Posts Tagged ‘Macomb’
Sluggish start, stellar finish defensively enables Blue Devils to dispatch Bombers
QUINCY — Quincy High School’s girls basketball team received the perfect wake-up call Wednesday night. A bit painful, but perfect. “We came out flat, and Macomb punched us right in the mouth,” Blue Devils coach Brad Dance said. Macomb dominated the first quarter, racing to a 16-9 lead, but those opening eight minutes wound up…
Read More‘Our intensity changed things’: Raiders shut down Bombers in third quarter, finally get offense rolling
QUINCY — It was the worst of offenses, it was the best of offenses. Now, that’s a little overdramatic for what took place Saturday night at The Pit. And Charles Dickens likely would have found something a little less overused and a little more poetic to describe the tale of two halves. Still, it seems…
Read MorePlayoff 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 MoreTournament title sends QND volleyball team into postseason with truckload of momentum
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team is heading into the postseason on a roll. The Raiders went 4-0 in the QND Volleyball Bash on Friday and Saturday, highlighted by a 25-20, 16-25, 15-11 victory over Breese Mater Dei, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A, on Friday. “It was some of the…
Read MoreBombers finish second, Pirates beat Blue Devils in cross-river rematch at QHS Invitational
QUINCY — After more than 10 hours of volleyball, it’s only fitting that the final match of Saturday’s Quincy High School Invitational provided another three-set thriller. Macomb outlasted Freeburg 25-13, 21-25, 15-9 to earn second place in the tournament. The Bombers fell behind 5-3 in the third set after a long, grueling rally that lasted…
Read MoreQND knocks off unbeaten Macomb, gains some revenge for last season’s disappointing finish
QUINCY — Redemption tasted pretty sweet. So did healing the wounds from the way last season ended. The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team avenged its loss to Macomb in the 2023 Class 2A regional championship game by sweeping the Bombers 25-21, 25-16 on Wednesday at The Pit. “They wanted this more than anything,” Raiders first-year…
Read MoreStortzum, Bombers serve up backbreaking run to start second set in sweep of Suns
MACOMB, Ill. — Macomb volleyball coach Briana Rexroat didn’t know why, but she had a vision leading up to the Bombers’ heavyweight clash with Southeastern on Wednesday. “For some reason, all day I was envisioning 25-12,” Rexroat said. “I just kept seeing those two numbers.” Nostradamus would have been proud. Rexroat’s vision came true in…
Read MoreBlue Devils send two golfers to Class 3A sectional, while Bombers push three to Class 2A sectional
GRANITE CITY, Ill. — Hunter St. Clair stayed steady. Ty Novosel stayed aggressive. It paid off for both. The Quincy High School golfers earned individual spots in the Class 3A sectional by finishing in the top 20 during Wednesday’s Class 3A Collinsville Regional at Arlington Greens Golf Course. The top three teams — Chatham Glenwood…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Macomb, Southeastern go head-to-head on volleyball court
To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site: MACOMB, Ill. — The Macomb girls volleyball team continues to roll. The Bombers improved to 19-0 with Wednesday night’s 25-20, 25-12 victory over Southeastern at The Hangar in which they jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the…
Read MoreIllinois prep football rankings: QHS, QND hold steady, Macomb moves into top 10 in Class 4A
QUINCY — Here are the latest Associated Press state rankings for the eight classes of Illinois prep football teams as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parentheses: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (14) 5-0 140 1 2. Barrington 5-0 114 2 3. York…
Read MoreBlue Devils’ Walbring, pair of Macomb golfers qualify for sectionals
GALESBURG, Ill. — Quincy High School senior golfer Ashley Walbring qualified for the Class 2A Normal U-High Sectional by shooting a 94 and finishing tied for 15th in the Galesburg Regional on Tusday at Lake Bracken Country Club. The Blue Devils finished sixth as a team with a 414. Dunlap won the team title with…
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 MoreSet up for success: Fully adjusted to position change, Rexroat guides Bombers to undefeated start
MACOMB, Ill. — The doubt Quinn Rexroat once had has transformed into confidence. Rexroat had mixed feelings about moving from libero, a position she had played for the first six years of her volleyball career, to setter as a freshman at Macomb High School. “I just liked controlling the defense and I didn’t really like…
Read MoreBoudreau, QND girls win Macomb Invitational titles as postseason play nears
