Posts Tagged ‘Illini West’
Playoff primer: Taking inside look at first-round matchups for Illinois prep football teams
QUINCY — The first round of the Illinois High School Association football playoffs provides lengthy road trips, rematches and the start of title defenses. Six area teams qualified for the postseason with four earning first-round home games. Here is a look at each of the six games on top for Muddy River Sports area schools.…
Read More‘It’s through the roof’: Regional title continues to boost Raiders’ confidence state crown is possible
WARSAW, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team has already cleared a hurdle it couldn’t get over last season, but their quest for the ultimate prize is far from over. The Raiders swept Illini West 25-16, 25-11 in Thursday’s Class 2A Warsaw Regional championship. “This is another step in the journey,” Raiders coach Danielle…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND wins regional volleyball championship by sweeping Illini West
WARSAW, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team keeps rolling. The top-seeded Raiders advanced to the Class 2A Riverton Sectional by dispatching Illini West 25-16, 25-11 in Thursday’s Warsaw Regional championship match. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreChargers take advantage of good fortune to close out regional semifinal, create matchup with Raiders
WARSAW, Ill. — As AJ Cook’s serve took what seemed like an eternity to creep over the net, the Illini West volleyball team held its collective breath. “I was just praying that it would hit,” Cook said. Cook was tasked with a pivotal serve in the second set of Tuesday’s Class 2A Warsaw Regional semifinal…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Illini West advance to Class 2A Warsaw Regional championship match
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. WARSAW, Ill. — The seeds held true. The top-seeded Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team raced past seventh-seeded Monmouth-Roseville 25-6, 25-15, while fourth-seeded Illini West outlasted fifth-seeded Knoxville 25-21, 25-21 during Tuesday’s semifinals of the Class 2A Warsaw Regional.…
Read MoreQND cross country teams both finish second at regional, Liberty’s Obert in top five in boys race
RUSHVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys and girls cross country teams each finished second Saturday in the Class 1A Rushville-Industry Regional at Scripps Park. On the boys side, in a race dominated by runners from Pleasant Plains, four area runners finished in the top 10 individually. Liberty junior Lane Obert was sixth in…
Read MoreRaiders rebound with solid effort, Chargers’ Murphy finishes in top 15 at state golf tourney
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Brian Hendrian has come to learn one bad day for the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team rarely if ever devolves into two. That’s why the QND coach believed the Raiders could erase a 12-stroke deficit and play themselves into contention for a top-three finish on the second day of the Class…
Read MoreEftink in contention at state golf tourney, while Raiders, Chargers look to climb leaderboard
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Beau Eftink’s state title pursuit and the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team’s trophy dash both will need a charge Saturday. Eftink, the QND junior who finished second individually a year ago, finds himself tied for fifth in the Class 1A state tournament following Friday’s opening round at Prairie Vista Golf Course.…
Read MoreEtched in history: Chargers fight way back to postseason play with fifth straight victory
HAMILTON, Ill. — Friday was a light day in weight training class for Illini West senior wide receiver and defensive back Tre Niederman, but his thoughts weighed heavily on him. As Niederman walked the track at Fuzz Berges Field during that class — Illini West football assistant coach Michael Lafferty, who teaches the class, was…
Read MoreYouthful area golfers set to embrace opportunity state tournament play provides
QUINCY — Why wait to be great? Throughout the prep golf season, with the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West boys golf teams battling for supremacy and the QND girls team consistently showcasing its depth, comments regarding each team’s youthful lineup focused on the future instead of the present. One of the more common refrains…
Read MoreRejuvenated Hannibal volleyball squad whips past Illini West to kickstart another busy week
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Saturday was exhausting. Monday was relieving. After the Hannibal volleyball team played five matches in a nine-hour span at Saturday’s Quincy High School Invitational, a three-set victory in a match that took a little more than an hour was just what the doctor ordered 48 hours later. The Pirates made quick work…
Read MoreHendrian’s early birdies kickstart sectional title pursuit as Raiders, Chargers punch tickets to state
QUINCY — Olliver Hendrian never expected his tee shot on the par-3 second hole at Spring Lake Country Club to wind up 15 or so yards behind the green. “Apparently I have too much muscle,” the Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer said with a sarcastic sideways grin. “I have to stop going to the gym.”…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from Class 1A boys golf sectional at Spring Lake Country Club
