Raiders fend off pesky Saukees, escape with road win in battle of state-ranked teams

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler examines her options during Monday's game against Pittsfield at Voshall Gymnasium in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Ari Buehler knew the Pittsfield girls basketball team would not go away. “They’ll fight,” said Buehler, Quincy Notre Dame’s junior point guard. “They’ll keep coming back.” So will the Raiders. “We’re not going to step down when things get hard,” Buehler said. So when the Saukees erased an 11-point third quarter deficit…

Read More

Photo gallery: Raiders, Saukees engage in one of top showdowns of season

Pittsfield freshman guard Reese Ramsey, left, attacks Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton off the dribble during Monday night's game at Voshall Gym in Pittsfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A matchup of state-ranked teams turned out to be a nail-biter for the second week in a row. And the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team found a way to come out on a top again. One week after beating fifth-ranked Central-Southeastern by a point, the Raiders knocked off Pittsfield, ranked ninth…

Read More

Raiders suffer first loss of season after scoring just three second-quarter points against Cougars

Quincy Notre Dame forward Lauren Hummel attacks off the dribble while being guarded by Breese Central's Lily Butler during Saturday's game in the PAWS Shootout in Breese, Ill. | Photo courtesy Jeremy Chawgo

BREESE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team couldn’t speed up top-ranked Breese Central the way it has so many opponents during the undefeated start to this season. That explains why the Raiders suffered their first loss Saturday. Breese Central committed just 11 turnovers, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field in a…

Read More

Photo gallery: Second-ranked QND overwhelms Beardstown with defensive intensity

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Sage Stratton applies backcourt pressure during Thursday's game against Beardstown at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There was no hangover from a showdown. Two days after playing state-ranked Central-Southeastern in arguably one of the most physical and intense games of the season and earning a 37-36 victory, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team showed no signs of letting down. The Raiders, ranked second in Class 3A, held Beardstown…

Read More

Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND climbs to No. 2, CSE moves in at No. 5 and Pittsfield at No. 9

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ari Buehler and the Raiders are No. 2 in the Associated Press Class 3A state poll after improving moving to 16-0. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press girls basketball state rankings as compiled by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Benet (4) (15-1) 72 2 2. Lyons (2) (16-1) 68 1 3. Kenwood (1) (16-1) 64 3 4. Alton (1) (16-1) 53…

Read More

‘I just kind of had my fingers crossed’: QND outlasts CSE as showdown comes down to final shot

A loose ball results in a scrum for possession during the first quarter of Tuesday night's battle between the Quincy Notre Dame and Central-Southeastern girls basketball teams in Camp Point, Ill. | Addi Zanger photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Karly Peters diplomatically handled the question of whether Tristan Pieper fouled her. “I don’t know,” said Peters, a senior guard on the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team. “I mean, I think so, but it doesn’t really matter now.” With Quincy Notre Dame leading CSE 37-34 and three seconds left in Tuesday’s West…

Read More

Photo gallery: Battle of state-ranked foes lives up to hype as QND, CSE go head-to-head

Quincy Notre Dame point guard Ari Buehler, left, sizes up the defense applied by Central-Southeastern's Karly Peters before running the offense during Tuesday night's game in Camp Point, Ill. | Addi Zanger photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — A battle of state-ranked teams unfolded the way you might expect — no breathing room for either. The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, ranked sixth in Class 3A, outlasted Central-Southeastern, receiving votes in the Class 2A poll, 37-36 Tuesday night in Central’s North Gym. Muddy River Sports Photographer Addi Zanger…

Read More

Raiders set appropriate tone for new year by dispatching Mustangs in WCC matchup

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Tristan Pieper executes a post move against Mendon Unity's Kodi Duke during Friday's West Central Conference game at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s mission on Friday was simple — set the tone, not only for their West Central Conference game against Mendon Unity, but for the new calendar year and the grueling schedule that lies ahead. The Raiders did just that in dispatching the Mustangs 67-20. “You can’t be…

Read More

After winning final game at holiday tourney, Raiders ready for rest to fight off flus and colds

Quincy Notre Dame's Carter Miller tries to dribble to the basket past North Lawndale's Nicario Knox during Saturday night's game in the boys small school bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Bloomington High School. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — When all was said and done, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players wanted to go home. “So we kicked it in gear and got home,” Raiders coach Greg Altmix said. The need for rest and recuperation is why. QND finished its stay at the State Farm Holiday Classic with Saturday night’s…

Read More

Raiders hang with top-seed Pecatonica until wheels come off in fourth quarter

Quincy Notre Dame's Jace Allensworth goes up for a shot while being defended by Pecatonica's Jaxon Diedrich during Friday night's quarterfinal game in the small school boys basketball bracket at the State Farm Holiday Classic in the Shirk Center. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — One night after giving up just 24 points in a resounding victory over Aurora Christian, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team allowed 24 points in the first quarter to Pecatonica. One night after forcing Aurora Christian into 25 turnovers, the Raiders turned it over 23 times themselves. Yet with 6:42 remaining…

Read More

Raiders unleash 1-2-2 press, force 25 turnovers to overwhelm Aurora Christian by 39 points

Quincy Notre Dame's Carter Miller, left, and Alex Dance double team Aurora Christian's Asa Johnson during the first half of Thursday night's game in the small school boys bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. | David Adam photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The first round in the small school boys basketball bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic figured to be chock full of competitive games, with seven of the 16 teams receiving votes in the first AP state polls. Three top seeds narrowly won by a combined nine points, and No. 13 seed…

