CORRECTION: Summer Keller is the assistant coach for the 5th grade Jacks team. The 5th grade team also finished first in the Path to the Podium Tournament.

QUINCY — The fifth-grade Quincy Jacks girls’ basketball team qualified for the state tournament at the Podium in Spokane running from March 13-15. As the girls prepare for the tourney Assistant Coach Summer Keller said the girls are feeling proud to represent their small town. 

The young Jacks team has been working hard since October, practicing 3-4 times a week and competing in over 10 tournaments under the leadership of the coaches Keller and her brother, Jeremy McCreary, to earn their spot at state, she said.  

To get into the state competition, the girls had to compete in state qualifier tournaments and earn either first or second place. The Jacks took second in both the Thanksgiving Classic and the Top Tier New Years Jam and a first-place finish in the Path to the Podium Tournament to punch their ticket into state. 

While this team is the only basketball team qualified to represent Quincy in the state tournament, Keller said next year she hopes there will be even more girls and boys teams from other grades competing.  

The girls basketball team at Quincy High School has only reached the state tournament once in school history back in 1993. The coach said this fifth-grade group is determined to change that during their basketball careers and competing in this state tournament is the first step in toward building that future.  

With the tournament a week away, the Jacks are reaching out to the community for support through a GoFundMe. Donations will help cover travel, tournament fees and other team expenses.  

Those interested in supporting the fifth-grade Jacks as they head to state can go to https://bit.ly/QJacks5BB.