QND girls dominate final three quarters 43-9 to blow out defending Class 1A state champions

Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Hummel, left, and Sage Stratton defend Okawville's Alayna Kraus during Saturday night's high school girls basketball game during the KHQA Superfan Shootout at the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — No rest for the weary? Well, there is a bit of a respite now for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. The Raiders completed a grueling five-games-in-five days sojourn with a dominating 52-25 victory Saturday night at The Pit over defending Class 1A state champ Okawville during the American Family Insurance-KHQA Superfan Shootout.…

Read More

Winchester West Central escapes ‘dogfight’ at the Pit, snaps four-game winning streak for QND boys

Winchester West Central's Mason Berry dribbles while Quincy Notre Dame's Connor Young defends during Saturday night's high school boys basketball game in the KHQA Superfan Shootout at the Pit. | Photo courtesy of Mary-Ann Ervin

QUINCY — As he lowered his MVP trophy to the ground and attempted to find one more ounce of energy before loading the bus back to Winchester, Zack Evans tried to put into words what the previous 90 minutes felt like. “Anytime you come to QND, it’s going to be a dogfight,” Evans said. “That’s…

Read More

Lunt helps Raiders overcome sickly week, scores 16 points in hard-fought victory over Madison

Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Lunt shoots over Madison's Alex Kennedy during Friday night's high school boys basketball game in the KHQA Superfan Shootout on Friday night in the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — Kevin Meyer wasn’t sure what to expect from his Quincy Notre Dame basketball team on the opening night of the KHQA-American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout. “We were kind of a walking Infirmary for part of the week,” Meyer said of the Raiders’ battle with sickness that spread through the squad. What Meyer discovered…

Read More

Sweet Sixteen: Pieper turns in 19-point performance on birthday as QND girls edge Clopton

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper looks to shoot over Clopton's Ashlyn Noah during Friday night's high school girls basketball game at the KHQA Superfan Shootout in the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — There are not many better ways for a 16-year-old to celebrate her birthday than to spend it with her friends. Tristan Pieper’s friends took care of her Friday night.  Pieper, a sophomore, led all scorers with 19 points as the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team fought off Clopton 44-37 at the American…

Read More

Photo Gallery: With defending champions on tap for Saturday, Raiders hold off late Clopton rally

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler tries to dribble up the court while guarded by Clopton's Jasmine Hammett during Friday night's girls basketball game in the KHQA Superfan Shootout on Friday night at the Pit. | David Adam

Eight straight points, capped off by two 3-pointers, pulled Clopton within 40-37 with 6:40 to play in the game, but a driving layup by Raiders guard Ari Buehler broke Clopton’s momentum, and the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team held on for 44-37 victory on Friday night at the Pit. Junior Sage Stratton and sophomore…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Winning streak for QND boys reaches four, and guys join girls on dance floor

Quincy Notre Dame's Beau Eftink drives to the basket while Madison's Darrius Williams closes in during Friday night's high school boys basketball game in the KHQA Superfan Shootout at the Pit. | David Adam

The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team held an explosive Madison (11-10) squad well below its season-average point total in a 54-47 victory on Friday night at the Pit. The Raiders kept the Trojans’ leading scorer Elijah Williams relatively in check. Williams averages 22 points a game and was limited to 13. QND has won…

Read More

QHS girls climb one spot in Associated Press Class 4A poll; C-SE rises one spot in 2A, QND drops one spot in 3A

Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Wiewel tries to block a shot by Quincy High School's Leah Chevalier during Tuesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam

Here are the Associated Press girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (4) 29-0 66 1 2. Alton (3) 25-1 64 2 3. Bolingbrook 21-2 55 3 4. Nazareth 21-3 38 5 5. Maine South 25-1 37 4 6.…

Read More

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

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

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

Read More

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

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

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

Read More

One off the checklist: Blue Devils lead wire to wire in victory over cross-town rival Raiders

Quincy High School's Leah Chevalier reaches back to grab a rebound during Tuesday night's girls basketball game against Quincy Notre Dame at the Pit. | David Adam

QUINCY — How well is the Quincy High School girls basketball team playing at the moment? “I think we’re probably playing the best ball we have all season right now,” senior center Taylor Fohey said following Tuesday night’s 47-24 victory over rival Quincy Notre Dame at The Pit. It would be difficult to dispute Fohey’s…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Fohey, Brown combine for 31 points, 17 rebounds for QHS girls

Quincy High School's Laila Dade, right, drives to the basket while Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, left, defends during Tuesday night's girls basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam

