Saukees rely on defense to carry them to title of their own Thanksgiving tournament

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Keep shooting. Eventually, the ball goes in. That’s the mentality the Pittsfield boys basketball players needed Friday night. The Saukees missed their first nine 3-point attempts, but once the ball started going through the hoop, everything changed.  Taylor Graham hit a 3-pointer as the third quarter ended to give Pittsfield a one-point…

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Second-half dominance defensively carries Saukees to tourney-opening victory

Pittsfield's Taylor Graham attacks the middle of the Western defense during Monday's game in the Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Junior guard Hayden Gratton and his Pittsfield basketball teammates want to instill fear in their opponents with their defense. “We want them to be really scared,” Gratton said. “Get them going fast and turn the ball over.” The Saukees did exactly that on Monday. Pittsfield’s full-court, high-pressure defense forced 15 Western turnovers…

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Photo gallery: Liberty, Pittsfield win on opening night of Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament

Pittsfield's Taylor Graham challenges the shot of Western's Isaac Coventon during Monday's game in the Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A 3-point shootout, a lockdown defensive effort and a raucous crowd highlighted the opening night of the Pittsfield Thanksgiving Tournament at Voshall Gym on Monday. The Liberty boys basketball team outlasted Payson Seymour 56-47, while Pittsfield upended Western 49-36. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent his evening in Pike County and…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, August 17

The Illini West boys golf team won the team title Saturday at the Pittsfield Invitational played at Old Orchard Country Club in Pittsfield, Ill. | Photo courtesy Illini West golf

Chargers win Pittsfield Invitational PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Illini West boys golf team won the Pittsfield Invitational on Saturday by shooting a 325 at Old Orchard Country Club. Pittsfield took second with a 327. Rushville-Industry was third at 332. Chargers senior Nick Bruns finished second individually with a 76, while freshman Bryson Grotts took sixth…

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Young guns: Underclassmen lead pack during season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational

Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen, right, chats with Saukees coach Jack Palmer while waiting on a teebox during Thursday's D.A. Weibring Invitational at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — If the scores from Thursday’s season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational are any indication, the area boys golf scene is going to be highly competitive for years to come. Three sophomores and a freshman claimed four of the top five individual spots and a pair of freshmen posted scores that helped Illini West capture the…

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Photo gallery: Golfers open season in D.A. Weibring Invitational at Westview Golf Course

Quincy Notre Dame freshman Keeden Orpet-Hulett chips from the greenside bunker on No. 2 at Westview Golf Course during Thursday's season-opening D.A. Weibring Invitational. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The flag officially dropped Thursday on the start of the high school sports season. The traditional boys golf lidlifter — the D.A. Weibring Invitational — took place at Westview Golf Course with Illini West winning the team title with a 322 total and Pittsfield sophomore Isaac McGlauchlen taking individual medalist honors with an…

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Countdown to kickoff: Saukees believe physical play, run game can lead to playoff pursuit

Pittsfield coach Zach Ferguson and the Saukees believe their physicality and commitment to the run game will lead to success this fall. | Matt Schuckman photo

Coverage of the Pittsfield football program is brought to you by: PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield football program’s playoff drought is long enough that senior linebacker Draven Puterbaugh doesn’t remember seeing one. “It hasn’t happened in quite some time,” he said. Fifteen years in fact. Yet, there’s a distinct hope and strong belief this could…

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‘We got lucky’: Pittsfield, Jacksonville to lock horns in Week One after both teams’ opponents cancel

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Sometimes when it feels like all hope is lost, the stars align perfectly. The Pittsfield and Jacksonville football teams can thank their lucky stars having found a Week One game after both schools’ originally scheduled opponents announced they weren’t going to play. “I wasn’t too sure we’d find a game,” Pittsfield coach…

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Pittsfield may be forced to take forfeit victory in football opener with Riverton not fielding team

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Sangamo Conference football coaches are scrambling, and it could result in Pittsfield being without a season-opening game. Monday, Riverton officials announced publicly it will not field a varsity football team for the upcoming season due to low participation numbers. The statement released by the school said it will field a junior…

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Cyclones walk off with victory over Saukees after scoring twice in seventh of regional title game

