Photo gallery: Macomb hosts its first bass fishing tournament at Spring Lake Park

A pair of Rushville-Industry anglers show off their catch at weigh-in following the Macomb bass fishing team's tournament Saturday at Spring Lake Park near Macomb, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Blue Devils able to overcome Chargers’ success in sprint events to win Quincy Invitational boys meet

The Illini West relay team of Colin Curfman, Thomas Chandler, Ian Bentzinger and Isaiah Knotts won both the 4x100 and 4x200 races Saturday during the 73rd Quincy Invitational at Flinn Stadium. | Photo courtesy Dakota Lafferty

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…

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Bombers’ remarkable postseason run ends with super-sectional loss to Bullets

Macomb guard Malachi Conley drives between a pair of Williamsville defenders during Monday night's Class 2A super-sectional at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Ill. | Photo courtesy Andrea Ratermann

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…

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Photo gallery: Macomb, Williamsville engage in defensive battle in super-sectional

The Macomb boys basketball team suffered a 36-32 loss to Williamsville on Monday night in the Class 2A Springfield Super-Sectional at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Ill. | Photo courtesy Andrea Ratermann

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…

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Game Night Guide: Bombers look to dodge Bullets in Class 2A super-sectional

Macomb senior forward Ian Case, left, and the Bombers face Williamsville at 6 p.m. Monday in the Class 2A super-sectional at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Ill. | Photo courtesy Andrea Ratermann

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…

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Bombs away!: Macomb’s 3-point barrage overwhelms Rockridge, leads to first sectional championship since 2006

The Macomb boys basketball players celebrate their Class 2A Canton Sectional championship after beating Rockridge 54-38 on Friday night at Alice Ingersoll Gymnasium in Canton, Ill. | Photo courtesy Andrea Ratermann

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…

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Photo gallery: Macomb reaches Class 2A elite eight by avenging holiday loss to Rockridge

The Macomb boys basketball team beat Rockridge 54-36 in the championship game of the Class 2A Canton Sectional on Friday night in front of a packed house at Alice Ingersoll Gymnasium. | Photo courtesy Andrea Ratermann

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…

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Game Night Guide: Macomb, Rockridge lock horns once again, this time with sectional title at stake

The Macomb bench will need to continue to bring energy as the Bombers face Rockridge on Friday night for the Class 2A sectional championship in Canton, Ill. | Photo courtesy Macomb boys basketball/Andrea Ratermann

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…

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Comeback for the ages: Macomb rallies in fourth quarter to upset title favorite Peoria Manual

Macomb senior forward Dion Doyle, right, and the Bombers celebrate their 41-40 upset of Peoria Manual in the Class 2A Canton Sectional Semifinals in Canton, Ill. | Photo courtesy Macomb boys basketball/Andrea Ratermann

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…

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Poise and precision allow Bombers to go on second-half run, capture regional crown

The Macomb boys basketball team celebrates its first regional championship since 2015 following Friday night's 51-32 victory over Sherrard in the Class 2A Farmington Regional championship in Farmington, Ill. | Submitted photo

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…

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Regional 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…

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Prairie State Profile: Robinson gives Bombers leadership, confidence heading into new year

Macomb junior guard Kylie Robinson led the Bombers to a fifth-place finish at the Beardstown Lady Tiger Classic and was named to the all-tournament team. | Submitted photo

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…

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Bombers 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…

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Holthaus, Bombers dial in from perimeter, shoot down Eagles to get back on track

Macomb guard Drew Watson throws a pass to teammate Ian Case during Friday night's game against Liberty in Liberty, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

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…

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Pleasant Plains capitalizes on momentum shifts, knocks Macomb out in sectional semifinals

Macomb's Madeline McClure hits a shot through the block of Pleasant Plains during Monday night's Class 2A sectional semifinal in Pleasant Plains, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Strong starts in both sets not enough as Macomb falls in sectional semifinal