The Quincy High School girls basketball team, ranked No. 8 in Class 4A, led wire-to-wire in a 47-24 victory on Tuesday night at the Pit. The Blue Devils held Quincy Notre Dame, ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, to its lowest offensive output in 97 games, dating to late in the 2020-21 season when the…

Read More

Uppinghouse builds mark to 44-0, leads QHS to third place at 32nd QND Wrestling Invitational

Palmyra's Tyler Spicknall picks up Quincy Notre Dame's Cale Hilbing during their semifinal match in the 132-pound weight class during the QND Wrestling Invitational on Saturday at the Pit. Spicknall won the match and eventually placed second. | David Adam

QUINCY — Quincy High School’s Owen Uppinghouse had every right to be exhausted. And make no mistake about it, he most certainly was. Uppinghouse wrapped up the 165-pound championship Saturday in the 32nd annual Quincy Notre Dame Wrestling Invitational, and what followed was not so much a raised fist in the air signifying another win…

Read More

Strong finish to second quarter propels Quincy Notre Dame boys to easy victory at home

Junior guard Alex Dance was one of five Quincy Notre Dame players to score at least nine points in Thursday night's victory over Western. | MRN File Photo

QUINCY — The lead was in double digits ,but as the second quarter neared an end in Thursday night’s home tilt with Western, Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer wasn’t exactly comfortable. “We had to challenge them a little bit during one of (Western’s) timeouts and tell them, ‘You’ve got to match their…

Read More

Pieper helps QND girls pull away in second half to defeat South Shelby

Tristan Pieper, shown in a game earlier this season against Highland (Ill.), scored 16 points on Thursday night against South Shelby. | MRN File photo

SHELBINA, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team held South Shelby to just 16 points in the second half in posting a 53-40 victory on Thursday night. The Raiders led 27-24 at halftime, and they made a concerted effort to get the ball inside to Tristan Pieper. She scored eight of her game-high…

Read More

QHS girls stay at No. 8 in Class 4A poll, while QND girls move up one spot to No. 3 in Class 3A

Quincy Notre Dame's Eric Orne talks to his team during a timeout in a game at John Wood Community College in December. | Muddy River News file photo by Addi Sanger

Here are the girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (7) 27-0 106 1 2. Alton (3) 24-1 92 T2 3. Bolingbrook (1) 20-2 88 T2 4. Maine South 22-1 75 4 5. Nazareth 18-3 61 5 6. Normal…

Read More

Raiders flourish in fourth quarter, show signs of starting late-season push

Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Aden Genenbacher led the Raiders with 14 points in Tuesday night's 51-41 victory over Illini West in Carthage, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — In the eyes of Aden Genenbacher and Noah Lunt, it’s time to start focusing on the postseason. Following the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 51-41 victory Tuesday night over Illini West, both Genenbacher and Lunt were looking into the not-too-distant future. “We’d like to put together a run before the postseason…

Read More

Quincy Shootout: Scoreboard and schedule

Millard North's Elijah Gaeth, left, attacks off the dribble against Chicago Curie during Friday's game in the Quincy Shootout at The Pit at Quincy Notre Dame. | Ron Kinscherf photo

QUINCY — The sixth Quincy Shootout kicked off Friday night with games at Blue Devil Gym and the Pit. Here are those results and a look at Saturday’s schedule: Friday’s games At Blue Devil Gym Wasatch Academy 83, iSchool of Lewisville 54 MVP — Wasatch Academy’s Chris Nwuli (18 points, 8 rebounds) Link Academy 69,…

Read More

Principia’s defense creates havoc, deficit QND is unable to erase

Principia's Jaylen Edwards, left, gets hounded by Quincy Notre Dame's Conner Young during Friday night's game in the Quincy Shootout at The Pit. | Ron Kinscherf photo

QUINCY — After having not played in 13 days, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players figured they would have to knock off a little rust. The Raiders just didn’t expect it would take them until the second half to do it. By that time, it was too late. Principia’s tenacious defense limited QND to…

Read More

Shutting out Chargers in second quarter propels state-ranked Raiders to victory

Quincy Notre Dame guard Sage Stratton scored 16 points in Thursday night's victory over Illini West in Carthage, Ill. | Muddy River Sports file photo

CARTHAGE, Ill. — A slow start didn’t translate to a sluggish finish for the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. Defense turned everything around. Trailing Illini West 9-7 at the end of the first quarter Thursday night, the state-ranked Raiders shut out the Chargers in the second quarter, then scored 23 points in the third…

Read More

Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Blue Devils move to No. 3 in Class 4A

