Hall of Fame Inductee - J.D. Summers

Herald-Whig Sports Editor Matt Schuckman once asked former QHS basketball coach Loren Wallace which player, in his 30-plus years of coaching, would he want taking a last-second shot.

Wallace didn't hesitate with his answer.

"Summers;' he said.

That's J.D. Summers, a two-time all-stater and one of the top scorers in school history. Wallace watched Summers bury a baseline jumper with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation to beat Moline 53-52 at Blue Devil Gym his senior season.

It was just one highlight of an incredible career.

A three-year varsity starter, Summers ranks fourth on the career scoring list with 1,586 points and eighth on the career rebound list with 590. His senior season Summers led the Blue Devils to a 25-5 record and a supersectional appearance as he averaged 21.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. That came after he averaged 19.9 points and 7 rebounds per game as a junior.

 Summers burst onto the scene as a sophomore when he averaged 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds, helping the Blue Devils finish third in the Class AA state tournament. QHS won 71 games during Summers three seaIt was just one highlight of an incredible career. sons on the varsity.

Summers' Acceptance Speech ...

It is with great honor that I accept being inducted into the QHS Hall of Fame. I remember going to basketball games at Blue Devil Gym as I was growing up and wanting so bad to step on the floor in front of so many devoted fans thinking someday that will be me out there.

I set a goal for myself to not only just be on the floor but to be the best I could be every time I put on the Blue Devil uniform. To do this, I worked very hard in becoming the best basketball player I could be. It was very important for me to be successful because I grew up knowing how big the tradition of Blue Devil basketball was to our community, and I wanted to be a part of continuing that well-respected tradition.

I played four years of Division I basketball at Western Illinois University and got to play at numerous venues and nothing ever compared to playing in Blue Devil Gym on a Friday or Saturday night. Even playing out of town games was amazing. I remember playing away games in the Western Big Six and the gynmasium was always packed no matter where we were playing and it's because we had on that Blue Devil uniform. That speaks loudly of this program and the tradition of Blue Devil basketball. Once again, I accept this achievement with great pride and am very honored to be among the great athletes who have been inducted into the QHS Hall of Fame.

I would like to give thanks to several people for making this achievement possible for me. To the Hall of Fame committee for inducting me and letting me be a great part of Blue Devil history. To coach Loren Wallace and his wife, Barb, for having confidence in me and coaching me not only on the court but off the court as well.

To may parents, John and Terri, who never missed one game and whose lives were based around Blue Devil basketball for so long. Without them, this would have never been possible, and they have molded me into the person I have become today. To my brother, Jared, who has been my biggest fan from Day l. Your support means the world to me, and yes, I can stili beat you 1-on-1. To the rest of my family, who would travel from out of town every game to watch me play. To Blue Devil fans that made being a Blue Devil that much more special.

Your support is what keeps the tradition alive.