COLCHESTER, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team is primed for the postseason. The Raiders posted a 321 team score Saturday in the Macomb Invitational at Gold Hills Golf Course, repeating as the tournament champion and setting the stage to chase the West Central Conference title Tuesday at Westview Golf Course and a…
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 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 MoreAround the area: Indians advance in regionals, Ertz breaks all-time hit record
PAYSON, Ill. — The top of the Payson Seymour baseball team’s lineup set the tone for a 10-5 victory over Southeastern in Monday’s opening round matchup in the Class 1A Liberty Regional. It made history possible, too. Indians leadoff hitter Nolan Sparks went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while No.…
Read MoreBombers capitalize on free bases, use four-run inning to beat Raiders
QUINCY — Free bases are nothing but trouble as the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s pitching staff has come to know. Five QND hurlers combined to walk eight batters and hit two others during Tuesday’s 8-5 loss to Macomb at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. The Bombers’ four-run rally in the top of the fourth…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Macomb hosts its first bass fishing tournament at Spring Lake Park
MACOMB, Ill. — A crisp morning turned into a sun-splashed afternoon and the breeze that came with it made fishing at Spring Lake Park enjoyable. So did catching some big lunkers. The Macomb High School bass fishing team played host to its first tournament Saturday, welcoming 30 two-angler teams to the 244-acre lake. Rushville-Industry topped…
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 MoreBarry’s three individual victories, Blue Devils’ team title highlight Quincy Invitational girls meet
QUINCY — Saylor Barry reached the Class 1A state track and field championships last spring in the long jump. She might be in store for more work in Charleston this spring after seeing how she performed Saturday during the 73rd Quincy Invitational at Flinn Stadium. The Mendon Unity sophomore won three events for the most…
Read MoreBombers’ remarkable postseason run ends with super-sectional loss to Bullets
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Jeremy Anderson didn’t want the Macomb boys basketball players to mask their tears. “We asked them to take a couple of minutes, to honestly take a couple of minutes, and feel disappointed and feel upset,” the Bombers coach said. “That’s OK. That’s a good thing to do. Let the emotions out.” But…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Macomb, Williamsville engage in defensive battle in super-sectional
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Macomb boys basketball team learned just how difficult it can be to score against Williamsville’s ultra-aggressive 1-3-1 zone defense Monday night, getting held to 16 points over the final three quarters of a 36-32 loss in the Class 2A Springfield Super-Sectional at the Bank of Springfield Center. Photographer Andrea Ratermann shared…
Read MoreGame Night Guide: Bombers look to dodge Bullets in Class 2A super-sectional
Class 2A Springfield Super-Sectional Macomb (28-5) vs. Williamsville (25-9) When: 6 p.m. Monday Where: Bank of Springfield Center Livestreams: Bomber Sports Network on YouTube Central Illinois Sports on NFHS Network Scouting the Bombers: Macomb is playing in a super-sectional for the first time since 2006 and is in search of the first state trophy in…
Read MoreBombs away!: Macomb’s 3-point barrage overwhelms Rockridge, leads to first sectional championship since 2006
CANTON, Ill. — Ian Case didn’t have to concern himself as much with getting in position to snare an offensive rebound as he did with getting back on defense. There weren’t many shots coming off the rim anyway. “Every shot that went up, I had to put a three up,” said Case, a 6-foot-7 senior…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Macomb reaches Class 2A elite eight by avenging holiday loss to Rockridge
CANTON, Ill. — The Macomb boys basketball team went 1 of 12 from 3-point range in suffering a 36-33 loss to Rockridge in the championship game of the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. Friday night, in a rematch with the Rockets in the Class 2A Canton Sectional championship game, the Bombers hit every target. Macomb went 9…
Read MoreGame Night Guide: Macomb, Rockridge lock horns once again, this time with sectional title at stake
Class 2A Canton Sectional Championship Macomb (27-5) vs. Rockridge (24-6) Where: Alice Ingersoll Gym, Canton High School When: 6 p.m. Friday Livestream: Bomber Sports Network Radio: WRMJ 102.3 FM Scouting the Bombers: Coming off the sectional semifinal upset of title favorite Peoria Manual, the Bombers’ biggest challenge will be to not have a letdown. Facing…
Read MoreComeback for the ages: Macomb rallies in fourth quarter to upset title favorite Peoria Manual