Quincy High School junior guard Kamren Wires, left, and senior guard Camden Brown have helped the Blue Devils rise to No. 3 in the Class 4A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Homewood-Flossmoor (6) 17-1 105 2 2. Curie (5) 17-1 104 1 3. Quincy 17-1 74 5 4. Waubonsie Valley 18-0 66 NR 5. Lisle (Benet Academy) 15-2 62 7…

Read More

Illinois girls basketball state rankings: QHS up two spots in Class 4A, QND and Central-Southeastern remain in poll

The Quincy High School girls basketball team moved up to No. 8 in this week's Associated Press Class 4A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (5) 22-0 75 1 2. Alton (2) 21-1 67 3 (tie) Bolingbrook (1) 18-2 67 5 4. Maine South 20-1 42 2 5. Nazareth 15-3 38 6 6.…

Read More

Photo gallery: Area wrestlers rack up medals in Quincy Invitational

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

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

Read More

Illinois girls state basketball rankings: QND slides up to No. 3, QHS and CSE remain in top 10s

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team moved up to No. 3 in the Class 3A state poll this week. | Addi Zanger photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Illinois girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (2) 18-0 45 1 2. Maine South 20-0 44 3 3. Alton (3) 15-0 40 2 4. Normal Community 18-2 23 4 5. Bolingbrook 14-2 22 5 6.…

Read More

Koerkenmeier’s last-second field goal gives Mater Dei edge in rematch with QND girls

Quincy Notre Dame guard Sage Stratton looks to drive to the basket during Saturday's game against Breese Mater Dei in the Breese Central PAWS Shootout in Breese, Ill. | Photo courtesy Jeremy Chawgo

BREESE, Ill. — On the final possession of regulation in Saturday afternoon’s state tournament rematch, the Breese Mater Dei girls basketball team adapted Wee Willie Keeler’s most famous quote to suit its needs. Instead of “hit ‘em where they ain’t,” as the National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee is credited with saying, the Knights decided…

Read More

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

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

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

Read More

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

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

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

Read More

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

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

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

Read More

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

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

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

Read More

Illinois girls state basketball rankings: QHS, QND, Central-Southeastern all in respective top 10s

The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team is one of three area teams to be ranked in the Associated Press state polls. | David Adam photo

CHICAGO — Here are the Associated Press girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points, and previous rank. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Loyola (3) 18-0 62 2 2. Alton (3) 15-0 58 3 3. Maine South (1) 18-0 52 7 4. Normal Community 17-1 42 8 5. Bolingbrook…

Read More

Strong effort in final tourney game gives QND boys basketball team something to build upon

Quincy Notre Dame's Conner Young gets into the middle of the Minonk Fieldcrest defense during Friday's consolation semifinal game in the State Farm Holiday Classic. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — After playing arguably its worst half of the season Friday afternoon, the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team returned three hours later to turn in perhaps its most complete overall performance. Thirteen players scored, with eight sinking at least one 3-pointer, to carry the Raiders to a convincing 78-56 victory over Rockford…

Read More

Raiders follow forgettable first half with fabulous second half, rout Stanford Olympia in consolation bracket

Quincy Notre Dame's Tyler Bozarth rises to shoot the ball while defended by Stanford Olympia's Dylan Nowaskie during Thursday's game in the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Roller coasters certainly are fun if you ride them during a trip to Six Flags or Disney World, but they’re a little rough if they are used to describe a basketball season. The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team followed a sloppy first half with a snappy second half in Thursday afternoon’s…

Read More

Offensive struggles send QND boys into consolation round of small school bracket for first time

Quincy Notre Dame's Jace Allensworth tries to get to the basket while Pecatonica's Brody Black defends him during Wednesday's boys basketball game during the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal West High School. | David Adam photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer is convinced his team’s record should be much better than what it is. “I told the guys I think that you’re a 10-1 team versus the 6-5 our record says,” Meyer said after the Raiders lost 55-50 to Pecatonica Wednesday night at Normal West…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Raiders stay close with once-beaten Pecatonica but can’t regain lead

Quincy Notre Dame's Aden Genenbacher, right, looks to pass around Pecatonica's defensive pressure during Wednesday night's game in the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal West High School. | David Adam photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team never trailed by more than six points but failed to regain the lead in the final 12 minutes of Wednesday night’s 55-50 loss to Pecatonica in the first round of the small school boys bracket during the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal West High…

Read More

Victory over Indians enables Raiders to take some mojo with them to holiday tournament

Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Lunt looks to make a move against the Payson Seymour defense during Thursday night's game in Payson, Ill. | Samantha Carmean photo

PAYSON, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 65-37 victory over Payson Seymour left Aden Genenbacher satisfied, but not necessarily overjoyed. “We’re still trying to find our identity,” said Genenbacher, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who scored a game-high 21 points Thursday night. The victory came after back-to-back losses for QND (6-4), which is…

