Quincy girls held to lowest point total since 2017, lose WB6 showdown with United Township

QUINCY — The knockout punch came early, and it was impressive.

Unlike recent United Township victories over the Quincy High School girls basketball team, when the outcome was in doubt until the final seconds, Saturday’s verdict was never in question from about midway through the second quarter.

With 6-foot-5 Lorena Awou — a North Carolina State recruit — anchoring its effort at both ends of the floor, United Township leveled QHS 41-22 at Blue Devil Gym.

The victory clinched United Township’s first outright Western Big 6 girls basketball title since 1992. The Panthers shared the crown in 2012.

Awou scored 21 points on a variety of soft jump shots, putbacks and baby hooks, plus reeling in 12 rebounds and blocking 4 shots.

“She’s cool, calm and determined,” UT coach Chase Pavelonis said.

United Township, 12-1 in the WB6 and 22-5 overall, has beaten Quincy five straight times, including a 56-52 decision earlier this season. The previous four wins had come by a combined nine points.

“No words can really describe how we’re feeling,” Pavelonis said.

Quincy is 10-3 in the conference — two games back with one to play — and 22-6 overall. The Blue Devils had been trying to secure at least a share of their first WB6 championship since 1998.

“We lost ourselves. I think we were intimidated,” said Taylor Fohey, Quincy’s 6-foot senior center who scored 11 points and accounted for 8 rebounds. 

United Township took control during the second quarter when it outscored QHS 10-0 to lead 20-6 at halftime. The Blue Devils had more turnovers (9) than points in the first half. 

“It was frustrating,” Fohey said.

Quincy coach Brad Dance felt his club’s struggles were twofold.

“We just didn’t look confident, and we quit attacking offensively,” Dance said.

Awou’s presence inside forced Quincy into what amounted to a perimeter-only effort to score.

“(Awou) has improved a lot over the last four years, especially her footwork,” Dance said. “She’s going to make a nice college player.”

Only two of Quincy’s starters scored — Fohey and Jada Brown, who contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds.

Quincy’s 22-point output was its lowest of the season and worst since a 64-17 loss to Rock Island in January 2017.   

Quincy did not reach double figures until the 5:35 mark of the third quarter.

“I am so proud of our ladies,” Pavelonis said. “We have nine seniors who bought in (four) years ago, and it has paid off through perseverance and a relentless effort.

“We told the girls, ‘You’re in control (of the standings),’ and they had the confidence. I think the difference in this game when compared the first one with Quincy this season was that we had more teamwork and better ball movement.”

Quincy finishes its regular season when it hosts Hannibal on Tuesday and travels to Moline on Thursday.

“They’re high school kids,” Dance said, “They’ll bounce back.”

Fohey agrees.

“What’s done is done,” she said.