Zero to hero: Genenbacher’s torrid 3-point shooting carries QND boys past Palmyra

QUINCY — As he walked out of the locker room and sat down following Tuesday’s affair with Palmyra, Quincy Notre Dame senior guard Aden Genenbacher couldn’t help but reflect on what transpired last season against the Raiders’ cross-river rival.

“I did not score a single point in that (game) and that kind of pissed me off,” Genenbacher said.

What a difference a year can make.

Genenbacher made a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter and finished with a game-high 20 points as the Raiders downed the Panthers 54-42 at The Pit to avenge a 21-point setback during the 2022-23 campaign.

“(Palmyra was) 5-0 and (QND) coach (Kevin Meyer) was talking about how they’re coming in and expecting to go in The Pit and just kick our butts,” Genenbacher said. “He talked about controlling our emotions and how we respond is how this game is going to go.”

QND (5-2) had leads of four points at both the end of the first quarter (16-12) and halftime (24-20) and pulled away in the second half thanks in large part to a successful night from the field. The Raiders were 8 of 14 from the field and made 5 of 7 3-point attempts in the final two quarters.

“That’s the best QND’s played this year and that’s the best they’ve shot this year,” Palmyra coach Brian Rea said. “Then we miss layups and that’s basketball karma. When you miss layups and the other team goes down and makes the three, it’s just basketball karma. We didn’t do things well enough to stop the most basic things that they do. We weren’t locked in. That’s my fault. We’ll figure it out.”

The Panthers’ top player, senior guard Bear Bock, was mostly held at check. Brock wound up with 11 points and was limited to just four free throws in the second half.

“I don’t know that we controlled him,” Meyer said. “But I thought Aiden Klauser did a heck of a job of tormenting him.”

Klauser said it was a collective effort on the defensive end.

“I feel like our defense was a lot better tonight than it was any other nights,” the QND senior forward said. “I feel like we were all locked in, more physical, and more ready for the game.”

Klauser and fellow senior Noah Lunt pitched in eight points apiece, sophomore guard Jace Allensworth had seven points, junior guard Alex Dance contributed six, and senior guard Tyler Bozarth kick-started a third quarter flurry with a 3-pointer.

“I thought we were passing well and finding the right guys in rhythm, and there wasn’t anything rushed,” Meyer said. “(The pass) was going to guys that were expecting to get a shot in that situation.”

Palmyra (5-1) entered the contest ranked No. 5 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 3 poll but struggled to find its shooting touch. The Panthers were 2 of 12 from beyond the arc.

“It’s a tough environment to come here and play,” Rea said. “We beat them last year soundly at our place and they had the revenge factor. They had all the motivation. I just didn’t think we stepped up and did what we needed to do.”

Palmyra senior forward Carson Hicks matched Bock with 11 points while senior forward Jeremiah Edwards and sophomore guard Ryan McKinney each contributed six points.

“I wish we would have had a nail-biter to the end, but I’m happy with where we’re at,” Rea said. “Regroup and see if we get back on the winning track.”

Meanwhile, QND’s week-long gauntlet against three teams which all started the week with undefeated records continues Friday with a trip to Camp Point Central before hosting Quincy High School on Saturday.

“Tonight was really important for us because Friday’s a conference game and then QHS is the best team on our schedule,” Genenbacher said. “We obviously had to win tonight to get momentum.”