Connoyer calms down after technical foul, scores game-high 17 points to lead QND boys past Liberty

Quincy Notre Dame's Aiden Klauser | MRN File photo by Samantha Carmean

LIBERTY, Ill. – Quincy Notre Dame forward Jackson Connoyer had to refocus after receiving a technical foul following a scramble for a rebound under his own basket midway through the second quarter Friday night. His actions resulted in two free throws that gave Liberty a seven-point lead. “I said things I shouldn’t have said,” Connoyer…

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Boys Basketball Coach of the Year: Liberty’s Altmix helps Eagles soar to new heights

Liberty coach Greg Altmix led the Eagles to the first state championship game appearance in school history. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

LIBERTY, Ill. — For a University of Illinois graduate who has remained loyal to his alma mater and is a basketball junkie through and through, walking out of the tunnel onto the State Farm Center court was like living out a dream. Seeing his players live out their dream of playing for a state championship…

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Schuckman: Eagles stick together to make state championship journey memorable and emotional

Liberty coach Greg Altmix reacts to a play during Thursday’s Class 1A state semifinal against Scales Mound at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Part of the wisdom Liberty boys basketball coach Greg Altmix has tried to impart on his players from his more than two decades on the bench is to enjoy the journey, not just the end result. So sitting in the lobby of the team hotel Thursday afternoon, while taking time to catch…

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Robbins says Liberty still ‘has memories to make’ following regional championship

Fans and cheerleaders race on to the court to celebrate Liberty's victory over Winchester-Bluffs West Central in Friday night's Class 1A regional championship game in Griggsville. | Photo courtesy of Russ Tate

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Logan Robbins’ right knee is feeling just fine, thank you. So is that troublesome left ankle. Finally able to showcase his overall talent that had been hampered much of the season because of injuries, Robbins helped power Liberty to a 59-39 victory over Winchester-Bluffs West Central in Friday’s Class 1A regional championship…

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No. 4-ranked Liberty pulls away late against feisty Griggsville-Perry to reach regional final

Liberty's Logan Robbins dunks the ball in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's regional semifinal basketball game at Griggsville-Perry High School. | Photo courtesy of Russ Tate

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Better late than never. Liberty withstood Griggsville-Perry’s upset bid Wednesday night in a Class 1A regional semifinal game, eventually pulling away in the final quarter to secure a 61-47 victory. The top-seeded Eagles (25-5) entered the game a huge favorite but were unable to turn back Griggsville-Perry (15-17) — a team they…

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Liberty tunes up for possible state tournament run with impressive Senior Night victory over QND

Logan Robbins soars in for a dunk for the first basket of the game in Liberty's 57-43 victory over Quincy Notre Dame on Friday night. Robbins had 15 points for the Eagles. | Photo courtesy of Russ Tate

QUINCY — Logan Robbins is growing a little weary of his dad’s stories. “I’ve heard them all,” the Liberty senior said with a roll of the eyes. His father, Don, was a starter on the 1990 Unity basketball team that won its first 30 games before losing to Pittsfield in the super-sectional.  “The stories are…

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