Sizzling start allows QND boys basketball team to cap weekend with strong finish

QUINCY — As they heard the Hall of Fame names being introduced and a crowded gym erupt prior to the start of Saturday night’s  main event, the Quincy Notre Dame basketball players waited patiently for their chance to provide an exclamation point to the festivities.

“We talked about it in the locker room (before the game). It’s Hall of Fame night. We can’t lose,” QND senior guard Aden Genenbacher said.

It only took eight minutes for the Raiders to make a statement. QND raced to a 23-9 lead over Gateway STEM (Mo.) following the first quarter and led from start to finish in a 76-54 win to finish to the Gully Transportation Shootout at The Pit.

“We had to kick them in the mouth,” Genenbacher said. “We needed to go out there fast and do what we do.”

QND coach Kevin Meyer said the early separation provided dividends late.

“You don’t win or lose in that first eight minutes, but it really does help,” he said.

The Raiders shot 56.3 percent (9 of 16) from the field and made better than 50 percent (4 of 7) of their 3-point attempts in the first quarter. In all, six different Raiders scored at least one basket in the opening frame.

“That’s just part of our identity,” junior guard Alex Dance said. “We’ve done that in both games this weekend, come out and throw the first punch. Then we’ve got to keep throwing punches.”

The balanced scoring attack continued for the Raiders over the final three quarters. 

Five QND players, including three starters, finished in double figures led by Dance, who had 13 points and finished 8 for 8 from the free-throw line, including 6 for 6 in the fourth quarter. 

“It’s something I’ve had to work on,” Dance said of his improvements from the charity stripe. “That was the goal coming in (to the season) to make free throws. That’s what I did.”

As a team, the Raiders made 12 of 15 free-throw attempts in the final frame. 

Meyer expects success to continue at the free-throw line and beyond for his entire team.

“I think this is a good free-throw shooting team and it’s a good shooting team in general,” Meyer said.

Genenbacher tallied 11 points, while guard Jace Allensworth and forwards Jackson Meyer and Jackson Connoyer wound up with 10 points apiece.

“It’s about keeping everyone involved,” Genenbacher said. “If you let your teammates do the work for you to score, you’re going to get guys in double figures.”

Gateway (2-1) was led by Leon Harris, who had a game-high 25 points, and Ben Dura, who contributed 14 points. The Raiders’ defense held the Jaguars to 39-percent shooting (21 of 53) from the field and 25 percent (4 of 16) from beyond the arc.

“That’s the identity I want for us, a gritty defensive team,” Meyer said. “(Defense) has to be one of those controllables. If you can control your effort and you can control your communication, you can control your defense. Those are three things this group does pretty well.” 

The Raiders took a 38-24 advantage into halftime, increased their lead to 17 points (56-39) by the end of the third quarter, and outscored the Jaguars 20-15 over the final eight minutes.