All Boden-s well for Raiders in extra innings of sectional championship victory

The Quincy Notre Dame softball team celebrates its Class 2A sectional championship following a 4-3, 11-inning victory over Auburn on Friday night at The Backyard. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — As she trotted toward home plate following a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning to put her team back in front, Brooke Boden wasn’t thinking she would have to be the hero again two innings later. “I was just ready to get our last out,” the Quincy Notre Dame…

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Quarter century of memories: Riled up Blue Devils run former assistant coach’s team out of gym

Former Quincy High School point guard D.J. Douglas helped lead the Blue Devils to a 40-point victory in the sectional championship game against Jacksonville in 2000. | Photo courtesy QHS basketball program

Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman began covering the Quincy High School boys basketball program during the 1998-99 season, and since he recently wrapped up his 25th season following the Blue Devils, he put together a list of his 25 most memorable games. Here is today’s installment: March 10, 2000 — Quincy 76, Jacksonville 36 QUINCY —…

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Sweet to Elite: Blue Devils upend third-ranked Ironmen for first sectional title since 2000

The Quincy High School boys basketball players celebrate their 56-51 victory over Normal Community in the Class 4A Collinsville Sectional championship game Friday night at Vergil Fletcher Gym. Photo courtesy Matthew Kamp

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Quincy High School boys basketball coach Andy Douglas’ heart nearly sank. Fortunately for Douglas and the Blue Devils, Normal Community’s Zach Cleveland’s potential game-tying 3-pointer with three seconds left didn’t fall either. “It did everything but go in. It hit the backboard then rimmed out. It takes a little bit of luck…

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Injuries, defensive pressure trip up Raiders in sectional title game as Saints shoot way to crown

Quincy Notre Dame point guard Jake Hoyt, right, gets a helping hand from teammates after getting knocked to the floor during the second half of Friday night's loss to Bloomington Central Catholic in the Class 2A sectional championship. Matt Schuckman photo

STANFORD, Ill. — When Cole Certa caught the ball two steps beyond the volleyball spike line and almost nonchalantly dribbled forward, concern immediately spread up and down the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team’s bench. “We were talking and saying, ‘He’s pulling it, he’s pulling it,’” Raiders coach Kevin Meyer said. “Sure enough he does.”…

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Eagles move step closer to fulfilling boyhood dreams, will play for spot in Class 1A final four

The Liberty boys basketball players celebrate their Class 1A sectional championship after beating Jacksonville Routt 39-28 Friday night in White Hall, Ill. Photo courtesy Russ Tate

WHITE HALL, Ill. — Understandably, Breiton Klingele found it difficult to keep his emotions in check. “Ever since I was little, all I have wanted to do was play in the state tournament,” he said. Well, Klingele, a 6-foot-4 senior forward, and his Liberty teammates now find themselves one step away from the Class 1A…

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Stephens, Suns power through to capture program’s first sectional title in 30 years

The Southeastern boys basketball players celebrate their 45-34 victory over Peoria Christian in the Class 1A Abingdon Sectional championship game. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

ABINGDON, Ill. — Late in the first half Friday night, Danny Stephens turned to the bench and tugged at his jersey, signaling he needed a break. The breather never came for the Southeastern standout forward, but that didn’t stop him from powering the Suns to a dazzling finish and 45-34 victory over Peoria Christian in…

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QND girls respond to early deficit, fend off Alton Marquette to win Class 2A sectional title

The Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players celebrate after receiving the Class 2A Waverly Sectional championship plaque following their 54-45 victory over Alton Marquette on Friday night. Matt Schuckman photo

WAVERLY, Ill. — Why worry? That’s exactly what the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball players were thinking. Alton Marquette hit the Raiders with an opening salvo Friday night, scoring the first six points of the Class 2A Waverly Sectional championship game and forcing QND coach Eric Orne to burn a timeout after only 2 minutes,…

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