To purchase digital downloads of prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team took advantage of playing at home. The Raiders had four players shoot 77 or better Monday at Spring Lake Country Club, leading to a 296 total and the championship…
Read MoreCharging forward: Illini West regains regional crown, beats QND by 14 strokes at Deer Run
HAMILTON, Ill. — The Illini West boys golf team won three consecutive Class 1A regional championships from 2020 to 2022, only to have Quincy Notre Dame throw up a roadblock with a 23-stroke victory last fall. That made winning Wednesday’s Class 1A Hamilton Regional at Deer Run Golf Course extra satisfying. “It’s definitely a big…
Read More‘It’s good to go out with a bang’: QND’s Eversman steady on back nine to win Class 1A regional title
HAMILTON, Ill. — Maybe Meredith Eversman found the magic elixir to evening out a topsy-turvy round of golf. Switch your balls. Having posted a 7-over 43 on the front nine Tuesday at Deer Run Golf Course, the Quincy Notre Dame senior pulled a different sleeve of balls from her bag when she went to the…
Read MoreSchuckman: Boyer, Raiders able to smile after meeting challenge of facing her former team
QUINCY — Madalyn Boyer’s trepidation made sense. “I was nervous about it all day,” she said. Danielle White could relate. “It was a little emotional for me,” she said. When your hometown team becomes your nemesis for one night, it’s challenging. Boyer, a senior middle hitter on the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team, and White,…
Read MoreKeck reaches career milestone as Raiders close sweep of Chargers with emphatic burst
QUINCY — Kourtney Keck wasn’t aware how close she was to a career milestone until the public address announcer mentioned it prior to announcing the lineups for Thursday night’s volleyball match at The Pit. “I had no idea,” the Quincy Notre Dame senior libero said. She needed only two digs to reach 500 for her…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Illini West square off on volleyball court at The Pit
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West volleyball teams, with a combined xx-xx record prior to Thursday night, went head-to-head at The Pit. The Raiders’ energy remained infectious and limitless in a 25-14, 25-15 victory. Muddy…
Read MoreBombers clean up in second set, roll to 16th straight victory by beating Chargers
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Even though the Macomb volleyball team won the first set of its Prairieland Conference match Tuesday against Illini West, Bombers coach Briana Rexroat knew they could play a cleaner second set. The Bombers committed 11 combined service and hitting errors in the first set, and Rexroat gave her team a benchmark to…
Read MoreSchuckman: Prep football teams lining up to chase playoff bids at crucial juncture of regular season
QUINCY — It takes five. To be considered for one of the 256 high school football teams to qualify for a postseason berth in Illinois, five victories are needed. Six wins guarantees a spot. Seven likely gets a favorable draw. Eight almost always results in a first-round home game. And nine means you’re perfect and…
Read More‘This is only the beginning’: Lady Suns Classic title start of something special for Southeastern
AUGUSTA, Ill. — Amanda Stephens knows the Southeastern volleyball team has bigger fish to fry, but that doesn’t diminish the excitement of winning a tournament on their home floor. “This is only the beginning,” Stephens said. Southeastern went 5-0 and didn’t lose a set en route to a Lady Suns Classic title. The Suns swept…
Read MoreChargers rally to knock off Panthers as Lady Suns Classic rolls toward championship Saturday
AUGUSTA, Ill. — Kennedy Gunning’s reaction said it all. In a rematch of a three-set roller coaster that took place just nine days ago, Gunning delivered the game-winning kill for the Illini West volleyball team in a 20-25, 25-18, 15-11 victory over Camp Point Central in Lady Suns Classic pool play Thursday. Her subsequent celebration…
Read MoreScoreboard for Saturday, August 31: Bombers, Chargers win titles, Wildcats improve to 3-0
Bombers sweep way to championship MACOMB, Ill. — The Macomb volleyball team rolled to the championship of its own tournament, capturing five consecutive matches in straight sets. The Bombers went 3-0 in pool play, beating Monmouth United 26-24, 25-14, Geneseo 25-16, 25-19 and Kewanee Wethersfield 25-11, 25-21. In the semifinals, Macomb beat Bartonville Limestone 25-23,…
Read MorePanthers showcase their resolve by regaining momentum in third set to beat Chargers
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Volleyball is often a game of momentum, but in Claire Huston’s eyes, the pivotal moment in Tuesday’s match between Camp Point Central and Illini West didn’t happen in the flow of play. After the Panthers cruised to a 25-18 first set victory, the Chargers punched back with a commanding 25-12 effort in…
Read More‘OK, this is where we’re at right now’: Chargers’ Johnson relishes first game as head coach
