Blue Devils grab early lead again, Brown makes it stand up in road victory against Beardstown

Nick Brown, shown pitching on April 11 against Hannibal, gave up three runs and five hits in six innings for the Quincy High School baseball team on Thursday against Beardstown. | MRN file photo by Shane Hulsey

BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — The Quincy High School baseball team did not let the lead slip away this time. A day after blowing a six-run lead in a 10-9 loss to United Township, the Blue Devils jumped on Beardstown with four runs in the first inning. After escaping a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the…

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Blue Devils erupt for 10 runs in first inning, hand Galesburg softball team 27th consecutive defeat

Quincy High School catcher Maggie Neally, left, and pitcher Carlee Gilker celebrate after the third inning of Tuesday afternoon's softball game. The Blue Devils scored 10 first-inning runs and won 13-3. | David Adam

QUINCY — What a difference a day makes. To fully appreciate Quincy High School’s 13-3 Western Big 6 softball victory over Galesburg on Tuesday, just consider what the Blue Devils had experienced the day before — an identical 13-3 pounding at the hands of arch rival Quincy Notre Dame. QHS coach Anjay Heinecke said her…

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Photo Gallery: Freshman catcher developing into top hitter for QHS softball team

Quincy High School right fielder Kamryn Hlubek corrals a fly ball during Tuesday's softball game against Galesburg. | David Adam

Freshman catcher Maggie Neally collected a team-high three hits and fell a home run shy of hitting for the cycle during Tuesday’s 13-3 victory for the Quincy High School girls softball team over winless Galesburg. Neally is hitting .460 with three homers in her rookie season. Muddy River News Editor David Adam captured some of the…

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Holzgrafe filling in at No. 1 doubles spot just fine for injured teammate, helps QHS tennis team win every set in victory

Quincy High School sophomore Kael Holzgrafe celebrates winning a point during the No. 1 doubles match as part of Quincy's dual against Quincy Notre Dame on Monday at Reservoir Park. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Ethan Stark will return soon, but in the meantime, Kael Holzgrafe has found a home in the No. 1 doubles spot for the Quincy High School tennis team. Holzgrafe and Surya Reddy defeated Quincy Notre Dame’s Daniel Dyer and Alex Strong 9-7 in No. 1 doubles as part of the Blue Devils’ 9-0…

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Dirty Dozen: QND softball maintains mastery over arch rival QHS, wins 13-3 at home

Notre Dame's Caitlin Bunte socked her seventh home run of the season and 20th of her career, a line shot over the right-center field fence, during Monday's game. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — To her credit, Anjay Heinecke did not try to sidestep the question. The Quincy High School softball coach fully admitted the frustration of the ongoing losing streak to arch rival Quincy Notre Dame, the latest loss coming in 13-3 fashion on a balmy Monday evening inside the friendly confines of The Backyard at 10th and…

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Photo Gallery: QHS earns clean sweep of QND in dual at Reservoir Park

Quincy High School senior Emanuel Sogadji hits a backhand shot during his No. 6 singles match against Quincy Notre Dame's Cael Willer at Monday's dual at Reservoir Park. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys tennis team improved its dual record to 15-2 with a 9-0 victory over Quincy Notre Dame on Monday at Reservoir Park. The Blue Devils did not drop a set in any match on a day when temperatures reached near 90 degrees and winds blew upwards of 20 miles…

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Photo Gallery: Raiders all smiles in victory over Blue Devils in crosstown showdown

From left, Quincy Notre Dame softball players Josie Boyer, Morgan Winking, Ellie Miller and Sophia White pose for a photo before taking the field during Monday's game against Quincy High School at The Backyard. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY —The Quincy Notre Dame softball team jumped on Quincy High School with four runs in the first inning on Monday and never looked back in a 13-3 victory at The Backyard. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey captured some of the action from 10th and Jackson.

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Extra batting practice pays off for Blue Devils in victory over Granite City

Quincy High School's Nate Konrad, right, is congratulated by James Day after scoring a run during Thursday's baseball game against Granite City. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — The members of the Quincy High School baseball team did not want the frustration of Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Moline to linger any longer than necessary. So, the Blue Devils arrived to the ballpark at 1:45 Thursday afternoon — a half hour earlier than normal — to get in extra batting practice ahead…

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Solid pitching, plenty of hits don’t add up for QHS baseball team in shutout loss at home to Moline

Quincy High School catcher Mason Ritter tries to tag out Moline's Quentin Nickerson at home plate during Wednesday afternoon's baseball game. Ritter couldn't hang on to the ball on the play as Nickerson scored. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — The makings of a victory for the Quincy High School baseball team were there on Wednesday. The Blue Devils outhit Moline 8-7. Starting pitcher Cameron Lawson threw 6⅔ innings, struck out seven, walked two and only gave up one earned run. Quincy never went down in order in any inning and had a…

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Losing no-hitter in seventh doesn’t bother John as Liberty softball team holds on to defeat Blue Devils

Pitcher Chandler John walks off the field with a smile after Liberty's 5-2 victory over Quincy High School on Wednesday afternoon. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Chandler John was oh-so-close to a no-hitter, but the run differential after the final out was all she was concerned about. The Liberty sophomore right-hander was two outs from a no-hitter against Quincy High School on Wednesday before Avary Hlubek thwarted John’s chances at a no-no with a single through the left side,…

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Photo Gallery: Tough day for Blue Devils on softball, baseball fields

Quincy High School's Cameron Lawson throws a pitch during Wednesday afternoon's baseball game against Moline. | Shane Hulsey

The Quincy High School baseball team lost 3-0 at home on Wednesday to Western Big 6 Conference rival Moline, while the Quincy High School softball team lost 5-2 at home to Liberty. Sports Writer Shane Hulsey captured some of the action at both games.