Read More

Photo gallery: Santa Claus vs. Grinch grudge match highlights youth wrestling event at QND

The Grinch tries to gain control of Santa Claus during an exhibition match during the youth wrestling event Wednesday night at The Pit on the Quincy Notre Dame campus. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — Five days before Christmas and Santa Claus is in prime form. Once again, that spelled trouble for the Grinch. In the marquee match of the Wednesday’s youth wrestling event held at The Pit by the Quincy Notre Dame wrestling program, Santa Claus beat the Grinch in an exhibition with dozens of young wrestlers…

Read More

Raiders show no let up in rumbling to victory over Burlington Notre Dame

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper, right, goes up for a shot during Wednesday's game against Bulrington (Iowa) Notre Dame in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — After seeing an apparent blowout turn into a nail-biting victory Monday night against Central-Southeastern, Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball coach Eric Orne reiterated to his team the importance of playing with the same intensity for four quarters. Consider the message received. Behind the perimeter shooting of guard Sage Stratton and a smothering defense,…

Read More

Tale of two halves: QND outlasts Central-Southeastern despite Panthers’ epic rally

Central-Southeastern's Lauren Miller, right, pressures Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton during Monday night's game at The Pit. | Addi Zanger photo

QUINCY — Eric Orne’s post-game expressions captured his thoughts perfectly. There was the occasional wince, coupled with the rubbing of the top of his head with the palm of his hand. Even an occasional sigh. “Today is my birthday … and I feel like I aged 10 years tonight,” said Orne, the veteran Quincy Notre…

Read More

‘Get it done and get it done quick’: First-quarter blitz carries Blue Devils to runaway victory over Raiders in crosstown showdown

Quincy High School's Camden Brown, right, wins the tip against Quincy Notre Dame's Aden Genenbacher at the start of Saturday night's crosstown showdown at The Pit. | Samantha Carmean photo

QUINCY — The mindset was simple for the Quincy High School boys basketball team entering its annual crosstown showdown against Quincy Notre Dame. “We wanted to stomp on their throats at the beginning,” senior Camden Brown said. “Get it done and get it done quick.” The state-ranked Blue Devils did just that with deft precision.…

Read More

Photo gallery: QHS, QND go head-to-head on hardwood in crosstown showdown

Quincy High School junior forward Keshaun Thomas directs traffic during the first half of Saturday night's game against Quincy Notre Dame at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The energy and intensity you’d expect when the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball teams square off was on full display Saturday night at The Pit. The Blue Devils won 77-47 in front of a raucous crowd. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman and photographer Samantha Carmean were courtside and…

Read More

Eversman’s baseline jumper caps comeback, lifts QND girls to victory in Rumble on the River

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, left, looks to pass out of trouble during the Raiders' 51-49 victory over Troy (Mo.) Buchanan in the Rumble on the River on Saturday at John Wood Community College. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Sage Stratton could see it in Marie Eversman’s approach. “She was not scared,” Stratton. Not at all. The freshman guard’s baseline jumper with two seconds remaining in regulation Saturday afternoon gave the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball a 51-49 victory over Troy (Mo.) Buchanan in the 16th Rumble on the River at John…

Read More

Photo gallery: Full slate of games on second day of Rumble on the River

Hannibal's C.J. Anderson attempts to avoid a trap from Illini West's Reece Shoup, top, and Colby Robertson, right, during Saturday's game in the Rumble on the River. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Rumble on the River rumbled on Saturday with eight games being played at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was there for half of the slate and put together this photo gallery:

Read More

‘We put defense first’: Raiders put clamps on Pirates’ attack to run away with Rumble victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Marie Eversman, right, pressures Hannibal's Malia Stolte during the first half of Friday night's game in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Sage Stratton’s assessment of the nearly 12-minute stretch in which the Hannibal girls basketball team went without a field goal Friday night should attract as much attention as the effort itself. “We put defense first and we work hard on defense,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior guard said. “It doesn’t matter what court…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND, Hannibal girls kick off Rumble on the River

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, left, and Sage Stratton react to a play made by a teammate during the fourth quarter of Friday night's victory over Hannibal in the Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s defensive dominance led to a 59-21 victory over Hannibal on Friday night in the opening game of the 16th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

Read More

Three area girls basketball teams crack top 10 in first Illinois state rankings

Central-Southeastern coach Matt Long's team is ranked No. 8 in Class 2A in the initial Associated Press state poll. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

CHICAGO — Here is a look at the Illinois Associated Press girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School                       W-L   Pts  1. Bolingbrook (4)           9-0   71   2. Loyola (2) …

