55 victory Saturday at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured the intensity, camaraderie and enjoyment of the players and coaches…

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Muddy River Showcase: All-stars on both sides taking business-like approach to girls game

Illini West point guard Caydee Kirkham will guide the Illinois all-stars against Missouri in the inaugural Muddy River Showcase at 3 p.m. Saturday at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — After running up and down the court for the better part of an hour Thursday night, the Illinois girls all-stars wrapped up their final practice before Saturday’s inaugural Muddy River Showcase. They weren’t quite done, though. Hallie Ray and Abbie Johnson, teammates at Illini West, asked if they could stick around John Wood…

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Muddy River Showcase: Marion County’s Keilholz understands need to fulfill family tradition

Marion County senior guard Halle Keilholz made 81 3-pointers last winter while leading the Mustangs to the Class 1 state quarterfinals. Submitted photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Muddy River Showcase: Illini West’s Johnson looking to give back to small-town community

Abbie Johnson, center, helped the Illini West girls basketball team win 30 games and a Class 2A regional championship last winter. Matt Schuckman photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Muddy River Showcase: When opportunity knocked, Monroe City’s Moss answered

Monroe City's Mackenzie Moss, who will represent Missouri in the Muddy River Showcase, is going to play softball at Moberly Area Community College next year. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Muddy River Showcase: Caring for kids comes natural for Highland’s Goings

Highland guard Summer Goings, center, gets introduced before a game in Ewing, Mo., last season. Submitted photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Muddy River Showcase: Illini West girls’ record-setting season comes complete with all-stars

Illini West girls basketball coach Grant Surprenant, squatting, will lead the Illinois all-stars in the inaugural Muddy River Showcase. Matt Schuckman photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Muddy River Showcase: Multi-sport standouts fill Missouri girls all-star roster

The Marion County girls basketball team will have three representatives in the Muddy River Showcase after reaching the Class 1 state quarterfinals last winter. Submitted photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Commemorative editions highlight magical postseasons for QND girls, Liberty boys basketball teams

QUINCY — Want to relive the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s postseason run to the Class 2A state championship? Would you want to revisit the Liberty boys basketball team’s pursuit of the highest state tournament finish in program history? Here’s your chance. Muddy River Sports has put together a pair of commemorative editions, highlighting…

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Muddy River Showcase: Illini West’s Surprenant will guide Illinois girls all-star team

Illini West girls basketball coach Grant Surprenant, center, will guide the Illinois all-stars in the inaugural Muddy River Showcase. Matt Schuckman photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. CARTHAGE, Ill. — Grant Surprenant took a hiatus from basketball…

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Champaign News-Gazette names QND’s Schreacke as All-State Player of the Year

Quincy Notre Dame junior all-state guard Abbey Schreacke has been named the Champaign News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each time Abbey Schreacke sees someone wearing an Illinois, Mizzou or Indiana t-shirt or sweatshirt, it catches her eye. “I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m talking to them,’” she said. “That makes it kind of cool.” There are a myriad of college coaches chatting up the Quincy Notre Dame junior all-state basketball player on the…

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Southers returns to head coaching position as he is tasked to lead Palmyra girls basketball program

New Palmyra girls basketball coach Timothy Southers Submitted photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Timothy Southers’ interest in watching the Palmyra girls basketball team develop was piqued from the start. “Being on the front line of watching of them this year, watching how they competed this year was very intriguing,” Southers said. “I remember the very first time I saw them play after (Palmyra boys basketball…

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Girls basketball Player of the Year: QND’s Schreacke shows leadership on and off court

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Abbey Schreacke averaged 25.2 points per game in leading the Raiders to the Class 2A state championship. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In the hallway outside the Illini West gym, in the wake of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 40-38 victory in a battle of state-ranked teams, Raiders freshman guard Sage Stratton struggled to shake what might have been. With less than four seconds remaining and QND inbounding the ball from the baseline,…

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Girls basketball Coach of the Year: Orne returning to bench brings championship back to QND

Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne, right, has led the Raiders to four state championships and seven state trophies in his 20 seasons on the bench. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It’s better to burn out than fade away. Those words are in the lyrics to the rock anthem “Rock of Ages,” released by Def Leppard in May 1983. Four decades later, they still ring true. Eric Orne burned out, but he never faded away. Following the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball program’s fifth…

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Crim: Turpin’s mission of helping student-athletes has never changed even as her job and title have

From left to right is former Culver-Stockton College women’s basketball coach Kathy Turpin and her family — future daughter-in-law Katie Shelton, son Andrew, Kathy, husband Rick, daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Joe Holley. Submitted photo

NORTH PORT, Fla. — Once a coach, always a coach. While it has been 28 years since Kathy Turpin walked away from Culver-Stockton College as the winningest women’s basketball coach in school history, never to coach another college game, she is still doing her part to create an atmosphere for student-athletes to succeed. The competitive…

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Celebration fit for a champion: QND girls enjoy fire truck ride after winning Class 2A state title

Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players show off the state championship trophy before embarking on a fire truck ride through Quincy on Tuesday. Ron Kinscherf photo

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports correspondent Ron Kinscherf captured images of the homecoming for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, which won the Class 2A state championship Saturday with a 63-56 victory over Winnebago in the title game at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena. Below is a gallery of his pictures.

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‘Everyone worked for this’: QND girls basketball team finishes magical season with Class 2A state championship

Members of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team rush forward to receive their state championship trophy after beating Winnebago 63-56 Saturday afternoon in the Class 2A title game at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. Photo courtesy Clark Brooks/PhotoNews Media

NORMAL, Ill. — Blair Eftink looked down at the state championship medal hanging around her neck and shook her head from side to side, almost in disbelief. “It’s crazy,” she said. Eftink then glanced around at her Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball teammates, who were milling about in the hallway outside the media room in…

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Schuckman: In toughest of times, Raiders stand resolute as ‘pillar of strength’ for Orne

Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne finds his wife, Tracy, in the stands and enjoys a celebratory embrace after the Raiders beat Winnebago 63-56 in the Class 2A state championship game Saturday at Redbird Arena. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Friday morning, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players filed into St. Augustine Catholic Church, the quaint centerpiece of a devout congregation in their coach’s hometown of Ashland. Their mission was two-fold. Say a solemn goodbye to Mary Sue Orne, the mother of Raiders coach Eric Orne who passed away in the…

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Schreacke’s epic state tournament performance is one of legendary status

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke, right, gets off a shot during the second half of Saturday's Class 2A state championship against Winnebago. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The pain of slightly spraining her right ankle hobbled Abbey Schreacke for a short stretch of the second quarter Saturday. Yet, it was getting poked in the eye that brought her tears. “Once I got poked in the eye, I forgot about the feeling in the ankle, too,” Schreacke said. No one…

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Photo gallery: QND girls basketball team wins Class 2A state championship at Redbird Arena

The Quincy Notre Dame student section remained energetic throughout Saturday's Class 2A state championship game against Winnebago. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent Saturday at Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena chronicling the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 63-56 victory over Winnebago in the Class 2A state championship game. Here is a gallery of images Schuckman collected throughout the Raiders’ run to a sixth state championship in program…

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‘You just don’t want it to end’: Raiders to play for state championship after confidence-soaring victory in semifinals over Panthers

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players celebrate after beating Pana 56-44 in the Class 2A state semifinals Thursday at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Redbird Arena can’t exactly be called cavernous, but the shooting background can create a need for an adjustment. Blair Eftink didn’t seem to mind, especially when 3-pointer after 3-pointer kept falling during warmups. “Abbey (Schreacke) was telling me the depth perception was a lot different than where we normally play,” Eftink said.…

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Schreacke beats buzzer twice, gives QND girls needed momentum in state semifinal victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Eryn Cornwell, right, celebrates with teammate Abbey Schreacke after Schreacke buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer at the end of the first quarter Thursday in the Class 2A state semifinals against Pana at Redbird Arena in Normal, Ill. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The ball ending up in Abbey Schreacke’s hands with the seconds ticking away didn’t come as a surprise. Neither did the fact she made the shot. Well, the first one wasn’t a shocker. The second made those inside Redbird Arena either jump for joy or drop their head into their hands. Schreacke,…