The Macomb volleyball players wait for the officiating crew to discuss a call during the second set of Monday night's Class 2A sectional semifinal against Pleasant Plains in Pleasant Plains, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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‘We just didn’t show up to play’: Macomb steamrolls mistake-prone QND in regional final

Quincy Notre Dame setter Annie Eaton, left, watches the Macomb volleyball team celebrate after the final point in the Bombers' 25-18, 25-14 loss on Thursday night in The Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

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…

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Photo Gallery: Macomb uses 17-4 run to close out first set, blow away QND in second set

Macomb's Kathryn Lukkarinen, right, spikes the ball around the block of Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Hummel, left, and Annie Eaton, middle, during Thursday night's Class 2A regional volleyball championship at the Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

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…

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QND, Macomb volleyball teams win regional semifinals, will clash for championship

Junior setter Annie Eaton and the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team will face Macomb in the Class 2A regional championship at 6 p.m. Thursday in Macomb, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: QND, Macomb girls golf teams see seasons end at Class 1A Roxana Sectional

Quincy Notre Dame golfer Meredith Eversman chips from the rough onto the sixth fairway during the Class 1A Roxana girls golf sectional Monday at Belk Park Golf Course in Wood River, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

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…

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QND girls golf team’s steady play leaves regional field in a fog as Raiders four-peat as champions

The Quincy Notre Dame girls golf team won its fourth consecutive regional championship, beating the field by 29 strokes Thursday at Rolling Greens Golf Course in Mount Sterling. | Submitted photo

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…

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Bombers 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…

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Friday Night Lights rewind: First victory shows Palmyra continues to ‘do simple better’

Palmyra's Aaron Ritchey and the Panthers continue showing progress, which resulted in last Friday's 34-20 victory at Macon. | Mathew Kirby photo

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…

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Schuckman: Family means everything to Bombers as support in tragic time comes from near and far

The Macomb football team kneels at midfield and says a prayer following a candlelight vigil last Sunday night for three Macomb students involved in a car accident. | Submitted photo

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.…

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Photo gallery: Macomb responds to Illini West’s opening salvo, picks up key conference victory

Friday night's Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Conference battle between Macomb and Illini West ended with the Bombers securing a 38-12 vicotry to improve to 2-1. | Matt Schuckman photo

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,…

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Schuck 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…

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Friday Night Lights: Week 1 offers lopsided scores, Campen’s big run and bolts of lightning

Hannibal senior lineman Noah Young walks off the field after the coin toss prior to Friday night’s game against Jefferson City Helias at Ray Hentges Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. Photo courtesy Maya Bell, Jefferson City News Tribune

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…

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Photo gallery: QND, Auburn advance to Class 2A sectional softball championship game

Quincy Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte, left, and Paige Blivens cheer on their teammates in the seventh inning of Tuesday's game against Stanford Olympia in the Class 2A QND Sectional semifinals at The Backyard. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Bombers bomb away, hit four home runs in regional championship victory

The Macomb softball team repeated as regional champion with Friday's 11-2 victory over Rushville-Industry in the Class 2A Macomb Regional. | Submitted photo

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…

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Muddy River Showcase Spotlight: Macomb’s Connor Watson

Macomb point guard Connor Watson will play on his future home court when he represents Illinois in the Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Boudreau, WIU prove compatible, making his promotion to men’s basketball coach easy move

Western Illinois University athletic director Paul Bubb, left, hands new men's basketball coach Chad Boundreau a jersey during his introductory press conference Thursday in Macomb, Ill. | Photo courtesy WIU athletics

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…

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Photo gallery: QND soccer team scores early, often to run away from Macomb

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore midfielder Sage Stratton, left, celebrates her first goal with teammate Lilly Schuette during Wednesday's 10-0 victory over Macomb at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: QHS boys tennis team fights off Macomb to win dual at Reservoir Park

Quincy High School's No. 1 doubles team of Surya Reddy, left, and Will Hanlin react to winning a point during Tuesday's match against Macomb's Varek Venugopala and Connor Clark at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Return to Redbird: Raiders blanket Chiefs with defensive pressure, earn spot in Class 2A final four

