Posts Tagged ‘Quincy High School’
Laying down the turf: A look at the installation of the new surface at Flinn Stadium
QUINCY — Flinn Stadium’s turf field is getting a facelift. Work has been ongoing throughout the summer to lay down a new artificial turf surface at Quincy High School’s venerable outdoor facility, and this week, crews began putting strips of turf in place. It replaces a surface that was installed in 2011 and had exceeded…
Read More‘We just did that’: Pair of inside-the-park home runs leads Illinois past Missouri in all-star game
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Jansen Lawson couldn’t possibly do it, too, could he? Yes, he could. And he did. After Quincy High School graduate Brady Lowe hit an inside-the-park grand slam in the top of the first inning of Saturday’s Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex, Lawson, also a former Blue Devil,…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck Zoom Edition: QHS grad Kenny Taylor discusses working in Cape Cod League
QUINCY — The best summer collegiate baseball is played on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and Quincy High School graduate Kenny Taylor has a front row seat to see it all. The former Blue Devils outfielder is spending his summer as an intern with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League, which means he is…
Read MoreQuincy’s Jackson among latest class of inductees into WIU Hall of Fame
MACOMB, Ill. — A Quincy High School Hall of Fame basketball player’s name is being added to the pantheon of Western Illinois University’s greatest athletes. Monzel Jackson, a 1949 QHS graduate, will be inducted posthumously into the WIU Hall of Fame this fall. Jackson is one of four individuals and one team to comprise the…
Read MoreCalifornia dreamin’: Player development key reason QHS’s Longcor commits to Santa Clara
QUINCY — The map shows Santa Clara, Calif., is nearly 2,000 miles away, but Bradley Longcor III doesn’t see it as being nearly that far. “We realized the plane flight is four hours,” the Quincy High School basketball standout said. “The other schools recruiting me are four hours away, too, except that’s a car ride…
Read MoreOffensive MVP only part of what made Shrine Game experience special for QHS’s Flachs
QUINCY — Had the week been solely about football and showcasing his talents for a state-wide audience, Chris Flachs would have walked away satisfied. The heart-felt moments that accompanied playing the game he loves sent him home humbled. The recent Quincy High School graduate and soon-to-be Quincy University freshman offensive lineman took part in the…
Read MoreSchuckman: Devilishly good decade coming to end for trio of QHS basketball teammates
QUINCY — Before the Lil’ Devils program brought them together, before they spent 10 consecutive winters running side-by-side, there were games in the YMCA basketball league where Ralph Wires, Tyler Sprick and Cam Brown were on opposite sides. “I tore them apart per usual,” Wires said with a mischievous, sarcastic grin. His ability to dart…
Read MoreQHS, QND girls soccer programs rack up all-sectional honors from IHSSCA
QUINCY — The stability and strength of the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams — their spines — received a plethora of postseason accolades. Three Blue Devils and two Raiders were named to the all-sectional team by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association, to go along with each team picking…
Read More‘The closing chapter’: Three Blue Devils reunite at Muddy River Showcase for final game together
QUINCY — Eight years of playing basketball together will come to an end for Leah Chevalier, Leila Dade and Taylor Fohey on Saturday. Their friendship will last far beyond that. The three Quincy High School graduates will play together for the final time Saturday in the Muddy River Showcase at John Wood Community College’s Student…
Read MoreCentral’s Paben, QHS’s Flachs to play in 50th Illinois High School Shrine Game
QUINCY — A pair of local prep football standouts and a couple of Quincy University recruits have been invited to play in the 50th Illinois High School Shrine Game, an all-star event taking place June 15 in Bloomington. Camp Point Central running back/defensive back Drew Paben and Quincy High School lineman Chris Flachs will represent…
Read MoreBlue Devils struggle defensively in loss to Lancers in Class 4A regional championship game
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — When things began unraveling for the Quincy High School softball team, there was no chance of reeling it back in. The Blue Devils committed four errors and allowed seven unearned runs in the first two innings Saturday, leading to a 10-0 loss to top-seeded Belleville East in the championship game of the…
Read MoreRedbirds capitalize on free bases in knocking Blue Devils out in regional semifinals
ALTON, Ill. — The Quincy High School baseball team erased a three-run deficit once. Doing it twice was asking too much, especially when giving away free bases. Trailing Alton 3-0 after two innings in Thursday’s Class 4A Alton Regional semifinal, the Blue Devils rallied to take a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the…
Read MoreBlue Devils win first postseason game since 2012, ride confidence into regional title tilt
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The confidence the Quincy High School softball team carried into the postseason enabled the Blue Devils to do something Wednesday night that hadn’t happened in a dozen years. It also affords them the chance to accomplish something that hasn’t happened since the Illinois High School Association went to the four-class system at…
Read MoreSchool record, state medals highlight final day of Illinois girls track and field championships
CHARLESTON, Ill. — A school record to go along with a state medal isn’t too shabby of a way to end the season. The Camp Point Central girls 4×100-meter relay team accomplished that feat Saturday at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium, finishing in fifth place at the Class 1A state track and field championships. The…