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The start was nearly perfect. The ending proved imperfect. After Pittsfield senior first baseman Brennan Tomhave launched a one-out home run to center field in the top of the first inning Saturday, Saukees right-hander Konner Allen retired Sacred Heart-Griffin without trouble in the bottom of the frame. However, the lead didn’t last.…

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Around the area: Blue Devils share WB6 tennis title, Pirates fall in districts, Wolves win one-run marathon

The Quincy High School boys tennis team shared the Western Big 6 Conference championship with Rock Island Alleman. | Submitted photo

GENESEO, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team made its lead last at the Western Big 6 Conference championships despite the continued dominance of Rock Island Alleman junior Nick Patrick. The Blue Devils placed two singles players in top four and the doubles tandem of Anderson Knapp and Jason Derian finished third, giving…

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Photo gallery: Competitive games highlight QND softball slam at The Backyard

Pittsfield's Lila Simon barehands a ball during Saturday's action at The Backyard at Quincy Notre Dame. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The rain stayed away Saturday, which led to a competitive day of softball at The Backyard as four area teams took part in the Quincy Notre Dame softball slam. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent time at The Backyard and put together this photo gallery:

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Stellar pitching helps Saukees regain their footing, end Mustangs’ win streak

Pittsfield baseball coach Zach Ferguson talks to his players on the mound during Saturday's game against Mendon Unity in Pittsfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Mired in a midseason slump, the Pittsfield baseball team needed a turn-things-around moment. Ending Mendon Unity’s 13-game win streak may be it. Two Saukees combined to limit the Mustangs to two hits, and a five-run fifth inning helped propel Pittsfield to a 9-0 victory Saturday. The Saukees had lost three of their…

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Freshman hurler tosses second straight one-hitter as Pittsfield softball team posts shutout victory

Pittsfield freshman Emma Wombles delivers a pitch during Wednesday's 13-0 victory over Beardstown. Wombles threw a one-hitter in Beardstown, Ill. | Photo courtesy Korey Wombles

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — Emma Wombles has been virtually unhittable of late. The Pittsfield softball team’s freshman right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout of Beardstown in Wednesday night’s 13-0 victory, giving her back-to-back one-hitters as part of the Saukees’ three-game win streak. Wombles has allowed only seven hits in her last 20 innings pitched. Against the Tigers,…

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Shake it off, shake it off: Lahr’s ability to push everything aside and focus on pitching allows Raiders to take down Saukees

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore left-hander Bradi Lahr delivers a pitch during Wednesday's game against Pittsfield at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Just gotta shake it. Sophomore pitcher Bradi Lahr uttered those words — quite loudly — dozens of times during the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team’s game against Pittsfield on Wednesday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. What exactly does this phrase mean? “Whatever you want to take it as,” Lahr said. Whatever it…

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Zanger first to wear home run chain as her solo shot sets stage for Raiders’ victory over Saukees

Quincy Notre Dame junior Morgan Zanger heads back to the dugout with the Raiders' new home run chain dangling from her helmet after hitting a solo homer in the first inning of Monday's 4-0 victory over Pittsfield at The Backyard. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s new home run chain didn’t quite fit over Morgan Zanger’s helmet after her solo shot in the first inning of Monday’s game against Pittsfield. “We did not think that part through,” Zanger said. She also didn’t know the ball had cleared The Backyard’s left-field fence. “Whenever they…

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Three-run first inning gives Saukees control in victory over Blue Devils

Pittsfield right-hander Brennan Tomhave worked five innings Monday against Quincy High School to earn the win in the Saukees' 5-3 victory in Pittsfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield baseball team wasted no time taking control. Run-scoring doubles by Brennan Tomhave, Konner Allen and Hayden Gratton in the bottom of the first inning Monday led to a three-run frame and catapulted the Saukees to a 5-3 victory over Quincy High School.  The Saukees’ Luke Archer led off the fourth…

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Pennock tosses no-hitter as Saukees sweep doubleheader from Warriors

Pittsfield right-hander Justin Pennock warms up between innings during Saturday's game against Calhoun in Pittsfield, Ill. Pennock tossed a no-hitter in the 1-0 victory. | Photo courtesy Jack Hull