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State tournament notebook: Raiders to take advantage of extra day to prep for title game

Quincy Notre Dame assistant coach Bob Sheffield, left, and head coach Eric Orne, center, watch the final seconds tick off the clock on the 56-44 victory over Pana in the Class 2A state semifinals Thursday at Redbird Arena. Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — A dramatic change in the way the Illinois High School Association schedules the boys and girls state basketball tournament games has completely altered the weekend plans. It’s a blessing in disguise for Quincy Notre Dame. After beating Pana 56-44 Thursday afternoon in the Class 2A girls state semifinals at Illinois State University’s…

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QND’s Schreacke repeats as leading vote-getter for Associated Press Class 2A all-state team

Quincy Notre Dame junior Abbey Schreacke was the leading vote-getter for the Associated Press Class 2A all-state team for the second year in a row. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Abbey Schreacke has been the most dominant player on the court nearly every game this season. So it came as no surprise when she was the leading vote-getter for the Associated Press Class 2A all-state teams, which were released Wednesday. The 5-foot-10 junior guard topped a list of five first-team standouts, three of…

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‘It’s like our homecoming’: Raiders outlast Pioneers to win super-sectional, earn chance to return to Redbird Arena for final four

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players react to beating Normal U-High 30-28 in Monday night's Class 2A Beardstown Super-Sectional to advance to the state semifinals Thursday at Redbird Arena in Bloomington. Matt Schuckman photo

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Doubt never fully surfaced. Concern may have. Yet, no matter what level of uneasiness the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players actually felt during the course of Monday night’s Class 2A Beardstown Super-Sectional, the unshakeable belief they have in each other always prevailed. “We stuck together,” junior guard Abbey Schreacke said. “That’s…

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Eftink shrugs off off-kilter shooting to make clutch free throws, send QND girls to state final four

Quincy Notre Dame's Blair Eftink sets herself to shoot the first of two free throws with 8.2 seconds remaining in regulation Monday night in the Class 2A Beardstown Super-Sectional against Normal U-High. Matt Schuckman photo

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Disbelief. It spread across Blair Eftink’s face. With 23.8 seconds remaining in Monday night’s Class 2A Beardstown Super-Sectional and the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team clinging to a two-point lead, Eftink had the chance to provide a little bit of separation. Instead, her first free-throw attempt in a 1-and-1 situation rattled…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, February 26

Boys basketball At Monroe City, Mo. Class 3 District 6 championship Monroe City 69, Highland 40. Click here for the story. Girls basketball At Monroe City, Mo. Class 3 District 6 championship South Shelby 59, Palmyra 55. Click here for the story. Men’s basketball At Meyer Sports Center, Bolivar, Mo. Southwest Baptist 86, Quincy University…

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South Shelby freshman buries go-ahead 3-pointer, ruins Palmyra’s chance for district upset

South Shelby’s Belle Roush, left, drives on Palmyra’s Sydney Compton during the Class 3 District championship Saturday afternoon in Monroe City, Mo. The Lady Birds won 59-55 after Roush his the go-ahead 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — A freshman who came off the bench made the go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds of the Class 3 District 6 championship game. It just didn’t happen to be one of the Palmyra girls basketball team’s talented underclassmen. South Shelby’s Belle Roush drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key…

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Scoreboard for Friday, February 25

Boys basketball At Alton, Ill. Class 4A Alton Regional Quincy High School 56, O’Fallon 49. Click here for the story and photos. At Beardstown, Ill. Class 2A Beardstown Regional Quincy Notre Dame 48, Pleasant Plains 37. Click here for the story and photos. At Griggsville, Ill. Class 1A Griggsville-Perry Regional Liberty 59, Winchester West Central…

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QND girls respond to early deficit, fend off Alton Marquette to win Class 2A sectional title