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Knudson’s hat trick helps QHS girls soccer team continue recent momentum with blowout of Sterling

Sterling's Pricila Lopez, left, and Quincy's Alexa Mosley fight for possession of the ball during Tuesday night's girls soccer game at Flinn Stadium. Behind the play is Quincy's Maddy Kuhl. | Annie C. Reller

QUINCY — After Saturday’s 5-1 victory against Jacksonville, the Quincy High School girls soccer team wanted to continue the momentum Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium in Western Big 6 Conference play. Leah Knudson’s hat trick helped accomplish that in an 8-0 victory over Sterling. The Blue Devils (5-6) started strong, with the first goal coming…

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Weppler’s back problems now in rear-view mirror for Quincy High School softball squad

Izzy Weppler, left, and Avary Hluber | Photos by Steve Eighinger

PAYSON, Ill. — Slowly, but ever so surely, Izzy Weppler is carving out her softball niche as a member of the Quincy High School pitching staff. The left-handed sophomore made just her second start of the season Monday afternoon, pitching the Blue Devils past Payson Seymour 7-3. Weppler has worked to overcome a series of…

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Blue Devils end five-game losing streak, score five goals to stop offensive drought

Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller | MRN file photo by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — After scoring just one goal in the last five games, the Quincy High School girls soccer team finally enjoyed offensive success on Saturday. Alexa Mosley’s goal came in the first five minutes and sparked an avalanche of goals in a 5-1 victory for the Blue Devils over Jacksonville at Flinn Stadium, snapping a…

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All’s Wells for the Blue Devils, who extend winning streak to four with shutout victory over Pittsfield

Noah Wells, shown pitching on April 9 against Galesburg, pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings on Thursday against Pittsfield. | MRN file photo by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Noah Wells pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, and Chase Saalborn picked up the final four outs for the save as the Quincy High School baseball team earned a 3-0 victory over Pittsfield on Thursday afternoon. The victory is the fourth straight for the Blue Devils (6-10). Wells allowed two hits and walked three.…

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Boyer slugs homer, earns victory in circle as QND extends softball win streak over QHS to 11 games

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Lauren Miller prepares to throw out Quincy High School runner Ariana Adorno, who laid down a sacrifice bunt in the first inning during Wednesday night's softball game at Avenue of Saints Field. Adorno's sacrifice bunt helped the Blue Devils take an early 1-0 lead, but Notre Dame rallied for a 6-2 victory. | David Adam

QUINCY — Understandably, Madalyn Boyer needed a few moments to decide what was more enjoyable. The Quincy Notre Dame right-hander was the winning pitcher — with excellent relief help from Caitlin Bunte — and also socked her first home run of the season during the Raiders’ 6-2 victory over rival Quincy High School in a Wednesday…

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Photo Gallery: Raiders improve to 15-2, close in on sixth consecutive 20-victory season

Quincy Notre Dame coach Eric Orne waves home Caitlin Bunte after Joselyn Boyer's double during Wednesday night's softball game at Avenue of Lights Field. | David Adam

Wednesday’s 6-2 victory over Quincy High School moved the Quincy Notre Dame girls softball team one step closer to a sixth consecutive 20-victory season. Notre Dame has outscored Quincy 87-18 during that 11-game stretch. The last QHS victory against the Raiders came in April 2018.  Muddy River News Editor David Adam captured some of the images from…

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‘I couldn’t let her beat me’: McClelland completes Blue Devils’ comeback in final race at Becky Thatcher Relays

Amick McClelland celebrates after she chased down Fort Zumwalt South’s Trinity Edmonds in the last leg to win the 4x400 relay, the final event of Tuesday’s Becky Thatcher Relays at Palmyra High School. | Shane Hulsey

PALMYRA, Mo. — Amick McClelland waited with what little bated breath she had left in anticipation of the results popping up on the scoreboard. “That was the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever experienced,” McClelland said. McClelland, a senior on the Quincy High School track and field team, had just expended every ounce of energy she…

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Photo Gallery: Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays moved to Palmyra because of work on Hannibal track

Hannibal's Kyndall Stewart races to a first-place finish in the 100-meter dash at the Becky Thatcher Relays on Tuesday in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey

Winners for the Quincy High School girls team at the Becky Thatcher Relays were: Winners for the Quincy High School girls team at the Mark Twain Relays were: Winners for the Hannibal girls team at the Becky Thatcher Relays were: Winners for the Hannibal boys team at the Mark Twain Relays were: Sports Writer Shane…

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‘Finally’: Blue Devils score 10 runs in first three innings to enjoy successful road trip to Hannibal

Quincy High School junior outfielder Mason Dent connects with a pitch during Saturday's baseball game against Hannibal at the Veterans Sports Complex. | Shane Hulsey

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The quality at-bats had been there. The solid contact had been there. But the results hadn’t always been there for the Quincy High School baseball team at the plate through the first dozen games of the season, which included three losses by one run, another two-run defeat and a three-run loss in…

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Photo Gallery: QHS baseball team gets standout performance from sophomore in first career start

Sophomore right-hander Nick Brown, making his first career start for Quincy High School, scattered six hits, walked two, struck out four and threw 59 of his 89 pitches for strikes. | Shane Hulsey

