Stortzum, Bombers serve up backbreaking run to start second set in sweep of Suns

Macomb's Kate Stortzum prepares to serve during Wednesday night's prep volleyball match against Southeastern at The Hangar in Macomb, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

MACOMB, Ill. — Macomb volleyball coach Briana Rexroat didn’t know why, but she had a vision leading up to the Bombers’ heavyweight clash with Southeastern on Wednesday. “For some reason, all day I was envisioning 25-12,” Rexroat said. “I just kept seeing those two numbers.” Nostradamus would have been proud. Rexroat’s vision came true in…

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Photo gallery: Macomb, Southeastern go head-to-head on volleyball court

Southeastern's Amanda Stephens hammers a kill during Wednesday night's match against Macomb at The Hangar in Macomb, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photos,click here to visit our SmugMug site: MACOMB, Ill. — The Macomb girls volleyball team continues to roll. The Bombers improved to 19-0 with Wednesday night’s 25-20, 25-12 victory over Southeastern at The Hangar in which they jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the…

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Photo gallery: QND girls golf team wins West Central Conference championship

Quincy Notre Dame's Nancy Scholz tees off during Tuesday's West Central Conference championships at Westview Golf Course. | 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 girls golf team conquered the elements Tuesday on its way to a West Central Conference title. The Raiders’ top four golfers posted a 333 on holes 10 through 27 at a damp…

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‘This is only the beginning’: Lady Suns Classic title start of something special for Southeastern

The Southeastern volleyball team celebrates winning the championship of the Lady Suns Classic after capturing two matches in the championship pool on Saturday in Augusta, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

AUGUSTA, Ill. — Amanda Stephens knows the Southeastern volleyball team has bigger fish to fry, but that doesn’t diminish the excitement of winning a tournament on their home floor. “This is only the beginning,” Stephens said. Southeastern went 5-0 and didn’t lose a set en route to a Lady Suns Classic title. The Suns swept…

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Photo gallery: Championship Saturday at Lady Suns Classic ends with Southeastern on top

Southeastern's Kenzie Griswold delivers a kill during Saturday's match against Rushville-Industry in championship pool play in the Lady Suns Classic on Saturday in Augusta, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

To purchase digital downloads or prints of Muddy River Sports photo,click here to visit our SmugMug site. AUGUSTA, Ill. — The Southeastern volleyball team capped a perfect week by winning the championship of the Lady Suns Classic. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent Saturday courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Chargers rally to knock off Panthers as Lady Suns Classic rolls toward championship Saturday

From left, Illini West's Reagan Reed, Kennedy Gunning and Abi White celebrate Gunning's shot on set point against Camp Point Central on Thursday night in the Lady Suns Classic in Augusta, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

AUGUSTA, Ill. — Kennedy Gunning’s reaction said it all. In a rematch of a three-set roller coaster that took place just nine days ago, Gunning delivered the game-winning kill for the Illini West volleyball team in a 20-25, 25-18, 15-11 victory over Camp Point Central in Lady Suns Classic pool play Thursday. Her subsequent celebration…

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Sister, sister: With knee fully healthy, senior Amanda Stephens joins younger sibling to lead Suns

Amanda Stephens, left, and her younger sister, Kara, will lead the Southeastern volleyball team in pursuit of a trip to the Class 1A state tournament this fall. | Shane Hulsey photo

AUGUSTA, Ill. — Amanda Stephens’ troublesome knee isn’t giving her trouble any longer. A senior setter and hitter on the Southeastern volleyball team, who has committed to Indiana University-Indianapolis, missed the final 12 matches of her junior season and watched the Suns fall in the Class 1A sectional semifinals all because the pain in her…

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‘I had to send her’: Miller’s heroics send Panthers to regional championship game on home field

Camp Point Central's Lauren Miller gets high-fives from her teammates after driving in the tying and winning runs with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning of Wednesday's Class 1A regional semifinal game against Southeastern in Camp Point, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Karly Peters knew exactly what was on the line and exactly what to do. In the bottom of the seventh inning of Wednesday’s Class 1A regional semifinal, Peters stood on second base as Lauren Miller stepped to the plate with the bases loaded, two outs and the Camp Point Central softball…

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Photo gallery: Pleasant Hill, Camp Point Central advance to regional softball championship

Camp Point Central third baseman Rebekkah Waterkotte, right, awaits the pitch during Wednesday's Class 1A regional semifinal against Southeastern at Camp Point, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

CAMP POINT, Ill. — The Camp Point Central softball team walked off with a 5-4 victory over Southeastern in Wednesday’s semifinals of the Class 1A Camp Point Regional, while top-seeded Pleasant Hill rolled to a 12-2 victory over Mendon Unity. The Panthers and Wolves will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday for the regional championship. Muddy…

