Schuckman: Roar after Wells’ shot is reminder he is small part of Blue Devil tradition now and forever

Quincy High School senior forward Wil Wells, right, puts up a shot during the fourth quarter of Tuesday night's game against Rock Island Alleman at Blue Devil Gym. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The clamor began as soon as Wil Wells stood up and made his way to the scorer’s table to check in to Tuesday night’s game against Rock Island Alleman. He knew it wouldn’t stop until he scored. “It’s a little bit of pressure, I have to admit,” Wells said. A senior forward on…

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Schuckman: It’s gotta be the shoes as Quincy Shootout participants put their footware on display

A vast majority of the players participating in the Quincy Shootout this weekend at Blue Devil Gym were wearing unique footwear. Matt Schuckman photo

Stylish, bold, eye-catching and colorful. And it’s all about sole. During the fourth Quincy Shootout, which took place Friday and Saturday at Blue Devil Gym and Friday night at the Pit, the shoe game of some of the top prep basketball players in the state and in the nation was on display. A handful of…

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Schuckman: QU coach drums up support, supplies to help her hometown remain Dresden Strong following tornado

Quincy University women's basketball coach Kaci Bailey is heading to her hometown of Dresden, Tenn., with a van full of supplies and assistance after tornadoes devastated the community. Matt Schuckman photo

The text came close to midnight as Ric Bailey needed to know his daughter, Quincy University women’s basketball coach Kaci Bailey, hadn’t been in the path of the tornadoes that skirted the St. Louis area and created a path of destruction moving past Edwardsville, Ill. “He was making sure I’m OK,” Bailey said. At the…

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Schuckman: ’50 Teams After 50 Years’ will celebrate 50th anniversary of start of two-class system for Illinois basketball

For the better part of six decades, small-school boys basketball teams from West Central Illinois had their state tournament aspirations hit an inevitable roadblock. They simply couldn’t circumvent the city schools. Whether that foe came from Quincy, Galesburg or Springfield, there was a program with a larger enrollment, more resources and a history of postseason…

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Schuckman: Tomlinson’s coaching milestone is reflection of program he’s built

The Culver-Stockton College women's soccer team celebrated Wildcats coach Tyler Tomlinson's 100th career victory Saturday after beating MidAmerica Nazarene 3-2 in Olathe, Kan. Submitted photo

For a moment Saturday, Culver-Stockton College women’s soccer coach Tyler Tomlinson didn’t know what was happening. After the playing of the national anthem prior to the Wildcats’ game against MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kan., the Wildcats’ starting 11 unexpectedly ran off the field. Situated near a far corner of the facility was C-SC junior midfielder…

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What the Schuck? – Two Big Knuckleheads

Matt Schuckman, editor of Muddy River Sports, and David Adam, editor of Muddy River News, get together to talk about the final week of the high school football regular season, the upcoming playoffs, Quincy Notre Dame’s chances in the state soccer playoffs and the best place to get a bite to eat in Alton.

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Schuck on a Truck Zoom edition: Liberty running back Wentric Williams III

Wentric Williams III recently joined Muddy River Sports editor Matt Schuckman on a Zoom call to discuss football, wrestling, the impact and legacy of his father. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

The name is the same. And if you watch Wentric Williams III run with the football tucked tightly in his right arm, you’ll see glimpses of his father. And then there’s that million-watt smile. It’s part of what made Wentric Williams II electric. His namesake shares that electricity. But be clear about one thing —…

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What the Schuck with David Adam

Matt Schuckman, editor of Muddy River Sports, and David Adam, editor of Muddy River News, talk about the football playoff hopes of QHS and QND, a problem at the IHSA state golf tournament that needs to be fixed and the upcoming eighth week of the high school football season — but they are interrupted with…

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Schuck on a Truck: Episode 1 with Bill Connell

Muddy River Sports editor Matt Schuckman and Quincy Notre Dame athletic director Bill Connell reunite on the tailgate of Schuckman’s pickup truck to reminisce about the origins of the post-practice tailgate interviews and discuss everything from Connell’s football coaching career to the impact COVID had on athletics over the past year to his son battling…

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Schuckman: Welcome to opening day

QUINCY — Maybe with a little forethought, our opening day celebration could have included some of the nuances which make the kickstart of the Major League Baseball season so unique. Maybe we could have brought the Clydesdales to town to circle our newsroom. Maybe we could have hung red, white and blue bunting from our…

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Schuckman: Heat, humidity and return to normal highlight opening of prep practices

Quincy High School football coach Rick Little, center, talks to his players during a water break during Monday's practice at Flinn Stadium. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — High temperatures and humidity which meteorologists turn into the better-take-note-of-these heat indexes greeted high school athletes for the official start of the fall sports season. Don’t think for a moment that turned into an excuse to take a play off or slug through a drill. Quincy Notre Dame football coach Jack Cornell drove…

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