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players celebrate after receiving the Class 2A Waverly Sectional championship plaque following their 54-45 victory over Alton Marquette on Friday night. Matt Schuckman photo

WAVERLY, Ill. — Why worry? That’s exactly what the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players were thinking. Alton Marquette hit the Raiders with an opening salvo Friday night, scoring the first six points of the Class 2A Waverly Sectional championship game and forcing QND coach Eric Orne to burn a timeout after only 2 minutes,…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, February 23

John Wood Community College's Stephanie Anders, center, tries to keep Lincoln Land's Colby Burt from scoring during Wednesday night's game at the Student Activity Center. Matt Schuckman photo

Boys basketball At Beardstown, Ill. Class 2A Beardstown Regional Quincy Notre Dame 57, Illini West 37. Click here for the story and photos. Pleasant Plains 63, West Hancock 61. Click here for the story and photos. At Griggsville, Ill. Class 1A Griggsville-Perry Regional Liberty 61, Griggsville-Perry 47. Click here for the story and photos. Winchester…

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Palmyra girls need overtime to dispatch Highland, will face South Shelby for district championship

Palmyra's Candra King shoots over a Highland defender during Wednesday night's Class 3 District 6 semifinal in Monroe City, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — A 13-point halftime lead evaporated, forcing the second-seeded Palmyra girls basketball team to show some serious resolve in order to keep its season on the rails. The youthful Panthers played with poise when it mattered. Highland’s Ansley Bringer hit a 3-pointer in the waning seconds of regulation to force overtime, but…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, February 22

Boys basketball At Alton, Ill. Class 4A Alton Regional Quincy High School 49, Edwardsville 37. Click here for the story. At Monroe City, Mo. Class 3 District 6 South Shelby 50, Mark Twain 47: Jaaron Durbin’s 3-pointer at the buzzer pushed the fourth-seeded Cardinals into a semifinal matchup with top-seeded Monroe City on Thursday. Durbin…

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All for one, one for all: Raiders kickstart sectional semifinal victory with production from entire lineup

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Blair Eftink shoots a free throw to complete a three-point play in the first quarter of Tuesday night's Class 2A Waverly Sectional semifinal against Carlinville. Matt Schuckman photo

WAVERLY, Ill. — The attention opposing defenses pay Abbey Schreacke is warranted. But if Blair Eftink and the rest of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s starting five attack the basket with the kind of vengeance they did Tuesday night, opponents will find it harder and harder to double- or triple-team Schreacke. Stopping the…

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Power outage: Inability to score keeps Chargers from putting together another dramatic rally

Illini West coach Grant Surprenant talks to his team during a timeout in the second half of Tuesday's 35-28 loss to Alton Marquette in the semifinals of the Class 2A Waverly Sectional. Matt Schuckman photo

WAVERLY, Ill. — The team with a penchant for fourth-quarter magic needed to drum up another miracle moment. Shots have to fall for that to happen. Tuesday night, in the semifinals of the Class 2A Waverly Sectional, the Illini West girls basketball team couldn’t make a field goal to start a rally until the deficit…

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Scoreboard for Monday, February 21

Girls basketball At Monroe City, Mo. Class 3 District 6 Monroe City 29, Mark Twain 25: Taylor Pfaff’s basket just before the buzzer at the end of the third quarter gave the fifth-seeded Panthers their first lead. Although the fourth-seeded Tigers tied the game at 19 early in the fourth quarter, Mackenzie Moss scored five…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, February 19

Boys basketball At The Pit, Quincy Class 2A Beardstown Regional Quincy Notre Dame 64, Rushville-Industry 25. Click here for the story and photos. At Carthage, Ill. Class 2A Beardstown Regional Illini West 69, Beardstown 50: Max Richardson scored 28 points and Nolan Deitrich added 14 as the Chargers advanced to the semifinals to face Quincy…

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Duck hunting: Brown County girls ramp up defensive pressure to beat Havana, win regional title

The Brown County girls basketball team won the Class 1A Lewistown Regional by beating Havana 58-29 Saturday. Submitted photo

