Blue Devils secure 200th victory of Dance’s coaching career by dominating Pirates

QUINCY — Brad Dance is a proven success as a girls basketball coach.

As a math wiz, however, Dance may need to sharpen his skills.

Moments after his Quincy High School team had dominated Boonville 55-29 on Saturday during the final day of the week-long 17th Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College, an announcement came over the public address system inside the Student Activity Center.

Dance was about to be honored for winning the 200th game of his career, and the look of mild astonishment on his face demonstrated that was news to him.

Admittedly, Dance is not one to keep a running tab of his accomplishments. The less math involved, the better. When out to dinner with friends, instead of figuring out the proper percentage for a tip, his likely acknowledgement to the waiter accepting his payment would probably be, “Just keep the change.” 

Numbers are not important to Dance. Never have been. Never will be.

But when informed about victory No. 200, that was a nice, round accomplishment that brought a definite smile to Dance’s face.   

“I had no idea, I really didn’t … but it’s pretty special,” Dance said. 

And in typical Dance fashion, he attempted to deflect the attention from himself.

“I’ve had some good players to coach … and seeing everyone so excited is what I appreciate the most,” he said.

Dance is now 200-181 overall, including 92-49 at Quincy, which means another milestone may be reached later this season, his 100th win at the helm of the Blue Devils. Before coming to Quincy 6 ½ years ago, Dance was 108-132 at Highland, Mo.

Dance’s 200th victory was likely one of his easiest. The Blue Devils (8-4) had little trouble separating from Boonville (5-4), leading 42-14 at halftime on Mountain Dew Court.

“The first half of basketball was the best half we’ve played all year,” said Dance, who pointed to discipline at both ends of the floor as the overall key.

Jada Brown and Khloe Nicholson enjoyed the biggest days for Quincy, combining for 32 points and 25 rebounds.

Brown, a 5-foot-11 sophomore, led all scorers 23 points, getting 21 of that total over the first two quarters. She also locked down nine of her 10 rebounds in the first half.

“We came out with some great intensity,” said Brown, who scored 13 points in the second quarter when QHS outscored Boonville 24-6.

Brown’s only second-half points came on a third-quarter field goal.

Dance felt the Blue Devils’ recent busy schedule had finally caught up with Brown.

“We played Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and I think by the second half (against Boonville) that Jada was a little gassed,” Dance said.

Nicholson, a 6-foot-1 freshman, continues to grow into her role as a multiple threat at both ends of the floor. She added a career-best 15 rebounds, plus five assists and four blocks.

“The game’s becoming easier as I get a better feel (for the varsity level),” Nicholson said.

Dance can see Nicholson growing.

“Every game she gets a little more confident (in different aspects of the game),” he said. “It’s a gradual process.”

Dance is especially pleased with Nicholson’s improvement at the defensive end of the floor, which, he reminds, is a must for any player to be successful.

“At this level, everyone has to play defense,” he said.

Madelyn Hamby (9) and Kate Mettemeyer (8) added an additional 17 points for the Blue Devils, who outrebounded the Pirats 37-19.

Karagyn Cooper (8) led Boonville in scoring.