Read MoreAround the area: Blue Devils share WB6 tennis title, Pirates fall in districts, Wolves win one-run marathon
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…
Read MoreHornets take advantage of Blue Devils’ miscues in late innings to secure victory
MT. STERLING, Ill. — Beating a Class 4A program gave the Brown County baseball team a major boost heading into next week’s Class 1A regional. Vlad Rebarcak scored in the bottom of the sixth inning when Quincy High School was unable to turn an inning-ending double play, and Hornets pitcher Eli Staton finished a complete…
Read MoreReddy’s injury causes QHS boys tennis team to shuffle lineup heading into WB6 championships
QUINCY — Surya Reddy immediately knew something was wrong. During his No. 2 singles match in the Western Big 6 Conference regular-season finale against Galesburg on Monday, Reddy retreated to chase down a long ball from the Silver Streaks’ Keaton Empey. “I tripped and fell, then I put my (left) hand out to brace myself,”…
Read MoreTrinh caps career in style, Blue Devils sweep season series with Raiders
QUINCY — Preston Trinh’s swan song was a beautiful tune. Trinh, a senior, has played in the Quincy High School varsity boys tennis team’s lineup since he was a freshman. He played at No. 5 singles and No. 3 doubles last season, but he has been shuffled out of the Blue Devils’ lineup this season. …
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, QND battle in tennis dual at Reservoir Park
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys tennis team swept the season series from Quincy Notre Dame, winning Tuesday’s dual 8-1 at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was at Reservoir Park and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreBlue Devils scratch across single runs in fourth and fifth innings to quell Panthers’ rally
QUINCY — A quick answer enabled the Quincy High School baseball team to fend off Camp Point Central on Tuesday at the QHS field. After the Panthers scored four runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 7, a two-out RBI single by Brady Lowe regained the lead for the Blue…
Read MoreTaylor dazzles in 12-strikeout effort to lead Blue Devils to WB6 split
STERLING, Ill. — Kyle Taylor’s final Western Big 6 Conference start will go down as his best. The senior right-hander tossed a one-hit shutout Monday in leading the Quincy High School baseball team to a 7-0 victory over Sterling and a split of the conference doubleheader. The Golden Warriors won the opener 15-0. Taylor struck…
Read More‘You have to stay technical’: QHS throwers learning to compete in javelin
QUINCY — Prior to last Tuesday’s Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays at Hannibal’s Porter Stadium, Quincy High School junior Xander Colombo could count on one hand the amount of times he had thrown a javelin. “That was only my third or fourth time throwing this thing,” said Colombo, holding the javelin in his left hand. Still,…
Read MoreBlue Devils take it to limit to secure 20th conference championship in program history
EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Before leaving Flinn Stadium on Friday night, Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller told his leg-weary team he needed 80 more quality minutes from them to complete a weekend sweep. “If it takes 100, then we’ll play 100,” Dinkheller said. How prophetic. Saturday’s Western Big 6 Conference championship showdown…
Read MoreHalfway home: Blue Devils hope to make weekend complete with WB6 crown after finishing season sweep of Raiders
QUINCY — Just how much the Quincy High School girls soccer players fully embrace the “do hard better” mantra will become obvious by the time their team bus departs East Moline sometime Saturday afternoon. Nothing the Blue Devils have faced this regular season will be as hard as playing two emotionally charged games in the…
Read More‘The time will come when we get one’: Effort reaching postseason caliber level for Raiders
QUINCY — The frustration showed in their eyes, never in their effort. The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer players refused to give up their pursuit of a game-tying goal over the final 40 minutes of Friday night’s crosstown showdown with Quincy High School even when the equalizer never came. “All the girls worked their butts…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, QND girls soccer teams battle in second matchup of city series
QUINCY — For the second year in a row, the Quincy High School girls soccer team has swept the city series, winning 2-1 Friday night at Flinn Stadium behind two goals from senior midfielder Bri Lannerd. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at the venerable facility and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreTake it to the limit: Wiewel holds Blue Devils at bay as Raiders win latest crosstown showdown
QUINCY — Abram Wiewel understands the need for a pitch count, but it doesn’t dampen the disappointment of being pulled one out away from a complete game. “I wanted to finish it really bad,” said Wiewel, the Quincy Notre Dame junior right-hander who left Tuesday’s game against the Quincy High School baseball team with a…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Raiders, Blue Devils tussle in round two of their three-part city series
QUINCY — It all comes down to the rubber match. The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame baseball teams split their first two meetings this season, with the Raiders evening the series with a 5-1 victory Tuesday night at the QHS field. The third meeting comes next Monday at Ferd Niemann Jr. Memorial Ballfield.…
Read MoreRight reactions to challenges keep Blue Devils undefeated in WB6 play