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — The Brown County girls basketball team turned up the defensive heat to cook the Havana Ducks. The Hornets limited Havana to just three made field goals in the first half and scored 18 consecutive points during a six-minute stretch overlapping the second and third quarters Saturday afternoon to roll to a convincing…

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Scoreboard for Friday, February 18

Boys basketball At The Pit, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 69, Keokuk 43. Click here for the story and photos. At Monroe City, Mo. Monroe City 62, Macon 48: The Panthers wrapped up a perfect run through the Clarence Cannon Conference to win their fourth consecutive league championship. Girls basketball At Jim Belz Gym, Springfield, Ill.…

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Raiders rev up in second quarter, win regional championship behind Schreacke’s 29 points

Submitted photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s struggling start was erased when Abbey Schreacke scored with 6.6 seconds remaining in the first quarter to give the Raiders’ the lead. QND never trailed again. Off a Williamsville turnover with 15.1 seconds left in the quarter, QND got the ball into Schreacke’s hands, and…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, February 15

Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 65, Galesburg 57. Click here for the story and photos. At Hamilton, Ill. West Hancock 68, Quincy Notre Dame 58. Click here for the story. At Camp Point, Ill. Central 50, Winchester West Central 43: The Panthers limited the Cougars to two field goals and…

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Illinois girls basketball regionals: QND fends off Plains in second half, QHS cannot stop Alton’s run

Quincy High School sophomore forward Taylor Fohey, center, looks for room to score against Alton in the Class 4A Edwardsville Sectional semifinals Tuesday night. Photo courtesy Matt Kamp

The difference between the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team advancing to a regional championship and Quincy High School falling short of that goal is a matter of minutes, not so much a matter of points. The Raiders shut down Pleasant Plains long enough to survive. The Blue Devils needed 90 seconds of timely stops…

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Scoreboard for Monday, February 14

Boys basketball At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 68, Rushville-Industry 35: The Eagles improved to 24-5 and wrapped up the West Central Conference championship. At Augusta, Ill. Southeastern 70, Unity 47: The Suns continue rolling toward the postseason as Danny Stephens scored 29 points and Ramsey Fry added 28. Melvin McMillen led the Mustangs with 16 points,…

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Quick start, suffocating defense carry Hornets into Thursday’s regional championship

Brown County coach Dave Phelps has the Hornets on the verge of a 30-win season and a Class 1A regional championship. Matt Schuckman photo

LEWISTOWN, Ill. — The second-seeded Brown County girls basketball team scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to extend its lead to 20 points and finish off a 63-41 victory over sixth-seeded Lewistown in Monday’s semifinals of the Class 1A Lewistown Regional. Ahead 43-33 entering the fourth quarter after managing just eight points…

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Scoreboard for Friday, February 11

Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 49, Rock Island 47. Click here for the story and photos. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 57, Quincy Notre Dame 43. Click here for the story and photos. At Voshall Gym, Pittsfield, Ill. Pittsfield 56, Western 34: TJ Reel hit a pair of 3-pointers in the…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, February 10

Boys basketball At Rushville, Ill. Central 79, Rushville-Industry 57: Panthers junior forward Isaac Genenbacher proved unstoppable in the post, scoring nine points in the pivotal second quarter. Central outscored Rushville 21-9 in the second quarter and maintained the double digit lead the remainder of the game. Genenbacher finished with a career-high 33 points without a…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, February 9

Boys basketball At Voshall Gym, Pittsfield, Ill. Pittsfield 59, Jerseyville 56: The Saukees erased a 14-point deficit to force overtime and got five points from Nate Scranton in the extra period to snake out a victory. Scranton finished with 23 points as Pittsfield outscored Jerseyville 9-6 in overtime. TJ Reel added 16 points for the…

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Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND heads into postseason No. 1 in Class 2A

Quincy Notre Dame guard Blair Eftink, left, and the Raiders will head into the postseason as the No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In the final state rankings before the Illinois girls basketball postseason begins, not much changed for the area teams. Quincy Notre Dame remains ranked No. 1 in Class 2A and Illini West is No. 3, although the Chargers are now tied with Pana, which is enjoying a 29-1 season and has not lost…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, February 8