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Grabbing lead two batters into season opener allows QND softball team to roll

Quincy Notre Dame catcher Payton Stupavsky went 3 for 3 in Thursday's season-opening 8-0 victory over Southeastern at Bowen, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

BOWEN, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame softball team gave Caitlin Bunte all the support she’d need before she ever stepped in the pitcher’s circle. The Raiders scored three runs in the top of the first inning Thursday and Bunte allowed just two hits as they opened the season with an 8-0 victory over Southeastern.…

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Aggressive approach offensively carries Griswold, Suns to regional volleyball championship

The Southeastern volleyball team celebrates its Class 1A regional championship after beating Rushville-Industry 25-12, 25-14 on Thursday night in Augusta, Ill. | Don Crim photo

AUGUSTA, Ill. — Southeastern volleyball coach Tim Kerr has been waiting for Kenzie Griswold to have a breakout performance. The sophomore outside hitter delivered at an opportune time. Griswold had five early kills to help set an aggressive tone and 13 overall Thursday night as the top-seeded Suns dispatched Rushville-Industry in straight sets 25-12, 25-14…

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Chargers take title of Lady Suns Classic behind MVP effort of Bryan

The Illini West volleyball team won four of five matches throughout the week in the Lady Suns Classic and captured the tournament championship. | Photo courtesy Illini West volleyball

AUGUSTA, Ill. — The championship bracket of the Lady Suns Classic showed competitive balance, which is why it took a tiebreaker to determine the champion. The Illini West, Unity and Southeastern volleyball teams each completed the final day of play with a 1-1 record, but the Chargers won their first four matches of the tournament…

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Championship Saturday set as Illini West, Southeastern, Unity to battle for volleyball title

Photo courtesy Southeastern High School

AUGUSTA, Ill. — The top volleyball teams in each pool in the Lady Suns Classic cemented their spot in the championship bracket with straight-set sweeps Thursday night. Illini West continued its strong play, beating Brown County 25-16, 25-12. Josie Bryan led the Chargers with 11 kills and 12 digs, while Corin Robinson had 12 assists,…

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QND’s Schreacke, Southeastern’s Stephens named to News-Gazette all-state hoops teams

Quincy Notre Dame's Abbey Schreacke, left, and Southeastern's Danny Stephens were named to the Champaign News-Gazette's all-state teams. | Matt Schuckman photos

QUINCY — Abbey Schreacke and Danny Stephens each received one final prep basketball honor to add to each of their illustrious careers. The Champaign News-Gazette tabbed them both as first-team all-staters. Quincy Notre Dame’s Schreacke and Southeastern’s Stephens — both are bound for Mizzou — were named respectively to the News-Gazette’s 46th all-state girls basketball…

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Southeastern’s Stephens picks up two more all-state plaudits, IBCA honors 10 area players total

Southeastern senior forward Danny Stephens earned Class 1A first-team all-state honors from the Associated Press, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the Chicago Sun-Times. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The ending wasn’t the ceremonial sendoff Danny Stephens had earned, but the postseason accolades the Southeastern senior is receiving are a stirring reminder of all he has accomplished. Stephens, the 6-foot-7 forward, completed a trifecta of first-team all-state basketball honors, earning Class 1A plaudits from the Associated Press, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association…

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Central rolls on to regional title tilt, while Southeastern is unable to navigate tough second half

Central’s Gavin Blewett loses control of the ball as he goes up in the lane while Unity’s Nick Maynard defends during Wednesday night’s boys basketball game in the Class 1A regional at Central High School in Camp Point.

CAMP POINT, Ill. — A highly anticipated postseason matchup between the state’s preseason No. 1-ranked team in Class 1A and the area’s most consistently successful squad isn’t going to happen. Bushnell-Prairie City and a nagging injury saw to that. After the top-seeded Central boys basketball team pushed its way into Friday’s regional championship with a…

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Short-handed Suns no match for revved-up Raiders over final three quarters

AUGUSTA, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball team could sympathize watching Southeastern all-state senior forward Danny Stephens walk to mid-court during Monday’s senior night festivities in street clothes, unable to play in the highly anticipated showdown between two of the area’s top teams. “We just went through it,” QND coach Kevin Meyer said.…

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Photo gallery: Scenes from Saturday’s Superfan Shootout at The Pit

South Shelby coach Luke O'Laughlin implores his defense to challenge Quincy Notre Dame guard Abbey Schreacke during the second half of Saturday's game in the KHQA-American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit in Quincy. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent Saturday inside Quincy Notre Dame’s The Pit watching the KHQA-American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout unfold. Here are some of the images he captured throughout the day:

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Stephens’ complete effort in Shootout allows Suns to pull away in fourth quarter