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Justin Pennock wasn’t overly confident he have unhittable control as he warmed up Saturday morning. “Honestly, not really,” said Pennock, a senior right-hander on the Pittsfield baseball team. “I was still a little bit sore. I thought if I hit spots I’d be all right.” He hardly missed one. Pennock faced just…

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Around the diamond: Mustangs rally in seventh, Blue Devils scored 11 in first, Saukees suffer first loss

MENDON, Ill. — Trailing by two runs heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday, the Mendon Unity baseball team needed baserunners to even think about a rally. Six consecutive batters safely reaching did the trick. Ben McClelland and Sawyer Allen started the rally with back-to-back singles before the Mustangs’ patience kicked in. Three…

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Around the diamond: Saukees stay perfect, Raiders back sophomore righty, Shaffer mows down Tigers

Pittsfield's Konner Allen struck out five in two hitless, scoreless innings of relief against Brown County on Wednesday in Pittsfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Three Pittsfield pitchers limited the Brown County baseball team to two hits and the Saukees used a four-run third inning to catapult themselves to a 7-1 victory to improve to 5-0 and highlight Wednesday’s action across the area. Pittsfield’s Draven Puterbaugh allowed one unearned run and two hits over the first four…

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Five-minute drought in second quarter too much for Pittsfield to overcome in Class 2A regional setback

Pittsfield's Brennan Tomhave dribbles to the basket while being guarded by Pleasant Plains' Michael Carter during a Class 2A regional semifinal game at Warsaw High School on Wednesday night. | David Adam photo

WARSAW, Ill. — Too many empty possessions. It was a recurring theme for the Pittsfield boys basketball team this season. The Saukees failed to score during the final five minutes of the first half and were unable to keep pace with Pleasant Plains after closing within four points early in the fourth quarter Wednesday night…

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Panthers see room for improvement before Thursday’s regional championship game

Central-Southeastern guard Brilyn Lantz applies pressure to Pittsfield guard Lila Simon during Monday's Class 2A regional semifinal in Camp Point, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CAMP POINT, Ill. — From Matt Long’s perspective, Monday night was a borderline disappointment — except for the final score. From the way Lauren Miller saw things, there’s room for improvement but a win’s still a win. The bottom line? The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s 18th straight victory was a little rough around the edges,…

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Stratton reaches 1,000 career points as Notre Dame girls rebound after rare loss

Pittsfield's Sophie Gengler drives to the basket while Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton defends during Wednesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit in Quincy. | David Adam

QUINCY — When Sage Stratton dropped through a second-quarter field goal Wednesday night, the game came to an immediate halt. Public address announcer Frank Cash then informed the crowd at The Pit that Stratton, a junior guard for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, had become the 17th player in the long and storied…

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Photo Gallery: Raiders bounce back after loss to QHS by overwhelming Pittsfield

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper, center, gets tied up by Pittsfield's Taylor Peebles, left, while Hannah Williams defends during Wednesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit in Quincy. | David Adam

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team earned a much-needed victory Wednesday night with a 55-37 decision over Pittsfield at the Pit. The Raiders rebounded 24 hours after getting thumped by crosstown rival Quincy High School 47-24. Notre Dame led 34-10 halftime and 43-19 after three quarters. Pittsfield (10-11) rebounded with a strong fourth quarter,…

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Photo gallery: Area wrestlers rack up medals in Quincy Invitational

Pittsfield's Tucker Cook, top, earns the pin in his third-place match at 190 pounds Saturday during the Quincy Invitational at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Winter weather may have impacted the number of teams that traveled here to participate in the Quincy Invitational, but it couldn’t diminish the ability of area wrestlers to showcase their talents. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent Saturday at matside and put together this photo gallery:

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Raiders pull away in fourth quarter to win defensive slugfest against Saukees

Quincy Notre Dame's Jace Allensworth split the Pittsfield boys basketball team's defense to get to the basket in the first half of Friday night's game at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pittsfield boys basketball coach Brad Tomhave and Quincy Notre Dame coach Kevin Meyer shared a common assessment of their respective team’s defensive effort in Friday night’s game at Voshall Gym. Both were encouraged by the engagement. Offensively, however, their critiques were polar opposites. Meyer liked how the Raiders worked the ball from…