QUINCY — The reaction and retaliation is something Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis DInkheller appreciates. Rock Island Alleman scored three minutes into the second half of Tuesday’s Western Big 6 Conference clash at Flinn Stadium, cutting the Quincy lead in half. Less than 10 minutes later, the advantage was back to two goals.…
Read MoreWalk it off, walk it off: Allison’s two-run single finishes off Galesburg as QHS wins third straight
QUINCY — Aurora Allison didn’t realize what she had done. Her single to center field with one out in the sixth inning drove in a pair of runs as the Quincy High School softball team walked off with a 14-4 victory Monday over Galesburg in Western Big 6 Conference play. Allison, the senior first baseman,…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS softball team completes season sweep of Galesburg
QUINCY — On a night when the Quincy High School softball team celebrated its three seniors, one of them provided the exclamation point on a 14-4 victory over Galesburg in Western Big 6 Conference action at the QHS field. Aurora Allison’s one-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning Monday drove in two runs,…
Read MoreLifelong passion for athletics, education leads Klingele to opportunity to be next QHS AD
QUINCY — Kris Klingele’s career path and family responsibilities led her away from the field of play. Now, the Quincy High School assistant principal is ready to get back into the fray. Wednesday night, her return to athletics became official. The Quincy School Board approved Superintendent Todd Pettit’s recommendation that Klingele, a former student-athlete and…
Read MoreEarly barrage, Routh’s hat trick carry Blue Devils to pivotal WB6 victory over defending champs
QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team’s motivation never waned no matter how sizable the lead became. “Maybe for a second there we lost it,” senior forward Taylor Routh said. “But that’s it. We stayed pretty focused.” On a victory. On a title. On a legacy. Tuesday night’s 5-1 victory over Geneseo at…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS girls soccer team inches closer to Western Big 6 Conference championship
QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team moved a step closer to regaining the Western Big 6 Conference championship, beating defending league champ Geneseo 5-1 Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium behind Taylor Routh’s hat trick. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening with the Blue Devils and put together this photo…
Read MoreContagious behavior results in another victory for Bunte, Raiders and season sweep of Blue Devils
QUINCY — The word Caitlin Bunte sought to describe the manner in which the Quincy Notre Dame softball team is stringing victories together popped in her head in the middle of her answer. “Oh, contagious,” she said. “That’s it.” Winning is contagious. Hitting is contagious. Energy is contagious. “We have so many leaders who like…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS boys tennis team continues to pile up dual wins by handling QND in rivalry match
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys tennis team traveled to the St. Louis metro east area last weekend and rolled him without losing a dual match. That momentum carried over to Monday. The Blue Devils wrapped up a dual victory over Quincy Notre Dame in the crosstown rivalry match at Reservoir Park by the…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QND uses five-run inning to beat QHS in softball crosstown showdown
QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame softball players stayed patient at a pivotal juncture Monday night, drawing four consecutive walks to spark a five-run outburst in the third inning that carried them to a 7-1 victory over Quincy High School at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening in center…
Read MoreErrors, walks contribute to Blue Devils struggling in WB6 doubleheader sweep by Panthers
EAST MOLINE, Ill. — The Quincy High School baseball team surrendered eight runs in Saturday’s Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader against United Township. Not a single run was earned. The Blue Devils committed five errors total in getting swept 3-0 and 5-3, running their conference losing streak to five straight games. They have committed 11…
Read MoreAround the area: Blue Devils win another dual, Neupauer walks off with homer, Wolves stay energized offensively
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys tennis team continues to pile up dual victories. Friday night’s effort against a traditional Western Big 6 Conference powerhouse is a sign of good things to come. The Blue Devils beat Moline 7-2 in a neutral-site dual, winning a pair of tiebreakers and getting solid play from…
Read MoreMaroons sweep Blue Devils in WB6 twinbill to stay atop league standings
QUINCY — The Quincy High School baseball team dropped both ends of a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader Saturday against league front-runner Moline at QU Stadium. The Maroons won the opener 5-3 despite getting outhit by the Blue Devils, while the nightcap turned into a rout as Moline won 14-1. In the first game, Quincy…
Read MoreDetermined Blue Devils showcase ability to never surrender in second half of loss to Senators
QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer players are far too young to know the song “Never Surrender,” which was a top-five hit in 1985 sung by Corey Hart. But the classic rock tune could be the Blue Devils’ theme song. Down two goals and playing a person short for the final 17 minutes…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, Springfield girls soccer teams square off at Flinn Stadium
QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team woke up at halftime Thursday night and nearly pulled off an improbable comeback, losing 3-2 to Springfield at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at the venerable facility and put together this photo gallery.