Read More

‘You can’t stop it’: QHS goes on second quarter tear to turn crosstown showdown into rout

Quincy High School's Keshaun Thomas, left, and Bradley Longcor III rect to Thomas making a 3-pointer during the first half of Saturday night's 70-40 victory over Quincy Notre Dame at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Anyone who caught sight of Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas on the sideline after the Blue Devils forced a turnover on Quincy Notre Dame’s third possession of Saturday night’s game might have been a little perplexed. Douglas stomped his left foot, slammed his right fist into his left hand and…

Read More

‘They’re just really good’: Raiders learn firsthand why Blue Devils are among state’s top-ranked teams

Quincy Notre Dame guard Beau Eftink looks to make a pass up the floor during Saturday night's game against Quincy High School at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There wasn’t much Quincy Notre Dame’s Beau Etink could say about the Raiders’ crosstown counterparts other than the painstakingly obvious. “It’s quite simple. They’re just really good,” Eftink said. The few words Eftink used to describe the state-ranked Quincy High School boys basketball team couldn’t have been more accurate. After a relatively back-and-forth…

Read More

Shots fall to allow Raiders to run away from top-ranked opponent, cap challenging week with victory

Quincy Notre Dame junior guard Ellie Bozarth attacks the rim while being defending by Cairo (Mo.) Northeast's Avery Brumley, left, during Saturday's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — When Sage Stratton’s transition layup attempt rolled off the rim on the first possession of Saturday’s game, the best thing the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players could do was laugh it off. When Tristan Pieper’s shot from the block on the next possession missed the mark, there was a collective “Oh, no,…

Read More

Photo gallery: QHS, QND boys basketball teams square off in crosstown showdown

From left, Quincy High School's Trace Routh, Rico Clay Jr., Dom Clay, Mark Louthan and Bradley Longcor III watch a pregame video honoring teammate Keshaun Thomas for becoming the Blue Devils' career rebounding leader. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys basketball, ranked second in Class 4A, showed its well deserving of a high ranking as it steamrolled Quincy Notre Dame in the second quarter Saturday night at cruised to a 70-40 victory at Blue Devil Gym. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this…

Read More

Raiders unable to make shots fall, so they rely on defense to rumble past Pirates

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler, right, pressures Boonville's Lillian Newham during Friday night's game in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — No exaggeration of the number of field goal attempts the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team missed within 6 feet of the basket was going to be too high. “Way too many,” junior point guard Ari Buehler said. Raiders coach Eric Orne just shook his head. “They just didn’t fall,” he said. “I…

Read More

QND coach turns to bench brigade to ‘reignite the whole team’ in victory over Camp Point Central

Quincy Notre Dame's Connor Young calls out a play while being guarded by Camp Point Central's Kruze Miles duirng Friday night's game at The Pit. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Robbie Reed knows when he hears his coach call his name he better be ready. The same applies to the rest of the non-starters on the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team.  “When (coach Greg Altmix) calls on us, we got to just reignite the whole team and bring us all together,” Reed…

Read More

Photo gallery: QHS, QND girls and Monroe City boys win Rumble on the River matchups

Boonville's Effie Morris attempts to drive baseline against the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team's defense during Friday night's game in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Monroe City boys basketball team made sure Friday night wasn’t an Illinois sweep. After the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball teams earned victories in the 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center, Monroe City dispatched Payson Seymour 66-50 in the nightcap. Muddy…

Read More

Schuck on a Truck: Volleyball Player of the Year Annie Eaton discusses QND’s season, her victory-filled four-year career

QUINCY — Coaches, teammates and opponents have used a variety of adjectives to describe Annie Eaton’s impact on the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team and the area volleyball scene the past four years. Strategic. Intelligent. Savvy. Composed. Savage. Dynamic. Lethal. Those are just a few. One sums up her career better than any other. Winner.…

Read More

Raiders go on tide-turning run to erase slow start and rumble to victory over Trojans

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, left, and Jenna Durst, right, battle Troy Buchanan's Miley Twellman during Wednesday's game in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The halftime disposition of Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne split the difference between Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk. Not too mild-mannered. Not too barbaric either. “A little bit of both,” junior forward Tristan Pieper said. “Kind of right in between.” The Raiders trailed Troy (Mo.) Buchanan 20-14 at the…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND, Brown County girls basketball teams pick up Rumble on the River victories

Brown County sophomore Kenzie Kassing pulls down a rebound during the second half of Wednesday's victory over Van-Far in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame and Brown County girls basketball teams rumbled to victories Wednesday in different ways. The Raiders went a 29-1 run to erase a 14-point deficit and rally in the second half for a 48-36 victory over Troy (Mo.) Buchanan in the 17th playing of the Rumble on the River at…

Read More

Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND only area team remaining in top 10

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Tristan Pieper and the Raiders are ranked No. 6 in Class 3A in the latest Associated Press state basketball polls.