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Photo gallery: QND, Pittsfield boys basketball teams renew rivalry at Voshall Gym

From left, Pittsfield's Eli Mendenhall, QND's Noah Lunt, Pittsfield's Konner Allen and QND's Aiden Klauser get set for an inbounds play during Friday night's game at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield and Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball teams collided in their 2024 openers Friday night at Voshall Gym. The Raiders built a double-digit lead, saw the Saukees whittle it to eight points on two separate occasions in the second half and then pulled away for a 50-31 victory. Muddy River Sports…

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Iron sharpens iron: QHS’s Newbold, QND’s Darnell, Pittsfield’s Cook benefit from head-to-head competition

Quincy High School's Bryor Newbold, right, controls the leg of Quincy Notre Dame's Ryan Darnell during Wednesday night's dual at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Tucker Cook understands it may be a while before he can get a tattoo, especially one of any significant size, but he already has a plan for what he wants it to look like and say. The words “iron sharpens iron” will be prominent. “I believe in that,” the Pittsfield junior wrestler said.…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND, Pittsfield wrestlers square off at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame's Taylin Scott, top, puts the squeeze on Payson Seymour's Bryson Davis during Wednesday night's dual at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Wrestling took center stage Wednesday night at The Pit as the Quincy High School, Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield squad engaged in a series of duals. The Blue Devils beat the Raiders 67-0 and the Saukees 54-6, while Pittsfield scored a 35-33 victory over QND. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat matside…

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Pittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team wins IESA Class 3A state championship

The Pittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team won the Class 3A state championship with Thursday night's 39-20 victory over Germantown Hills. | Photo courtesy Pikeland School District

GERMANTOWN HILLS, Ill. — The Pittsfield eighth grade girls basketball team is coming home with a state championship. Pittsfield outscored Germantown Hills 12-2 in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Illinois Elementary School Association Class 3A title game, setting the tone for a 39-20 victory at Germantown Hills Middle School. The Lady Braves finished their…

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Free throws help Saukees hand Tornadoes first loss of season

GRIGGSVILLE, Ill. — The battle for Pike County supremacy came down to free throws. The Pittsfield boys basketball team made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 53 seconds of regulation Tuesday night to hold off Griggsville-Perry for a 46-44 victory, handing the Tornadoes their first loss of the season while alloowing the Saukees…

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Saukees’ second-half rally secures 300th victory of Tomhave’s coaching career

Brad Tomhave became the second coach in the history of the Pittsfield boys basketball program to reach 300 career victories. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The manner in which the Pittsfield boys basketball team secured the 300th victory of Brad Tomhave’s coaching career might not be so memorable. The milestone certainly is. The Saukees overcame making just one of their first 18 field goals and a 15-point third-quarter deficit to take the lead for the first time…

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Match-play mentality on back nine carries QND boys golf team to sectional championship

The Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team poses for a team picture after winning the Class 1A Auburn Sectional title Monday at Edgewood Golf Course in Auburn, Ill. | Submitted photo

AUBURN, Ill. — As the Quincy Notre Dame boys golfers made the turn Monday, the situation seemed pretty cut and dry. Beat Bloomington Central Catholic head-to-head and win a sectional championship. Raiders coach Brian Hendrian didn’t shy away from telling his golfers that. “We went out there and played it like a Ryder Cup format…

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Beau knows: Up-and-down for par on No. 18 caps impressive regional round by QND sophomore

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Beau Eftink sizes up his putt on the par-3 ninth hole Wedesday during the Class 1A QND Regional at Westview Golf Course. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The number of strokes Beau Eftink needed to get up and down from behind the 18th green was going to determine just how pleased he would be with his final score. The moment he hit his chip shot from above the green’s collar, the Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer felt a twinge of…

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Photo gallery: Westview Golf Course plays host to Class 1A Quincy Notre Dame boys regional

Quincy Notre Dame's Michael Venvertloh hits out of the bunker on the 10th hole at Westview Golf Course on Wednesday during the Class 1A QND Regional. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Beau Eftink went low, the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team took advantage of playing on its home course and three teams that had been in the mix all season advanced to the Class 1A Auburn Sectional at Edgewood Golf Course. It turned out to be a remarkable day at Westview Golf Course.…