Read MoreBright lights, softball city: QND cashes in on scoring opportunities, shuts out QHS
Editor’s Note: Technological issues resulted in losing all of our images taken during the game. We apologize there will be no photo gallery to accompany this story. QUINCY — It may not have been Friday night lights, but it was pretty darn close. When the Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy High School softball teams renewed…
Read MoreInjection of life: Blue Devils build confidence ahead of WB6 showdown by ending Pirates’ seven-game win streak
QUINCY — Rejuvenation became the name of the game. One team found it, the other now needs it — for decidedly different reasons. Back-to-back losses to begin the week, including an 11-run setback against Rock Island in Western Big 6 Conference play, made Wednesday’s 8-1 victory over Hannibal crucial for the Quincy High School baseball…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, Hannibal baseball teams square off in middle of busy week
QUINCY — With no rain in sight, it’s time to play ball. And the Quincy High School and Hannibal baseball teams are playing as much as possible. Wednesday marked the third consecutive day with at least one game for both squads as the Blue Devils picked up an 8-1 victory at the QHS field. Muddy…
Read MoreStorm warning: Budde’s first start ends in victory as Blue Devils make stellar defensive plays
QUINCY — A sun-splashed afternoon was a surprising setting for an unexpected Storm. Not even the Quincy High School softball player at the center of it saw it coming. When she arrived at the QHS field in advance of a Western Big 6 Conference matchup with Rock Island Alleman, junior Storm Budde learned she was…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS softball team earns WB6 victory over Alleman
QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team found a way to manufacture a single run in four consecutive innings and junior right-hander Storm Budde made certain that was enough to secure a 4-2 victory over Rock Island Alleman on Tuesday in Western Big 6 Conference play at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor…
Read MoreThree-run first inning gives Saukees control in victory over Blue Devils
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…
Read MoreWalking away a winner: Ritter’s single caps rally as Blue Devils split twinbill with Silver Streaks
QUINCY — Mason Ritter’s water bottle shower was well earned. With two outs, the bases loaded and the score tied in the bottom of the seventh inning in the nightcap of Saturday’s western Big 6 Conference doubleheader, the Quincy High School baseball team’s sophomore catcher fouled off back-to-back pitches deep in the count to keep…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils earn split with Silver Streaks in WB6 doubleheader
QUINCY — Stellar pitching performances, solid approaches at the plate and a seventh-inning rally enabled the Quincy High School baseball team to earn a Western Big 6 Conference doubleheader split with Galesburg on Saturday at the QHS field. The Silver Streaks won the opener 4-0, while the Blue Devils rallied for a 5-4 victory in…
Read MoreBlue Devils make two-goal lead last in winning first leg of crosstown series with Raiders
QUINCY — Eight days without a game was one of the reasons why the Quincy High School girls players conceded they struggled to get in a groove in the first half Friday night. Hope Lenz pinpointed the other issue. “There’s obviously a lot of emotion that goes into this game,” the senior defender said. That…
Read More‘It’s an adrenaline rush honestly’: Blue Devils’ Fohey stymies Raiders with series of saves
QUINCY — Having a 6-foot, athletic, talkative and charismatic goalkeeper is kind of like having a warm, cozy blanket the Quincy High School girls soccer team can find comfort in. The Blue Devils don’t take that for granted. “Taylor is a badass,” senior defender Hope Lenz said of her teammate, Taylor Fohey. “Obviously, I’m going…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, QND girls soccer teams square off in first showdown of spring
QUINCY — The sun came out Friday just in time to make the weather more pleasant for the first of two meetings this spring between the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams. The Blue Devils used a goal late in the first half and early in the second half to post…
Read MoreLawson’s two-hitter helps Blue Devils earn road victory over Warriors
GRANITE CITY, Ill. — Jansen Lawson locked in instead of locking out. The Quincy High School senior right-hander allowed the Granite City baseball team to tie Thursday’s game at 1 in the second inning when he hit back-to-back batters with two outs to force in a run. A groundout ended the inning, and Lawson was…
Read MoreBlue Devils able to overcome Chargers’ success in sprint events to win Quincy Invitational boys meet
QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys track team’s strength in the distance events and overall depth enabled it to overcome Illini West’s sprinters and win the team title at the 73rd Quincy Invitational on Saturday at Flinn Stadium. The Blue Devils’ Cameron MacDonough won the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 6.59 seconds and Thomas…
Read MoreBarry’s three individual victories, Blue Devils’ team title highlight Quincy Invitational girls meet
QUINCY — Saylor Barry reached the Class 1A state track and field championships last spring in the long jump. She might be in store for more work in Charleston this spring after seeing how she performed Saturday during the 73rd Quincy Invitational at Flinn Stadium. The Mendon Unity sophomore won three events for the most…
Read MoreAround 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…
Read MorePair of second-half goals lift Blue Devils to another road victory
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Travis Dinkheller said so long to his players. “I told them I’ll see you Monday,” he said. Following Thursday night’s 2-1 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin — the Quincy High School girls soccer team’s fifth game in seven days — the Blue Devils coach wanted his players to get rest, get healed…
Read MoreResilient Blue Devils rally to beat Rockets and take winning record into WB6 opener at Sterling
QUINCY — The resiliency the Quincy High School softball team was forced to demonstrate inning after inning Wednesday should be the attribute that gives the Blue Devils the chance to chase victories all season. Despite allowing five runs in the first inning and trailing as they came to bat in five of the first six…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Sixth-inning rally pushes QHS softball team past Rushville-Industry
QUINCY — The Quincy High School softball team scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead and ultimately hold off Rushville-Industry for a 16-13 victory Wednesday at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat in center field and put together this photo gallery:
Read MoreTwice is nice: Quincy native Benjamin wins pair of NAIA indoor track and field national championships
INDIANAPOLIS — The wait was excruciating. “Extremely nerve-racking,” Arriana Benjamin said. The first to throw in the final round of the shot put at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships, the Quincy native and Marian University senior unleashed a season-best toss of 14.97 meters. It vaulted her from ninth place to first place…
Read MoreBlue Devils come home from bitterly cold road trip with another conference victory
MOLINE, Ill. — Playing in less-than-ideal conditions is something the Quincy High School girls soccer team has had to embrace. “We have to take the attitude that nothing bothers us,” Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller said. “We’re going to be tougher and we’re going to play harder than our opponent.” Once they got their feet…
Read MoreLowe’s stellar effort helps Blue Devils come away with split on final day in Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The weather played havoc with the Quincy High School baseball team’s spring break trip, but the Blue Devils were still able to come away with a split on their final day playing in the USA High School Baseball Challenge. Senior right-hander Brady Lowe threw four scoreless innings Tuesday in a 4-1 victory…
Read MoreQHS, Hannibal fit to be tied, while QND overwhelms West Plains on tourney’s first night
QUINCY — Friday night felt more like November football weather than the spring soccer season at Flinn Stadium with temperatures dipping close to the freezing mark and wind chills falling below 30 degrees. It didn’t put a chill on the fervor of a cross-river rivalry. The Quincy High School girls soccer team built a one-goal…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS, Hannibal, QND kick off weekend girls soccer tournament
QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Hannibal girls soccer teams played to a 2-2 draw Friday night at Flinn Stadium, while Quincy Notre Dame beat West Plains (Mo.) 6-0 on the opening night of the QHS Kickoff Showcase. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time at Flinn Stadium and put together this photo…
Read MoreBoys Basketball Player of the Year: Statistics, accolades and stellar play making Longcor one of QHS’s all-time greats
QUINCY — The disappointment on Bradley Longcor III’s face was present, but the determination trumped it all. When the Quincy High School boys basketball players took the court at 5:30 a.m. on the first day of practice, Longcor stayed on the sideline. An offseason knee injury left him working individually with a trainer instead of…
Read MoreBlue Devils hope loss to Maroons serves as motivation to buckle down
