JQ Leads the Way in Clinching the SEC

The score is 64-47 in favor of the Auburn Tigers over the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tigers are using the three to shoot the lights out of Coleman Coliseum. The fans are silent and Nate Oats calls a timeout to refocus the team. After the timeout, the Crimson Tide, led by Jahvon Quinerly crawled out of the deficit and defeated Auburn 90-85 in overtime.

Whenever Alabama need a basket against Auburn, Quinerly was the guy to do it. In 36 minutes, Quinerly scored a season-high 24 points, six assists, two rebounds, and three crucial steals. Auburn did a really good job containing Brandon Miller but Quinerly proved that anyone on this Alabama team can go off one night.

"I can't be more proud of JQ," said Coach Oats after the game. "I told the team that we are getting the March version of JQ. He is definitely the X-factor and he played great for us. Particularly in the second half, he leads the team in plus-minus, had no turnovers, and is locked in on defense. He knows how to win and is making lots of winning plays on both sides of the ball for us".

The senior from Hackensack, N.J. has had an interesting college basketball career. After originally committing to the Villanova Wildcats after high school, Quinerly decided to transfer to Alabama after one season. He was brought in by Oats who had just accepted the job to turn around the Alabama basketball program. JQ has been a massive part of the Alabama turnaround. He even was a key contributor to winning the SEC Championship in 2021 by scoring 12 points a game.

Last year was rough for Alabama, and especially Quinerly. After the Crimson Tide underachieved all year, he tore his ACL in the first round of the NCAA tournament. He had to go through the rigorous routine of recovery all off-season just to have a chance to play his senior season.

This year he returned against South Alabama but never could get back to his old self. Besides a few good games including a 21-point game against North Carolina, Quinerly was up and down. He had these flashes of his old self but would then turn the ball over.

Quinerly saved his best for last. In a pivotal game with the SEC regular season title on the line, he delivered his best against Alabama's most hated rival.

Quinerly emerging in March is a great sign for Alabama going forward. Even though they won the SEC regular season, the Tide want more. On Saturday, the team travels to Texas A&M to play the Aggies at 11 a.m. CST on CBS. After Texas A&M, Alabama travels to Nashville to compete in the SEC tournament.

Finally, the Crimson Tide will compete in the NCAA tournament, for a chance to win the National Championship, and make the Final Four for the first time in program history.