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Prairie State Profile: Saukees’ Tomhave embraces traditions, bonds born from playing sports

Pittsfield senior Brennan Tomhave is a three-sports athlete who envisions himself as a physical therapist or working a similar job in the sports medicine field one day. | Matt Schuckman photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Brennan Tomhave is a Saukee through and through. It would be difficult not to be when you grow up sitting on the bench. Tomhave had a front-row seat to one of the best seasons in Pittsfield boys basketball history in 2011, riding the bus and hanging out in the locker room as…

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Raiders’ resiliency put to test in regional title game, Kindhart’s sac fly helps knock off Saukees

Quincy Notre Dame principal Mark McDowell, right, hands the Class 2A regional championship plaque to the Raiders' Dalton Miller, left, and Jake Schisler following Saturday's 2-1 victory over Pittsfield at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each time the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team seemed poised for a big inning Saturday, something went haywire. Pittsfield right-hander Brennan Tomhave played a role in that. The Raiders’ overaggressiveness did, too. It finally took a simple approach in consecutive at-bats to generate enough offense to survive and advance. After the Raiders loaded…

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Like Schis and like that: QND right-hander refuses to give in, strikes out 13 in regional title victory

Quincy Notre Dame right-handed starter Jake Schisler delivers a pitch in the first inning of Saturday's Class 2A regional championship game against Pittsfield at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Given the lead for a second time in Saturday’s Class 2A regional championship game, Quincy Notre Dame right-hander Jake Schisler vowed he was not giving it up. “I think those might have been my exact words,” Schisler said. He had no plans to do it alone either. “I said to myself that I…

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Photo gallery: QND baseball team survives regional title tussle with Pittsfield

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Michael Stupavsky receives a strike from starting pitcher Jake Schisler during Saturday's Class 2A regional championship game against Pittsfield at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Another chapter to the Quincy Notre Dame-Pittsfield rivalry was written Saturday as the Raiders survived the Saukees’ upset bid to win the Class 2A QND Regional championship with a 2-1 victory at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. QND’s Jake Schisler outdueled Pittsfield’s Brennan Tomhave, striking out 13 and setting down the side in…

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Motivated Saukees ride Allen’s bulldogged pitching into regional title game

Pittsfield junior right-hander Konner Allen delivers a pitch during Wednesday's Class 2A QND Regional semifinal victory over Warrensburg-Latham at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Pittsfield baseball players didn’t understand it, nor did they appreciate it. A year ago, toting a 21-5 regular-season record, the Saukees were the No. 4 seed in their sub-sectional. This season, with a 25-4 regular-season record, they were relegated to being the No. 5 seed heading to the Class 2A Quincy Notre…

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Photo gallery: QND, Pittsfield to renew longstanding rivalry in regional title game

Quincy Notre Dame first baseman Dalton Miller completes the force out of Pleasant Plains leadoff hitter Charlie Severino in the first inning of Wednesday's 9-1 victory in the Class 2A QND Regional semifinals. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A West Central Illinois rivalry gets a postseason chapter added to it Saturday. The Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield baseball teams advanced to the championship game of the Class 2A QND Regional by winning Wednesday’s semifinals and will square off at 11 a.m. Saturday in the title game at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial…

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Raiders rack up hits in six-inning victory over Saukees

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame baseball team just keeps hitting. The Raiders collected 12 hits, scored in four of the six innings played Wednesday and rolled to a 14-4 victory over Pittsfield. The Raiders have scored 10 or more runs in eight of their 12 games this season and have collected 10 or…

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Raiders continue to zero in on letting defense dictate success, quiet Saukees’ offense

Quincy Notre Dame guard Charlie Lavery positions himself defensively during the first half of Friday's game against Pittsfield at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The scoreboard lacked the zero the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players yearned to see. A goose egg in the scorebook sufficed. The Raiders held Pittsfield without a field goal in the first quarter Friday night at The Pit, allowing only a single Adam Musgrave free throw while building a 13-1 advantage. The…