QUINCY — Kyle Taylor sensed a lack of enthusiasm. “It felt like another Tuesday at the ballpark, not a game day,” the Quincy High School baseball team’s senior shortstop said. A five-run deficit after the first inning made it even worse. “When I looked across the diamond, there were guys with their heads down early,…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS squares off with Belleville West in baseball home opener
QUINCY — The Belleville West baseball team scored five runs in the first inning and hit three home runs on a somewhat blustery day to spoil Quincy High School’s home opener, winning 13-3 on Tuesday afternoon at the QHS field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman put together this photo gallery from the game:
Read MoreBlue Devils bolt out of gate with 10-goal outburst to wallop Rocks in season opener
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — One of the managers for the Quincy High School girls soccer team warned Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller when he watches the video footage of Tuesday night’s season opener he might hear a noticeable gasp or comment about the first goal. It happened so quickly, it took everyone by surprise. Off…
Read More2023-24 Girls basketball all-area team: Freshmen emerge, juniors rise to occasion, seniors shine
QUINCY — From freshmen making an immediate impact to seniors leaving a lasting legacy, the area girls basketball scene featured remarkable individual performances that led to widespread team success. Eleven players earned all-state honors while six teams won at least 20 games with two regional titles, one district championship and two sectional crowns. It made…
Read MorePair of QHS pitchers mow down QND to claim victory during head-to-head clash in SHG Slam
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The first crosstown showdown of the spring took place 110 miles from the Gem City, but it didn’t lack any down-to-the-last-out drama. With a runner on first base and the Quincy High School baseball team holding a two-run lead in the top of the seventh inning, right-handed reliever Jansen Lawson induced a…
Read MoreAccountability playing key part in Blue Devils staying focused in pursuit of success
QUINCY — Owen Zanger looks around the diamond and sees the bond the game has created among the Quincy High School baseball players. “We’re all great friends,” he said. “I think that comes with every successful team.” For this group, though, it doesn’t come with an air of indifference for those not performing or not…
Read MoreSchuckman: IHSA eyeing target date to implement shot clock and other prep basketball notes
QUINCY — Follow the bouncing ball as the high school basketball season enters its final week … • The shot clock is coming to Illinois and the Illinois High School Association appears to have a target date for implementing it into the state tournament series. Kurt Gibson, the IHSA associate executive director who oversees basketball,…
Read MoreQHS’s Longcor receives IBCA first-team all-state plaudits, Thomas earns third-team honors
QUINCY — During a season in which he became the 23rd player in the history of the Quincy High School boys basketball program to reach 1,000 career points, junior guard Bradley Longcor III showcased why a vast number of college coaches are interested in his services. He has poise, precision and presence. Longcor has a…
Read MoreSchuckman: Strength of character shows in how Wires, Buehler handled adversity
QUINCY — Adversity doesn’t build character. It reveals it. That adage, originally coined by 19th century American novelist James Lane Allen, and variations of it have been used endlessly. But as I sat here mulling over what already has transpired this basketball postseason, that adage kept coming to mind. The toughest moments have shown us…
Read MoreFrom ecstasy to misery in four seconds: Turnover on inbounds pass leads to bitter season-ending loss for QHS
PEKIN, Ill. — Four seconds was all that separated the Quincy High School boys basketball team from one of its most inspirational and dramatic victories in many seasons. Instead, the Blue Devils walked off the floor at Dawson Hawkins Gymnasium bewildered and shocked moments later. An inbounds pass along the baseline from Tyler Sprick was…
Read MoreBreaking down the final four seconds of the Quincy High School vs. Normal Community Class 4A sectional final
PEKIN, Ill. — It seemed so simple, right? Get the ball inbounds, let Normal Community foul, make a couple of free throws and force the Ironmen to take a desperation heave at the end. However, the Ironmen didn’t allow for the baseline inbounds play with 4.3 seconds left to be simple for the Quincy High…
Read MorePhoto gallery: Blue Devils trail by as many as nine in first half before rallying to take lead
PEKIN, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball team fell behind 17-8 in the first half but rallied to take the lead on multiple occasions in the second half before losing 44-43 to Normal Community on Friday night in the Class 4A sectional at Dawson Hawkins Gym in Pekin. Quincy turned up the defensive…