CANTON, Ill. — The Macomb boys basketball team authored a comeback and an upset Wednesday night that will remain part of Bombers’ lore for decades to come. That’s what never losing faith will do. “There’s a little basketball karma that came our way tonight,” Macomb coach Jerremy Anderson said. Down as many as 18 points…
Read MorePoise and precision allow Bombers to go on second-half run, capture regional crown
FARMINGTON, Ill. — A three-point halftime deficit wasn’t cause for alarm, but Macomb boys basketball coach Jeremy Anderson knew everyone needed to take a deep breath. The first half of Friday night’s Class 2A Farmington Regional championship against Sherrard had been too frantic. “The first thing we had to do was be poised and be…
Read MoreRegional roundup: Tornadoes fall in triple overtime, while Panthers, Bombers advance to title games
NEW BERLIN, Ill. — The Griggsville-Perry boys basketball team had opportunities to avoid a second and a third overtime. Jacksonville Routt made sure there wasn’t a fourth. The sixth-seeded Rockets took the lead for good with two minutes remaining in the third overtime and finished off a 55-53 victory over the second-seeded Tornadoes in the…
Read MorePrairie State Profile: Robinson gives Bombers leadership, confidence heading into new year
MACOMB, Ill. — As challenging as 2023 seemed to be at times for Kylie Robinson and the Macomb girls basketball team, the year ended with the right springboard to brighter days. The Bombers finished fifth in the 41st Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic, winning four of five games over a four-day span the week between Christmas…
Read MoreBombers battle to erase deficit, come up short in Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament title game
MACOMB, Ill. — Two of the best defensive teams in the field squared off in the championship game of the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. As expected, it was a grind-it-out affair. Third-seeded Rockridge built a 10-point halftime cushion despite leading scorer Landon Bull spending the final 6:35 on the bench with two personal fouls and held…
Read MoreHolthaus, Bombers dial in from perimeter, shoot down Eagles to get back on track
LIBERTY, Ill. — Braden Holthaus admittedly has been searching for his shot during much of the early portion of the basketball season. The Macomb junior guard may have finally found it. Holthaus sank four of his seven 3-pointers in the first quarter — most well beyond the arc — to propel the Bombers to an…
Read MoreBombers make critical defensive plays late to force OT, outlast Raiders to remain unbeaten
MACOMB, Ill. — Malachi Conley played the hero at the end of regulation. In overtime, his teammates did the rest. Conley, a guard on the Macomb boys basketball team, made two critical defensive plays and scored the game-tying basket in the final minute of regulation Saturday night, helping the Bombers force Quincy Notre Dame to…
Read MorePleasant Plains capitalizes on momentum shifts, knocks Macomb out in sectional semifinals
PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — The Pleasant Plains volleyball team figured out how to continually stem the tide. During Monday night’s Class 2A sectional semifinal against Macomb, the Cardinals strategically used timeouts to stall scoring runs by the Bombers, putting the brakes on a four-point swing late in the second set that enabled Pleasant Plains to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Strong starts in both sets not enough as Macomb falls in sectional semifinal
PLEASANT PLAINS, Ill. — The momentum the Macomb volleyball team created by winning the Class 2A regional title last Thursday night seemed to linger with a stellar start to Monday’s sectional semifinal until Pleasant Plains took it away. Behind the program’s all-time leading hitter in Sydney McFee, the Cardinals stopped each Bombers’ run and earned…
Read More‘We just didn’t show up to play’: Macomb steamrolls mistake-prone QND in regional final
MACOMB, Ill. — Senior Delaney Beard had a difficult time comprehending what had happened. Quincy Notre Dame had been dominant this season, losing just 14 sets while winning 32 out of 36 matches and earning the No. 1 seed in the Class 2A girls volleyball regional. The Raiders only needed to beat fifth-seeded Macomb, which…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Macomb uses 17-4 run to close out first set, blow away QND in second set
MACOMB, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball team saw its season end Thursday night in a 25-18, 25-14 loss to Macomb in the Hangar on Thursday night at Macomb High School. Macomb (27-9) advances to play No. 2 seed Pleasant Plains in the Class 2A sectional semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Pleasant…
Read MoreQND, Macomb volleyball teams win regional semifinals, will clash for championship