After surrendering a run in the first inning, sophomore Nick Brown fired six consecutive scoreless innings to help the Quincy High School baseball team roll to a 10-1 victory on Saturday afternoon over Hannibal at the Veterans Sports Complex. The sophomore right-hander, making his first career start, scattered six hits, walked two, struck out four…

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QND commands second half, ends losing streak against QHS with 2-0 girls soccer victory

Addie Flesch is surrounded by her teammates after scoring the first goal of Friday night's girls soccer game at Flinn Stadium for Quincy Notre Dame. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY – Quincy High School swept crosstown rival Quincy Notre Dame in each of the previous two seasons, the only times the Blue Devils had accomplished that in the first 34 years of the girls soccer series. The Raiders were intent on flipping the script on Friday night when the teams met for the first…

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Photo Gallery: Raiders’ offense comes alive after scoring just one goal in past two games

Quincy High School's Leah Knudson settles the ball in front of Quincy Notre Dame's Lakin Allensworth during Friday night's game at Flinn Stadium. | Shane Hulsey

Adde Flesch gave the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team, which had managed just one goal combined in back-to-back losses to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin and Hannibal (Mo.), the lead with just 3 minutes, 9 seconds elapsed during Friday night’s game against Quincy High School at Flinn Stadium. Sage Stratton scored the Raiders’ second goal in…

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Baserunning calls cost QHS softball team critical outs in sixth, seventh innings of WB6 loss

Quincy High School freshman catcher Maggie Neally celebrates after crossing the plate for what appeared to be the tying run in the bottom of the sixth inning of Wednesday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman. Neally was called out after the field umpire deemed she left early on a fly ball to center field. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Quincy High School softball coach Anjay Heinecke didn’t agree with the umpire’s calls, but there was nothing she or anyone could do to change them. Those calls came in a one-run game in the sixth and seventh innings of the Blue Devils’ 5-4 loss to Western Big 6 Conference foe Rock Island Alleman…

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Blue Devils fail to hang on to one-run lead with three outs to go against Galesburg

Quincy High School junior Cameron Lawson delivers a pitch during Wednesday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Galesburg in Quincy. | Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Patience was the name of the game for the Galesburg baseball team when it mattered most on Wednesday. The Silver Streaks trailed Quincy High School 3-2 entering the top of the seventh inning before two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with one out. Three consecutive walks later, the Silver…

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Photo Gallery: Blue Devils fall just short of overcoming five-run sixth inning by Alleman

Quincy High School senior shortstop Ariana Adorno connects with a pitch during the seventh inning of Wednesday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman in Quincy. | Shane Hulsey

The Rock Island Alleman Pioneers took the lead with a five-run sixth inning, then withstood two comeback attempts by Quincy High School to win 5-4 in a Western Big 6 Conference softball game on Wednesday evening. Sports Writer Shane Hulsey captured some of the moments during the game.

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‘Everybody’s just winning’: Blue Devils dominate distance events en route to track team titles

Quincy High School freshman Peyton Kuhl leads Quincy's Amick McClelland and Unity's Addy Bottorff during the 800-meter run at Saturday's Quincy High School Invitational at Flinn Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Freshman Peyton Kuhl cannot help but marvel at the Quincy High School track and field team’s prowess in the distance events. “Everybody’s just winning,” Kuhl said. “I’m so happy to see everyone showing off what they have.” Kuhl is a prominent member of that group of distance dominators. She won the 800- and…

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Around the Quincy Invitational track: Unity’s Barry back in title form, Chargers display depth, QHS’s Thomas sweeps throws

Mendon Unity junior Saylor Barry catches her breath after winning the 200-meter dash at Saturday's Quincy Invitational at Flinn Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Saturday’s Quincy High School track and field invitational at Flinn Stadium featured a photo finish, dominant team performances and several personal records. The Quincy boys and girls teams took home team titles by 55.5 and 151.5 points, respectively. Macomb’s Kylan McMillen and Camp Point Central’s Curtis Rigg provided the closest race of the…

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Crim: Blue Devils’ Longcor on 12-player ballot for Mr. Basketball in Illinois

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III is one of 12 finalists for Mr. Basketball in Illinois. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

QUINCY — Quincy High School’s Bradley Longcor III is one of 12 finalists for the Illinois Mr. Basketball award. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, along with the Chicago Tribune, released the names of the finalists March 23. Voting by coaches and media members concludes today (March 31.) The winner will be announced April 4. Voting…

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State of denial: Pirates’ Turner turns away PK attempt, stymies Blue Devils in tourney victory

Hannibal senior goalkeeper Ava Turner, left, and junior defender Matti Harvey celebrate Turner's save of a Lanee Schuette penalty kick in the second half of Friday's game at Flinn Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team looked poised to take the lead, but Ava Turner had other ideas. With Quincy and Hannibal deadlocked at 1 with 24:11 left in the second half of Friday’s QHS Kickoff Tournament game at Flinn Stadium, Quincy junior forward Lanee Schuette stepped to the penalty spot after…

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Aces in the hole: QHS graduate O’Brien makes holes-in-one during consecutive rounds on Carroll University’s spring break trip

Maddie O'Brien, a Quincy High School graduate and a siphomore on the Carroll University women's golf team, shows the ball she used to make a hole-in-one during the Pioneers' spring break trip to Alabama. | Submitted photo

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Maddie O’Brien figures she better start saving her dollar bills now. Come August, her Carroll University women’s golf teammates expect her to spend them freely. That’s when the Quincy High School graduate turns 21 years old and can legally partake in one of the game’s unwritten but widely embraced rules. If you…

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Relentless attack, constant movement enables Blue Devils to open season with WB6 victory