Read MoreCharges dropped against former QHS all-state running back accused in Iowa State gambling probe
AMES, Iowa — Jirehl Brock no longer has to worry what a conviction on a tampering of records charge might entail. Friday, the former Quincy High School all-state running back learned the charges against him and three other former Iowa State University athletes were being dismissed by a Story County judge after evidence showed the…
Read MoreGame Night Guide: Quincy High School to face Normal Community for sectional title
Class 4A Pekin Sectional Championship Quincy High School (31-3) vs. Normal Community (29-5) Where: Dawdy Hawkins Gym, Pekin High School When: 7 p.m. Friday Livestream: Pekin Community High School YouTube page Radio: WGEM 105.1 FM Scouting the Blue Devils: Led by the inside-outside combo of junior forward Keshaun Thomas and junior guard Bradley Longcor III…
Read MoreCSE’s Miller receives second-team all-state honors, three others earn honorable mention
QUINCY — Lauren Miller’s game is drawing interest from NCAA Division I and II women’s basketball coaches throughout the Midwest. For good reason. The Central-Southeastern junior forward was named a Class 2A second-team all-stater this week by the Illinois Media. She is the only area girls player to be named all-state in any of the…
Read MoreSchuckman: Intriguing possibilities abound, but hiring athletic director to move needle and push QHS forward needs to be priority
QUINCY — Over the past 20 years, the Quincy High School athletic department has been led by four different directors who each previously had been a coach at some level within the school district. Will the next athletic director have a similar background? Wednesday night, the Quincy School Board approved Superintendent Todd Pettit’s recommendation that…
Read MoreGetting back to farm roots part of QHS athletic director’s decision to shift roles
QUINCY — Matt McClelland’s roots are in the dirt. He feels it’s about time he got back to it. After spending more than 20 years teaching and coaching in the Quincy Public Schools, including the past three as the Quincy High School athletic director, McClelland will become the next director of the West Central Region…
Read More‘Phenomenal’ second-quarter blitz helps QHS rout Belleville West to reach sectional championship game
O’FALLON, Ill. — Bradley Longcor III believes he and his Quincy High School boys basketball teammates have more quarters in them like the second quarter of Tuesday night’s game. After Belleville West’s Jordan Lacey hit a 10-foot jump shot to tie the score at 16 on the first possession of the second quarter, the Blue…
Read MoreWith a wink and a smile: Longcor’s buzzer beater to end first half also shuts up teasing teammate
O’FALLON, Ill. — With four seconds left in the first half and his team leading 42-22, Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas took Bradley Longcor III off the floor to prevent him from picking up his second foul. However, after Belleville East had an over-and-back violation, leaving one second on the clock, Douglas…
Read MorePhoto Gallery: Four Blue Devils score in double figures in dominant performance over Belleville West
O’FALLON, Ill. — Junior guard Bradley Longcor III scored 28 points in a 74-46 victory for the Quincy High School boys basketball team on Tuesday night over Belleville West in the Class 4A sectional semifinal in the Panther Dome at O’Fallon Township High School. Dom Clay scored 11 points, and Ralph Wires and Keshaun Thomas…
Read More‘Everything was big in that fourth quarter’: Blue Devils rally to keep season alive with regional championship
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A hand injury has limited Ralph Wires’ ability to shoot the ball, but that didn’t stop the Quincy High School point guard from producing two of the biggest baskets Friday night. Wires made a pair of slashing drives to the lane on back-to-back possessions to ignite a game-closing 14-3 run for the…
Read MoreBlue Devils’ Longcor is named WB6 MVP, Thomas joins him on all-conference first team
QUINCY — Bradley Longcor III’s performance in the final two games of the Western Big 6 Conference boys basketball title chase elevated Quincy High School to its 25th league crown and pushed the junior guard to the forefront as the league’s top player. Thursday, the WB6 coaches confirmed that. Longcor was named the conference MVP…
Read MoreImprovisational skills: Wires sets up Thomas for game-winning basket on busted play as Blue Devils find way to survive
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — It wasn’t exactly how the Quincy High School boys basketball team drew up the final seconds of the Class 4A Edwardsville Regional semifinal against Alton, but it worked. Ralph Wires found a wide-open Keshaun Thomas in the post for the go-ahead basket with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation to send the second-seeded…
Read MoreBlue Devils head into postseason facing gauntlet of formidable foes