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Photo gallery: QND boys basketball team faces Pittsfield at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame's Jackson Stratton, left, prepares to fight through a screen to stay in front of Pittsfield's Brennan Tomhave during Friday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team won its fourth straight game Friday night, beating Pittsfield 52-30 after allowing the Saukees just 15 points through the first three quarters. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured the action through his camera lens. Check out his photo gallery:

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Determined to dominate: QHS wrestlers lose only one match in sweeping duals from QND, Pittsfield

Quincy High School junior Owen Uppinghouse, left, works to pin the shoulders of Pittsfield's Ethan Thompson to the mat during their 160-pound match Wednesday night at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Owen Uppinghouse understands most of the Quincy High School wrestling team’s duals can’t compare to a crosstown showdown when it comes to energy and enthusiasm. “When you’re wrestling people from down the street, it tends to be different,” he said. Wednesday night was different, except in one regard. The Blue Devils’ determination for…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND, Pittsfield grapple at QHS gym

Quincy High School's Bryor Newbold, right, gets in position to take down Quincy Notre Dame's Talin Scott during their 182-pound match in Wednesday night's triangular at the QHS gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School wrestling team showcased the strength of its lineup from top to bottom during Wednesday night’s triangular with Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield at the QHS gym. The Blue Devils beat the Saukees 83-0 and the Raiders 68-6, while QND upended Pittsfield 54-24. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured…

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QJHS, Brown County to play for eighth grade girls basketball state titles, Pittsfield to vie for third

Two area eighth grade girls basketball teams will play for Illinois Elementary School Association state titles, while a third will battle for third place. Quincy Junior High School and Brown County advanced to their respective championship games by winning twice Saturday, while Pittsfield suffered a five-point loss in the semifinals. QJHS opened with a 39-10…

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Pittsfield seventh grade girls win IESA state championship, Liberty takes second

The Pittsfield seventh grade girls basketball team won the Class 3A state championship Thursday with a 44-11 victory over Paris Mayo. | Photo courtesy Pikeland schools

AUBURN, Ill. — By the end of the first quarter of the Illinois Elementary School Association seventh grade Class 3A girls basketball state championship, the intrigue was mostly gone. The Pittsfield Lady Braves saw to that. Pittsfield overwhelmed Paris Mayo 19-2 in the first quarter, went on another 12-2 run in the third quarter and…

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The Rundown: Solid debut for Hannibal girls, Pittsfield boys win opener, WIU women earn first victory

Hannibal girls basketball coach Shawn Gaines talks to the Pirates during a timeout in Monday's season opener against Bowling Green at Korf Gym in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

QUINCY — Kicking off Thanksgiving week with a flurry of activity as the Illinois boys basketball season got underway Monday night and the Missouri teams joined in the fun. Oh, college basketball season is in full swing, too. Here are some of Monday’s highlights … • The Hannibal girls basketball team won Shawn Gaines’ debut…

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Eaton guides power-hitting QND to quick victory over Pittsfield in regional semifinals

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players celebrate winning a point during Tuesday's Class 2A QND Regional semifinal match against Pittsfield at The Pit. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

QUINCY — Annie Eaton’s smile is infectious, but don’t let that nice-girl persona fool you. She’s the quiet assassin of the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team. And she relishes that role. “I like to control things out there,” Eaton said. “I like to run the offense.” The Raiders’ floor general was at her directorial best…

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College football notebook: Brock hits 100-yard mark, Personett and Boyer contribute to Scots’ blowout, Griffith scores TD for Bulldogs

Former Quincy High School all-stater Jirehl Brock looks for running room during Saturday's game against Iowa. The Iowa State junior running back finished with 100 yards rushing in the Cyclones' 10-7 victory in Iowa City, Iowa. | Photo courtesy Roy Dabner

QUINCY — For the first time since Jirehl Brock stepped on the Iowa State University campus and the first time in Matt Campbell’s coaching tenure, the Iowa State football team took the Cy-Hawk Trophy back to Ames. Saturday’s 10-7 victory over Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, ended the Hawkeyes’ six-game win streak…

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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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Crim: Signing with WWE’s ‘Next In Line’ program helps Pittsfield’s Hayden conquer more stereotypes