Quincy High School sophomore midfielder Leah Knudson, left, celebrates with junior forward Avery Morrison after Morrison scored the Blue Devils' first goal in the 33rd minute of a 3-0 victory over Rock Island on Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eventually, AJ Stewart was going to be out of position, out of time or out of luck. It’s what Bella Brown, Leah Knudson and the rest of the Quincy High School girls soccer players were banking on. Stewart, the Rock Island junior goalkeeper, made six saves in the first half of Tuesday night’s…

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Wombles’ first inning slam propels Saukees to run-rule victory over Blue Devils

Pittsfield sophomore Emma Wombles loads up for a pitch during Monday's game against Quincy High School at Avenue of Lights Field in Quincy | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Talk about a grand entrance. After the Pittsfield softball team’s first three batters of Monday’s game against Quincy High School reached base, Saukees sophomore pitcher and cleanup hitter Emma Wombles jumped on the first pitch she saw from Blue Devils hurler Carlee Gilker and hit a towering grand slam to left field. “It…

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Photo gallery: Pittsfield builds momentum, QHS looks to rekindle it following softball showdown

Quincy High School's Kendyl Byquist, left, and Ariana Adorno exchange a high-five during Monday's game against Pittsfield at the Avenue of Lights Field in Quincy. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The momentum the Pittsfield softball team felt it created in a season-opening loss to tradition-rich Carrollton carried the Saukees to a 14-4 victory over Quincy High School on Monday at Avenue of Lights Field. Meanwhile, the Blue Devils, who won their season opener last week against West Hancock, have a week to rekindle…

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Wiewel finishes what he starts, makes defensive play to end Raiders’ one-run win over Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame senior second baseman Abram Wiewel hauls in a pop up for the final out of Saturday's game against Quincy High School at QU Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Bradi Lahr had no doubt Abram Wiewel would make the play. “It’s Abram Wiewel,” said Lahr, a junior right-handed pitcher for the Quincy Notre Dame baseball team. “He’s the best ballplayer I’ve been on a team with. I had trust in him the whole time.” With the Raiders leading Quincy High School 5-4,…

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Photo gallery: QND, QHS baseball teams open season Saturday at QU Stadium

Quincy Notre Dame infielders Bradi Lahr and Kaden Marth celebrate turning a double play during Saturday's game against Quincy High School at QU Stadium. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Opening day for the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame baseball teams showed what fans have come to expect from both programs — grit, tenacity and tight games in the city series. After both teams dropped their season openers to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, QND took the upper hand in the city rivalry…

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Parkhill completes long way back, ready to help Blue Devils after recovering from shoulder injury

Quincy High School junior second baseman Kade Parkhill is back in the lineup a year after tearing his right shoulder and undergoing surgery to repair it. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — As mangled as his right shoulder was, Kade Parkhill’s determination to get back on the baseball field far outweighed the pain. “I’ve grown up in baseball,” Parkhill said. “It’s filled up all my summers growing up. It’s filled up my past five years of spring and fall with junior high. It’s the game…

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Spring storylines will unfold as QHS teams with young lineups get acclimated to change

Quincy High School center fielder Avary Hlubek anchors the outfield for a team capable of putting an offseason of disruption behind it. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Spring will be a season of change for the Quincy High School athletic program. Several teams have experienced heavy graduation losses and will look to younger athletes to fill the void, while a coaching change comes with having an experienced group to lean on. The storylines are just beginning to unfold. Softball The…

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Schuckman: Final game together is reminder Blue Devils’ senior class to remain forever linked

The Quincy High School boys basketball players dance in the huddle at the end of their pregame warmups prior to Monday's Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional matchup with Lisle Benet Academy at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus in Normal, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Reality hit Bradley Longcor III all at once as he took a seat on the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s bench. With 19 seconds remaining in regulation Monday night in the Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional at Illinois State University’s CEFCU Arena and the Blue Devils trailing by five points, Longcor fouled…

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‘I didn’t think we’d be in this situation’: Inefficient effort offensively dooms Blue Devils in super-sectional

Quincy High School's Max Wires, left, looks up at the clock as teammate Bradley Longcor III wipes away tears in the final 20 seconds of Monday night's 58-50 loss to Lisle Benet Academy in the Class 4A super-sectional at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Andy Douglas didn’t remember what he said in the locker room because he didn’t know what to say when he walked in there. Tasked with offering some sense of comfort to his Quincy High School boys basketball team following its 58-50 loss Monday night to Lisle Benet Academy in the Class 4A…

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Photo gallery: QHS’s season ends with loss to Benet Academy in Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas talks to his starting five just before the tipoff at the start of Monday's Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional against Lisle Benet Academy at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University campus. | Matt Schuckman photo

NORMAL, Ill. — A scoring droiught that lasted more than five minutes at the start of the game put the Quincy High School boys basketball team in catch-up mode for the entirety of Monday night’s 58-50 loss to Lisle Benet Academy in the Class 4A Normal Super-Sectional at CEFCU Arena on the Illinois State University…

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Wires, Blue Devils putting best foot forward in search of trip to state final four

Quincy High School senior point guard Kamren Wires gets announced as a starter before last Friday's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional championship game against Normal Community at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each time Kamren Wires stood up to walk, the pain surged through his left foot and ankle, and that cast further doubt on the possibility he’d play anymore this postseason. “The doctors said I was out for three or four weeks, and I believed them,” said the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s…

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Schuckman: Douglas clings to Lepper’s words and their friendship while helping Blue Devils fight way to sectional championship victory

