Raiders survive Senators’ fourth quarter surge by grinding out regional championship victory

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players pose with the Class 3A Jacksonville Regional championship trophy after defeating Springfield 46-42 Thursday at the Jacksonville Bowl. | Shane Hulsey photo

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — In the final seconds of a stressful fourth quarter, Sage Stratton and Ari Buehler took some time to relax and appreciate what they had just accomplished. As Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Jenna Durst stepped to the free-throw line for two shots with 5.9 seconds left and the Raiders leading Springfield 44-40…

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Takin’ care of business: Raiders use blistering run to pull away from Crimsons in regional semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler rises for a layup during Monday's Class 3A regional semifinal game against Jacksonville at the Jacksonville Bowl. | Shane Hulsey photo

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The scoring run impressed Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne, but he was even more pleased with the attitude and approach that enabled the Raiders to go on that run. “We knew we had to come out here and just take care of business,” Orne said. That is exactly what…

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Stratton’s future teammates give ovation as she celebrates senior night with current teammates

Quincy Notre Dame senior Sage Stratton dribbles up the floor during Friday night's game at the Pit against Clopton. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — It was emotional for the four seniors on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team when they were recognized before Friday night’s game against Clopton (Mo.) High School. For Sage Stratton, it was especially touching that her future teammates and coaches from Drury University — in town to play Quincy University Saturday afternoon…

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Durst heeds coach’s advice and lets it fly, scoring career-high 27 points in crosstown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame's Jenna Durst looks to move the ball around the perimeter while being pressured by Quincy High School's Madelyn Hamby during Tuesday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jenna Durst didn’t feel the vibes.  “I didn’t really think the first two I shot were very good,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior forward said of her 3-point attempts from the left wing and the top of the key in the first 35 seconds of Tuesday night’s game against the Quincy High School…

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Shots fall to allow Raiders to run away from top-ranked opponent, cap challenging week with victory

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ellie Bozarth attacks the rim while being defending by Cairo (Mo.) Northeast's Avery Brumley, left, during Saturday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — When Sage Stratton’s transition layup attempt rolled off the rim on the first possession of Saturday’s game, the best thing the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players could do was laugh it off. When Tristan Pieper’s shot from the block on the next possession missed the mark, there was a collective “Oh, no,…

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QND girls developing depth during December’s endless run of games

Quincy Notre Dame guard Sage Stratton, left, drives to the basket during the second half of Saturday's game against Moberly in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Commnunity College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — No rest for the weary. At least not for a few more days. The December schedule that has the top-ranked Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team playing 13 games in 21 days is nearing its end. Two games in a three-day span will wrap it up before the Raiders go 17 days until…

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