Blue Devils complete their mission to finally win title at Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic

Quincy High School senior point guard Kamren Wires presents the championship trophy of the 40th Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic to his teammates following Sunday night's 68-47 victory over The Woodlands Christian Academy (Texas) at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Mission accomplished. After losing back-to-back years in the championship game of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic, the Quincy High School boys basketball players set a goal — actually they made it their mission — to win the title this season as a springboard into 2025. In fact, almost two months ago…

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‘We stay locked in’: Blue Devils handle foul trouble with right approach as Wires, Thomas lead way to semifinal victory

Quincy High School senior guard Kamren Wires drives to the basket for two of his 10 points during Saturday night's victory over Belleville Althoff in the semifinals of the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — When a timeout was called midway through the third quarter Saturday night, Kamren Wires gathered his Quincy High School boys basketball teammates and delivered an important message. Let it go, he told them. “He brought all the guys in and was like, ‘Hey, quit complaining about fouls. Quit whining to the officials.…

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Blue Devils’ mission is simple: Win elusive Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic title

Quincy High School senior point guard Kamren Wires will lead the Blue Devils in pursuit of the first Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic title of their careers. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Following an emotionally charged weekend that saw the Quincy High School boys basketball team win a pair of games to improve to 9-0, the Blue Devils were given Sunday off to rest and recharge. Not that any of them planned to take advantage of it. “I know guys are already talking about being…

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‘You can’t stop it’: QHS goes on second quarter tear to turn crosstown showdown into rout

Quincy High School's Keshaun Thomas, left, and Bradley Longcor III rect to Thomas making a 3-pointer during the first half of Saturday night's 70-40 victory over Quincy Notre Dame at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Anyone who caught sight of Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas on the sideline after the Blue Devils forced a turnover on Quincy Notre Dame’s third possession of Saturday night’s game might have been a little perplexed. Douglas stomped his left foot, slammed his right fist into his left hand and…

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Blue Devils continue to inch closer to putting together complete ‘A’ effort

Quincy High School senior guard Kamren Wires puts up a jump shot from in front of the Blue Devils' bench during the second half of Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg at Blue Devil Gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — If that was the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s B — or even C — game, the rest of the Western Big 6 Conference must be shaking in their boots at the thought of the Blue Devils bringing their A game. The state-ranked Blue Devils led by as many as 50 points…

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Flip the switch: Thomas, Blue Devils dominate inside to roll past Eagles and into title showdown

Quincy High School forward Keshaun Thomas waits for a teammate to make a cut before he passes during Friday night's game against Dunlap at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — As the Quincy High School boys basketball team reviewed the film from Thursday’s season-opening victory, Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas offered a critique that struck a nerve with senior forward Keshaun Thomas. The 6-foot-6 Thomas needed to be more aggressive chasing rebounds. “It turns a switch on for me,” Thomas said. “I have…

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Blue Devils shoot plenty of layups while sharing ball in commanding road victory over Jacksonville

Quincy High School guard Kamren Wires helped the Blue Devils rebound from Friday's loss at Moline with a 27-point victory at Jacksonville on Saturday night. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — How easy was it for the Quincy High School boys basketball team to score against a porous Jacksonville defense on Saturday night? One play in the second quarter provided a perfect example. Blue Devils guard Kamren Wires was about to be trapped by two Jacksonville defenders in front of the Quincy bench,…

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