Southeastern senior forward Danny Stephens scored 31 points Saturday in the Suns' 56-41 victory over Steelville in the KHQA-American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Just give Danny the ball. “That’s pretty much what we did,” Southeastern boys basketball coach Brett Ufkes said. “He usually makes me look good.” Sure, Ufkes was having a little bit of postgame fun Saturday when discussing senior Danny Stephens’ performance in the KHQA-American Family Insurance Superfan Shootout at Quincy Notre Dame’s The…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Quincy sits No. 8 in Class 4A ahead of showdown with Moline

Tyler Sprick and the Quincy High School boys basketball team is ranked No. 8 in Class 4A and will face No. 2 Moline on Friday night in Western Big 6 Conference play at Blue Devil Gym. | Matt Schuckman photo

Here are the Illinois boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Lisle (Benet Academy) (11) 24-1 110 1 2. Moline 22-3 97 2 3. Joliet West 20-5 83 3 4. Kenwood 19-5 74 4 5. Brother Rice 23-3 64 6…

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Illinois boys state basketball rankings: Quincy holds at No. 8 in C lass 4A

The Quincy High School boys basketball team is ranked No. 8 in the latest Associated Press Class 4A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

Here are the boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record, total points and previous ranking. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Lisle (Benet Academy) (12) 22-1 120 3 2. Moline 20-3 94 4 3. Joliet West 18-5 84 T8 4. Kenwood 17-5 83 1 5. Whitney Young 18-5 79 2 6.…

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Suns rise to occasion in second half as Fry’s treys provide needed boost in Quincy Shootout victory

Southeastern's Danny Stephens, right, gets inside rebounding position against Elsberry's Kyle Turnbull during Saturday's game in the Quincy Shootout at Blue Devil Gym.

QUINCY — Caleb Johnson listened to what others were saying. The Elsberry boys basketball coach wasn’t going to allow Southeastern all-stater Danny Stephens to alone beat the Indians. “I talked to coaches around the area and they said if you can contain him and make others beat you then you have a chance,” Johnson said. …

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: QHS hangs at No. 10, Southeastern and Central remain in Class 1A poll

Southeastern coach Brett Ufkes and the Suns are sixth in the latest Class 1A state poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

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. Kenwood (8) 14-2 116 2 2. Whitney Young (4) 14-4 110 1 3. Lisle (Benet Academy) 18-1 93 3 4. Moline 15-2 83 5 5. Joliet West 15-4 67 6 6.…

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Illinois boys basketball state rankings: Central moves into Class 1A poll, QHS sits No. 10 in Class 4A

The Central boys basketball team's third-place finish at the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament helped them move into the Class 1A state poll at No. 6 this week. | Matt Schuckman photo

Here are the boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points. Class 4A School W-L Pts Prv 1. Whitney Young (14) 12-4 140 4 2. Kenwood (1) 12-2 134 1 3. Lisle (Benet Academy) 16-1 110 8 4. Rolling Meadows 16-1 103 6 5. Moline 12-2 90 2 6. Joliet…

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Rigg-ing up a victory: Suns guard buries game-winning 3-pointer at buzzer in state-ranked showdown

Mason Fry, left, and Owen Rigg, right, let their emotion out after Rigg hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer for a 45-42 victory over Bunker (Mo.) in the 15th annual Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College's Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Owen Rigg has played in dozens, if not hundreds, of basketball games in his life. But the Southeastern junior guard had never hit a game-winning buzzer beater. Not until Wednesday night. With the clock winding down and the game tied at 42, Suns senior Danny Stephens drew a double team and found Rigg…

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Suns unable to stem changing tide late in second set, fall to Comets in Class 1A super-sectional

Southeastern's Kenzie Griswold, right, drives a shot past a Sterling Newman Central Catholic block during Friday's Class 1A Eastland Super-Sectional in Lanark, Ill. | Photo courtesy Earleen Hinton, Shaw Media

LANARK, Ill. — After falling into a deep hole to start Friday night’s Class 1A Eastland Super-Sectional, the Southeastern volleyball team looked like it had recovered and regained control of the match. But the Suns couldn’t fend off a Sterling Newman Central Catholic rally in the second set, and the Class 1A runners-up from a…

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Suns continue to rise to occasion, fight back in third set to win sectional championship

The Southeastern volleyball team won the Class 1A Brimfield Sectional championship with a three-set victory over Hartsburg-Emden on Wednesday night. | Submitted photo

BRIMFIELD, Ill. — The Southeastern volleyball team’s cardiac kids made a comeback. More than one comeback, to be precise.  Down 10 points in the decisive third set Wednesday night, the Suns staged an epic rally to defeat Hartsburg-Emden 25-11, 21-25, 28-26 in the Class 1A Brimfield Sectional final. To Southeastern coach Tim Kerr, his team’s…