The Quincy High School boys basketball coaching staff left an open seat on the bench with Tom Lepper's jersey on it during Friday night's Class 4A Collinsvills Sectional championship victory over Normal Community aty Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville,. Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — After what had been a restless night with little to no sleep, Andy Douglas got the phone call he was expecting. On the other end was Tom Lepper, the voice Douglas needed to hear. This was only 12 hours or so after the Quincy High School boys basketball team had lost 44-43…

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‘It feels amazing’: Blue Devils put past disappointment to rest, beat Ironmen for sectional championship

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III reacts to the Blue Devils putting away their 61-54 overtime victory over Normal Community in Friday night's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional championship at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — No over-the-counter remedy could help those associated with the Quincy High School boys basketball program overcome the gnawing disappointment which had lingered for the equivalent of a calendar year. This wasn’t heartburn. This was heartache. “We know what it feels like to be one inch away,” said senior point guard Kamren Wires,…

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Fletcher Gym’s friendly confines bring out best in Blue Devils in sectional semifinal victory

Quincy High School's Dom Clay, left, and Rico Clay Jr., center, celebrate toward the end of the Blue Devils' 56-33 victory over Alton in Tuesday night's Class 4A sectional semifinal at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Milton Whitfield had yet to experience playing in historic Vergil Fletcher Gym prior to Tuesday night. “All I wanted was a chance on this floor,” the Quincy High School junior guard said. For good reason. “It’s very beautiful, very big, very spacious,” Whitfield said. “The kind of floor you want to run…

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Rematch with Ironmen in sectional championship brings about plenty of emotion for Blue Devils

Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, left, and senior guard Bradley Longcor III discuss defensive assignments during a free throw in the first half of Tuesday's Class 4A Collinsville Sectional semifinal at Vergil Fletcher Gym in Collinsville, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — As they filed out of Vergil Fletcher Gym on Tuesday night, the Quincy High School boys basketball players weren’t aware of who their opponent would be in Friday’s Class 4A Collinsville Sectional title game. “Either one, I’m excited to play,” senior guard Bradley Longcor III said. He knew there would be motivation…

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‘Now it’s on to the next’: Regional championship is start of what Blue Devils hope is fruitful postseason

The Quincy High School boys basketball players hoist the Class 4A Belleville West Regional championship plaque after defeating Belleville East 57-50 in Friday's championship game in Belleville, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The sea of blue that flooded the Belleville West High School gym made Dom Clay feel like he was at Blue Devil Gym. “It felt like home, for sure,” Clay said. As the Quincy High School boys basketball team kept extending their blistering scoring run to start Friday’s Class 4A Belleville West…

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Family of winners: Blue Devils’ fourth straight regional title is result of brotherhood

Quincy High School senior guard Dom Clay, right, poses for a picture with Quincy coach Andy Douglas' daughter, Sloan, after the Blue Devils' 57-50 victory over Belleville East on Friday night in the Class 4A Belleville West Regional championship in Belleville, ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — When the Quincy High School boys basketball team breaks their huddle with shouts of ‘Family,’ that is no coincidence. “It’s a testament to what they’ve built over the years,” Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas said. “They truly care about each other on the floor, and they care about each other more off…

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Dunk and destroy: Clay’s breakaway slam ignites massive surge as Blue Devils win regional semi

Quincy High School senior forward Keshaun Thomas scores in the post during Wednesday night's Class 4A Belleville West Regional semifinal against O'Fallon in Belleville, ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — Rico Clay Jr.’s instincts when it comes to making a play on the ball brought more than a handful of college football recruiters to visit the talented cornerback last summer and fall. Those same instincts helped ensure the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s season didn’t end prematurely. With the top-seeded Blue…

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Redbirds’ first-quarter salvo too much for Blue Devils to overcome in regional title game loss

Quincy High School sophomore guard Cameron Byquist scored 10 points in Friday night's Class 4A regional championship against top-seeded Alton at Granite City, Ill. | Photo courtesy Chris Mitchell

GRANITE CITY, Ill. — With 4:43 remaining in regulation Friday night, Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance called his final timeout of the season. “I just challenged the girls,” Dance said. The Blue Devils trailed top-seeded Alton by 27 points in the Class 4A Granite City Regional championship, having played from behind since…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils drop to No. 3, Titans climb to No. 10 in final poll

From left, West Hancock's Gavin Grothaus, Cooper Knowles and Nolan Gooding have guided the Titans to a 27-win regular season and the No. 10 ranking in the Associated Press Class 2A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Associated Press Illinois boys basketball state rankings, as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (11) 27-1 118 1 2. Marist 28-2 92 5 3. Quincy (1) 27-3 86 2 4. Waubonsie Valley…

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Rocks deny Blue Devils’ bid to finish conference play undefeated in regular-season finale

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III and the Blue Devils suffered a 58-53 loss to Rock Island in Western Big 6 Conference play Tuesday night in Rock Island, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — For a moment, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas thought maybe his team’s lackluster demeanor was just an aberration. The state-ranked Blue Devils lethargically took the floor for warmups prior to Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island at the Rocky Fieldhouse with a chance to…

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QHS girls earn shot at Alton in regional title game after dispatching traditional nemesis Edwardsville

Quincy High School sophomore guard Cameron Byquist, left, drives to the basket during Monday night's Class 4A regional semifinal against Edwardsville in Granite City, Ill. | Photo courtesy Matt Kamp, Edwardsville Intelligencer

GRANITE CITY, Ill. — The growth in confidence and maturity of the Quincy High School girls basketball players can be seen by looking at two measuring sticks. On Nov. 23, the Blue Devils lost 42-29 to Edwardsville in a neutral site game in O’Fallon, Ill. Monday night, in the Class 4A Granite City Regional semifinals,…