University of Tennesee thrower Chandler Hayden, who is a 2019 graduate of Pittsfield High School, recently signed a name, image and likeness agreement with WWE to be part of the "Next In Line" program. | Photo courtesy Tennessee athletics/Andrew Ferguson

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Chandler Hayden has always defied stereotypes. “Doing things out of the norm builds confidence,” she explained. The 2019 graduate of Pittsfield High School is anything but typical. And perhaps her boldest move yet came last month when Hayden, a University of Tennessee track and field thrower, was one of 15 college athletes…

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Muddy River Showcase: Scranton helps Saukees add another layer to Pittsfield’s rich tradition

Pittsfield guard Nate Scranton wore the same number his uncle, Matt Elledge, wore when he played for the Saukees. Submitted photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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JWCC Prairie State Profile: Pittsfield’s Cox carries on family tradition with integrity and confidence

Pittsfield's Katie Cox clears a hurdle in the 110-meter hurdles race at the Class 1A state championships last year in Charleston, Ill. Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Steve Smith became known throughout West-Central Illinois as one of the region’s most influential and impartial basketball referees. For Katie Cox, he was simply grandpa. “He truly always wanted me to be the best,” said Cox, a senior three-sport athlete at Pittsfield High School. “With everything I did, he was pushing me.…

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Raiders strike first knowing potential regional rematch with Saukees looms

Quincy Notre Dame coach Ryan Oden waves home Tucker Tollerton with the only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning Monday against Pittsfield. Tollerton scored on on a two-out single to left off the bat of Harry Oden. David Adam photo

QUINCY — The gamesmanship is officially underway. There’s a good chance Quincy Notre Dame and Pittsfield could meet again in the Class 2A baseball postseason. That’s what made Monday’s matchup between the longtime rivals that much more interesting. QND pulled out a 1-0 victory on a crisp April afternoon at wind-swept Ferd Niemann Memorial Ballfield,…

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JWCC Prairie State Profile: Saukees’ Davis keeps focus on task at hand in pursuit of state wrestling berth

Pittsfield wrestler Mason Davis holds his medal after winning the Class 1A regional championship at 170 pounds. Submitted photo

The Prairie State Profile will appear each week to highlight an Illinois area student-athlete. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Mason Davis refuses to get caught daydreaming. Sure, his goal is clear cut: Become a state wrestling qualifier. After that, there’s the hope of wrestling well enough to earn a medal and a spot on the podium at…

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Liquor Booth Shot of the Game: Pittsfield’s Ronne Thelander exits after first career field goal

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The Pittsfield boys basketball team gave Ronne Thelander a fitting goodbye. The Saukees sophomore manager was in the starting lineup for last Friday’s game against Quincy Notre Dame at Voshall Gym, and after Pittsfield won the opening tip, Thelander was given the opportunity to take the first shot. His initial attempt fell…

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Wrestling roundup: Blue Devils’ Garrett wins individual crown as QHS takes third overall

Quincy High School wrestler Kayden Garrett shows off the team trophy the Blue Devils won Saturday at the 60th Murdale Invitational in Carbondale, Ill. Photo courtesy QHS wrestling

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Kayden Garrett’s individual championship helped the Quincy High School wrestling team finish third among 25 teams in the 60th Murdale Invitational at Carbondale High School. Garrett, a senior wrestling at 170 pounds, won his first two matches in pool play with a second-period pin and a 21-6 technical fall. In the championship…

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Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament roundup: Saukees return from lengthy break, celebrate coach’s birthday with victory

MACOMB, Ill. — Brad Tomhave’s birthday wish was quite simple. All he wanted was a victory. Five minutes into Monday’s first-round game of the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament against Monmouth-Roseville, the Pittsfield boys basketball team didn’t look like it had anything gift-wrapped for the veteran coach. The Saukees allowed the Titans to score the game’s first…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, August 17

Boys Golf Alton Redbird Invitational at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Quincy High School finishes fifth at 313. Breese Mater Dei wins the title with a 306, followed by Edwardsville (307), O’Fallon (311) and Springfield (312). Cameron Bergman leads the Blue Devils with a 76 to finish 10th individually, and Brady Walker posts a 77.…

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