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Suns serve up another regional championship, overwhelm Red Storm to reach sectionals

The Southeastern volleyball team beat Monmouth United 25-16, 25-6 in the championship match of the Class 1A Biggsville West Central Regional. | Submitted photo

BIGGSVILLE, Ill. — Tim Kerr willingly accepted the blame. Ahead of Thursday night’s Class 1A Biggsville West Central Regional championship match, the Southeastern volleyball coach searched through some stats and realized senior Abbey McMillen had missed only eight serves all season and was serving at a 98-percent clip. He never should have looked it up…

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Southeastern’s Stephens finds right college fit close to home, commits to play hoops at Mizzou

Southeastern's Danny Stephens, the 6-foot-7 first-team all-state forward, verbally committed to be a preferred walk-on at the University of Missouri. | Matt Schuckman photo

AUGUSTA, Ill. — Tuesday’s steady rain didn’t cause Danny Stephens or his father, Jeremy, any delays in getting the fields on the family farm worked over. “We finished them (Monday),” Stephens said. “So it was good timing.” And for as much as Stephens, the Southeastern senior, feels at home on the basketball court, he feels…

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Raiders, Bombers take care of business ahead of showdown between top Class 2A volleyball teams

Senior right side hitter Ali Entrup leads the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team's starters onto the floor prior to Tuesday night's match against Southeastern at The Pit. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Looking forward could have meant falling behind. The Quincy Notre Dame and Macomb girls volleyball teams both faced that scenario Tuesday. Both handled it with aplomb. The Raiders dispatched Southeastern 25-13, 25-15 at The Pit, while the Bombers put away Havana 25-17, 25-23 at the Washington Street Gym. Now, both squads can turn…

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Muddy River Showcase: Southeastern’s Fry shows aim is true no matter what shot he takes

Southeastern guard Ramsey Fry, right, led the Suns to a 30-5 record and Class 1A super-sectional berth. Matt Schuckman photo

The inaugural Muddy River Showcase is taking place June 18 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The Illinois vs. Missouri format for senior prep basketball players will feature a girls game at 3 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door and all seating is general…

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Photo gallery: Liberty vs. Southeastern in Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional

Liberty fans react during the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional on Monday night at the Jacksonville Bowl. Liberty defeated Southeastern 49-42 to advance to the state final four in Champaign. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — The fans of the Liberty and Southeastern boys basketball teams filled the Jacksonville Bowl on Monday night for a titanic matchup in the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional. Photographer Steve Davis captured the moments from start to finish. Below is a gallery of Davis’ images.

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Taste of Champaign: Klauser’s play speaks volumes as Liberty eclipses Southeastern for spot in Class 1A state semifinals

Liberty senior forward Logan Robbins leaps into the air and pumps his fist as time expires on the Eagles' 49-42 victory over Southeastern in Monday night’s Class 1A Jacksonville Super Sectional at the Jacksonville Bowl. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Devin Klauser likely has never been in trouble for talking in class at Liberty High School. The senior is a guy of few words. Very, very few words. “He’s kind of shy,” Eagles teammate Cannen Wolf said, with the expected grin. The 6-foot-6 Klauser let his performance on the floor do his…

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Class 1A super-sectional notebook: Stephens’ dominant junior season heightens expectations for senior campaign

Southeastern's Danny Stephens puts up a shot during the Suns' 49-42 loss to Liberty on Monday night in the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional at the Jacksonville Bowl. Photo courtesy Steve Davis

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Danny Stephens will be back for a curtain call. The 6-foot-7 Stephens’ junior year came to halt Monday night when he and his Southeastern Suns were beaten by a talented — and deep — Liberty team 49-42 in the Class 1A Jacksonville Super-Sectional at the Jacksonville Bowl. The defeat did not diminish…

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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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Out of the Fry-ing pan, into the fire: Suns senior guard finishes off Raiders with critical plays in fourth quarter

Southeastern's Danny Stephens, left, uses a screen by teammate Ramsey Fry to get away from a Quincy Notre Dame defender during Monday night's game at The Pit. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The lead never grew large enough for either the Southeastern boys basketball team to get comfortable or Quincy Notre Dame to get discouraged. Not until the Raiders got Fry-ed. Leading 51-47 with less than four minutes to play in regulation Monday night at The Pit, Suns senior guard Ramsey Fry made a series…

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Holiday Tournament Roundup: Suns to face Spartans for championship of MVIT

MENDON, Ill. — The Southeastern boys basketball team continues to wait for junior all-state swingman Danny Stephens to get healthy, but the Suns aren’t waiting for him to make a tournament title run. The Suns beat Griggsville-Perry 37-31 in Tuesday night’s semifinals of the Mississippi Valley Invitational Tournament and will face Bushnell-Prairie City in Wednesday…

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