Unselfish Raiders get 10 players in scoring column during victory over McCluer in season opener

QUINCY — Kevin Meyer said he didn’t expect Quincy Notre Dame’s boys basketball team “to be perfect” on opening night.

But minus a few rough-around-the-edges stretches, the Raiders’ first game was not too shabby.

“I’m excited about this season,” said Meyer, beginning his ninth year as coach at 10th and Jackson. “Our players have checked their egos (at the door) and are working to blend together.”

The unselfishness Meyer referenced was obvious from the outset Friday night when the Raiders blistered McCluer 60-41 on the first night of the annual Gully Transportation Basketball Shootout at The Pit.

QND bolted to a 16-0 lead en route to seeing 10 players reach the scoring column. The Raiders never led by fewer than eight points. Only once over the final 2 1/2 quarters was Notre Dame’s advantage less than a dozen points.

Sophomore Jace Allensworth was the only QND performer in double figures, finishing with a game-high 18 points. The 6-foot Allensworth, who scored 14 of his points in the first half to help the Raiders to a 35-19 margin by intermission, also led all rebounders with seven.

Meyer likes Allenworth’s overall approach. He believes Allensworth is allowing the game to come to him.

“Jace is playing with a lot of confidence,” Meyer said.

Allensworth dissected the game in a matter-of-fact fashion afterward.

“We realize we still have plenty of work to do,” said Allensworth, whose night was accented by three 3-point field goals in the first half. “For one thing, we’ll be working on taking better care of the ball, but we’ll get the job done.”

The ball protection Allensworth spoke of was one of those rough-around-the edges items QND will need to improve. But the Raiders’ overall depth, rebounding strength and ability to score from both the perimeter and along the baseline more than offset the 22 turnovers they committed.

Meyer emphasized this year’s club is still far from reaching its full potential.

“This is an inexperienced team,” Meyer said. “We only have one player (Aiden Klauser) back from last year who had any experience as a starter. We have so many new guys with so many new roles. They’re still working to find their identity.”

Alex Dance (9), Klauser (7), Conner Young (7) and Jackson Connoyer (7) backed Allensworth in the scorebook. Aden Genenbacher and Connoyer had five rebounds each in support of Allensworth, triggering QND’s 32-27 advantage on the board. Most of McCluer’s rebounds came after the outcome had been decided.

Notre Dame closes out its two-day schedule in the Shootout with a 7 p.m. game Saturday against St. Louis Gateway STEM (2-0), which feature a pair of players currently averaging a combined 56 points — 6-foot Leon Harris (31.5) and 5-9 Bhupendra Dura (24.5). STEM opened the season with victories over Gateway Science Academy (92-64) and the St. Louis Patriots (65-56). Harris had 34 points against Gateway Science Academy.

Before the start of Saturday’s game, the 33rd class of inductees into the QND Hall of Fame will be introduced. This year’s honorees will be class of 2010 girls golf standout Rachel (Powers) Stuckman, class of 2007 all-state football player and current Raiders coach Jack Cornell, class of 2013 girls basketball player Jordan Frericks Kvitle, class of 1995 football player John Sparrow, meritorious service contributor Tom VanderBor and the 2004 Class 4A state semifinal football team.  

“Hall of Fame night is always an exciting time, and our team is excited about being a part of it,” Meyer said.