Showcase Q&A: QND’s Dance discusses his favorite meal in Quincy, lessons learned and impact of his older brother
The fourth annual Muddy River Showcase takes place June 21 at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center. The girls game will tip at 2 p.m. with the boys game to follow at 4 p.m. General admission is $10.
QUINCY — Alex Dance understands the commitment, work ethic and time management it takes to succeed as a college athlete.
He’s watched his brother do it.
Dance, a Quincy Notre Dame graduate, is headed to John Wood Community College to play basketball next season, the same school where his older brother, Tyler, spent the past two seasons pitching for the JWCC baseball team.
Tyler Dance emerged as a front-line starter for the QND baseball team during its state tournament run in 2023, going 11-0 with a 0.87 ERA as the Raiders finished third in Class 2A. In two seasons as a varsity pitcher, he fashioned a 16-0 record with 120 strikeouts and a 1.05 ERA.
Despite that, his college opportunities were limited. However, his dedication to his craft and commitment to the weight room led to quality results at JWCC and a scholarship offer from NCAA Division II Lewis University.
Seeing that left a lasting impact on his younger brother.
“It really shows me how much work I have to put in to succeed at the next level,” Alex Dance said. “I’ve watched him lifting and pitching and throwing with his friends. He’s relentless. It shows me how much work I need to put in to get to where I want to be.
“The dedication he puts in and the transformation he had from when he was younger to where he is now just shows me anything is possible as long as I work hard.”
Effort earned Dance a starting spot at guard last winter for the Raiders and the opportunity to play college basketball, as well as a spot on the Illinois roster for the fourth annual Muddy River Showcase, taking place June 21 at JWCC’s Student Activity Center.
Dance recently chatted with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman to discuss the Illinois vs. Missouri game, the best meal you can find in Quincy and his desire to become a coach for this Muddy River Showcase Q&A.
Q: What are you looking forward to about the Showcase?
A: It’s going to be fun to play with some of the guys I played travel ball with and some of the guys I’ve been going against since I was a little kid. It will be fun to be on the same team as them.
Q: Is there anyone in particular you’re looking forward to teaming up with?
A: It will be fun to play with some of the QHS guys since we’ve been going against each other since we were little. It will be cool to team up with them for once.
Q: What was your favorite thing about playing high school basketball?
A: I’d say it was playing for QND and representing the school and playing with my friends.
Q: What was it like playing in The Pit when the stakes were high?
A: It was so much fun. It was always a loud crowd in there. It was hard to hear sometimes, which is a fun environment to play in. The energy in there was great.
Q: Did you have a favorite place you enjoyed playing as the visiting team?
A: Obviously, Blue Devil Gym is one with how big that place is and the tradition there. The crowd was pretty loud in there. I liked that one. I liked playing at Illinois Wesleyan’s Shirk Center during the holiday tournament. I liked playing on that college court.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you learned playing high school basketball?
A: It wasn’t just one thing, It was how I learned from everything. It was a big learning curve for me. The mistakes, the wins, the losses, there was just a lot of learning from it and growing from it.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give a freshman wanting to play basketball at QND?
A: Play because playing in The Pit is special. It really goes by fast. I thought people were just saying that, but now being done with it, it really does go by fast. I would just encourage anyone thinking about it to play because playing in The Pit is awesome.
Q: What’s one of the best pieces of advice you’ve been given?
A: Enjoy everything. Going out to eat with the team and bonding with them are some of the best memories you’ll have. Just enjoy every moment that you can.
Q: Since your dad (QHS girls basketball coach Brad Dance) is a basketball coach, how often did you talk basketball after a game?
A: It was after every game and every practice we were talking about what I could do better. He was always there to have someone to talk to so I could always get better. It was nice having someone who knows that much about basketball.
Q: What was the best piece of advice he gave you?
A: He always told me to be smart. After every game and every practice, he told me not to get too high or too low. Be smart and play my game.
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing college basketball?
A: The challenges that come with it are going to be great. It’s certainly a different level than high school basketball. I’m excited to play in Quincy still and play for Coach Dahl.
Q: Aside from basketball, what do you do for fun?
A: This summer I’ve been golfing a lot. I’m not that good at golf, so I just go out there and play. I like doing anything active with my friends. I want to stay active.
Q: What was the best thing about attending school at QND?
A: It’s the family vibe. It’s a smaller school so you pretty much know everyone. It’s a great place. It’s a real community, a real family. It’s just a special place to be.
Q: Did you have a favorite teacher or a favorite class?
A: I really liked Mr. Obert’s Spanish class. He’s a good class. The food days on Cinco de Mayo and things like that were awesome.
Q: You mentioned food. Do you have a favorite food or meal?
A: Oh, yeah, Taqueria Arandas is my favorite place. Or Buffalo Wild Wings. Those are my two favorites.
Q: Do you have a go-to order at Arandas?
A: The Burrito Mixto with no beans. It’s the best food you will get in Quincy.
Q: You’re starting your college career at John Wood, but do you know what you want to study or want to become?
A: I’m deciding between accounting and sports management. Two very different things, but I’m probably going to go with sports management because after college I really want to get into coaching. I’ve seen what my dad does and I really like coaching. I want to do something with that.
Check out more of the Muddy River Showcase Q&As at the links below:
Payson Seymour’s Blake Schwartz
South Shelby’s Callie McWilliams
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