MACOMB, Ill. — The rematch is set. The Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb volleyball teams will go head-to-head at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Hangar at Macomb High School to decide the Class 2A regional championship. This will be the fourth meeting in the last two years between two staunch programs. QND beat Macomb in…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Macomb girls golf teams see seasons end at Class 1A Roxana Sectional
WOOD RIVER, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls golfers figured Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin was the bona fide favorite to win the Class 1A Roxana Sectional, but after that it would be a dogfight to see which two additional teams qualified for the state tournament. The Raiders didn’t happen to be in that fight at…
Read MoreQND girls golf team’s steady play leaves regional field in a fog as Raiders four-peat as champions
MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — From the moment the Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team left the school parking lot Thursday morning until the Raiders reached Rolling Greens Golf Course, a dense fog made visibility a challenge. Still, the Raiders never lost sight of their goal. A four-peat. The fog forced an adjustment to the tee…
Read MoreBombers finish third at regional, advance to sectional for fifth consecutive season
MONMOUTH, Ill. — Make it five in a row for the Macomb boys golf team. The Bombers advanced to sectionals for the fifth straight season, taking third Wednesday at the Class 2A Monmouth-Roseville Regional at Gibson Woods Golf Course. Macomb posted a 329 total, four strokes better than fourth-place Galesburg. Jacksonville won the regional championship…
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 MoreSchuckman: Family means everything to Bombers as support in tragic time comes from near and far
MACOMB, Ill. — Nothing is easy about saying goodbye. Tanner Horrell needed the Macomb football players to understand that. So the Bombers coach made it known if the grief associated with losing a teammate — freshman Landon Cromer died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a car accident — interrupted practice, it was OK. Step away.…
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 MoreSchuck on a Truck: Macomb AD discusses family and football with grandkids by his side
MACOMB, Ill. — Macomb athletic director Steve Horrell continues to make Friday nights about football and family. Previously a long-time member of the Macomb football coaching staff, Horrell and his wife, Trish, raised their four kids at football fields throughout West-Central Illinois. Their son, Tanner, is now the Bombers head coach and his sons and…
Read MoreFriday Night Lights: Week 1 offers lopsided scores, Campen’s big run and bolts of lightning
QUINCY — The opening week of the high school football season didn’t offer many surprises or alter many opinions, except for one head-scratching result. That happened at Ray Hentges Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. Hannibal expected to be challenged by Jefferson City Helias, but the third-quarter breakdowns that resulted in the Crusaders scoring three touchdowns…
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: QND, Auburn advance to Class 2A sectional softball championship game
QUINCY — One scored early and often, the other rallied late. Now, they’ll go head-to-head for a sectional championship. The Auburn softball team scored 11 runs in the first inning and beat Macomb 16-0 in the first semifinal Tuesday in the Class 2A QND Sectional at The Backyard. Quincy Notre Dame followed by scoring four…
Read MoreBombers bomb away, hit four home runs in regional championship victory
MACOMB, Ill. — One swing is all Sarah Stufflebeam needed to set the tone. After Kaitlyn Robinson retired the Rushville-Industry softball team in order in the top of the first inning of Friday’s Class 2A Macomb Regional championship game, Stufflebeam cracked a two-run home run in the bottom of the frame and propelled Macomb to…
Read MoreMuddy River Showcase Spotlight: Macomb’s Connor Watson
The Muddy River Showcase featuring 40 of the area’s top senior basketball players from Illinois and Missouri takes place June 17 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game begins at 4 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. MACOMB, Ill. — Connor…
Read MoreRaiders rally once again to win, set up shot at history in regular-season finale against Rockets
MACOMB, Ill. — For the third straight game, the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team trailed heading to the fifth inning or later. Yet again, the Raiders rallied. This time, though, they did so against an NCAA Division I arm. QND tagged Macomb’s Jack Duncan, who has signed with Western Illinois University, for two runs in…
Read MoreRaiders’ victory over Bombers could be prelude to sectional showdown