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Blue Devils put away pesky Crimsons to secure victory in final game at Blue Devil Gym

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III throws down a dunk in the second half of Saturday's game against Jacksonville at Blue Devil Gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Dom Clay got all the tears out of his system on Friday night, but that did not make Saturday any less emotional or memorable. For Clay and the seven other seniors on the Quincy High School boys basketball team, Saturday’s clash with Jacksonville marked their final game at Blue Devil Gym. “It hit…

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Power in the post: Thomas dominates inside as Blue Devils win WB6 championship outright

Quincy High School senior forward Keshaun Thomas gains inside position as he turns to the basket and scores during the first half of Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Moline at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Each time Keshaun Thomas gained position on a Moline defender in the post Friday night, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas could hear former assistant coach Tom Lepper barking at the guards to make the entry pass. In fact, Douglas could envision the lumbering 6-foot-9 Lepper getting off the bench and…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils move step closer to undefeated conference championship

Quincy High School senior forward Dom Clay wraps a pass around Moline defender Braden Freeman during the first half of Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference victory at Blue Devil Gym, | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team needs a victory Tuesday night at Rock Island to finish undefeated in the Western Big 6 Conferenece following a 69-52 victory over Moline on Friday night at Blue Devil Gym,. The Blue Devils are 26-2 overall and 11-0 in the WB6. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Quincy girls roll past Moline, close in on third straight 20-victory season

Quincy High School's Myley Longcor., left, stops her dribble while being guarded by Moline's Tahlea Terrell during Thursday night's Western Big 6 Conference girls basketball game at the QHS gym. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Bring on the postseason. Quincy High School’s girls basketball team put the cap on another successful regular season Thursday night when it overwhelmed Moline 73-51 in a Western Big 6 Conference game before a crowd of about 290. Quincy, now 19-10 and one victory away from a third straight 20-win season, put four…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils move back to No. 2 in Class 4A

The Quincy High School boys basketball team is No. 2 in the Class 4A state poll heading into a pivotal weekend against Moline and Jacksonville with both games at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (10) 25-1 109 1 2. Quincy (1) 25-2 95 3 3. Homewood-Flossmoor 25-2 89 2 4. Hinsdale Central 27-2…

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Blue Devils take care of business against Pioneers, set up showdowns with Maroons, Rocks to finish WB6 play

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III scored 15 points in Tuesday night's 76-33 victory over Alleman at Don Morris Gym in Rock Island, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — For a moment Tuesday night, however brief it was, the Rock Island Alleman boys basketball team led state-ranked Quincy High School. Then the Blue Devils took possession of the ball, the lead and the game. Alleman sophomore guard Jack Wendt scored on a drive down the left side of the lane…

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Brown reaches 1,000-point plateau as Blue Devils lead Pirates from start to finish

The Quincy High School girls basketball players celebrate sophomore forward Jada Brown reaching the 1,000-point plateau for her career during the Blue Devils' 70-55 victory over Hannibal at Korf Gym in Hannibal, Mo., on Tuesday night. | Photo courtesy QHS girls basketball

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team bookended its opening salvo with 3-pointers from Madelyn Hamby and Myley Longcor. After that, Jada Brown took over. The Blue Devils rattled off a 12-2 run to start Tuesday night’s game against Hannibal at Korf Gym as Hamby scored the first seven points and Longcor’s…

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Friday night’s sluggish start becomes distant memory as Blue Devils race to 35-9 lead in rout

Quincy High School senior guard Kamren Wires gets fouled on a drive to the basket during Saturday night's game against Batavia at Blue Devil Gym. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — It wasn’t going to be a repeat performance. One night after being held to a lone field goal in the first quarter and to just 13 points in the opening half against United Township, the Quincy High School boys basketball team made sure there would be no need for any second-half heroics. Beginning…

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Five individual regional champions lead wrestling brigade into next week’s sectionals

Quincy High School's Brody Baker gets his arm raised after he defeated Belleville East's Killian Rauch 10-7 in sudden victory to win the 157-pound title at the Class 3A Edwardsville Regional on Saturday. | Photo courtesy Matt Kamp, Edwardsville Intelligencer

QUINCY — The Quincy High School wrestling team qualified six grapplers for sectionals, while Quincy Notre Dame will be sending five wrestlers forward after top-three finishes Saturday as the postseason got started with regional action. Overall, five area wrestlers won individual regional titles and 24 advanced to sectionals. The Blue Devils, competing in the Class…

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Blue Devils battle back from first-half effort deemed ‘worst of all time’ to fend off Panthers

Quincy High School forward Keshaun Thomas looks to kick the ball out of the post as United Township's Tucker Speckman, left, reaches in to knock the ball away during Friday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It is not an exaggeration to say the Quincy High School boys basketball team played its worst 16 minutes of the season Friday night. It’s not hyperbole either to suggest it was the worst half of the Blue Devils’ careers. They freely admitted it was a struggle beyond measure. “Worst of all time,”…

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Photo gallery: QHS avoids WB6 upset by going on 30-3 run to erase forgettable first half

Quincy High School guard Bradley Longcor III pressures United Township's Tyler Horvath in the backcourt during Friday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team scored just three points in the first quarter Friday night against United Township and trailed 22-5 with three minutes to go in the first half, but the Blue Devils went on a 30-3 run to take control and post a 53-43 Western Big 6 Conference victory…

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Hall of Fame QHS basketball player Gary Phillips passes away at age of 85

