Blue Devils taking straightforward approach into postseason after upending Rocks in WB6 finale

QUINCY — Four years ago as a freshman, Laci Novosel was scared to even look at the basket.

In her final regular season game in the QHS gym on Thursday night, the senior caught the ball at the free-throw line, attacked off the dribble and scored at the rim like a seasoned veteran, providing 10 points in a 46-36 victory over Western Big 6 Conference opponent Rock Island in the regular-season finale.

Straight ahead like the way Novosel played is exactly the direction the Blue Devils are heading going into the postseason.

It’s been 36 days since the Blue Devils lost by 10 points to the Rocks on the road — this is the same team that was one victory away from tying Geneseo for the WB6 championship prior to Thursday night.

“It is an eye-opening experience for these girls because they always think that we are not right there with these WB6 teams and we tell them, ‘Hey we’re here, and can compete with anyone,’ ” QHS coach Brad Dance said. “Once they saw that we could play with them, now it’s like we are ready to go.”

It all started when the Rocks controlled the opening tip and turned it over 30 seconds into the game.  

The Blue Devils forced eight of the Rocks’ 14 first-half turnovers in the first quarter.

“‘We really pride ourselves on our defense,” Dance said. “The girls really just worked and got into the passing lanes. We talked about what they needed to do defensively, and our guards got in the habit of collapsing in the middle but we just got to get them to trust the post players because our post players can defend really well.”

There was living proof as sophomore Taylor Fohey held Rock Island’s Bri Stewart, a 5-foot-10 center, scoreless in the second quarter after she scored six of its 10 points to open the game.  

Stewart didn’t make another basket until there was 3:24 left in the third quarter and she finished with 12 points.

Stewart’s basket was one of two field goals scored by the Rocks in the third frame.

“That was the main adjustment and we got out there and defended, ” Dance said. “We let Taylor guard the middle, and the others could just guard out and they kind of panicked a little bit.”

Junior Asia Seangnamy’s 10 second quarter points pushed the Blue Devils to a 25-17 lead at halftime, which served as motivation to maintain the intensity. The Blue Devils went on an 18-6 run to take their largest lead of the game at 42-24.

Taking part in that offensive storm were Seangnamy, Fohey and Novosel, who all finished in double figures. Seangnamy had a game-high 16 points, Fohey finished with 15, and Novosel added 10.  

“It’s good we have to have balanced scoring and that’s awesome to see,” Dance said.

However, a handful of late turnovers and a sloppy fourth-quarter finish allowed the Rocks to go on a 12-0 run, which cut the deficit to 43-36 with 25 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Blue Devils got the stops they needed to secure the victory.

“They competed the whole game,” Dance said. “Those girls that were in there played their hearts out. They did a great job and it was a great way for us to end the regular season.”

Sixth-seeded Quincy will face third-seeded Alton in the Class 4A Edwardsville Regional semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.