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players celebrate after receiving the Class 2A Macomb Super-Sectional plaque following a 51-23 victory over Deer Creek-Mackinaw on Monday at The Hangar at Macomb High School. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Central’s Louderback, Macomb’s Ladd capture first girls state wrestling medals

Central's Amber Louderback, right, finished fourth in the 125-pound division at the Illinois girls state wrestling tournament in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

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…

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Titans earn chance for revenge, dispatch Bombers in regional semifinals to get shot at Raiders

West Hancock's Bryan Gerhardt looks to attack during Wednesday night's Class 2A regional semifinal against Macomb at Quincy Notre Dame's The Pit. | Photo courtesy Aaron Beaston, Day Off Media

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…

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Photo gallery: QND, West Hancock advance to championship of Class 2A regional

Quincy Notre Dame's Alex Connoyer sets himself to shoot a free throw during the first half of Wednesday night's Class 2A regional semifinal against Illini West at The Pit. | Photo courtesy Aaron Beaston, Day Off Media

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…

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Ryner takes fourth, Ladd places fifth for best finishes by Macomb wrestlers since 2013

Coal City's Joey Breneman, bottom, and Macomb's Max Ryner tumble to the mat during their match for third place in Class 1A in 195-pound division at the IHSA individual wrestling state finals at State Farm Center in Champaign on Saturday. Breneman won the bout by fall at 5:26. | Photo courtesy of PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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…

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Macomb’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…

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Defensive-minded Panthers finish regular season perfect at home after grounding Bombers

Central's Bryhar Wiskirchen drives past Macomb's JT Jeter during Friday night's game in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

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…

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Photo gallery: Championship matches of Quincy wrestling invitational

Quincy High School sophomore Hugh Sharrow, left, works for an advantage under the watchful eyes of QHS coaches Phil Neally and Martin Smith during his 106-pound championship match Saturday during the Quincy Invitational at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Patience on offense, suffocating defense serving Southeastern well at Macomb

Southeastern's Danny Stephens prepares to make a move to the basket while being guarded by Macomb's Langdon Allen during Wednesday night's quarterfinal game at the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament in Western Hall. | David Adam

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…

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JWCC Prairie State Profile: Macomb’s Ladd finds perfect college fit in own backyard

Macomb linebacker Ethan Ladd, left, is staying home for college, having signed with Western Illinois University. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Halftime discussion enables QND boys basketball team to alter tide in victory over Macomb

Quincy Notre Dame's Charlie Lavery, right, and Jackson Stratton attempt to trap Macomb guard Connor Watson during Saturday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Trio of area’s best Illinois football players receive all-state honors from coaches association

Central senior running back/linebacker Isaac Genenbacher, right, was one of three area players named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association all-state teams. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

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…

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Schuckman: Playoff loss doesn’t change legacy of Bombers, who made Friday night football an event

Macomb linebacker Max Ryner, left, and safety Connor Bishop, right, bring down Murphysboro running back Devon Clemons during Saturday's Class 4A playoff game in Macomb, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Have a little Faith: Kientzle’s run of service points, huge plays at net catapult Raiders to victory over Bombers in electric sectional title match

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players turn to the QND student cheering section after receiving the Class 2A Farmington Sectional championship plaque following a three-set victory over Macomb on Wednesday night in Farmington, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: QND beats Macomb in three sets to win Class 2A sectional championship

Quincy Notre Dame's Ali Entrup, left, and Faith Kientzle, right, react to winning the Class 2A sectional championship with as three-set victory over Macomb on Wednesday night in Farmington, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Defensive-minded Bombers earn spot in highly anticipated sectional championship

Macomb coach Briana Rexroat, center, hugs one of her players as the Bombers celebrate going into a timeout during the second set of Monday's Class 2A sectional semifinal victory over Sherrard at Farmington, ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: Class 2A volleyball sectional featuring Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb

The Macomb student section dressed up for Halloween during Monday night's Class 2A volleyball sectional semifinal in Farmington, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Bombers outlast Raiders in Class 4A opening-round playoff game, earn another shot at redemption

Macomb's Jayden Jones attempts to elude a Quincy Notre Dame tackler during the first half of Saturday night's Class 4A playoff game in Macomb, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

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…

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Bombers hope to continue trend taking them toward sectional volleyball championship

A 25-12, 25-19 victory over Monmouth-Roseville in the Class 2A regional championship sends the Macomb volleyball team to the Farmington Sectional. | Submitted photo

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…

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Schuckman: Bombers finish one historic chapter, ready themselves to chase more benchmarks

The Macomb football team huddles following its 46-0 victory over Illini West on Friday night at Fuzz Berges Field in Carthage, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Photo gallery: QND, Roanoke-Benson advance to Class 1A boys regional championship game

Quincy Notre Dame's Brock Evans, left, plays the ball forward after the Raiders' Cole Henkenmeier, right, knocked it away from an Abingdon-Avon midfielder during Tuesday's Class 1A regional semifinal at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Prelude to a rematch? Macomb volleyball team beats QND in three-set thriller between sectional foes

The Macomb volleyball players celebrate with the Bombers' student cheering section after beating Quincy Notre Dame in three sets Wednesday night at The Pit. | Photo courtesy Justice Keene

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.…

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Watson’s strong finish helps Macomb boys golf team secure regional championship

The Macomb boys golf team won the Class 2A Macomb Regional championship Wednesday at Macomb Country Club with a 315 team score. | Submitted photo

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,”…

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Photo gallery: Quincy High School girls tennis team beats Macomb in dual at Reservoir Park

Quincy High School's No. 2 doubles team of Audra Cain and Amelia Willing, left, tap racquets with Macomb's Lanie Jones and Celena Managalaraj following their match Tuesday at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Schuckman: Undefeated start generating enthusiasm for Macomb football program

Macomb quarterback Jack Duncan looks to pass during the second quarter of Friday night's 58-7 victory over Farmington in Macomb, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Carmean’s career low round helps QHS girls capture Macomb Invitational title

The Quincy High School girls golf team won the Macomb Invitational on Saturday at Gold Hills Golf Club in Colchester, Ill. | Submitted photo

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…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Macomb quarterback Jack Duncan

Macomb quarterback Jack Duncan moved past Phil Bradley for the career passing yardage record during last week's victory at Oneida ROWVA. | Submitted photo

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…

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Macomb boys and girls sweep Prairieland Conference golf championships

The Macomb boys and girls golf teams swept the championships Monday at the Prairieland Conference tournaments at Macomb Country Club. | Submitted photo

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…

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JWCC Prairie State Profile: From golf course to broadcast booth, Macomb’s Keene remains focused on community impact

Macomb's Justice Keene watches his putt on the first hole at Spring Lake Country Club during a quadrangular event in Quincy. | Matt Schuckman photo

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.…

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Golf roundup: Saukees win own invitational, Blue Devils third in loaded field, Bombers take second

The Pittsfield boys golf team captured the championship of the Pittsfield Invitational on Saturday at Old Orchard Country Club. | Submitted photo

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…

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Craven leads QND boys golf team to victory in quadrangular at Spring Lake Country Club

Quincy High School's Andrew Keane hits his approach shot to the first green at Spring Lake Country Club during Saturday's quadrangular. | Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Sixth-inning rally enables QND baseball team to run winning streak to 18 straight games

Quincy Notre Dame's Jack Linenfelser slides headfirst across home plate to score on a wild pitch with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday against Macomb at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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Scoring early and often enables QND softball team to pass test against Macomb

The Quincy Notre Dame softball players celebrate with Eryn Cornwell after she hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning Friday against Macomb at the Backyard. Matt Schuckman photo

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…

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