CARTHAGE, Ill. — The moment hit Sawyer Johnson as soon as she stepped into the gymnasium at Illini West High School on Tuesday. She was about to coach her first-ever high school volleyball game. “It was crazy,” Johnson said. “Stepping into that varsity game, seeing everybody and seeing the girls, it was like ‘OK, this…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Illini West’s Max Kinnamon breaks down Chargers’ desire to end playoff drought
Coverage of the Illini West football program brought to you by: CARTHAGE, Ill. — The desire to return to the playoffs and bring postseason action back to Fuzz Berges Field is driving the Illini West football players this fall. Chargers quarterback Max Kinnamon joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman to discuss how the Chargers…
Read MoreCountdown to kickoff: Chargers intent on ending playoff drought with tenacity and toughness
Coverage of the Illini West football program brought to you by: CARTHAGE, Ill. — The Illini West football program is stuck in the middle, and Chargers coach Jacob Calvin senses the urgency to change that. “These kids are tired of it,” Calvin said. The Chargers head into this season looking to snap a playoff drought…
Read MorePrep volleyball primer: New coach leads deep, talented Illini West squad in chase of more hardware
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Four months ago, Sawyer Johnson was finishing up her animal science degree at Iowa State University. Now, she is the head coach of an Illini West volleyball team that won a regional championship and set a school record with 35 victories in 2023. “It’s been a challenging step for sure, but we’re…
Read MoreScoreboard for Saturday, August 17
Chargers win Pittsfield Invitational PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Illini West boys golf team won the Pittsfield Invitational on Saturday by shooting a 325 at Old Orchard Country Club. Pittsfield took second with a 327. Rushville-Industry was third at 332. Chargers senior Nick Bruns finished second individually with a 76, while freshman Bryson Grotts took sixth…
Read MoreYoung guns: Underclassmen lead pack during season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational
QUINCY — If the scores from Thursday’s season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational are any indication, the area boys golf scene is going to be highly competitive for years to come. Three sophomores and a freshman claimed four of the top five individual spots and a pair of freshmen posted scores that helped Illini West capture the…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Golfers open season in D.A. Weibring Invitational at Westview Golf Course
QUINCY — The flag officially dropped Thursday on the start of the high school sports season. The traditional boys golf lidlifter — the D.A. Weibring Invitational — took place at Westview Golf Course with Illini West winning the team title with a 322 total and Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen taking individual medalist honors with an…
Read MoreIt’s in the game: Jackson, Illini West catch EA SPORTS College Football 25 fever
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Like millions of other football fans, Roan Jackson anxiously awaited a new college football video game. “I had a PlayStation 3 and I played NCAA Football 14 for the last five years,” Jackson said. “One of my friends had NCAA 14, and that’s how I started playing. I got it for my…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Baseball Player of the Year Wesley Robertson discusses record-setting season at Illini West
CARTHAGE, Ill. — If the best is yet to come, Wesley Robertson will rewrite the Illini West baseball program’s entire record book. What he did during his sophomore campaign was pretty impressive as a starting point. The third baseman set the Chargers’ single-season record for RBIs, driving in 50 runs as Illini West went 28-5…
Read MoreChargers’ Robertson receives Class 2A all-state honors after record-setting baseball season
CARTHAGE, Ill. — A record-setting season earned Wesley Robertson an all-state accolade. The Illini West sophomore third baseman/pitcher was one of 24 players named to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A all-state team and one of just two sophomores to make the list. The IHSBCA names only one all-state team per class.…
Read More‘We’re going to remember this forever’: Illini West’s Bentzinger, Liberty’s Sunde share track for final time
PALMYRA, Mo. — Illini West’s Ian Bentzinger and Liberty’s Keegan Sunde spent all season as rivals. On Friday, they were teammates, and they made sure to have some fun. During the Illinois/Missouri Senior All-Star Track Meet at Palmyra High School, the state-qualifying sprinters made up the first two legs of the Illinois boys 4×100 meter…
Read MoreIrish right-hander takes steam out of Chargers’ attack in Class 2A sectional championship
CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Jack Livengood did what no one else could. The Peoria Notre Dame junior right-hander quieted the Illini West baseball team’s attack. Livengood retired the Chargers in order the first time through the lineup, didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and authored a three-hit shutout in Saturday’s Class 2A Chillicothe IVC…
Read MoreChargers apply pressure to Rockets’ defense, create sectional title game showdown with Irish
CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Sometimes putting the ball in play is enough to get the job done. The Illini West baseball players took that approach to heart. The Chargers continually applied pressure to Rockridge’s defense during Wednesday’s Class 2A Chillicothe IVC Sectional semifinal, using a mix of hard ground balls, solid liners and strategically timed bunts…
Read More‘I wasn’t really nervous’: Carlisle’s strong outing helps Chargers win regional title
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Ethan Carlisle is only a sophomore, but he had the composure of a veteran on Saturday. Carlisle tossed six shutout innings as the Illini West baseball team defeated Macomb 5-0 to capture the Class 2A Illini West Regional title at Jake Burling Field. Carlisle’s poise was put to the test in the…
Read MoreChargers let lead slip away, fall to Turks in regional championship game
TREMONT, Ill. — The Illini West softball team’s start against Tremont on Saturday was everything the Chargers could have asked for, but a seven-run fourth inning led to a 9-7 victory for the Turks in the Class 2A Tremont Regional championship game. The Chargers scored five runs in the top of the second. Payton Downs…
Read MoreBruns finishes what he starts, guiding Chargers to regional semifinal victory in eight innings
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Illini West baseball coach Zack Burling told left-handed starter Nick Bruns he was only going to face Eureka’s leadoff hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday before the Chargers went to the bullpen. “I just begged him to let me try to finish this game,” Bruns said. “And he did.…
Read MoreChargers’ Bentzinger qualifies for state track meet in four events, Titans’ Gooding breaks triple jump record
FARMINGTON, Ill. — Ian Bentzinger is sprinting his way toward a shot at a state championship, and the Illini West senior will have four chances at that. Bentzinger qualified for the Class 1A state track and field championships in four events during Wednesday’s Farmington Sectional, winning both the 100- and 200-meter dashes and running a…
Read MoreAround the area: Blue Devils share WB6 tennis title, Pirates fall in districts, Wolves win one-run marathon
GENESEO, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team made its lead last at the Western Big 6 Conference championships despite the continued dominance of Rock Island Alleman junior Nick Patrick. The Blue Devils placed two singles players in top four and the doubles tandem of Anderson Knapp and Jason Derian finished third, giving…
Read MoreShutout enables QND seniors to walk away from final home game with ‘memory I’ll hold forever’
QUINCY — The seniors on the Quincy Notre Dame softball team celebrated Senior Night before Friday’s victory against Camp Point Central, but Saturday was their final game at The Backyard. That’s what made it such a bittersweet day. “It’s just a memory I’ll hold forever,” senior outfielder Marah Becks said. “This is just a place…
Read MoreRunnin’ down a dream: Chargers’ Bentzinger puts focus on winning state track title in 100 dash
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Ian Bentzinger sees his motivation staring back at him every day. The Illini West senior sprinter currently holds the fifth fastest time in the 100-meter dash in Class 1A across the state with his school-record 10.82 seconds, which he ran at the Lee Calhoun Invitational on April 5 in Macomb. At the…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Area’s top tracksters compete in Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Waiting a couple of extra days to be able to run, jump and throw under sunny skies brought out the best in many of the area’s top track and field athletes. The Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays were moved to Tuesday at Porter Stadium after last Friday’s deluge made it impossible to compete.…
Read MoreRose in full bloom: QND senior belts first home run at The Ferd to power Raiders past Chargers
QUINCY — On the first pitch Ethan Rose saw, he knew he shouldn’t swing. On the second pitch, he knew he couldn’t pass. He made the right call on both. With one out in the bottom of the second inning Friday and runners on second and third after Gavin Doellman’s double, Rose jumped on a…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Runs difficult to come by as QND, Illini West square off
QUINCY — Four pitchers — two each from the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West baseball teams — combine to strike out 14 batters and allow just five hits during Friday night’s showdown at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. The Raiders won 4-2 on the strength of Ethan Rose’s three-run home run and Evan Kenning’s…
Read MoreLafferty resigns as Illini West volleyball coach after seven seasons at helm
CARTHAGE, Ill. — Dakota Lafferty’s investment in her players, her program and her sport is nearly impossible to match. Finding someone who can is the challenge the Illini West administration faces. Illini West athletic director Grant Surprenant confirmed Lafferty submitted her resignation Tuesday night and the players were informed of the decision Wednesday afternoon. Lafferty…
Read MoreBlue Devils able to overcome Chargers’ success in sprint events to win Quincy Invitational boys meet
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys track team’s strength in the distance events and overall depth enabled it to overcome Illini West’s sprinters and win the team title at the 73rd Quincy Invitational on Saturday at Flinn Stadium. The Blue Devils’ Cameron MacDonough won the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 6.59 seconds and Thomas…
