Quarter century of memories: Blue Devils dismantle Redbirds to end regional title drought

April 20, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor

Aaron Shoot, Ben Amos and Jacob Ary celebrate putting "2018" on the wall in Blue Devil Gym after winning both the Western Big 6 Conference championship and a regional title during their senior season. | Submitted photo

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

March 2, 2018 — Quincy 57, Alton 36

QUINCY — The fact the regional title drought was nearing a decade wasn’t lost on the Quincy High School boys basketball players.

Nor was the fact many people felt this group lacked a couple of key components to make a postseason charge possible.

“That group played with a chip on their shoulder,” said Aaron Shoot, the senior point guard on the 2017-18 QHS team that went 23-5 and ended a nine-year postseason title drought. “Some of the guys were a little more overlooked and underrated. They didn’t have the flash. Winning the regional and running through the WB6 that year, it was sweet. It was so sweet. That’s the best way I can describe it.”

The Blue Devils lost their Western Big 6 Conference opener on the road at Moline and then rattled off nine consecutive conference victories to win the championship. It marked Quincy’s 23rd WB6 title at the time and the first of seven QHS title teams to go 9-1, but the first to win its final nine games.

The Blue Devils took pride in that.

They took more pride in how they dismantled Alton in the Class 4A Quincy Regional championship game on March 2, 2018.

The Blue Devils held the Redbirds 25 points below their season scoring average, winning the 60th regional championship in program history and the 40th on their home floor with a 57-36 victory. Alton shot just 31.7 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from 3-point range.

“To come out and play defensively as well as we did was special,” QHS coach Andy Douglas said. “It was as suffocating as I’ve seen. On that stage, at home, regional title on the line, that’s big. Playing here, you know how important winning games in the postseason is. Coaching here, you understand the different level of pressure that goes into winning postseason games.”

It brought out the best in this group.

Jaeden Smith went 5 of 10 from 3-point range and scored 19 points. Ben Amos nearly had a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Shoot finished with 13 points and two steals.

“That was everything finally coming to fruition,” Shoot said. “Having been so close for two years, this mattered to us. With that group, that whole team, it was something we worked hard to achieve for so many years. For it to come to fruition was sweet for sure.”

To check out previous stories in this series, click on the links below:

Return of QHS-QND series comes with sophomore guard Shoot-ing down rival

Summers buries Maroons’ title hopes with last-second shot

Kvitle’s career-best scoring effort carries QHS to regional title

Dade’s half-court heave banks in for Thanksgiving tourney title

Summers puts hip pain aside to leave Alleman hurting

Riled up Blue Devils run former assistant coach’s team out of gym

Medsker’s willingness to play despite days battling flu leads to epic performance

Jobe’s 3-point barrage puts in him record books

After assistant coach suffers heart attack, Blue Devils ‘had to do it for Coach Q’

Wires’ buzzer-beater sinks Kahoks in sectional semifinal

Rupert’s 3-point barrage brings QHS sideline to life