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Association Press girls basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Lyons (6) (11-0) 60 1 2. Benet (9-1) 51 2 3. Kenwood (11-1) 40 8 4.…

Read More

Boost from Smith’s 3-pointer ignites Panthers’ closing kick in victory over Raiders

Palmyra senior guard Mason Smith celebrates his go-ahead 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 66-58 win over Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday night in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — It was as if Mason Smith had flipped a switch. As soon as the Palmyra senior guard’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter of the Panthers’ clash with Quincy Notre Dame on Tuesday swished through the net and the home crowd erupted, Smith could feel the electricity pulsing through…

Read More

Pieper’s presence looms large as Raiders fend off Panthers in second half

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper puts up a free throw during Tuesday night's game against Palmyra in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — Tristan Pieper never flinched. After Pieper, a junior forward on the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team, watched the Raiders’ 27-8 lead over Palmyra dwindle to 31-27 thanks to a 16-point second quarter by Panthers point guard Clare Williams capped off by a buzzer-beating half court shot, she knew the Raiders would…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND, Palmyra split basketball doubleheader in Flower City

Quincy Notre Dame guard Sage Stratton directs the offense during Tuesday night's game against Palmyra in Palmyra, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

PALMYRA, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame and Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams split a twinbill Tuesday night at Palmyra High School as the Raiders won the girls matchup 58-44 and the Panthers won the boys game 66-58. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was there and put together this photo gallery:

Read More

Washington, Pirates see victory over Raiders as springboard to better days ahead

Hannibal point guard Darrion Washington shoots over a Quincy Notre Dame defender during Saturday night's game at Korf Gym in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Darrion Washington wants to be a part of the team that changes the basketball culture at Hannibal. A diminutive point guard who is listed at 5-foot-8 stood the tallest Saturday night. Washington scored a game-high 25 points to lead Hannibal to a 58-55 victory over previously unbeaten Quincy Notre Dame before a…

Read More

Raiders take wind out of Cyclones’ offense throughout first half in earning road victory

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Jenna Durst was one of three Raiders to score nine points in leading the offense during Thursday's 47-27 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in Springfield, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Possession by possession and minute by minute, the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s lead grew and the goose egg on Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s side of the scoreboard loomed larger. It was that way for the first 14 minutes of Thursday night’s game. The Raiders, ranked fifth in the Class 3A state…

Read More

Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND moves to No. 5, CSE up one spot to No. 8

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team moved from No. 8 to No. 5 in this week's Class 3A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the latest Associated Press Illinois boys basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the stat. First-place votes are in parenthesis: Class 4A Rank School Total Points Previous 1. Lyons (2) (8-0) 64 3   2. Benet (7-1) 52 T6   3. Whitney Young…

Read More

‘Let’s just bury them’: Third-quarter blitz carries Raiders to lopsided victory over Cardinals

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler, left, runs the offense while being pressured by Pleasant Plains' Bailey Leach during Tuesday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players decided they had allowed Pleasant Plains to hang around long enough. So when they went to the locker room at halftime Tuesday night with an eight-point lead, there wasn’t much need for a discussion on how to approach the second half. The plan was quite simple:…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND girls basketball team nearly pitches second-half shutout

Quincy Notre Dame's Marie Eversman sets herself to go up with a shot from the right block during the first half of Tuesday night's game against Pleasant Plains at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team outscored Pleasant Plains 28-4 in the second half Tuesday at The Pit, rolling to a 53-21 victory to improve to 6-0. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was courtside and put together this photo gallery:

Read More

‘Our intensity changed things’: Raiders shut down Bombers in third quarter, finally get offense rolling

Macomb guard Drew Watson gets caught among three Quincy Notre Dame defenders during the second half of Saturday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It was the worst of offenses, it was the best of offenses. Now, that’s a little overdramatic for what took place Saturday night at The Pit. And Charles Dickens likely would have found something a little less overused and a little more poetic to describe the tale of two halves. Still, it seems…

Read More

Pyatt’s suffocating defense helps QND boys pull away in fourth quarter from pesky Payson Seymour

Quincy Notre Dame's Jackson Pyatt, right, hounds Payson Seymour's Blake Schwartz during Friday night's prep boys basketball game at The Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY —Jackson Pyatt didn’t flinch when his number was called. After watching Blake Schwartz, Payson Seymour’s top player, torch the Quincy Notre Dame defense for 18 points through the first three quarters, Pyatt had one job in the final eight minutes. “The goal was just make sure (Schwartz) doesn’t score,” Pyatt said. Consider it mission…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Balanced scoring helps Raiders overcome blistering 3-point shooting from Indians

Quincy Notre Dame's Robbie Reed drives to the basket during Friday night's prep basketball game against Payson Seymour in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Payson Seymour boys basketball team made 11 3-pointers on Friday night at The Pit, but Quincy Notre Dame held on for a 71-62 victory. Jackson Connoyer and Jace Allensworth scored 15 points for the Raiders, while Beau Eftink pitched in 13 points. Blake Schwartz scored 18 points for Payson Seymour, and Lane…

Read More

Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QND, Central-Southeastern crack top 10

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team is tied for eighth in the first Class 3A state poll of the season. | Addi Zanger photo

CHICAGO — Here is a look at the first Illinois Associated Press girls basketball state rankings, as voted on by a panel of sports writers and sportscasters from throughout the state: Class 4A Rank School Total Points 1. Loyola (4) (5-0) 40   2. Whitney Young (1-0) 35   3. Lyons (5-0) 27   4.…

Read More

Blistering start enables QND girls basketball team to roll past Carrollton, remain undefeated

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, right, defends Carrollton's Harper Darr during Saturday's QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tournament game at The Pit. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne could see it in his players’ eyes and attitude during Saturday morning’s shootaround. The “rough game” he referred to Friday wasn’t going to repeat itself 24 hours later. “They knew (Friday) night wasn’t what we wanted to represent,” Orne said.  However, few could have anticipated what transpired in the early stages…