Read MoreCSE’s Miller leads brigade of area girls players receiving all-state honors from IBCA
QUINCY — Lauren Miller’s ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and her Central-Southeastern girls basketball teammates elevated her game to that of a first-team all-stater. The 5-foot-10 junior forward was named to the Class 2A all-state first team by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, one of three CSE players to be honored by the…
Read MoreWest Hancock turns to defense to grind out victory over Illini West in regional semifinals
WARSAW, Ill. — The West Hancock boys basketball team could never quite find its shooting touch from the perimeter in the season’s rubber match against Illini West. Fortunately, its defense showed up when it mattered most. Hunter Froman’s steal and layup with five minutes remaining gave the Titans their first lead since late in the…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: West Hancock gains edge in county rivalry by knocking Illini West out in postseason
WARSAW, Ill. — A pair of Hancock County rivals made their third meeting of the season a memorable one. The West Hancock boys basketball team outlasted Illini West 44-39 in the semifinals of the Class 2A Warsaw Regional on Wednesday night. It gave the Titans a 2-1 edge in the season series. MRN Editor David…
Read MorePrairie State Profile: Five area wrestlers ready to chase state championships
QUINCY — The Illinois state wrestling tournament begins at noon Thursday with five area wrestlers having qualified to grapple at State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign. Wednesday, they had the opportunity to visit the Illini wrestling facility in Huff Hall, get a workout in and prepare for the pursuit of…
Read MoreRaiders flourish in fourth quarter, show signs of starting late-season push
CARTHAGE, Ill. — In the eyes of Aden Genenbacher and Noah Lunt, it’s time to start focusing on the postseason. Following the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 51-41 victory Tuesday night over Illini West, both Genenbacher and Lunt were looking into the not-too-distant future. “We’d like to put together a run before the postseason…
Read MoreShutting out Chargers in second quarter propels state-ranked Raiders to victory
CARTHAGE, Ill. — A slow start didn’t translate to a sluggish finish for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. Defense turned everything around. Trailing Illini West 9-7 at the end of the first quarter Thursday night, the state-ranked Raiders shut out the Chargers in the second quarter, then scored 23 points in the third…
Read MoreLantz, Panthers take control early in dispatching Chargers to finish CSE Classic pool play undefeated
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Brilyn Lantz preferred to look at the big picture following the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s 48-38 victory over Illini West. Sure, she posted team highs of 19 points and five rebounds Thursday night during the final game of pool play in the 31st CSE Classic, but she was most concerned with…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Full slate of games on second day of Rumble on the River
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:
Read MoreCentral-Southeastern ratchets up defensive effort in second half to run away from Illini West
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…
Read MoreIllini West’s record-setting volleyball season ends with loss in sectional title game
PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — A record-setting season needed one final rally. The Pleasant Plains volleyball team didn’t let that happen. Illini West led the second set of Wednesday night’s Class 2A sectional championship game 13-12 and was in the process of overcoming losing the first set, just as it had in Monday’s semifinal victory over…
Read MoreEndurance test: Chargers outlast Bluejays by seizing momentum in third set of sectional victory
PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — Only four times in 37 matches leading up to Monday night’s Class 2A sectional semifinals had the Illini West volleyball team engaged in a three-set marathon. And only once had the Chargers won. “I was kind of worried about that,” Illini West coach Dakota Lafferty said. So when the Chargers lost…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Illini West to play for sectional volleyball championship after dispatching PORTA
PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — Madalyn Boyer said every play gives the Illini West volleyball team confidence, and throughout Monday night’s Class 2A sectional semifinal against Petersburg PORTA — especially the final two sets — confidence grew. The Chargers outlasted the Bluejays 22-25, 25-21, 25-18 to advance to the sectional title match against Pleasant Plains at…
Read MoreChargers showcase ability to attack from every direction in beating Irish for regional crown
CANTON, Ill. — Dakota Lafferty found herself being a spectator as much as a coach Thursday night. Sparked by a booming Josie Bryan kill down the line for the first point of the match, the Illini West volleyball team used its energy and enthusiasm to overwhelm Peoria Notre Dame in a 25-17, 25-14 victory in…
