Schuckman: Quincy Shootout provides moments easily considered best of the best

QUINCY — Over the span of 32 hours and 13 games, the players, teams and coaches who participated in the sixth Quincy Shootout put on quite a show in Blue Devil Gym.

Here are some of the best things I witnessed:

Best player: Wasatch Academy point guard John Mobley Jr. has signed with Ohio State University, and for fans of Illinois and Iowa in attendance, he gave them a glimpse of the pain he could inflict on their favorite teams in the years to come. Mobley scored 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out nine assists in Saturday’s 87-80 victory over Huntington Prep. That came after a 19-point, 11-assist effort Friday night in an 83-54 victory over iSchool of Lewisville.

Best boost in recruiting: If Bradley Longcor III didn’t elevate his stock with college coaches after Saturday night’s performance, something is amiss. The Quincy High School junior guard dazzled in the marquee game, scoring 21 points, going 4 of 7 from 3-point range and dishing out three assists in the Blue Devils’ 74-62 victory over Imhotep Charter. Mid-major schools have shown the most interest in the 6-foot-3 Longcor, but the Power 5 schools should be calling.

Best guest appearance: His presence looms as large as anyone’s in Blue Devil Gym whenever he returns home, and not just because of his size. Michael Payne is a Hall of Famer and Blue Devil legend, and seeing the starting center on the 1981 state championship team sitting at center court Saturday night brought the Blue Devil faithful to their feet.

Best dunk: Father Tolton guard Zay Wilson is one of many cogs in one of Missouri Class 4’s most talented teams, but with one play against Chicago Curie, he stole the spotlight. With the game tied at 31, Wilson drove the middle of the lane and threw down a one-handed jam that brought out the ooohs and aaahs from the crowd.

Best pass: After Imhotep Charter guard Ahmad Nowell opened Saturday night’s game against Quincy High School with a mid-range jumper, the Blue Devils responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to get the home crowd fully engaged. The set-up of the second trey was as slick as any as Tyler Sprick flicked a behind-the-back, kickout pass to Longcor on the left wing and he buried the shot as part of a 9-of-16 effort from 3-point range by the Blue Devils.

Best off-the-court entertainment: Former QHS guard Reid O’Brien is serving as a manager for the Illinois State University men’s basketball team during his freshman year with the Redbirds. Since he wasn’t part of the travel squad for Saturday’s game at Missouri State, O’Brien watched the game on his phone while attending the Shootout. There was pacing and fist pumping and flinching and excitement at the end as the Redbirds won 69-60.

Best facial expressions: Principia coach Jay Blossom works the sideline as hard as any coach, and while doing so, he agonizes over or celebrates nearly every possession. Principia beat Winchester West Central 74-49 to kick off Saturday’s nine-game slate, and even though the tip came at 9 a.m., Blossom was as engaged and entertaining as he ever has been.

Best use of both hands: Oak Cliff Faith Family big man Doryan Onwuchekwa, the 6-foot-10 forward who has signed with Colorado, went 15 of 19 from the free-throw line in the Eagles’ 56-44 victory over Vashon. He finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots, but the most interesting aspect of his game was shooting free throws with both hands. Onwuchekwa shot his first free throw left-handed and the second free throw right-handed. No matter which hand he used, the free-throw motion was smooth.

Best thing to anticipate: The 2025 Shootout. Clear your January calendar. It’s worth it.