Read More

Home is where victories are: QND girls run win streak at The Pit to 24 straight by beating Palmyra

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper, right, attempts to block a shot by Palmyra's Candra King during Tuesday night's game at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Above all else, protect The Pit. That’s more or less an unwritten rule when it comes to the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team. The Raiders’ home floor — a.k.a. The Pit — is more than a safe haven for the QND team. It has become a full-fledged basketball sanctuary for one of…

Read More

Zero to hero: Genenbacher’s torrid 3-point shooting carries QND boys past Palmyra

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Aden Genenbacher scored 20 points Tuesday night to lead the Raiders to a 12-point victory over Palmyra at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — As he walked out of the locker room and sat down following Tuesday’s affair with Palmyra, Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Aden Genenbacher couldn’t help but reflect on what transpired last season against the Raiders’ cross-river rival. “I did not score a single point in that (game) and that kind of pissed me…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND boys and girls sweep cross-river doubleheader from Palmyra

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton dives for a loose ball during Tuesday night's game against Palmyra at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Pit is a tough place for opposing teams to win. Tuesday night, the Palmyra boys and girls basketball teams saw why. A strong start by the Quincy Notre Dame boys led to a 54-42 victory, while the QND girls pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 45-35 victory — their 24th…

Read More

Subtle reminder: Words written on Genenbacher’s wrist inspire strong shooting effort as QND beats Hannibal

Quincy Notre Dame's Aden Genenbacher watches as Hannibal's Michael Ford makes a pass to the wing during the first half of Saturday night's game at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Aden Genenbacher pulled back the sleeve of his hoodie to reveal some white athletic tape wrapped around his left wrist and two words written on it. “Don’t suck,” it read. There’s a cross underneath it, too. “I have to think, ‘I need to be aggressive tonight,’” said Genenbacher, a senior shooting guard for…

Read More

Kvitle resigns as QND volleyball coach to better serve her growing family

Courtney Kvitle resigned as the Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball coach following six seasons at the helm. | Mathew Kirby photo

QUINCY — Courtney Kvitle and her husband, Jason, began discussing her future as the Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball coach during the season when she learned she was pregnant with the couple’s third child. Ultimately, Kvitle decided she had to put family first. Monday morning, Quincy Notre Dame athletic director Bill Connell announced he had…

Read More

Titans give Raiders tussle, but third-quarter run tilts game in QND’s favor

Quincy Notre Dame's Tristan Pieper was one of four players to score in double figures during Thursday night's victory over West Hancock at The Pit. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — Tristan Pieper cut right to the chase in her postgame assessment of the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 60-54 victory over West Hancock. “We knew they’d be strong,” said Pieper, a 6-foot sophomore who was one of four Raiders to score in double figures Thursday night at The Pit. In a game…

Read More

Raiders hold off Bulldogs to secure 1,000th victory in girls basketball program’s history

Quincy Notre Dame’s Tristan Pieper, right, looks to shoot while being defended by Highland’s Larissa Taylor during the second half of Saturday night’s girls basketball game during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team’s 37-31 victory over Highland on Saturday evening was the 1,000th in program history. But that historic win did not come without a struggle. QND, which remains undefeated at 4-0, was not able to put away Highland (1-4) until the final minute of play at The Pit.…

Read More

Photo Gallery: QND girls basketball team stays unbeaten with home victory over Highland (Ill.)

Quincy Notre Dame's Marie Eversman looks to pass the ball while Highland's Sophia Fleming guards her during Saturday night's girls basketball game at The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team remained unbeaten after four games with a 37-31 victory over Highland (Ill.) on Saturday during the Gully Transportation Basketball Shootout in the Pit. Jenna Durst had 14 points, and Sage Stratton had 12 for the Raiders. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the action from…

Read More

Sizzling start allows QND boys basketball team to cap weekend with strong finish

Quincy Notre Dame’s Alex Dance, right, is fouled on his way to the basket by Gateway STEM’s Ben Dura during the first half of Saturday night’s boys basketball game during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — As they heard the Hall of Fame names being introduced and a crowded gym erupt prior to the start of Saturday night’s  main event, the Quincy Notre Dame basketball players waited patiently for their chance to provide an exclamation point to the festivities. “We talked about it in the locker room (before the…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Five players score in double figures as QND boys basketball enjoys perfect weekend

From left, Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Lunt and Connor Young fight for possession of a loose ball with Gateway STEM's Kevin Spencer during first-half action on Saturday night of a boys basketball game in the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team finishes its opening weekend with a perfect record after defeating Gateway STEM 76-54 on Saturday night during the Gully Transportation Basketball Shootout to improve to 2-0. Alex Dance led the Raiders with 13 points, and Aden Genenbacher scored 11 points. Jace Allensworth, Jackson Connoyer and Jackson…