Read MoreMatch-play mentality on back nine carries QND boys golf team to sectional championship
AUBURN, Ill. — As the Quincy Notre Dame boys golfers made the turn Monday, the situation seemed pretty cut and dry. Beat Bloomington Central Catholic head-to-head and win a sectional championship. Raiders coach Brian Hendrian didn’t shy away from telling his golfers that. “We went out there and played it like a Ryder Cup format…
Read MoreBeau knows: Up-and-down for par on No. 18 caps impressive regional round by QND sophomore
QUINCY — The number of strokes Beau Eftink needed to get up and down from behind the 18th green was going to determine just how pleased he would be with his final score. The moment he hit his chip shot from above the green’s collar, the Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer felt a twinge of…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Westview Golf Course plays host to Class 1A Quincy Notre Dame boys regional
QUINCY — Beau Eftink went low, the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team took advantage of playing on its home course and three teams that had been in the mix all season advanced to the Class 1A Auburn Sectional at Edgewood Golf Course. It turned out to be a remarkable day at Westview Golf Course.…
Read MorePostseason primer: Tournament success preps area golfers for pursuit of state tourney bids
QUINCY — The postseason is nigh, and it could be an eventful one on the links. Here are five things to keep in mind as regional play for Illinois boys begins Wednesday and girls Thursday and district play for Missouri girls tees off next week: Minor success, major results for Pirates The growth of the…
Read MoreFriday Night Lights rewind: First victory shows Palmyra continues to ‘do simple better’
QUINCY — Emotions ran the gamut during Week 4 of the high school football season, from elation over first victories to relief courtesy fourth-quarter survival to grief born of losing a teammate and friend. Add a sense of pride to that list for Palmyra coach Dalton Hill, who is watching the Panthers mature week by…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Macomb responds to Illini West’s opening salvo, picks up key conference victory
MACOMB, Ill. — The Illini West football team received the opening kickoff in Friday night’s Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Conference matchup with Macomb, drove 65 yards and scored. The Bombers answered with authority. Led by junior quarterback Braden Holthaus, the Bombers took a 20-12 lead by halftime and rolled to a 38-12 victory to improve to 2-1,…
Read MoreChargers take title of Lady Suns Classic behind MVP effort of Bryan
AUGUSTA, Ill. — The championship bracket of the Lady Suns Classic showed competitive balance, which is why it took a tiebreaker to determine the champion. The Illini West, Unity and Southeastern volleyball teams each completed the final day of play with a 1-1 record, but the Chargers won their first four matches of the tournament…
Read MoreChampionship Saturday set as Illini West, Southeastern, Unity to battle for volleyball title
AUGUSTA, Ill. — The top volleyball teams in each pool in the Lady Suns Classic cemented their spot in the championship bracket with straight-set sweeps Thursday night. Illini West continued its strong play, beating Brown County 25-16, 25-12. Josie Bryan led the Chargers with 11 kills and 12 digs, while Corin Robinson had 12 assists,…
Read MorePrep volleyball: Chargers roll to back-to-back victories ahead of Lady Suns Classic
MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — The Illini West volleyball team is picking up steam. After opening the season with a straight-sets victory over Camp Point Central, the Chargers swept Brown County on Thursday night, winning 26-24, 25-16. Illini West got everyone involved in the attack, too. Madalyn Boyer and Reagan Reed led the Chargers with eight…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Chargers’ Bruns takes medalist honors, QND boys win Weibring Invitational
QUINCY — The lid-lifter on the high school boys golf season took place Thursday at Westview Golf Course with a mix of what area coaches expected — quality shots, wayward bounces and the ups and downs associated with any round on the prep scene. Illini West senior Nick Bruns took medalist honors, shooting a 2-over…
Read MoreChargers’ Deitrich in high jump finals at Illinois boys state track, Eagles’ Gimm to throw in discus
CHARLESTON, Ill. — Three Quincy High School runners were unable to advance to the finals in the Class 3A boys state track and field championships during Friday’s preliminaries at O’Brien Stadium on the Eastern Illinois University campus. Boen Brockmiller placed 27th in the 200-meter dash, finishing in 22.90 seconds, while Eric McClelland was 34th in…
Read MoreChargers’ Bryan qualifies for state track meet in three events, Blue Devils’ Venvertloh advances
MACKINAW, Ill. — Josie Bryan decided to try tripling jumping about three weeks ago. It turns out she’s pretty good at it. State-level good in fact. The Illini West junior track standout finished second in the triple jump during Thursday’s Class 1A Deer Creek-Mackinaw Sectional, leaping 10.15 meters to qualify for the girls state track…
Read MorePatience at plate allows Raiders to keep good times rolling offensively
