‘It’s a pretty special thing’: Thomas breaks single-game rebounding record as Blue Devils roll

STERLING, Ill. — Quincy High School boys basketball coach Ryan Brown set forth a challenge for senior forward Keshaun Thomas heading into Friday night’s Western Big 6 Conference game against Sterling.

Brown implored Thomas to come away with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

“When he told me, I took it to heart to go out there and try my hardest to get those 20 rebounds definitely because we lost there last year,” said Thomas, referencing the 65-62 setback at Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse. “I knew I had to come out strong and dominate the boards.”

He did so better than anyone in program history ever has.

The 6-foot-6 Thomas hauled in 19 rebounds in the first half and broke the single-game rebounding record with 25 boards before the third quarter ended in the state-ranked Blue Devils’ 81-43 victory. Thomas sat out the final 10 minutes, 48 seconds as the fourth quarter was played with a running clock and he finished with 12 points.

And he played with the spirit and aggressiveness Brown’s challenge was intended to create.

“He’s leaving his impact and his legacy on this program in a great way,” Quincy coach Andy Douglas said. “At this point, we don’t expect anything less from him.”

Thomas’ effort broke the rebounding record previously held by Tom Lepper, who grabbed 24 rebounds in a 64-47 victory over East Moline on Feb. 23, 1991, at Blue Devil Gym. Lepper, who passed away last month, served as an assistant coach who helped Thomas develop as a post player early in his high school career.

“Oh, my, it means the world to me,” Thomas said of the record. “After I saw I had 19 rebounds in the first half, I knew I had to come out and go get it. That was my goal coming into the second half. Getting that record means so much to me and the coaches knowing Lepp was cheering me on and would be so proud of me to get that record.”

Douglas concurred.

“You know Lepp would have wanted nothing more than for Keshaun to go out and be the one to break his record,” Douglas said. “Keshaun and Lepp had a unique relationship, as he does with Brown as well. They pushed him and pushed him and pushed him to be a better big.

“I can remember all the bear hugs Lepp would give him after a great game. This would be another one. It’s a pretty special thing. I know Lepp would be extremely proud of Keshaun.”

He would have applauded the defensive effort, too.

Quincy (7-0, 3-0 WB6) led 20-16 at the end of the first quarter and created some separation by closing the first half on a 13-3 run, taking a 40-24 lead into halftime. The advantage grew as the Golden Warriors shot just 26.9 percent from the field.

“From the second quarter on, our defense was phenomenal,” Dougfals said. “Our guys played to the scouting report. They played hard. The communication was much better. Everybody seemed to be on the same page.”

It started with forcing Sterling to struggle to get into its offense.

“Our guards did a really good job of applying pressure up front,” Douglas said.

The offense continued to soar as well as Bradley Longcor III led the attack with 30 points. The Blue Devils shot 47.6 percent from the field and made nine 3-pointers, while committing just five turnovers.