Gary Phillips, a charter member of the Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame, passed away recently in Austin, Texas. He was 85. | Photo courtesy Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame

QUINCY — Gary Phillips didn’t return to his roots often, but when he did, the Quincy High School Hall of Fame basketball player was treated with legendary status. Even if he shied away from it. A star for the Blue Devils in the 1950s who became an All-American at the University of Houston and played…

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‘The heart they showed tonight was truly special’: Blue Devils rally from double digit deficit, earn Dance’s 100th win as QHS coach

Quincy High School sophomore guard Cameron Byquist drives along the baseline during Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Brad Dance may not have seemed overly excited when the final buzzer sounded or when he got recognized following his 100th career win as the Quincy High School girls basketball coach on Thursday, but the fashion in which the Blue Devils helped Dance reach the century mark made him proud. The Blue Devils…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls beat Alleman in WB6 action, giving Dance milestone moment as coach

Quincy High School sophomore forward Jada Brown turns to shoot a jumper during Thursday's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team rallied to beat Rock Island Alleman 66-53 in Western Big 6 Conference play Thursday night at the QHS gym, giving coach Brad Dance his 100th victory with the Blue Devils. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and put together this photo gallery:

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils slip to No. 3, Titans on edge of Class 2A top 10

Senior forward Keshaun Thomas, left, and senior guard Bradley Longcor III have led the Blue Devils to a 22-2 record and a No. 3 ranking in this week's Associated Press Class 4A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (11) 23-1 119 1 2. Homewood-Flossmoor 23-2 106 3 3. Quincy (1) 22-2 103 2 4. Bolingbrook (1)…

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Redemption road: Raiders travel across town to avenge loss to Blue Devils, take control from start

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Tristan Pieper gains position in the post with Quincy High School's Jada Brown on her back during Tuesday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The need for redemption lasted 370 days. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players refused to let it linger a day longer. Desperate to makes amends for last year’s 23-point loss to Quincy High School at The Pit in which they scored just 24 points, the state-ranked Raiders rattled off 10 of the…

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Durst heeds coach’s advice and lets it fly, scoring career-high 27 points in crosstown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame's Jenna Durst looks to move the ball around the perimeter while being pressured by Quincy High School's Madelyn Hamby during Tuesday night's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jenna Durst didn’t feel the vibes.  “I didn’t really think the first two I shot were very good,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior forward said of her 3-point attempts from the left wing and the top of the key in the first 35 seconds of Tuesday night’s game against the Quincy High School…

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Photo gallery: QND takes lead for good in second quarter of victory over QHS

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler, right, looks to runs the offense while being defended by Quincy High School's Khloe Nicholson during Tuesday's game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team scored the first eight points of the second quarter Tuesday and never trailed again, building a 15-point second-half lead and fending off Quincy High School’s fourth-quarter charge for a 66-55 victory at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together…

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Schuckman: Milestone moments continue to pile up for QHS senior class

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III moved into second place on the QHS career scoring charts, passing Jack Kramer with Saturday's 20-point effort against Chaminade at the Midwest Crossroads Shootout at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. Longocr currently has 1,773 career points. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — Crunching some numbers as the Quincy High School boys basketball players continue to reach milestones … • When Bradley Longcor III passed Jeff Klingler for third place on the program’s all-time scoring list, someone noticed and asked about Jack Kramer’s point total at No. 2. There was a discrepancy between Kramer’s Hall of…

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Efficient effort offensively, toughness defensively carry Blue Devils to Shootout victory over Red Devils

Quincy High School junior guard Milton Whitfield claps as the Blue Devils walk off the floor following their 49-44 victory over St. Louis Chaminade in the Midwest Crossroads Shootout on Saturday at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The efficiency with which the Quincy High School boys basketball team runs its offense typically means a shot is going up after one, two or at most three passes. “Normally, We don’t normally get a reversal,” Blue Devils coach Andy Douglas said.  The patience with which the Blue Devils played Saturday night…

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Photo gallery: QHS boys basketball team never relinquishes lead in second half against Chaminade

Quincy High School's Keshaun Thomas, left, and Dom Clay, right, help teammate Bradley Longcor III to his feet after he was fouled during Saturday's game against Chaminade in the Midwest Crossroads Shootout at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team led by as many as eight points in the second half of Saturday’s game at the Midwest Crossroads Shootout and never gave up the lead despite St. Louis Chaminade whittling the deficit to as little as two points. The Blue Devils held on for a…

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QHS wrestlers take second in WB6 with three grapplers winning individual titles

The Quincy High School wrestling team finished second in the Western Big 6 Conference Tournament on Friday in Sterling, Ill. | Submitted photo

STERLING, Ill. — The Quincy High School wrestling team had three individual champions and finished second in the team standings in the Western Big 6 Conference Tournament on Friday night at Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse. Geneseo won the conference title with 240 team points, followed by Quincy with 190 and Moline with 108.5. Quincy freshman…

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Douglas reminds Blue Devils to stay grounded after blowing out another WB6 opponent

Sterling guard Xavian Prather tries to split the defense of Quincy High School's Kamren Wires, left, and Dom Clay, right, during the first quarter of Friday night's Western Big 6 Confernce game at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Every contender wants a shot at the title. So as both the reigning Western Big 6 Conference champion and the No. 2-ranked team in the state in Class 4A, the Quincy High School boys basketball squad has to be prepared to make sure a prize fight doesn’t turn into a back-alley brawl. “Everybody…

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Photo gallery: Blue Devils stay undefeated in WB6 play with victory over Golden Warriors