CARTHAGE, Ill. — As potent as the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s lineup is, the Raiders must also show a little bit of patience. Friday, with the wind gusting in from center field and taking away the opportunity to drive the ball deep, the Raiders relied on their ability to work counts, move runners and…
Read MoreRaiders, Chargers open Tiger Showcase with victories, will go head-to-head Saturday
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame baseball team didn’t record a hit until the fifth batter of the first inning Friday against Carrollton in the opening game of the Beardstown Tiger Showcase and had only two hits in the inning thereafter. The Raiders still scored 12 runs in the frame. Capitalizing on walks, hit…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Scenes from Saturday’s QHS track meet at Flinn Stadium
QUINCY — Photographer Samantha Carmean spent time Saturday at the Quincy High School track and field invitational at Flinn Stadium and created this photo gallery:
Read MoreStupavsky, Raiders get charge out of opening season with first-inning outburst
QUINCY — As much as he felt like he barreled the ball and put a legitimate charge into it, Michael Stupavsky could tell where it was headed. Foul territory. “After I hit that one, I wanted that back,” the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s senior catcher said of the ball he hit in the first…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND baseball team opens season with victory over Illini West
QUINCY — A seven-run outburst in the bottom of the first inning, three-plus innings of relief from a sophomore right-hander making his varsity debut and the first victory for new Quincy Notre Dame baseball coach Rich Polak made Tuesday’s game against Illini West complete. The Raiders won 8-3 at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield, and…
Read MoreRaiders’ size, experience takes over in second half, carries them into regional championship game
QUINCY — A combination of size and experience can carry a team. It’s what helped lift the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team to a sectional championship appearance a year ago. Wednesday night’s start to the postseason showed the Raiders are banking on it again. Senior post players Jake Wallingford and Alex Connoyer dominated on…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, West Hancock advance to championship of Class 2A regional
QUINCY — A little more than a week after the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team secured its 20th victory of the season by beating West Hancock, the Raiders will have to do so again to keep their season alive. QND advanced to the championship game of the Class 2A QND Regional with a 75-47…
Read MoreTop-ranked Raiders roll to regional victory over West Hancock; Illini West’s upset bid thwarted by No. 7 SHG
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…
Read MoreSurging at right time gives Raiders momentum with plenty of practice on horizon
QUINCY — The stage at which the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team found itself — both in Tuesday night’s game and its season — screamed of a need for momentum. Charlie Lavery provided it. With QND leading Illini West 24-23 with 2 minutes, 10 seconds remaining in the first half at The Pit, the…
Read MoreBig leads force top-ranked Raiders to dig deep to stay focused and energetic
QUINCY — Maybe this was inevitable. Coming off a 53-point victory and riding the momentum of a double-digit win streak, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team built a 21-point halftime lead Thursday night against Illini West. That’s when it happened. Complacency set in. The Raiders, ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, were never in…
Read MoreMustangs get back on track by overwhelming Chargers in third-place game of Lady Panther Classic
CAMP POINT, Ill. — Ashlynn Arnsmann felt Saturday night’s mission was simple. “We knew we had to bounce back,” the Unity senior center said. And bounce back the Mustangs did. Rather impressively, too. Arnsmann scored 17 points, reeled in seven rebounds and blocked two shots to help power the Unity girls basketball team to an…
Read MorePace no issue for Central-Southeastern as Panthers charge past Illini West in semifinals
CAMP POINT, Ill. — If given an option, Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long likes his team to get up and down the floor as quickly as possible. But that personal preference is not any sort of prerequisite for the Panthers to win. Case in point: CSE’s 37-26 victory over Illini West in Thursday night’s…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Semifinals of CSE Lady Panther Classic set up epic championship game
CAMP POINT, Ill. — The Brown County girls basketball team handed Unity consecutive losses for the first time this season, while Central-Southeastern continued its winning ways as both teams battled their way into the championship game of the CSE Lady Panther Classic. Brown County, ranked fifth in Class 1A, knocked off second-ranked Unity 47-43 in…
Read MoreCall it payback: Unity buries Illini West in fourth quarter, will play for tourney title at Beardstown