MACOMB, Ill. — Until we meet again. And there is a strong chance it will happen. With the Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb softball teams each the top seed in their respective regionals, the idea Wednesday’s game will evolve into a postseason rematch lingered, especially after the Raiders scored twice in the seventh inning to…
Read MoreBoudreau, WIU prove compatible, making his promotion to men’s basketball coach easy move
MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois University found its perfect match, so there was no reason to waste any time making it official. Six days after naming Chad Boudreau as the interim men’s basketball coach in the wake of Rob Jeter’s sudden departure to take over at Southern Utah, WIU athletic director Paul Bubb removed the…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND soccer team scores early, often to run away from Macomb
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team scored five goals in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday’s game against Macomb at Advance Physical Therapy Field and rolled to a 10-0 victory. Sage Stratton recorded a hat trick and Jaden Tchapda scored her first varsity goal for the Raiders. Stratton finished a Lilly Schuette…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS boys tennis team fights off Macomb to win dual at Reservoir Park
QUINCY — Despite losing two of the top three singles matches Tuesday, the Quincy High School boys tennis team showed resilience in fighting back to defeat Macomb 6-3 by winning three tiebreakers in singles at the Greeman Tennis Center at Reservoir Park. No. 2 Surya Reddy rebounded for a 6-2, 2-6 (10-6) victory over the…
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 MoreRobinson leads Bombers to one-run victory over Hornets in season opener
MACOMB, Ill. — A state-ranked showdown to open the prep softball season came down to the final at-bat just like everyone hoped it would. Macomb’s Kaitlyn Robinson scored the tying run in the bottom of the sixth inning and then worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning to preserve a 4-3 victory over Brown County. The Bombers…
Read MoreReturn to Redbird: Raiders blanket Chiefs with defensive pressure, earn spot in Class 2A final four
MACOMB, Ill. — The realization they’d achieved a significant goal meant a larger one is now within the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players’ reach. It also means the Raiders must maintain a workmanlike effort with everything they do. They made it abundantly clear that’s how they will approach the Class 2A final four after…
Read MoreCentral’s Louderback, Macomb’s Ladd capture first girls state wrestling medals
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Amber Louderback and Kelly Ladd made history Saturday, becoming the first-ever girls state wrestling medalists from each of their respective high school programs. Louderback, a freshman at Central, finished fourth in the 125-pound class during the two-day event at Grossinger Motors Arena, while Ladd, a sophomore from Macomb, finished sixth at 135…
Read MoreTitans earn chance for revenge, dispatch Bombers in regional semifinals to get shot at Raiders
QUINCY — Eight nights ago, Gavin Grothaus walked off the floor at The Pit with a bitter taste in his mouth. “That one kind of hurt,” the West Hancock sophomore said of the Titans’ 17-point loss to Quincy Notre Dame on Valentine’s Day at The Pit. Grothaus made sure he wouldn’t feel the same disappointment…
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 MoreRyner takes fourth, Ladd places fifth for best finishes by Macomb wrestlers since 2013
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Two Macomb wrestlers placed in the top five in Class 1A at the Illinois High School Association individual state wrestling meet at State Farm Center for the highest finishes by the Bombers since 2013. Max Ryner placed fourth in the 195-pound division after he was pinned by Coal City’s Joey Breneman in…
Read MoreMacomb’s Ladd, Central’s Louderback take third at sectional, earn spots at state wrestling tourney
GENESEO, Ill. — A pair of local wrestlers finished third in their respective weight class at the Geneseo Sectional and will grapple at the girls state wrestling tournament. Macomb’s Kelly Ladd and Camp Point Central’s Amber Louderback both rebounded from semifinal losses by winning their final two matches. Ladd, a sophomore at 135 pounds who…
Read MoreQHS sends two, Macomb advances three to state wrestling tournament
NORMAL, Ill. — A pair of Quincy High School wrestlers battled their way to the first state tournament berths of their careers, and they’ll be joined in Champaign by a trio of Macomb wrestlers. Owen Uppinghouse finished second at 160 pounds in the Class 3A Normal Community Sectional, while Bryor Newbold finished third at 182…
Read MoreDefensive-minded Panthers finish regular season perfect at home after grounding Bombers