Boys basketball At Geneseo, Ill. Quincy High School 71, Geneseo 32. Click here for the story. At The Pit, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 67, Unity 55. Click here for the story and photos. At Monroe City, Mo. Monroe City 62, Palmyra 31. Click here for the story and photos. At Warsaw, Ill. Liberty 68, West…

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Palmyra girls weather first-half storm, Monroe City boys take control early in CCC victories

Palmyra’s Alex Loman, left, looks to throw a pass around Monroe City’s Josiah Talton during Tuesday night’s game in Monroe City, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The Monroe City girls basketball team had everyone thinking upset. The Palmyra boys never got that chance. In a Clarence Cannon Conference showcase doubleheader Tuesday, the two teams either state ranked or in that conversation walked away with victories, albeit in decidedly different manners. Outscored 16-4 in the first quarter and…

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Scoreboard for Monday, February 7

Boys basketball At The Pit, Quincy Southeastern 62, Quincy Notre Dame 52. Click here for the story and photos. At Canton, Mo. North Shelby 67, Canton 58: Preston Brewer led the Tigers with 17 points as they fell to 6-14 overall. Robert Uhlmeyer led the Raiders with 19 points. Girls basketball At Macomb, Ill. Illini…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, February 5

Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 62, Webster Groves 54. Click here for the story. At The Pit, Quincy SuperFan Shootout Jacksonville Routt 36, Quincy Notre Dame 35. Click here for the story and photos. Monroe City 54, Liberty 53. Click here for the story, photos and video. Winchester West Central…

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SuperFan Shootout: Edwardsville pulls away from QND in fourth quarter in showdown of two girls basketball dynasties

Edwardsville's Elle Evans, left, tries to take away the passing lane from Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke during Saturday night's game in the SuperFan Shootout at The Pit. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Sydney Harris said she and her Edwardsville girls basketball teammates tend to struggle following a long bus ride. That haul from Madison County to Quincy, however, proved to be little or no problem when the Tigers outlasted Quincy Notre Dame 66-54 in Saturday night’s marquee matchup in the SuperFan Shootout at The Pit.…

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SuperFan Shootout Roundup: Mustangs overwhelm Cougars with balanced offense

The Unity girls basketball team huddles during a timeout Saturday against Winchester West Central in the SuperFan Shootout at the Pit. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Four players scored in double figures for the Unity girls basketball team in a resounding 73-31 victory over Winchester West Central on Saturday afternoon during the SuperFan Shootout at the Pit. Unity (23-4) led 18-10 after the first quarter, then outscored the Cougars 20-4 in the second quarter. The lead never dipped below…

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Scoreboard for Friday, February 4

Boys basketball At Wharton Field House, Moline, Ill. Moline 76, Quincy High School 57. Click here for the story and photos. At The Pit, Quincy SuperFan Shootout Quincy Notre Dame 68, Northeast Cairo 65. Click here for the story and photos. Illini West 59, Griggsville-Perry 49. Click here for the story. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, February 3

Girls basketball At QHS gym, Quincy Quincy High School 45, United Township 37. Click here for the story. Men’s basketball At TRAC, Springfield, Ill. Quincy University 80, Illinois-Springfield 74. Click here for the story. At Morden Center, Lamoni, Iowa Culver-Stockton College 63, Graceland 51: A second-half surge offensively carried the Wildcats to a season sweep…

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Muddy River Showcase to bring back Illinois vs. Missouri all-star basketball games

QUINCY — Brad Hoyt remembers fondly going head-to-head with players from the opposite side of the Mississippi River in a summer all-star basketball game while creating long-lasting relationships with rivals he played against during the regular season. “There are stories from that game that we still share,” Hoyt said. And it’s been almost 30 years…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, February 1

Boys basketball At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 78, Western 39: The Eagles, ranked fifth in Class 1A, tuned up for a weekend showdown with Monroe City, the No. 1-ranked team in Missouri Class 3, by overwhelming the Wildcats and earning their 20th victory of the season. Cannen Wolf led the Eagles with 23 points, while Breiton…