Read More

Unselfish Raiders get 10 players in scoring column during victory over McCluer in season opener

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore Jace Allensworth dribbles down the lane during Friday night's boys basketball game against McCluer at the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Kevin Meyer said he didn’t expect Quincy Notre Dame’s boys basketball team “to be perfect” on opening night. But minus a few rough-around-the-edges stretches, the Raiders’ first game was not too shabby. “I’m excited about this season,” said Meyer, beginning his ninth year as coach at 10th and Jackson. “Our players have checked…

Read More

In-your-face defense never goes out of style for QND girls basketball team

Quincy Notre Dame’s Jenna Durst, background left, and Marie Eversman force a jump ball with Belleville Althoff’s Emilee Travnicek during Friday night’s girls basketball game in the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The players may graduate, but the in-your-face style the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball program plays year-to-year doesn’t seem to go anywhere. The Raiders’ suffocating defense once again was on display in their 52-27 win over Belleville Althoff in Friday’s start to the two-night Gully Transportation Shootout at The Pit. QND (3-0) forced…

Read More

Photo Gallery: QND boys use 16-0 run to start game in season opener at The Pit

Quincy Notre Dame's Tyler Bozarth, left, drives past McCluer's Tereze Williams during Friday night's boys basketball game at the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — Sophomore Jace Allensworth scored 14 points in the first half and finished with 18 in the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s 60-41 victory over McCluer in the season opener on Friday night during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. MRN Editor David Adam caught some of the action.

Read More

Photo Gallery: QND girls force 32 turnovers in victory over Belleville Althoff

Quincy Notre Dame's Ari Buehler, right, goes up with her left hand for a layup while Belleville Althoff's Riley Fairborn defends during Friday night's game in the Pit. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team remained unbeaten after three games with a 52-27 victory over Belleville Althoff on Friday night during the Gully Transportation Shootout in The Pit. Tristan Pieper led the Raiders with 13 points and Sage Stratton added 11. QND forced 32 turnovers by the Crusaders. MRN Editor David…

Read More

2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Tom VanderBor

Tom VanderBor has been a teacher at Quincy Notre Dame and a youth basketball coach since 1991. | 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 2023 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 Tom VanderBor came to Quincy…

Read More

2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Rachel Stuckman

Rachel (Powers) Stuckman was a two-time state golf medalist at Quincy Notre Dame. | 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 2023 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 — Rachel (Powers) Stuckman, a 2010 graduate,…

Read More

2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: 2004 football team

The 2004 Quincy Notre Dame football team reached the Class 4A state semifinals. | 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 2023 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 — The 2004 Quincy Notre Dame football…

Read More

2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Jack Cornell

Quincy Notre Dame offensive lineman Jack Cornell went from an all-state blocker to an NFL lineman. | 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 2023 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 — Before Jack Cornell strolled the sidelines…

Read More

2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: John Sparrow

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 2023 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 — John Sparrow, a 1995 graduate, was…

Read More

2023 Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame inductee: Jordan Frericks Kvitle

Jordan Frericks Kvitle graduated from Quincy Notre Dame in 2013 as the girls basketball program's all-time leader in points, steals and rebounds. | Photo submitted by 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 2023 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 — As a sophomore, Jordan Frericks Kvitle…

Read More

Four Illinois prep football standouts receive first-team all-state honors from coaches association

Quincy High School quarterback Bradyn Little received first-team all-state honors in Class 7A from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association after throwing for 3,422 yards and 45 touchdowns this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A quarterback who helped his team make history, a linebacker who tackled everything in sight and a pair of all-purpose performers who have pushed their team into the state semifinals share one thing in common. They have been named first-team all-staters. The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association released its all-state teams Tuesday…

Read More

‘We never lost faith and we never gave in’: Resilient effort not enough to keep Raiders’ postseason run alive

Quincy Notre Dame running back Ivan Hun, left, gets hit by a Nashville defender during Saturday's Class 2A second-round playoff game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The team which grasped onto a flicker of hope weeks ago and let it light the way to the playoffs tried everything imaginable Saturday to keep that flame from dying out. Still, the Quincy Notre Dame football players discovered what flickers usually fades away. Nashville brought the extinguisher. An Isaac Blazier 5-yard touchdown…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND fights to overcome first-half deficit, falls short in second-round playoff loss