Read More

Raiders putting their unselfishness, ability to make game-to-game improvements on full display

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Alex Dance sets himself to shoot a free throw during Saturday's victory over Gateway STEM (Mo.) during the QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tournament at The Pit. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Two games into the high school boys basketball season, and Quincy Notre Dame coach Greg Altmix already likes what he sees. Eleven players entered the scoring column, with four reaching double figures, as the Raiders overcame an early deficit to cruise to a 77-48 victory over Gateway STEM (Mo.) Saturday night in the…

Read More

Photo gallery: QHS, QND induct newest members into Halls of Fame during Saturday ceremonies

Sloan Douglas, the daughter of Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas, gives flowers to Jordan Lepper, the daughter of former QHS assistant coach Tom Lepper, who was inducted into the QHS Hall of Fame on Saturday night. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame athletic departments held their Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Saturday night during their respective Thanksgiving weekend basketball tournaments. Inducted into the QHS Hall of Fame were Zach Burry, Kadi Fauble, Tom Lepper, Tiffany Terwelp-Smith and the 1994 boys soccer team. Inducted into the QND Hall…

Read More

Get it and go: Raiders employ up-tempo attack to run away from Comets in season opener

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Jackson Connoyer leads the break during Friday night's game against McCluer (Mo.) in the QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tournament at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Greg Altmix hoped his team would be in midseason form in its  season opener even if he knew that wasn’t likely.  Still, the effort he witnessed from start to finish was the next best thing. “Working hard and hustling can cover up for a lot of mistakes,”…

Read More

Shifting gears: Raiders ratchet up intensity in second half to put away Warriors in home debut

Quincy Notre Dame guard Ari Buehler sets up the offense during Friday night's game against Calhoun in the QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tournament at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s energy was far from coach Eric Orne’s liking in the first 16 minutes of the Raiders’ home opener against Hardin Calhoun on Friday. “We weren’t playing Lady Raider basketball in the first half, just sluggish, a lot of standing around,” Orne said. “I thought with our…

Read More

Photo gallery: Raiders sweep first night of QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tourney

Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Greg Altmix gives instructions in a huddle during Friday night's season debut against McCluer (Mo.) at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys and girls basketball teams made it a successful home debut Friday night at The Pit. The QND boys beat McCluer (Mo.) 65-40 in Greg Altmix’s first game as head coach, while the QND girls ran away from Calhoun 62-32 in the QND/Gully Transportation Tip-Off Tourney. Muddy River Sports…

Read More

2024 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: T.J. Kistner

T.J. Kistner was a three-sport standout at Quincy Notre Dame who went on to play baseball at Western Illinois University. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2024 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — T.J. Kistner completed a rare trifecta…

Read More

2024 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: 2001 girls volleyball team

The 2001 Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball team finished as the Class A state runner-up. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2024 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — A magical postseason run that ended…

Read More

2024 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Rick Day

Rick Day spent more than two decades coaching defense with the Quincy Notre Dame football program. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2024 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — When Bill Connell became the head…

Read More

2024 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Steve Havermale

Steve Havermale, second from left, served as a ticket taker and fix-it man for the Quincy Notre Dame athletic department for more than 30 years. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2024 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — Anytime someone from Quincy Notre Dame…

Read More

2024 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Greg Hellhake

Greg Hellhake excelled at every level he pitched — at Quincy Notre Dame, with Quincy American Legion Post 37, with the Quincy Gems and at Creighton University. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2024 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — When the conversation regarding the best…

Read More

Countdown to tipoff: Raiders put focus on playing physical, earning minutes in Altmix’s first season

Quincy Notre Dame coach Greg Altmix, right, works with the Raiders during a preseason practice at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the QND boys basketball team brought to you by: QUINCY — Greg Altmix has embraced the challenges of fitting the puzzle pieces together. Altmix’s tallest task as the first-year Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach is putting those pieces into the correct places to get the clearest picture possible. “It’s going to be…

Read More

2024 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Cassidy Foley

Cassidy Foley played on six state championship teams during her three-sport tenure at Quincy Notre Dame. | Photo courtesy QND Hall of Fame committee

Editor’s Note: Quincy Notre Dame will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 2024 QND Tip-Off Tourney at The Pit. Below is the biography used by the QND Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees. QUINCY — A state champion. An all-stater. A…

Read More

Countdown to tipoff: Raiders finding competitive edge to carry them through Class 3A postseason

Quincy Notre Dame junior point guard Ari Buehler, left, and veteran coach Eric Orne hope to lead the Raiders on a deep postseason run in Class 3A this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

Coverage of the QND girls basketball team is brought to you by: QUINCY — The smallest spark can light a fire inside Sage Stratton. “It’s easy to make me mad and make me not really like you,” Stratton said. “I try to find something not to like and that motivates me.” It’s not necessarily a…

Read More

Anderson ready to help Billikens make NCAA tourney push before bidding adieu to college soccer

Seth Anderson, a senior midfielder on the Saint Louis University men's soccer team and a Quincy Notre Dame product, has led the Billikens to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his final season. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

ST. LOUIS — Seth Anderson embraces the fact he never has to face anything alone. None of the Saint Louis University men’s soccer players do. “Every year, you get more people who join the team and continue making it one big family,” Anderson said. “You never feel like you don’t have someone to go and…

Read More

Maroa-Forsyth’s legend-making final scoring drive ends QND’s season in state quarterfinals

