‘I knew we weren’t going to give up’: Central-Southeastern overcomes 16-point deficit to repeat as State Farm Holiday Classic champs

Members of the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team celebrate after receiving the gold ball trophy for winning the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic in the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team is becoming pretty good at playing from behind. Eleven days ago, the Panthers trailed Quincy Notre Dame 27-2 but had two chances to win the game in a 35-31 loss. Twenty-four hours before playing in the small school girls bracket championship at the State Farm Holiday Classic,…

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Photo Gallery: CSE captures third gold ball in school history

Central-Southeastern's Brilyn Lantz looks at the official after battling Galena's Nevaeh Hauber for a loose ball during Saturday afternoon's championship game in the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to hand Galena its first loss in a 45-40 victory in the championship game in the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the action from the game.

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Brown’s 31 points help Blue Devils bounce back after late night to take third-place trophy

Freshman Jada Brown scored 31 points in Quincy High School's victory over Washington in the third-place game of the State Farm Holiday Classic on Saturday afternoon. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — It’s a shame Taylor Fohey and Jada Brown will only get to spend one season together.  In their short time together on the Quincy High School girls basketball team, Fohey and Brown have developed into quite an accomplished pair of post players. Two days after Fohey scored 26 points in a 56-40…

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Photo Gallery: First trip to State Farm Holiday Classic proves to be fruitful for QHS girls

Quincy High School's Leila Dade goes flying out of bounds after she was pushed by Washington's Aisley Redlingshafer during Saturday's third-place game in the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Quincy High School girls basketball team capped a successful weekend in its debut at the State Farm Holiday Classic by defeating Washington 61-53 in the third-place game in the large school girls bracket at the Shirk Center on the Illinois Wesleyan University campus. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of the…

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C-SE girls burn most of final five minutes off clock, move into title game at State Farm Holiday Classic

Central-Southeastern's Karly Peters drives to the basket while being guarded by Angel Dickerson from Kankakee Bishop McNamara during Friday's semifinal game in the small school girls bracket in the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — High school basketball fans clamoring for a shot clock would not have enjoyed the final five minutes of Central-Southeastern’s 39-25 victory over Kankakee Bishop McNamara in the semifinals of the small school girls bracket in the State Farm Holiday Classic on Friday night at the Shirk Center. Once the Panthers built their…

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Potential game-tying shot doesn’t fall as QHS girls lose in overtime in State Farm Holiday Classic semifinal

Quincy High School's Leila Dade splits Morton defenders Isabella Hutchinson, left, and Paige Selke during Friday night's semifinal game in the large school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — It was the shot they wanted. Just not the result. Leila Dade’s running one-handed jump shot from 8 feet along the baseline was short with four seconds remaining in overtime, and the Quincy High School girls basketball team suffered a 42-40 loss to Morton in the semifinals of the large school bracket…

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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…

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Photo Gallery: Central-Southeastern earns chance to defend championship with victory over Bishop McNamara

Central-Southeastern's Lauren Miller dribbles to the basket while being guarded by Bishop McNamara's Angel Dickerson during Saturday's semifinal of the small school bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center in Bloomington. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team only led 18-17 at halftime but pulled away in the second half to defeat Kankakee Bishop McNamara 39-25 in the semifinals of the small school bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center on Friday. CSE will play Galena for the title at 3:30…

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Photo Gallery: Foul problems hinder Blue Devils in semifinal setback to Morton

Quincy High School's Cameran Byquist is fouled by Morton's Paige Selke during the Blue Devils' 42-40 overtime loss during Friday night's semifinal game in the large school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at the Shirk Center. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Taylor Fohey, Jada Brown and Myley Longcor all spent significant time on the bench either in foul trouble or nursing an injury during the Quincy High School girls basketball team’s 42-40 overtime loss to Morton during Friday night’s semifinal game in the large school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic…

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Fohey, Brown combine to make all but two of Quincy’s field goals in victory over Peoria Richwoods

Taylor Fohey, who scored 26 points, drives to the basket during Quincy High School's girls basketball game against Peoria Richwoods during the State Farm Holiday Classic on Thursday night at Normal Community High School. | David Adam photo