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Scoreboard for Monday, January 31

Boys basketball At Mendon, Ill. Illini West 73, Unity 41: The Chargers finally put the finishing touch on their Hancock County Tournament championship by outgunning the Mustangs in the weather-delayed finale. Nolan Deitrich made four 3-pointers and scored 14 of the Chargers’ 16 points in the first quarter as they bolted to a 16-10 lead.…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, January 29

Girls basketball At Bethalto, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 60, Bethalto Civic Memorial 46. Click here for the story. At Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse, Sterling, Ill. Quincy High School 69, Sterling 19: The Blue Devils picked up another Western Big 6 Conference victory, limiting the Golden Warriors to one field goal in the first quarter. Quincy…

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Top-ranked QND relies on defense in fourth quarter to hold off No. 8 Civic Memorial

Blair Eftink

BETHALTO, Ill. — The fourth-quarter offensive miscues — four turnovers and zero converted field goals — committed by the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team on Saturday afternoon proved it may be withering from pressure. What ultimately kept the Raiders upright was their defense. Despite going the final eight minutes without a basket, QND was…

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Scoreboard for Friday, January 28

Boys basketball At Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse, Sterling, Ill. Quincy High School 60, Sterling 32. Click here for the story and video interview. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 57, Brown County 52: A 20-point lead at the end of the third quarter got uncomfortably tight near the end as the Hornets rallied. The fifth-ranked Eagles used…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, January 27

Boys basketball At Monroe City, Mo. Columbia Father Tolton 59, Monroe City 41: In a battle of state-ranked teams, the Trailblazers gained the edge by limiting the Panthers to 15 combined points in the second and third quarters. Monroe City, ranked second in Class 3 according to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association polls, trailed 32-18…

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Blue Devils gain confidence with second straight victory over 17-win opponent

Quincy High School's Leah Chevalier, right, attempts to score during Thursday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at the QHS gym. Photo courtesy Stacie Niffen, Quippi Staff

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team just might be peaking at the perfect time. The Blue Devils’ 40-25 Western Big 6 Conference victory Thursday night over a 17-win Galesburg club was the second straight win over a quality opponent, evening Quincy’s record at 8-8. Earlier this week, the Blue Devils downed Springfield…

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Illinois girls state basketball polls: Quincy Notre Dame moves to No. 1 in Class 2A

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team is the new No. 1-ranked team in Class 2A, the first time the Raiders have been No. 1 in the state since the 2012 season. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For the first time since 2012, when the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team won the second of its three straight state championships, the Raiders are the No. 1-ranked team in the state. QND and Winnebago switched spots atop the Class 2A state poll after the Raiders beat third-ranked Illini West on the…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, January 25

Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy High School 66, Alleman 33. Click here for the story and photos. At Carthage, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 57, Illini West 45. Click here for the story. At Liberty, Ill. Liberty 61, Jacksonville Routt 47: The fifth-ranked Eagles used their size to their advantage as their frontcourt…

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Liquor Booth Shot of the Game: QND’s Schreacke hits game-winner against Illini West

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke looks to shoot while being defended by Illini West's Reagan Reed during last Thursday's game in Carthage, Ill. Matt Schuckman photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — Abbey Schreacke’s reaction said everything. This one meant something. An all-state junior guard on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, Schreacke caught the ball on the left block as time ticked away in the final 15 seconds of last Thursday’s state-ranked showdown with Illini West and the game tied at 38.…

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Scoreboard for Monday, January 24

Boys basketball At Mendon, Ill. Brown County 63, Unity 52: Cole Behymer scored 22 points as the Hornets controlled the game in the second half. Colby Wort added 17 points for Brown County. Gavin Koenig led the Mustangs with 12 points, while Nick Maynard and Melvin McMillen scored 10 points apiece. Girls basketball At Rushville,…

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Crim: Pursuit of success and regional glory strengthens bond between Brown County’s Flynn twins

Brown County's Flynn twins — Klare on the left, Katey on the right — have guided the Hornets to a Class 1A state ranking with the goal of winning a regional championship. Matt Schuckman photo