Quincy Notre Dame's Gavin Doellman, left, heads into the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown during the second half of Saturday's Class 2A second-round playoff game against Nashville at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame senior center Ben Schwartz called the never-give-in attitude of the QND football team is tradition. Saturday, the Raiders upheld the tradition, battling until the final snap in a 27-18 loss to Nashville in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at Advance…

Read More

Playoff primer: Undefeated teams hit road for second-round games, QND comes home with momentum

Quincy High School senior offensive lineman Chris Flachs and the Blue Devils travel to Wheaton North for a Class 7A second-round playoff game. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The second round of the Illinois football playoffs means a five-hour road trip for Quincy High School, a rematch for Camp Point Central and the return to Advance Physical Therapy Field for Quincy Notre Dame. Here’s a look at what Saturday’s slate looks like: Quincy High School (10-0) at Wheaton North (7-3), 2…

Read More

Reaching second round of playoffs doesn’t change Raiders’ approach to practice and prep

Junior linebacker Taylin Scott, left, and senior linebacker Reese Frericks have been important parts of the Raiders' defensive effort. | Muddy River Sports file photo

QUINCY — Jack Brenner noticed one significant difference when it came to practicing in November for the first time. “It’s a little cold,” the Quincy Notre Dame junior defensive back said as temperatures dipped to 40 degrees on Wednesday night. There was another significant difference, too. “It’s the playoffs,” Brenner said. “Everything is a little…

Read More

Raiders’ Cann gives QND boys soccer program 10 straight seasons with all-state honoree

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Leo Cann became the Raiders' 10th all-state selection in the last 10 seasons and finished his career with 69 career goals. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Leo Cann makes it a perfect 10. The senior forward on the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team received all-state honors from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association, marking the 10th straight season a QND player has earned all-state plaudits. “That’s a pretty good run,” QND coach Greg Reis said. Cann led…

Read More

Crim: High school football postseason games offering intriguing storylines

Quincy Notre Dame coach Jack Cornell gives a fiery speech to his players following their 21-14 victory over Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs last Saturday. | Photo courtesy Steve Hoffman

QUINCY — High school playoff potpourri: • Quincy Notre Dame is nothing if not resilient. The Raiders easily could have played out the string after losing back-to-back winnable games against Southern Boone and Columbia (Mo.) Father Tolton to fall to 1-5, seemingly extinguishing their postseason chances. Instead, they won their final three games in convincing…

Read More

Carrying the right tune: Raiders’ resiliency leads to comeback, first-round upset of Knights

Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Alger gets dragged down from behind by Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond's Payton Warrior during Saturday's Class 2A first-round playoff game in Arthur, Ill. | Photo courtesy Steve Hoffman

ARTHUR, Ill. — From his seat at the front of the charter bus, as it worked its way across county roads in search of a four-lane highway, Jack Cornell could hear the music blaring and the Quincy Notre Dame football players singing loudly behind him. He sat there and smiled. “This is what you do…

Read More

‘We just didn’t show up to play’: Macomb steamrolls mistake-prone QND in regional final

Quincy Notre Dame setter Annie Eaton, left, watches the Macomb volleyball team celebrate after the final point in the Bombers' 25-18, 25-14 loss on Thursday night in The Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

MACOMB, Ill. — Senior Delaney Beard had a difficult time comprehending what had happened. Quincy Notre Dame had been dominant this season, losing just 14 sets while winning 32 out of 36 matches and earning the No. 1 seed in the Class 2A girls volleyball regional. The Raiders only needed to beat fifth-seeded Macomb, which…

Read More

‘I felt threatened, and I felt violated’: QND coach berated in locker room by parents after regional title match loss

Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball coach Courtney Kvitle walks the sideline during the first set of Thursday's Class 2A regional championship game at the Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

MACOMB, Ill. — Quincy Notre Dame volleyball coach Courtney Kvitle went into the locker room for a talk no coach wants to have after a disappointing 25-18, 25-14 loss to Macomb in Thursday night’s Class 2A regional championship game at the Hangar at Macomb High School. However, Kvitle’s final words with her team were interrupted when…

Read More

Photo Gallery: Macomb uses 17-4 run to close out first set, blow away QND in second set

Macomb's Kathryn Lukkarinen, right, spikes the ball around the block of Quincy Notre Dame's Lauren Hummel, left, and Annie Eaton, middle, during Thursday night's Class 2A regional volleyball championship at the Hangar at Macomb High School. | David Adam photo

MACOMB, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls volleyball team saw its season end Thursday night in a 25-18, 25-14 loss to Macomb in the Hangar on Thursday night at Macomb High School. Macomb (27-9) advances to play No. 2 seed Pleasant Plains in the Class 2A sectional semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at Pleasant…