NORMAL, Ill. — After one of Taylor Fohey’s seven second-quarter baskets Thursday night, the frustration among the Peoria Richwoods girls basketball players was evident.  As Fohey drove to the basket and muscled up two more points, one of the Lady Knights said, “What do you want me to do?” Fohey scored 20 first-half points to…

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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…

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Photo gallery: Panthers allow just eight points in second half in rout of Stanford Olympia

Central-Southeastern's Carly Peters, right, is guarded by Stanford Olympia's Raquel Birky during Thursday afternoon's game in the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Bloomington High School. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team forced 18 second-half turnovers and didn’t allow a field goal for nearly a quarter and a half in a 60-26 victory over Stanford Olympia in the quarterfinals of the small school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic on Thursday afternoon at Bloomington High School. MRN…

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Photo Gallery: Victory over Richwoods ensures QHS will play two state-ranked teams at State Farm Holiday Classic

Quincy High School's Leila Dade looks to pass while guarded by Peoria Richwoods' Kamryn Heider during Thursday night's game in the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal Community High School. | David Adam photo

NORMAL, Ill. — Quincy High School’s 56-40 victory over Peoria Richwoods on Thursday night assures the team two more games against state-ranked teams in the large school girls bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic. The Blue Devils play Morton in the semifinals on Friday and either Washington or Normal Community on Saturday. MRN Editor…

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Central-Southeastern clamps down on Normal U-High in opening-round victory

Junior guard Lauren Miller led the Central-Southeastern girls basketball team with 22 points in the opening-round victory over Normal U-High at the State Farm Holiday Classic. | Muddy River Sports file photo

NORMAL, Ill. — The No. 1 seed played like the No. 1 seed. The Central-Southeastern girls basketball team’s defensive intensity frustrated and stymied Normal U-High from start to finish in Wednesday night’s 67-19 victory in the opening round of the small school bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal Community High School. It…

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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…

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Photo Gallery: QHS girls place three in double figures in State Farm Holiday Classic debut

Quincy High School guard Bri Lannerd pushed the ball up the court against Springfield during Wednesday's opening round of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Bloomington High School. | David Adam photo

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Jada Brown scored 16 points, Taylor Fohey scored 14 and Myley Longcor added 11 in the Quincy High School girls basketball team’s 58-38 victory over Springfield in the first round of the large school bracket at the State Farm Holiday Classic at Bloomington High School. MRN Editor David Adam captured some of…

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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…

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Central-Southeastern slays another monster in winning State Farm Holiday Classic championship

Central-Southeastern’s Tori Fessler explodes with joy after the final buzzer as the Panthers beat top-seeded Paris 36-32 to win the championship of the State Farm Holiday Classic on Friday at the Shirk Center in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach Matt Long referred to top-seeded Paris as “a monster.” Consider his squad the beast slayers then. The Panthers completed a remarkable run to the State Farm Holiday Classic championship Friday afternoon, making 5 of 6 free throws in the final 18.2 seconds to hand the Tigers their first…

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Raiders enjoy sweet rewards after capping State Farm Holiday Classic with back-to-back wins

Quincy Notre Dame's Noah Lunt reacts to Alex Connoyer scoring the go-ahead basket against El Paso-Gridley with 6.7 seconds remaining in regulation Thursday afternoon in the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Christina Meyer made a promise the Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball players intended her to keep. So after beating Kankakee Bishop McNamara 53-46 in Thursday night’s fifth-place game of the State Farm Holiday Classic, the Raiders reminded Meyer’s husband — QND coach Kevin Meyer — she said she’d buy the team milkshakes…

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Lockdown defense carries Central-Southeastern into State Farm Holiday Classic title tilt

Central-Southeastern's Brilyn Lantz rips the ball away from Brimfield's Kylee Vaugh during their semifinal game of the State Farm Holiday Classic on Thursday at Normal Community High School. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks. PhotoNews Media