Several Quincy Notre Dame football players console each other following Saturday's 22-21 loss to Maroa-Forsyth in the Class 2A state quarterfinals at Walter Boyd Field in Maroa, Ill. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

MAROA, Ill. — As soon as Josh Jostes saw his defense force a late game turnover on downs the Maroa-Forsyth football coach went to find his quarterback. “I pulled (Ryne Sheppard) over and said, ‘This is what legends are made of,’” Jostes said. Sheppard led the Trojans on an 11-play, 94-yard scoring drive capped off…

Read More

Playoff primer: QND travels to Maroa-Forsyth for Class 2A state quarterfinal

The Quincy Notre Dame football team is in the state quarterfinals for the first time since the 2019 season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Here is a closer look at the Quincy Notre Dame football team’s matchup with Maroa-Forsyth: When: 2 p.m. Saturday What: Class 2A state quarterfinal Where: Walter Boyd Field, Maroa-Forsyth High School Records: Quincy Notre Dame — 10-1 (5-0, first in Central State Eight Conference West Division). Maroa-Forsyth — 10-1 (7-1, second in Sangamo…

Read More

Record-setting efforts of QHS’s Little, QND’s Scott earn IHSFCA all-state honors

Quincy High School senior quarterback Bradyn Little has earned Class 7A all-state honors in back-to-back seasons after breaking nearly every passing record in program history. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The most prolific passer in the history of the Quincy High School football program and the most prolific tackler Quincy Notre Dame has ever produced share common ground. One of Camp Point Central’s most acclaimed two-way players shares it, too. They are back-to-back first-team all-state selections. QHS senior quarterback Bradyn Little received all-state…

Read More

Road block: Koerkenmeier’s stuffs turn tide in third set as Mater Dei ends QND’s season

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players react after the final point in a 22-25, 25-19, 25-19 loss to Breese Mater Dei was scored Monday night in the Class 2A Pana Super-Sectional in Pana, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PANA, Ill. — Even after a season-ending loss, Danielle White could not help but smile when thinking back on her first season as the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach. “That’s these girls,” White said of the source of that smile. “Our girls really set a great example, especially for my first year coaching, of what…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND volleyball team’s season ends in three-set loss to Mater Dei in super-sectional

Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Danielle White, right, hugs senior setter Annie Eaton following the Raiders' season-ending loss to Breese Mater Dei on Monday night in the Class 2A super-sectional in Pana, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

PANA, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team was one set away from its first trip to the state tournament since 2018. Breese Mater Dei had other ideas. The Knights rallied for a 22-25, 25-19, 25-19 victory Monday night in the Class 2A Pana Super-Sectional to end the Raiders’ season with a 36-3 record.…

Read More

Crim: Intriguing matchups await area football teams still alive in postseason play

The captains of the Camp Point Central football team await the coin before last Saturday's 40-0 victory over Toledo Cumberland in the second round of the Class 1A playoffs in Camp Point, ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

QUINCY — It’s getting down to nitty-gritty time in the high school football postseason. Now that preliminary playoff rounds are out of the way, three area teams have advanced to the quarterfinals in Illinois and three Missouri teams will play for district championships this week. Reigning Illinois Class 1A champion Camp Point Central has been…

Read More

Great Scott! Linebacker’s critical stop helps Raiders put away second-round playoff victory

Quincy Notre Dame wide receiver Gavin Doellman reacts to scoring on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Schuckman in the first quarter of Saturday's Class 2A second-round playoff game against ALAH at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame defensive tackle Kellen Mangan has a front row seat to the weekly exploits of teammate Taylin Scott. So, it came as no surprise for Mangan to see the Raiders middle linebacker make a momentum-swinging stop on defense. “Taylin is all-state for a reason,” Mangan said. “He makes those plays.” Scott’s…

Read More

Keeping the faith: Entrup’s run of service points helps QND rally to win sectional volleyball title

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team won the Class 2A Riverton Sectional title with a 25-16, 20-25, 25-20 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin on Thursday night in the Hawk Center in Riverton, Ill. | Submitted photo

RIVERTON, Ill. — Sydney Entrup believed a little divine intervention wouldn’t hurt. So as she lined up to serve with the third set of Thursday night’s Class 2A Riverton Sectional volleyball championship hanging in the balance, the Quincy Notre Dame senior gave herself an inspirational pep talk. “I just kept going back there and saying,…

Read More

Raiders use every ounce of energy necessary to rally past Warriors in sectional semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame's Nora Wiley, center, and her teammates react to a point late in the third set of Tuesday's victory over Athens in the Class 2A Riverton Sectional semifinals in Riverton, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

RIVERTON, Ill. — Eva Breckenkamp was running on fumes, but she used what little fuel she had left in the tank to send the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team to the Class 2A Riverton Sectional title match. The Raiders trailed Athens 25-24 in the third and deciding set in Tuesday’s semifinal at the Hawk Center…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND volleyball team rallies to keep season alive

Quincy Notre Dame middle blocker Eva Breckenkamp, right, gets a hug from Brad Eaton, father of QND setter Annie Eaton, following the Raiders' three-set victory over Athens on Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Class 2A Riverton Sectional in Riverton, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

RIVERTON, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team showed its resolve Tuesday night, rallying for a 18-25, 25-12, 27-25 victory over Athens in the Class 2A Riverton Sectional semifinals. The Raiders will face Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin at 6 p.m. Thursday for the sectional title. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside Tuesday and…