Read More

‘Soul-crushing goal’ enables Chargers to upend Raiders, end defense of QND’s state title

Quincy Notre Dame midfielder Rylan Fischer, right, goes flying after battling for possession with Peoria Christian's Myles Zimmerman during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The response was swift, sudden and significant. “That was a bit of a soul-crushing goal,” Quincy Notre Dame’s Mason Monteyne said. Title-dashing, too. In the 14th minute of Wednesday night’s Class 1A Chillicothe IVC Sectional championship, senior forward Leo Cann gave the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team a 2-1 lead over…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND, Peoria Christian clash in Class 1A boys soccer sectional championship

Peoria Christian's Caden Schmidgall, left, keeps the ball inbounds while being pressured by Quincy Notre Dame's Mason Monteyne during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The reign is over. The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team, the defending Class 1A state champion, was eliminated from the postseason Wednesday night, losing 5-2 to Peoria Christian in the championship game of the Class 1A Chillicothe Sectional. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at IVC High School and put…

Read More

QND, Macomb volleyball teams win regional semifinals, will clash for championship

Junior setter Annie Eaton and the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team will face Macomb in the Class 2A regional championship at 6 p.m. Thursday in Macomb, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MACOMB, Ill. — The rematch is set. The Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb volleyball teams will go head-to-head at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Hangar at Macomb High School to decide the Class 2A regional championship. This will be the fourth meeting in the last two years between two staunch programs. QND beat Macomb in…

Read More

QND receives final spot in Illinois football playoff field, while QHS, Central, Unity-Payson also learn postseason paths

The Quincy Notre Dame football team made the field for the Class 2A playoffs as the last team to qualify, getting in with a 4-5 record. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — An answered prayer, a unique draw and a top spot on the bracket. The revealing of the Illinois High School Association’s football playoff pairings had some of the intrigue teams crave and an intriguing twist with the final team to qualify for the 256-team field spread over eight classes. Quincy Notre Dame, which…

Read More

Max-imum effort: Frericks’ save on first PK in shootout carries QND to sectional semifinal win

Quincy Notre Dame goalkeeper Max Frericks dives over the top of Mendota's Isaac Diaz to make the save during the second half of Saturday's Class 1A sectional semifinal in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The value of Max Frericks’ presence in goal can’t be overstated or undersold. He’s a game changer. The Mendota boys soccer team became the latest to realize so Saturday in a penalty-kick shootout to decide who plays for a Class 1A sectional championship. The 6-foot-3 Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper stopped the…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND upends Mendota in Class 1A boys soccer sectional semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame's Leo Cann, left, boots a ball past Mendota defender Kaleb Kleckner during Saturday's Class 1A sectional semifinal in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — One hundred minutes Saturday afternoon wasn’t enough for either the Quincy Notre Dame or Mendota boys soccer team to can any separation. So the recent postseason nemesis went to a penalty kick shootout to decide who advanced. The Raiders won the shootout 4-1, giving them a 3-2 victory and a spot in Wednesday’s…

Read More

Final kick carries QND’s Genenbacher top regional cross country championship

Illini West's Emma Whitaker, left, and Quincy Notre Dame's Abigail Genenbacher run side-by-side during the Class 1A girls regional cross country race Saturday at South Park. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

QUINCY — A little dose of “secret sauce” was all Abigail Genenbacher needed. The Quincy Notre Dame senior used a burst to catch and pass frontrunners Chloe Kelly of Monmouth-Roseville and Emma Whitaker of Illini West over the final 50 meters Saturday morning to win the girls individual title in the Class 1A cross country…

Read More

Raiders hold on to hope playoff bid materializes after finishing season with three straight victories

The Quincy Notre Dame football team finished its regular season with a 23-7 victory over John Burroughs on Friday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Photo courtesy Jessica Genenbacher

QUINCY — As Collin Altgilbers paraded through the picture line, chatted with friends and family members, and soaked in the final moments following likely the last game on his home field, the Quincy Notre Dame senior lineman tried to find the words to explain what the next 24 hours will be like as the Raiders…

Read More

IHSA nullifies red card issued to QND goalkeeper, making Frericks eligible for sectional semifinal

Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Max Frericks will play in Saturday's sectional semifinal after the Illinois High School Association overturned the red card he was issued in the regional championship game against Monmouth-Roseville. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Illinois High School Association promotes a sportsmanship program entitled “Do What’s Right!” Thursday, the IHSA followed its own motto and did the right thing. IHSA executive director Craig Anderson and assistant executive director Beth Sauser acknowledged the red card issued to QND goalkeeper Max Frericks during the second of the boys soccer…

Read More