Family first: Harmann’s cousin showcases depth of ability in helping Blue Devils dispatch Dukes

QUINCY — The exuberant kid who tagged along every opportunity he had when Chris Harmann went to Blue Devil Gym during a decade spent as a Quincy High School boys basketball assistant coach has matured

That wasn’t a good thing for Harmann’s Dixon club.

Tyler Sprick, a QHS junior guard and Harmann’s cousin, turned Thursday’s showdown between the Dukes and the Blue Devils into quite a family reunion, spoiling Harmann’s return as he drew three charges and scored 13 points in Quincy’s 65-29 victory.

Sprick had two charges and eight points in the first half alone, all while his dad, John, who is Harmann’s uncle, sat on the Dixon bench as the Dukes’ honorary coach.

“At halftime, I looked at (John Sprick) said, ‘Tyler’s getting better,’” Harmann said. “And he is.”

Harmann could appreciate that, even if it came at his team’s expense.

“Tyler knows what he needs to do to work and play,” Harmann said. “He’s been doing that, and I’m happy to see it.”

It added another layer of excitement to Harmann’s return.

Dixon played in the Quincy Shootout last January, but this was the first time in six seasons since leaving Quincy to take on a program of his own Harmann has coached against the Blue Devils. It wasn’t an easy thing for a former player who graduated in 2003 and then spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach within the QHS program.

“Being in this gym for so many years, when the fight song starts going, I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah,’” Harmann said, motioning like he started pumping his fist to the tune of the song. “Immediately, I was like, ‘Oh, wait a minute.’ So that was funny.”

Having spent Thursday with his team — most of it traveling — Harmann didn’t get to see his immediate family before arriving at Blue Devil Gym. That meant he had to wait until after the loss to meet and greet everyone, as well as a number of friends who came to watch him coach.

“A lot of support from many people,” Harmann said. “I greatly appreciate it.”

His cousin relished the idea of the reunion, too.

“It was definitely cool to see him over there,” Sprick said. “I used to work out with him and come to the gym with him. It was cool getting to play against him. I’ll be honest, it was always in the back of my head that he was over there, but when you’re out there playing, it’s just another game.

“For him to come back and bring his team is incredible.”

Truthfully, there’s no place better to be on Thanksgiving evening.

“This place is special,” Harmann said. “It always will be.”