Read More

Crim: QND’s 1984 state runner-up boys soccer team responsible for raising bar on expectations

The 1984 Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team finished as the state runner-up in a one-class system, winning the first state trophy in program history and raising the level of expectation for future teams. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — The longest boys soccer game in Illinois High School Association history was played 40 years ago. Performing on the biggest stage on Nov. 3, 1984 — the state championship game at St. Charles High School — Quincy Notre Dame and Palatine Fremd battled through 80 minutes of regulation and another 40 exhausting minutes…

Read More

Starry Star of the Night: QND linebacker Taylin Scott

QUINCY — Taylin Scott became involved in nearly eveery stop the Quincy Notre Dame football team’s defense made during Saturday’s 49-6 victory over Flora in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Scott, a senior middle linebacker, had 19 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a sack and a forced…

Read More

Quick Kick: Triplett’s return propels QND to easy first-round victory and another home playoff game

Quincy Notre Dame's Jace Allensworth races into the end zone after intercepting a pass and running 38 yards during Saturday afternoon's game against Flora at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — It didn’t take long for Quincy Notre Dame to make a statement in its first-round Class 2A playoff football game. Only 12 seconds, in fact. Oliver Triplett returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead. “The whole plan was to jump on them early,” Triplett…

Read More

Photo Gallery: QND defense holds Flora to 121 yards of offense in playoff rout

Quincy Notre Dame's Taylin Scott (42) and Aidan Brunier (68) put pressure on Flora quarterback Parker Helm during first-half action in a first-round Class 2A playoff football game Saturday afternoon at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame football team continued its defensive dominance on Saturday afternoon in a 49-6 victory over Flora in a first-round game in the IHSA Class 2A playoffs. QND’s defense has surrendered 78 points in its last nine games. Taylin Scott spearheaded the effort with 19 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and…

Read More

‘It’s one big position’: QND leaning on offensive linemen to pave way deep into postseason

The play of the Quincy Notre Dame offensive line has been key to the Raiders' 8-1 record and No. 3 seed in the Class 2A playoff bracket. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

QUINCY — Each member of the Quincy Notre Dame football team’s offensive line has unique individual strengths, but the individuality ends there. “It’s not five different positions,” senior left guard Ryan Darnell said. “It’s one big position.” With one big goal in mind. The Raiders want to plow the road. Heading into the Class 2A…

Read More

‘It’s through the roof’: Regional title continues to boost Raiders’ confidence state crown is possible

The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball players celebrate with the Class 2A Warsaw Regional championship plaque Thursday night after beating Illini West in straight sets in Warsaw, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WARSAW, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team has already cleared a hurdle it couldn’t get over last season, but their quest for the ultimate prize is far from over. The Raiders swept Illini West 25-16, 25-11 in Thursday’s Class 2A Warsaw Regional championship. “This is another step in the journey,” Raiders coach Danielle…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND wins regional volleyball championship by sweeping Illini West

Illini West outside hitter Anna Jacob, right, hits a shot past the block of Quincy Notre Dame's Eva Breckenkamp during Thursday night's Class 2A regional championship match in Warsaw, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WARSAW, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team keeps rolling. The top-seeded Raiders advanced to the Class 2A Riverton Sectional by dispatching Illini West 25-16, 25-11 in Thursday’s Warsaw Regional championship match. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey was courtside and put together this photo gallery:

Read More

Blistering start to regional semifinal is reminder QND volleyball team is on postseason mission

Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Hummel, right, swings for a kill against Monmouth-Roseville in Tuesday night's semifinals of the Class 2A Warsaw Regional in Warsaw, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

WARSAW, Ill. — Even Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Danielle White’s most ambitious projections couldn’t have predicted the start the Raiders got off to on Tuesday. QND scorched Monmouth-Roseville in the first set by scoring 20 of the first 21 points on its way to a 25-6, 25-15 victory in the Class 2A Warsaw Regional…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND, Illini West advance to Class 2A Warsaw Regional championship match

Quincy Notre Dame senior setter Annie Eaton sets up a kill attempt during Tuesday's Class 2A Warsaw Regional matchup against Monmouth-Roseville in Warsaw, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. WARSAW, Ill. — The seeds held true. The top-seeded Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team raced past seventh-seeded Monmouth-Roseville 25-6, 25-15, while fourth-seeded Illini West outlasted fifth-seeded Knoxville 25-21, 25-21 during Tuesday’s semifinals of the Class 2A Warsaw Regional.…

Read More

Crim: Putting family first enables QND’s Hun to find success on and off football field

Quincy Notre Dame senior running back Ivan Hun, center, poses for a photo with his parents, Barb and Raul Hun, at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — Family first. Raul and Barb Hun have made that a priority with their eight children. It means nurturing relationships, remaining close and being there for each other through the good times and the challenging ones. “These are your first friends,” Barb explained. “These are the ones that will be your friends your whole…

Read More

Opportunity to play at home gives Adams County football programs edge in postseason

Quincy High School senior quarterback Bradyn Little has led the Blue Devils to back-to-back 9-0 regular seasons and the opportunity to play the first round of the Class 7A playoffs at home. | Photo courtesy Adyson Bray

QUINCY — The road to Normal runs through Adams County. The football teams from three schools within the county borders learned Saturday night their postseason paths begin with first-round home games, and since all three are seeded second or third in their respective brackets, home games deeper in the playoffs are a legitimate possibility. Overall,…

Read More

Tournament title sends QND volleyball team into postseason with truckload of momentum