QUINCY — Let the gauntlet commence. Wednesday night, regional play begins in the Class 4A Pekin Sectional, which is arguably one of the toughest boys basketball postseason paths from top to bottom. Of the 16 teams split into two sub-sectionals, 14 have winning records and every team has at least 11 victories. There are seven…
Read More‘I kind of got my swagger back’: Uppinghouse rebounds to take third, make QHS wrestling history with second state medal
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Owen Uppinghouse admitted the sting wasn’t easy to shake. The Quincy High School 165-pound senior wrestler went to the Class 3A state tournament undefeated with his sights set squarely on becoming the fifth state champion in program history. A quarterfinal loss Friday morning to LaGrange Lyons’ Gunnar Garelli ruined that. Although he…
Read MoreUppinghouse, two QND grapplers still chasing spots on podium at state wrestling tourney
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Owen Uppinghouse’s dream of becoming just the fifth Illinois High School Association state wrestling champion in Quincy High School history was dashed Friday morning. Yet his chance to make history still exists. The senior who entered the Class 3A state tournament undefeated and ranked No. 1 at 165 pounds suffered a 5-1…
Read More‘I think it came down to toughness’: Blue Devils’ strong second half carries them to WB6 crown
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Nobody can say Quincy High School didn’t earn the 2023-24 Western Big 6 Conference boys basketball championship. The state’s Class 4A fifth-ranked Blue Devils beat Rock Island for the second time in three days on Thursday evening, using a similar script to Tuesday’s home victory. Getting enough offense at the right…
Read MoreUppinghouse, Newbold end first day of state wrestling tourney alive in winner’s bracket
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Owen Uppinghouse’s title pursuit started with a flourish. Bryor Newbold’s began with a tussle. Both still have a shot at glory. The Quincy High School wrestlers opened the Class 3A state tournament at State Farm Center with first-round victories and will grapple in the quarterfinals Friday morning. Meanwhile, Quincy Notre Dame wrestlers…
Read MoreOpportunity to stay with defending state champs eludes Blue Devils in regional championship loss
O’FALLON, Ill. — Brad Dance could feel how much the missed opportunities hurt. The Quincy High School girls basketball team trailed defending state champion O’Fallon 15-10 in the first quarter of Thursday night’s Class 4A regional championship, but had it not been for squandering a couple of offensive chances, the Blue Devils could have been…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS girls see 25-win season come to end in regional title loss to O’Fallon
O’FALLON, Ill. — The Class 4A sub-sectional the Quincy High School girls basketball team was assigned proved to be as challening as expected. The third-seeded Blue Devils suffered a 55-40 loss to second-seeded O’Fallon in Thursday night’s regional championship, ending Quincy’s season with a 25-7 record. Freelance photographer Paul Baillargeon put together this photo gallery…
Read MorePrairie State Profile: Five area wrestlers ready to chase state championships
QUINCY — The Illinois state wrestling tournament begins at noon Thursday with five area wrestlers having qualified to grapple at State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus in Champaign. Wednesday, they had the opportunity to visit the Illini wrestling facility in Huff Hall, get a workout in and prepare for the pursuit of…
Read MoreBlue Devils clamp down on high-scoring Rocks, force winner-take-all WB6 championship game on Thursday
QUINCY — To take advantage of the switching man-to-man defense used by the Quincy High School boys basketball team, Rock Island tried to isolate K.J. Lamonte, its top scorer, on Keshaun Thomas, the Blue Devils’ 6-foot-5 junior forward. Every time Lamonte tried to slash to the basket in the first half, Thomas forced him to…
Read MoreStrong start propels Blue Devils into rematch with Panthers for regional championship
O’FALLON, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls basketball players didn’t get caught up in the scouting report or overly concern themselves with how Belleville East would attack. “They just want to go out and play and do what’s expected of them,” Quincy coach Brad Dance said. And they expected to earn a spot in…
Read MorePhoto gallery: QHS girls blitz Belleville East to reach regional title game
O’FALLON, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team scored the game’s first 17 points and rolled to a 68-30 victory over Belleville East in Monday night’s semifinals of the Class 4A O’Fallon Regional. The Blue Devils (25-6) will face O’Fallon at 7 p.m. Thursday for the regional championship. Photographer Paul Baillargeon of Archview…
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