NORMAL, Ill. — Because of the widespread success of the Central-Southeastern girls basketball players across all sports, it’s easy to forget how youthful the Panthers are. “I know,” C-SE coach Matt Long said. Still, a majority of the time, C-SE has three sophomores, sometimes four, on the floor. That makes this week’s run to the…

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C-SE knocks off SHG with dynamic defensive effort in second half of tourney quarterfinal

Central-Southeastern's Lauren Miller, left, and Tori Fessler, center, helped the Panthers reach the semifinals of the State Farm Holiday Classic by upending second-seeded Springield Sacred Heart-Griffin on Wednesday night. | File photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Matt Long made it sound so simple. “In the second half, I thought we had a lot of energy and effort and it turned the game for us,” the veteran Central-Southeastern girls basketball coach said. The tenaciousness defensively brought about by playing with more energy and effort certainly did that. A five-point…

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Panthers lock down in closing stretch to quell Fightin’ Irish comeback

Despite pressure from Bishop McNamara's Tessa DiPietra, Central-Southeastern's Brilyn Lantz looks to get a shot up in the paint during Tuesday’s game in the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal Community High School in Normal, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

NORMAL, Ill. — Having watched a nine-point advantage dwindle to three, the Central-Southeastern girls basketball players simply refused to let Kankakee Bishop McNamara draw any closer. The Panthers made their free throws, too. Central-Southeastern outscored Bishop McNamara 8-2 over the final 2 minutes, 40 seconds of regulation Tuesday night and earned a 36-27 victory in…

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Catch me if you can: Raiders accept challenge to chase down point guard, thrive in transition

Quincy Notre Dame point guard Jake Hoyt dishes a pass during Tuesday's game against Providence St. Mel in the opening round of the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal West High School in Normal, Ill. | Photo courtesy Clark Brooks, PhotoNews Media

NORMAL, Ill. — Fully aware his team’s offense needed to ratchet everything up a notch or two, Quincy Notre Dame boys basketball coach Kevin Meyer presented the Raiders with a challenge heading into the State Farm Holiday Classic. Catch Jake. Meyer told his point guard — senior Jake Hoyt — to push the pace at…

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After St. Joseph-Ogden star gets loose in third quarter, Raiders miss chance to complete comeback victory

Quincy Notre Dame's Jake Wallingford goes past St. Joseph-Ogden's Ty Pence on his way for a layup during the first half of Tuesday's quarterfinal game at the Shirk Center in the small-school bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic. | David Adam

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — It might not look like it in the scorebook, but Quincy Notre Dame actually did a good job keeping St. Joseph-Ogden star Ty Pence in check. Well, except for the final three minutes of the third quarter. Pence, a 6-foot-6 junior, scored 11 of his 26 points during that time frame, turning…

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After loss in State Farm quarterfinals, Central-Southeastern coach questions if Winnebago is top Class 2A team in state

Central-Southeastern's Summer Ramsey is trapped on the baseline and surrounded by, from left, Winnebago's Annika Bielskis, Renee Rittmeyer and Campbell Shrank during Tuesday's quarterfinal game at Bloomington High School in the small-school bracket of the State Farm Holiday Classic. | David Adam

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Central-Southeastern coach Matt Long has a pretty good idea of what a good Class 2A girls basketball looks like. He guided the Panthers to third-place and fourth-place finishes at the state tournament in 2016 and 2017. So after his team lost 33-21 to Winnebago, ranked No. 1 in the latest Class 2A…

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After forcing 29 turnovers in victory over Stanford Olympia, C-SE girls earn shot at No. 1-ranked Winnebago

Freshman Lauren Miller puts pressure on a Stanford Olympia player during Central-Southeastern's first-round game on Monday during the State Farm Holiday Classic at Normal Community High School. | David Adam

NORMAL, Ill. — Central-Southeastern gets a crack on Tuesday against Winnebago, the No. 1 seed in the small-school girls bracket at the State Farm Holiday Classic and the No. 1-ranked team in the Class 2A state poll. Don’t be surprised if the Panthers throw a scare at the undefeated Indians. C-SE forced 29 turnovers in…

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