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper, right, and Annie Eaton, center, attempt to save a possession during Saturday's match against Lincoln in the QND Volleyball Bash at The Pit. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team is heading into the postseason on a roll. The Raiders went 4-0 in the QND Volleyball Bash on Friday and Saturday, highlighted by a 25-20, 16-25, 15-11 victory over Breese Mater Dei, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A, on Friday. “It was some of the…

Read More

Raiders put cap on undefeated run through Central State 8 in debut season in league

The Quincy Notre Dame football team completed an undefeated run through the Central State 8 Conference with Friday night's 28-7 victory at Decatur MacArthur. | Jessica Genenbacher photo

DECATUR, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame football team made quite a splash. Now it’s time to make an even bigger one. Friday night’s 28-7 victory at Decatur MacArthur left the Raiders as the only undefeated team in the Central State 8 Conference as QND won the West Division championship and both crossover games in…

Read More

‘I feel loved. One-hundred percent’: QND’s Brown stays determined, resilient and positive despite loss of both parents

Quincy Notre Dame senior Kaitlyn Brown dealt with losing both of her parents to battles with cancer in the span of eight months, but showed the poise, grace and love to be a bedrock for her family and the QND tennis program. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The words of a text message sent from hundreds of miles away hit closer to Kaitlyn Brown’s heart than any of the other well wishes she received.  A father just knows exactly what to say. “I remember him texting and being like, ‘Oh, you’re going to beat them. You got it. You got…

Read More

Game Night Guide: Week 9 prep football matchups and livestream links

The Quincy Notre Dame football team goes on the road Friday night to Decatur MacArthur looking to improve to 8-1 and look up a first-round playoff game at home. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Week 9 of the prep football season is upon us and with it comes opportunities to make history, punch playoff tickets and gain needed momentum heading into the postseason. And we will discuss all of that on Muddy Night Lights, powered by Farm & Home Supply, when we go live from 10 p.m.…

Read More

Illinois state football rankings: QND is new No. 1 in Class 2A, while QHS sits at No. 2 in Class 7A

Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell and the Raiders moved to No. 1 in the Class 2A state poll this week heading into the regular-season finale Friday night at Decatur MacArthur. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press state rankings for Illinois high school football as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (14) 8-0 140 1 2. Naperville Central 8-0 112 2 3. Lyons 8-0 103 4 4.…

Read More

Peoria Christian’s two early goals put QND in catch-up mode for remainder of regional title tilt

Quincy Notre Dame senior midfielder Rylan Fischer, left, challenges Peoria Christian's Jacob Below for possession during Tuesday night's Class 1A regional championship game at the Eastside Centre in East Peoria, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach Greg Reis knows once a team goes down 2-0, all they need is one goal to turn the momentum in their direction. “A 2-1 lead in soccer is always a dangerous lead because the team that was up is now being very cautious and the…

Read More

Raiders rely on strong start to create momentum in sweeping Blue Devils in crossdown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame middle hitter Eva Breckenkamp, left, gets challenged at the net by Quincy High School's Ayanna Douglas during Monday night's crosstown showdown at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Danielle White’s suit was fit for the occasion. So was the Raiders’ performance. The Raiders blitzed Quincy High School in the first set and staved off a late Blue Devils rally in the second set to win 25-16, 25-22 on Monday at the QHS gym. White took Pink…

Read More

Photo gallery: QHS, QND square off on volleyball court during Pink Night

Quincy Notre Dame's Annie Eaton attempts to block a Quincy High School kill attempt during Monday night's match at the QHS gym. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site. QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team roared to a double-digit lead in the first set and never let up Monday night, beating Quincy High School 25-16, 25-22 at the QHS gym. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane…

Read More

Crim: Playoff positioning, record-setting efforts add intrigue to final week of regular season

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little continues to climb the Illinois High School Association all-time passing charts and is closing in on No. 2 all-time in passing yardage. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The final week of the high school football regular season has arrived. Quincy High School, Quincy Notre Dame and Camp Point Central have all clinched league championships in Illinois and are on the cusp of securing home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Clarence Cannon Conference title is still…

Read More

QND’s Eftink winds up second to one yet again, finishes season as Class 1A state runner-up

Quincy Notre Dame junior golfer Beau Eftink shot a 1-under 71 Saturday at Prairie Vista Golf Course and finished as the runner-up in the Class 1A state tournament in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy QND golf

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Beau Eftink doesn’t necessarily subscribe to the theory twice is nice, especially when it comes to finishing as the runner-up at the state golf tournament. “I already got second once,” he said. “I didn’t need to get it again.” He most certainly doesn’t want to do it a third time. “I wish…

Read More

QND’s Zanger, Brown battle way to third at sectionals, head to state along with Ley

The Quincy Notre Dame doubles team of Morgan Zanger, left, and Kaitlyn Brown finished third Saturday at the Class 1A Jacksonville Sectional and earned a berth in the Class state tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls tennis team’s top doubles tandem is headed to the Class 1A state tournament after finishing third Saturday in the Jacksonville Sectional. The Raiders’ Morgan Zanger and Kaitlyn Brown beat Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Lucia Hassebrock and Catalina Mosquera 6-2, 6-1 in the third-place match. Zanger and Brown fell…

Read More

Raiders rebound with solid effort, Chargers’ Murphy finishes in top 15 at state golf tourney

