In-your-face defense never goes out of style for QND girls basketball team

QUINCY — The players may graduate, but the in-your-face style the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball program plays year-to-year doesn’t seem to go anywhere.

The Raiders’ suffocating defense once again was on display in their 52-27 win over Belleville Althoff in Friday’s start to the two-night Gully Transportation Shootout at The Pit.

QND (3-0) forced 32 turnovers and held the Crusaders (1-3) to single digit point totals in all but one quarter.

“We work together as a whole on defense, and that’s our main goal each game,” junior guard Sage Stratton said. “The defense won for us tonight.”

Raiders coach Eric Orne said they were strong defensively right from the outset.

“Forcing turnovers, taking them out of their game plan, and holding them to nine points at halftime, was really why we won,” Orne said.

As good as the defense was, QND’s offense mostly struggled.

The Raiders shot 41.1 percent (23 of 56) from the field and missed several opportunities to make the margin of victory even larger.

“We were getting good looks, but it was just one of those nights where the iron was unkind,” Orne said. “We had some balls rattle in and out, but we found a way defensively and we were able to fight through these shooting woes.”

Stratton said when the Raiders have offensive issues they can’t duplicate the same thing on the defensive end.

“If our shots don’t fall, that’s when we force turnovers to get layups or transition baskets,” Stratton said.

Seven different QND players scored with forward Tristan Pieper leading the way with 13 points. Pieper also pulled down seven rebounds.

“I am just trying to get downhill more so I can finish inside and be able to contribute,” Pieper said.

Orne can tell Pieper is more relaxed on the floor this season.

“She’s really comfortable for a sophomore,” Orne said. “She’s playing some big minutes in our post play.” 

QND built a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter, led by 17 at halftime, and the advantage ballooned to 39-15 entering the final quarter. 

“We are a work in progress and it’s a long season,” Orne said. “We’re taking any victory we can get right now.”

Stratton added 11 points and seven steals, while Lauren Hummel, Jenna Durst, and Marie Eversman pitched in seven points apiece.

“We know that we don’t have any seniors, but all of us are more than capable of scoring,” Pieper said. “It’s fun being able to share the ball knowing everybody is a scorer.”