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. – Katey and Klare Flynn, identical twins born one minute apart and virtually inseparable since, are best friends off the basketball court. “It helps that we’re around each other all the time,” said Klare, who entered the world second. “We’re like the same person. We like all the same things. We do…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, January 22

Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy Shootout St. Louis University High 49, Quincy High School 40. Click here for the story and photos. Liberty 62, Dixon 48. Click here for the story and photos. At Palmyra, Mo. Tony Lenzini Tournament Monroe City 73, Hannibal 60. Click here for the story and photos. Palmyra…

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Monroe City boys, Canton girls capture titles at 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational

Monroe City’s Kyle Hays lays the ball in during the Panthers’ victory over Hannibal in the championship game of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational on Saturday night in Palmyra, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Hannibal boys basketball team relied on its defense to keep it within striking distance of top-seeded Monroe City at halftime of Saturday night’s championship game of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational. The Panthers didn’t allow that to happen in the second half. After being held to just nine points in…

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Scoreboard for Friday, January 21

Boys basketball At Blue Devil Gym, Quincy Quincy Shootout Quincy High School 55, United Township 45. Click here for the story and photos. At the Pit, Quincy Quincy Shootout Confluence Prep 66, Quincy Notre Dame 65. Click here for the story and photos. At Griggsville, Ill. Liberty 52, Griggsville-Perry 20: The Eagles raced out to…

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Scoreboard for Thursday, January 20

Hannibal’s Aaris Stolte, left, shoots the ball over Highland’s Drew Mallett during the Pirates’ semifinal matchup of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational on Thursday night in Palmyra, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Boys basketball At Palmyra, Mo. Tony Lenzini Invitational Hannibal 73, Highland 40: A 13-point halftime cushion turned into a rout as the Pirates’ 3-point barrage carried them into Saturday night’s championship game against top-seeded Monroe City. Hannibal made four 3-pointers in the third quarter and 11 treys overall. Aaris Stolte finished with 24 points, making…

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Schreacke’s clutch shot gives No. 2 QND edge in showdown with No. 3 Illini West

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke runs into Illini West's Hallie Ray as she attempts to drive to the basket during the second half of Thursday night's game in Carthage, Ill. Matt Schuckman photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — The difference between the two best Class 2A girls basketball teams in the west-central part of the state is subtle, yet simple. One has Abbey Schreacke. The other does not. With the outcome of Thursday night’s battle of state-ranked teams, Quincy Notre Dame was going to win, lose or draw with the…

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Scoreboard for Wednesday, January 19

Palmyra’s Laydin Lochman, left, handles the ball while being pressured by Monroe City’s Kyle Hays during Wednesday night’s semifinal matchup of the 79th annual Tony Lenzini Invitational in Palmyra, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Boys basketball At Payson, Ill. Quincy Notre Dame 59, Payson Seymour 55. Click here for the story and video interview. At Palmyra, Mo. Tony Lenzini Invitational Monroe City 42, Palmyra 23: The tempo favored fourth-seeded Palmyra until top-seeded Monroe City got stingy and Joshua Talton got rolling. Monroe City, which led the semifinal matchup 17-13…

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Prairie State Profile: Illini West’s Kirkham develops into area’s pre-eminent playmaker with guidance from basketball-savvy family

Illini West point guard Caydee Kirkham drives to the basket during a game against Unity in Carthage, Ill. Photo courtesy Rick Goettsche

The Prairie State Profile will appear each week to highlight an Illinois area student-athlete. CARTHAGE, Ill. — Technology has changed the method of delivery, but the messages are similar to what they were three decades ago. The intent is the same, too. It’s to give Caydee Kirkham all the knowledge she needs to succeed at…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, January 18

Girls basketball At the Pit, Quincy Quincy Notre Dame 57, Quincy High School 35. Click here for the story and photos. At Palmyra, Mo. Tony Lenzini Tournament Canton 45, Monroe City 37: The Tigers held the Panthers to four points in the fourth quarter to advance to the semifinals. Nariah Clay led Canton with 17…

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