Illini West senior Nick Bruns improved his second-round score at the Class 1A state tournament Saturday by seven strokes, moving him into the top 30 at Prairie Vista Golf Course Bloomington, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Brian Hendrian has come to learn one bad day for the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team rarely if ever devolves into two. That’s why the QND coach believed the Raiders could erase a 12-stroke deficit and play themselves into contention for a top-three finish on the second day of the Class…

Read More

Eftink in contention at state golf tourney, while Raiders, Chargers look to climb leaderboard

Quincy Notre Dame junior golfer Beau Eftink chips out of the bunker during the first round of the Class 1A state tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Beau Eftink’s state title pursuit and the Quincy Notre Dame boys golf team’s trophy dash both will need a charge Saturday. Eftink, the QND junior who finished second individually a year ago, finds himself tied for fifth in the Class 1A state tournament following Friday’s opening round at Prairie Vista Golf Course.…

Read More

Raiders snuff out any hope for rally from Railsplitters, cap home slate with another victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Ivan Hun becomes the lead blocker for Wyatt Mueller on a play off the left end during Friday night's game against Lincoln at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Charsten Williams has discovered the knack of making a big play when it matters most. The Quincy Notre Dame defensive end has done it two weeks in a row. “In the moment, I kind of realize what’s really on the line,” Williams said.  Williams’ key second-half sack, and subsequent forced punt, thwarted any…

Read More

Photo Gallery: QND wraps up home slate with dominating effort against Lincoln

Oliver Triplett holds out the ball after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of Friday night's high school football game at Advanced Physical Therapy Field. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame football team played its final home game of the regular season Friday night with a 54-12 victory over Lincoln at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Muddy River News Editor David Adam captured some of the plays of Friday night’s game.

Read More

Youthful area golfers set to embrace opportunity state tournament play provides

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Olliver Hendrian will be making his second state tournament appearance when the Raiders tee it up Friday in the Class 1A event at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, Ill.

QUINCY — Why wait to be great? Throughout the prep golf season, with the Quincy Notre Dame and Illini West boys golf teams battling for supremacy and the QND girls team consistently showcasing its depth, comments regarding each team’s youthful lineup focused on the future instead of the present. One of the more common refrains…

Read More

Schuckman: State football rankings generate debate, but have no bearing on playoff brackets

The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame football teams remain ranked in the top four in their respective classes in the Associated Press state polls. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There are three main points of emphasis high school football fans needs to understand in regards to the state rankings, which have created considerable interest and conjecture following Wednesday afternoon’s reveal of this week’s votes. One, the polls are discussion points and conversation starters. They provide some clarity on which teams could be…

Read More

Illinois prep football rankings: Chicago Mt. Carmel leapfrogs QHS for top spot, QND drops to No. 4 despite victory

Quincy High School running back Jeraius Rice Jr. and the Blue Devils are ranked No. 2 in the Class 7A state poll heading into the Week 8 game at Geneseo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CHICAGO — Here are this week’s Illinois Associated Press state football rankings, as voted on by a statewide panel of sportswriters and sportscasters. First-place votes in parenthesis: Class 8A School Record Total Points Previous 1. Lincoln-Way East (11) 7-0 110 1 2. Naperville Central 7-0 86 2 3. Oswego 7-0 79 3 4. Lyons 7-0…

Read More

Four score and six and one: Hun follows offensive line to victory over Jacksonville

QND senior running back Ivan Hun scored four touchdowns as the Raiders remained unbeaten in the CS8 with Friday night's win at Jacksonville. — Photo courtesy of Channel1450.com

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The mission was simple for the Quincy Notre Dame football team entering Friday night’s trip to Jacksonville. So simple that Ivan Hun only needed three words to describe the task at hand. “Run the ball,” the senior running back said. Despite being outsized at every spot up front QND (6-1, 5-0 in…

Read More

Raiders and Devils kick to a draw on the pitch

Quincy High struck first twice, then the Raiders rallied to take the lead. Quincy's Logan Epping hit a second half equalizer as the teams fought to a 3-3 draw at Flinn Stadium Thursday night. — Photo by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Andrew Brown was so close. Painstakingly close. With three minutes left and the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer teams deadlocked at 3 during Thursday night’s clash at Flinn Stadium, Quincy’s Logan Epping received a through ball on the right wing from Trace Routh. Epping kept his eyes up and…

Read More

QND knocks off unbeaten Macomb, gains some revenge for last season’s disappointing finish

Annie Eaton, right and Ashlyn Peters, left, celebrate after a point during Quincy Notre Dame's win over Macomb Wednesday night at The Pit. — Photo by Shane Hulsey

QUINCY — Redemption tasted pretty sweet. So did healing the wounds from the way last season ended. The Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team avenged its loss to Macomb in the 2023 Class 2A regional championship game by sweeping the Bombers 25-21, 25-16 on Wednesday at The Pit. “They wanted this more than anything,” Raiders first-year…

Read More

Hendrian’s early birdies kickstart sectional title pursuit as Raiders, Chargers punch tickets to state

Quincy Notre Dame's Olliver Hendrian chips onto the 13th green at Spring Lake Country Club to set up a birdie during Monday's Class 1A sectional. Hendrian shot a 2-under 70 to earn medalist honors and lead the Raiders to a state berth. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Olliver Hendrian never expected his tee shot on the par-3 second hole at Spring Lake Country Club to wind up 15 or so yards behind the green. “Apparently I have too much muscle,” the Quincy Notre Dame sophomore golfer said with a sarcastic sideways grin. “I have to stop going to the gym.”…

Read More