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — This time, the roles were reversed. When the Unity girls basketball team defeated Illini West 50-35 in Wednesday night’s semifinals of the 40th Lady Tiger Classic at Beardstown High School, the victory helped exorcise at least some of the memories from a year ago. “(Illini West) beat us three times last season,…
Read MoreLoud and clear: Raiders feed off crowd’s energy to dispatch Chargers and win regional championship
QUINCY — The bouncy, boisterous, energetic way the Illini West volleyball team plays can be distracting or intimidating. Quincy Notre Dame combatted that with plenty of noise of its own. Buoyed by a sizable, vocal crowd, the Raiders maintained an even-keel approach throughout Thursday night’s Class 2A QND Regional championship match at The Pit to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND volleyball team beats Illini West in Class 2A regional championship
QUINCY — For the seventh time in the last eight seasons, the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team can call itself a regional champion. This time, the Raiders gave their seniors a lasting memory in their final game at The Pit. QND beat Illini West 25-13, 25-17 to advance to the Farmington Sectional, where the Raiders…
Read MoreYouthful, exuberant Chargers prepare to face Raiders for regional championship
QUINCY — If pressed, Dakota Lafferty will admit, at times, it is difficult not to look toward next season. Considering her Illini West volleyball team will play Quincy Notre Dame for a Class 2A QND Regional title Thursday, what’s the deal, Dakota? “We don’t have any seniors,” she said. “We start two freshmen, three sophomores…
Read MoreEagles’ Arnold, Chargers’ Deitrich close prep golf careers with strong finishes
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Blake Arnold ended his high school golf career in fitting fashion. Nolan Deitrich did, too. Arnold, the Liberty senior, made a birdie on the par-4 18th hole Saturday at Prairie Vista Golf Course, putting a cap on a round of 7-over 79 that left him tied for 13th with a 156 total…
Read MoreNew nine, new outlook: Chargers lock in after making turn, fight way into top eight at state golf
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Wesley Robertson intended to hit his driver off the tee on the Prairie Vista Golf Course’s 367-yard, par-4 18th hole to wrap up his round Friday. When the Illini West freshman boys golfer learned a par was all he needed to help the Chargers live to play another day, Robertson went back…
Read MoreCharging forward: Illini West boys golf team qualifies for state tournament for first time
MASON CITY, Ill. — Because the par-4 second hole at Country Hills Golf Course is nearly driveable, there was a slight lag in getting groups off the tee during the early portion of Monday’s Class 1A Illini Central Sectional. That enabled Illini West boys golf coach Christine Murphy and her husband, Shane, to check the…
Read MoreThe Rundown: QND wins at Great River Classic, two homers carry Canton, Illini West cruises
The fall slate of postseason events is underway, but that doesn’t mean the action is simmering down. Here is a look at the highlights from Thursday’s action: • Cole Henkenmeier scored off a Colin Kurk assist in the first half as the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team beat Normal U-High 2-0 in the opening…
Read MorePlacing three golfers among top four individually powers Illini West to Class 1A regional title
HAMILTON, Ill. — The nuances of Deer Run Golf Course made the Class 1A West Hancock Regional quite a challenge Wednesday. Nolan Deitrich and the Illini West boys golf team navigated it the best. Dietrich, a senior, birdied the par-3 18th hole to shoot an 81 and clip Liberty’s Blake Arnold by one stroke for…
Read MoreJWCC Prairie State Profile: Illini West’s Deitrich uses right mental approach for on course success
CARTHAGE, Ill. — The physical tools Nolan Deitrich needs to excel at both golf and basketball are decidedly different. The mental approach is remarkably the same. Rolling in 4-foot par putt with a top finish at stake and hitting clutch free throws in a hostile gym will equally test your concentration and resolve. “The pressure…
Read MoreGolf roundup: QND boys use title at Galesburg as springboard into postseason
GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team is heading into the postseason on quite a roll. Three days after winning the West Central Conference championship with a 291 team total, the Raiders captured the title of Saturday’s Silver Streaks Invitational at Bunker Links by placing five individuals in the top 10 and…
Read MoreBlockbusters: Improved play at net makes Raiders tougher defensively in sweep of Chargers
QUINCY — Ali Entrup’s reaction spoke volumes. Her play at the net resonated even louder. During a tug-o-war portion of the first set Thursday night against Illini West at The Pit, the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team’s senior right side hitter stuffed a Chargers attack, giving the Raiders the point, the serve and the momentum.…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND and Illini West square off in volleyball at The Pit
QUINCY — Here is a look at the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team’s 25-15, 25-18 victory over Illini West on Thursday night at The Pit through the camera lens of Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman:
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