Quincy High School assistant coach Bruce Bonness talks with, from left, seniors Dom Clay, Kamren Wires and Bradley Longcor III near the end of Friday night's game against Sterling at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball team improved to 10-0 in the Western Big 6 Conference with Friday night’s 84-45 victory over Sterling at Blue Devil Gym, giving the Blue Devils a two-game lead in the league standings. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Plan to replace lights at QHS baseball, softball fields began with independent inspection

This is a view of the rot that has taken place on the inside of one of the light poles recently taken down at the Quincy High School baseball field. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — A visual inspection of facilities and a phone call from a concerned neighbor put the process in motion that resulted in the lights coming down at both the Quincy High School baseball and softball fields. Neither facility will have lights for the spring season, news that became public last week as the light…

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Longcor’s trey gives Blue Devils confidence boost as they win first leg of three-game gauntlet

Quincy High School sophomore guard Myley Longcor made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds remaining in regulation Thursday night in a 56-54 victory over Galesburg at John Thiel Gym in Galesburg, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance dubbed it the “3A gauntlet.” Three games in six days against teams ranked in the top 11 in the state in Class 3A. “Yeah, that’s a challenge,” Dance said. The Blue Devils proved they’re up to the task. Myley Longcor buried a 3-pointer with…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils fall to No. 2 in Class 4A following Shootout loss

The Quincy High School boys basketball team fell to No. 2 in the Class 4A state rankings following its loss to Bishop O'Connell of Arlington, Va., in last weekend's Quincy Shootout. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press boys basketball state rankings, as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Kenwood (11) 22-1 135 2 2. Quincy (2) 20-2 118 1 3. Homewood-Flossmoor (1) 22-2 108 7 4. Bolingbrook 22-3…

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Blue Devils follow through on promise to practice better in order to play better, hammer Silver Streaks

Quincy High School senior guard Bradley Longcor III scored 20 points Tuesday night to lead the Blue Devils to a 90-35 Western Big 6 Conference victory over Galesburg at John Thiel Gym in Galesburg, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball players’ action spoke just as loud as their words following Saturday’s loss — just the No. 1-ranked Blue Devils’ second loss of the season and first at home in nearly two years. They said a more focused attitude at practice would lead to better on-court results.…

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Schuckman: Underwood’s appearance, Wentura’s birthday, Stratman’s effort make Quincy Shootout memorable

University of Illinois men's basketball coach Geoff Alexander, left, and Illini head coach Brad Underwood watch the action Saturday afternoon during the Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School administration obliged. So did Brad Underwood. That turned the Quincy Shootout into a memorable moment for a vast number of fans. At some point early Saturday afternoon, Quincy boys basketball coach Andy Douglas learned Underwood, the head coach of the University of Illinois men’s basketball program, and Illini assistant…

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Photo gallery: Quincy Shootout provides memorable moments, high-level competition

Link Academy forward Chris Cenac, a University of Houston signee, was one of the most impressive players to participate in the seventh Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The seventh Quincy Shootout is in the books. What will we remember from it? Brad Underwood’s appearance, Oak Park’s impressive play, Chris Cenac’s name, Blue Devil Gym packed to the rafters and so much more. A basketball junkie’s dream weekend was undoubtedly successful yet again. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent Saturday…

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Quincy Shootout schedule and scores

The Shawnee Mission (Kan.) Northwest bench celebrates a basket during the fourth quarter of their 76-69 win over St. Louis Chaminade in the Quincy Shootout on Friday at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The seventh Quincy Shootout is taking place this weekend at Blue Devil Gym and The Pit. All games are being streamed on the Central Illinois Sports channel on YouTube. Here is the schedule: Friday’s games At Blue Devil Gym Sunrise Christian 76, Father Tolton 40 MVP — Sunrise Christian guard Jacob Walker, who…

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Chance to make Shootout statement slips away from top-ranked Blue Devils in loss to Knights

Quincy High School senior point guard Kamren Wires stares down Bishop O'Connell guard Darius Bivins during the second half of Saturday night's game in the Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — This one stings, not because of the outcome but more so because of the preparation. When you’re the No. 1-ranked boys basketball team in the Illinois Class 4A state poll and you’re asked to defend your home court in a spotlight matchup in a ballyhooed event, you can’t coast through the week. It’s…

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Shooting woes in fourth quarter, scoring drought cost QHS girls chance to win in return to Shootout

Quincy High School junior guard Madelyn Hamby, right, looks to throw a pass to the block during Saturday's game against Millard North of Omaha, Neb., in the Quincy Shootout in Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — About the only thing any of the Quincy High School girls basketball players would change about their return to the Quincy Shootout field is the ending. The Blue Devils would like a redo on the fourth quarter, too. The Blue Devils led Millard North, of Omaha, Neb., by 11 points at the start…

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Photo gallery: QHS boys suffer setback in marquee game of Quincy Shootout

Quincy High School's Dom Clay, top, battles for a loose ball on the floor with Bishop O'Connell's Shane Lincoln during Saturday night's game in the Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The top-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team suffered its second loss of the season, falling 53-46 to Bishop O’Connell of Arlington, Va., in the marquee game of the seventh Quincy Shootout on Saturday night at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Photo gallery: QHS girls basketball team battles Millard North to final buzzer

Quincy High School girls basketball coach Brad Dance offers instructions to his team during a break in action in Saturday's game against Millard North of Omaha, Neb., in the Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls basketball team saw its second-half lead evaporate, but the Blue Devils fought until the final seconds ticked away in a 56-52 loss to Millard North of Omaha, Neb., on Saturday during the seventh Quincy Shootout in Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and…

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