Blue Devils follow through on promise to practice better in order to play better, hammer Silver Streaks

GALESBURG, Ill. — The Quincy High School boys basketball players’ action spoke just as loud as their words following Saturday’s loss — just the No. 1-ranked Blue Devils’ second loss of the season and first at home in nearly two years.

They said a more focused attitude at practice would lead to better on-court results.

“Monday was one of the better practices,” Quincy coach Andy Douglas said. “There’s no secret to it — working hard, staying on track, not being distracted. In that sense, it was solid.”

Tuesday, it showed. The Blue Devils bolted to a double-digit lead in the first five minutes, forced Galesburg to turn the ball over 17 times in the first half and matched their season-high scoring output in a 90-35 victory in Western Big 6 Conference play at John Thiel Gym.

“I was pleased with how we came into the game and how we stayed in it the entire game,” Douglas said. “Every group that came on was just as focused as the last, all the way up to the end. Defensively, they were engaged. The gap help was phenomenal and the off-the-ball defense was better. The intensity we played with for four quarters was great.”

Bradley Longcor III led the Blue Devils (20-2, 9-0 WB6) with 20 points, while Dom Clay and Rico Clay scored 14 points apiece.

“We were trying to get people involved and trying to get the best shot available every time,” Douglas said. “Everybody contributed.”

The victory gave the Blue Devils a 17-3 edge in their last 20 meetings with the Silver Streaks and marked their fourth consecutive 20-win season. Quincy has won at least 20 games in seven of Douglas’ 11 seasons at the helm and this is the 57th 20-win season in program history.

The Blue Devils return home Friday night to face Sterling in a WB6 clash before facing St. Louis Chaminade in the Midwest Crossroads Shootout at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Normal West High School.