Quarter century of memories: Douglas’ debut as QHS head coach is ‘special, truly special’

Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman began covering the Quincy High School boys basketball program during the 1998-99 season, and with this being his 25th season following the Blue Devils, he put together a list of his 25 most memorable games. Here is today’s installment:

November 27, 2014 — Quincy 65, University City 40

QUINCY — Nine years later, the truth comes out.

Andy Douglas’ nerves were frayed.

On November 27, 2014, the Quincy High School boys basketball team opened the QHS Thanksgiving Tournament with a 65-40 victory over University City in Douglas’ debut as the Blue Devils’ head coach. Afterward, he said he wasn’t nervous and his players admitted he seemed relatively calm.

Now firmly entrenched as the Blue Devils’ coach with more than 160 career victories, Douglas openly admits he was as nervous as he’s ever been that night.

“I normally don’t get nervous before games, but coming out that night I was a nervous wreck,” he said. “I remember hugging Tom (Lepper) and talking to (assistant coaches Chris Harmann and Doug Bruner) and getting ready to come out and saying, ‘Hey, let’s just have some fun.’

“I remember walking across the court and the emotions kind of hitting me of seeing my parents in the stands and seeing my wife there. The ovation of the crowd cheering when I came out was unforgettable.”

So was the way the Blue Devils played in the second half.

Ahead by five points at halftime, Quincy outscored University City 26-14 in the third quarter as it scored on its first four possessions and 12 of 17 possessions overall. The Blue Devils didn’t commit a turnover, forced the Lions to commit seven turnovers and shot 64.7 percent from the field in the quarter.

“Everybody made the right adjustments and no one came back out nervous,” Douglas said. “We started a little on edge because it was the season opener, but those nerves faded and everyone got comfortable.”

It was the seventh straight season-opening victory for the Blue Devils — they have won 13 of their last 15 openers following a 36-point victory over Dixon in the 2022-23 season opener — and it made Douglas the fourth straight QHS coach to win his debut.

“The emotions,” Douglas said. “That’s what I remember the most.”

Those memories are as clear today as they were that night.

“It’s a night you won’t ever forget,” Douglas said. “Special, truly special.”