CAMP POINT, Ill. — In a perfect world for Nick Moore, he would be playing run-and-gun, playground-style basketball. And defense? That would be little more than an afterthought. Realistically, however, Moore knows that’s not how it works for a successful high school team. “Yeah,” Moore said, trying to wipe away the expected grin. “I’d probably…
Read MoreRyner, Hoge capture regional championships for Bombers, 12 other wrestlers advance to sectionals
MACOMB, Ill. — A pair of Macomb wrestlers won Class 1A regional titles and led a brigade of area wrestlers who qualified for the Clinton Sectional. Bombers senior Max Ryner improved to 45-2 with his championship at 195 pounds, while Macomb senior Carter Hoge will take a 42-6 record to sectionals after winning the title…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Championship matches of Quincy wrestling invitational
QUINCY — Area wrestlers staked their claim to the individual titles during Saturday’s Quincy Invitational at the QHS gym. Eight grapplers — four from Quincy High School and one each from Camp Point Central, Macomb, Palmyra and Quincy Notre Dame — won crowns, while the Blue Devils won the team championship. Muddy River Sports Editor…
Read MorePatience on offense, suffocating defense serving Southeastern well at Macomb
MACOMB, Ill. — Al Davis would have been proud. Most of the players on the Southeastern boys basketball team likely have never heard of the former owner of the NFL’s Oakland/Los Angeles (now Las Vegas) Raiders, but their “Just win, baby” mentality showed Wednesday night in a 30-27 victory over Macomb in the quarterfinals of…
Read MoreJWCC Prairie State Profile: Macomb’s Ladd finds perfect college fit in own backyard
MACOMB, Ill. — Navigating his way home from wrestling practice Thursday morning wasn’t too treacherous, but Ethan Ladd realized more snow and blizzard-like conditions were coming. “I’m not a big winter guy,” the Macomb senior said. “I’m not going to lie. I hate snow.” But what if the Western Illinois University football team ended up…
Read MoreHalftime discussion enables QND boys basketball team to alter tide in victory over Macomb
QUINCY — As the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coaching staff met in the office adjacent to the locker room at halftime Saturday night, the Raiders were engaging in their own discussion. The theme of both conversations seemed to be the same. What is the Raiders’ identity going to be? The second half — particularly…
Read MoreTrio of area’s best Illinois football players receive all-state honors from coaches association
QUINCY — Three area football players have been named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state teams, while seven others picked up honorable mention all-state plaudits. Central senior running back/linebacker Isaac Genenbacher, Brown County senior fullback/linebacker Colby Wort and Macomb junior wide receiver JT Jeter were first-team all-state selections. Genenbacher has been a…
Read MoreSchuckman: Playoff loss doesn’t change legacy of Bombers, who made Friday night football an event
MACOMB, Ill. — Emily Horrell better get used to this if she hasn’t already. A few days before the Macomb football team played host to Murphysboro in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, the wife of Bombers coach Tanner Horrell happened to be at a local retail store when two retirement-age women began…
Read MoreHave a little Faith: Kientzle’s run of service points, huge plays at net catapult Raiders to victory over Bombers in electric sectional title match
FARMINGTON, Ill. — Five points. No more. Certainly no less. Forced to a decisive third set in Wednesday night’s Class 2A Farmington Sectional championship after Macomb staved off four match points, Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Courtney Kvitle convinced the Raiders to concentrate on winning five points at a time. “We knew we had to…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND beats Macomb in three sets to win Class 2A sectional championship
FARMINGTON, Ill. — Certain moments cannot be forgotten. Try October 5 for example. With the Quincy Notre Dame cheering section split between two major events — the boys soccer team played at Quincy High School, while the volleyball team played host to Macomb — the Bombers brought a sizable, boisterous crowd to The Pit. A…
Read MoreDefensive-minded Bombers earn spot in highly anticipated sectional championship
FARMINGTON, Ill. — Taking the court under the watchful eyes of a rival and future foe could have been slightly unnerving. Facing an opponent looking for retribution could have, too. The Macomb volleyball team ignored it all and delivered a prime in-the-moment effort Monday night, dispatching Sherrard 25-15, 25-14 in the semifinals of the Class…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Class 2A volleyball sectional featuring Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb
FARMINGTON, Ill. — The sectional championship showdown prep volleyball fans have anticipated for the past month is about to happen. Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb sidestepped their sectional semifinal opponents Monday night and will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday for the title of the Class 2A Farmington Sectional. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman took…
Read MoreBombers outlast Raiders in Class 4A opening-round playoff game, earn another shot at redemption
MACOMB, Ill. — Macomb football coach Tanner Horrell could only shake his head Saturday night. “That’s a pretty good 5-4 team, huh?” Horrell asked, referring to a Quincy Notre Dame team that gave his undefeated Bombers all could they handle before coming away with a 28-14 victory over the Raiders in an opening-round Class 4A…
Read MoreBombers hope to continue trend taking them toward sectional volleyball championship
MONMOUTH, Ill. — Each season, the Macomb volleyball team has inched closer to being a sectional champion. Monday, the Bombers hope the trend continues. Macomb will carry its 32-3 record to the Class 2A Farmington Sectional, where it will face Sherrard in the semifinals following Thursday’s 25-12, 25-19 victory over Monmouth-Roseville in the Class 2A…
Read MoreQND, Macomb to renew rivalry in opening round of Class 4A football playoffs
QUINCY — When the team bus rolled into the Quincy Notre Dame parking lot at around 7 p.m. Saturday, Raiders football coach Jack Cornell didn’t know which road his team would be taking in the postseason. As soon as Cornell knew, he told the players he’d spread the word. But there was a more important…
Read MoreSchuckman: Bombers finish one historic chapter, ready themselves to chase more benchmarks
CARTHAGE, Ill. — On a field where history grows with every blade of grass, the Illini West football team was intent on keeping history from happening. For nearly eight minutes, that seemed possible. Then in a blink, it became clear history wouldn’t be denied. Facing undefeated, state-ranked Macomb in the regular-season finale Friday night at…
Read MoreIllinois prep football state rankings: Central, Macomb hold steady with undefeated records
Here are the latest rankings of Illinois high school football teams in each class, according to an Associated Press panel of sportswriters: Class 8A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (9) (7-0) 108 1 2. Lincoln-Way East (2) (7-0) 101 2 3. York (7-0) 88 3 4. Glenbard West (6-1) 74 4 5. Gurnee Warren…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND, Roanoke-Benson advance to Class 1A boys regional championship game
QUINCY — Leo Cann didn’t give the Abingdon-Avon boys soccer team the chance to get settled. If Quincy Notre Dame can do the same thing to Roanoke-Benson come Friday night, another regional championship should be added the Raiders’ treasure trove of titles. Cann, the junior forward, scored less than three minutes into Tuesday’s regional semifinal…
Read MorePrelude to a rematch? Macomb volleyball team beats QND in three-set thriller between sectional foes
QUINCY — With her Macomb High School classmates milling around and her Bomber volleyball teammates screaming in the background, senior outside hitter Kennedy Adair tried to sum up Wednesday night’s three-set victory over Quincy Notre Dame. “That was amazing,” a smiling Adair said after the Bombers survived a 25-17, 17-25, 25-23 thriller at The Pit.…
Read MoreWatson’s strong finish helps Macomb boys golf team secure regional championship
MACOMB, Ill. — The electronic scoring system the Illinois High School Association uses for postseason golf puts the leaderboard at everyone’s fingertips. That makes it tempting to peek at where the field stands. “When you have to put the scores in on your phone, it’s hard to stay away and not hit the leaderboard button,”…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Quincy High School girls tennis team beats Macomb in dual at Reservoir Park
QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls tennis team improved to 9-3 in dual matches with Tuesday’s 8-1 victory over Macomb at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. After the Blue Devils’ Lily Hayes rallied to beat the Bombers’ Tali Stone 1-6, 6-2 (10-2) at No. 1 singles, Quincy swept the other five singles…
Read MoreSchuckman: Undefeated start generating enthusiasm for Macomb football program
MACOMB, Ill. — If rainfall and lightning strikes can’t put a damper on the enthusiasm surrounding the Macomb football program, what can? Right now, nothing. Friday night’s crowd was asked to leave the stadium complex to wait out a thunderstorm cell that passed over the area just before Friday night’s kickoff against Farmington. It delayed…
Read MoreThe Rundown: QND soccer beats SHG, Unity and Macomb volleyball sweep, Miller tosses one-hitter
Check out the news and notes from a busy Tuesday on the prep sports scene … • Trailing an unbeaten opponent by a goal midway through the first half, the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team trusted in its attack to adequately answer. The Raiders roared back for a 4-1 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin…
Read MoreCarmean’s career low round helps QHS girls capture Macomb Invitational title
COLCHESTER, Ill. — Samantha Carmean picked a perfect time to have a career day. The Quincy High School golfer posted a career low 90, helping the Blue Devils win the championship of the Macomb Invitational with a 330 team score at Gold Hills Golf Club. Macomb finished second at 344, and Quincy Notre Dame was…
Read MoreArea Distributors Area Player of the Week: Macomb quarterback Jack Duncan
MACOMB, Ill. — If Jack Duncan wanted to reconsider his college plans — and for the record, he doesn’t — there would be a vast number of college football coaches willing to invest the effort in trying to land the Macomb quarterback. When you erase the name of the legendary Phil Bradley from the top…
Read MoreMacomb boys and girls sweep Prairieland Conference golf championships
MACOMB, Ill. — Make it a clean sweep for the Macomb golfers. The Bombers won both the boys and girls team titles as well as both individual championships Monday during the Prairieland Conference tournaments at Macomb Country Club. On the boys side, Macomb repeated as the Prairieland champion, putting five golfers in the top 10…
Read MoreJWCC Prairie State Profile: From golf course to broadcast booth, Macomb’s Keene remains focused on community impact
MACOMB, Ill. — Justice Keene always understood golf to be an individual sport. What he has come to embrace and relish is the team aspect of the game. When you’re playing alongside golfers you respect, trust and have a bonafide bond with, the team result becomes as important, if not more, than the individual score.…
Read MoreGolf roundup: Saukees win own invitational, Blue Devils third in loaded field, Bombers take second
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield boys golf team took advantage of playing on its home course Saturday, posting three scores in the 80s to capture the team championship of the Pittsfield Invitational at Old Orchard Country Club. The Saukees shot a 345, followed by Illini West at 351 and Rushville-Industry at 381. Illini West’s Nolan…
Read MoreBlue Devils score seven-stroke victory at Redbird Classic with Gold, Geisendorfer in top three
METAMORA, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls golf team appears ready to make another run at a state tournament berth. The Blue Devils posted two of the top three individual scores and took first place Wednesday in the ninth annual Redbird Classic at Metamora Fields. QHS posted a 320 team score to distance itself…
Read MoreGolf roundup: Bombers place third in back-to-back tournaments
PEORIA, Ill. — The Macomb boys golf team seems to be finding a groove. The Bombers finished third back-to-back days in invitationals in Peoria and Normal. Macomb posted a 304 on Monday in the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational at Kellogg Golf Course to take third, while Quincy Notre Dame finished fifth with a 309. Connor…
Read MoreCraven leads QND boys golf team to victory in quadrangular at Spring Lake Country Club
QUINCY — Blustery conditions beneath a bright sun turned Spring Lake Country Club’s 18-hole golf course into a challenging track Saturday afternoon. Quincy Notre Dame’s Konnor Craven posted his second straight solid round, shooting a 2-over 74 to earn medalist honors in a quadrangular in which only three golfers broke 80. The Raiders won the…
Read MoreSixth-inning rally enables QND baseball team to run winning streak to 18 straight games
QUINCY — After Brady Kindhart led off the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday with a double to deep center field, Jack Linenfelser stepped to the plate with one thing in mind. “Put the ball in play,” he said. The Quincy Notre Dame middle infielder did a little more than that. Linenfelser traded places with…
Read MoreScoring early and often enables QND softball team to pass test against Macomb
QUINCY — Asked if he’d found a new leadoff hitter, Quincy Notre Dame softball coach Eric Orne chuckled and shook his head. “No,” he said. “We’ll get healed up and back to normal.” But should he consider leaving Abbey Schreacke in the leadoff spot, it creates a potent starting point as Macomb witnessed Friday at…
Read MoreSchuckman: IHSA needs to re-examine equitable treatment of golfers at state tourney
The heartache the Macomb boys golfers endured and the disappointment shared by the Bombers’ rivals resonated loudly. No one considered what happened at the Class 2A state tournament to be equitable or fair. The Bombers shot a 309 in last Friday’s opening round of the state tournament at Weibring Golf Club in Normal, Ill., leaving…
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