'Doesn’t even feel real’: North Carolina State commit sets Shore girls basketball scoring record

MANCHESTER- When Manchester Township’s Devyn Quigley stepped through the halls as a freshman she wanted to make a mark in her high school career - but on Wednesday she made Shore Conference history.

More: Girls basketball star nears Shore all-time scoring record: full list of Top 60 career leaders

The countdown for the NC State commit becoming the Shore’s all-time leading scorer came to an end with her milestone basket against Overbrook in the first round of the state tournament, 77-43.

“Honestly, it just doesn’t even feel real a little bit, but of course I’m very happy and grateful,” said Quigley.

“I’m still kind of like wow, ‘cause it’s just how far I’ve come, it’s one of those things.”

Quigley finished the game with 35 points, the exact number she needed to break the record. She also recorded 12 rebounds and six assists.  She broke Point Pleasant Boro’s 2012 grad Kelly Hughes’ record of 2,588 career points. Hughes ended up playing at Boston College and setting the BC record for most made threes for men or women.

With the Hawks coming out of a timeout with just under three minutes left in the third quarter, 13th-year head coach Dave Beauchemin set up a play for his star Quigley. It just so happened this time it was for history; she swished a turnaround midrange jumper to eclipse the record.

“I was supposed to come around to the three-point line but I saw that they weren’t doubling,” said Quigley recalling the play. “I think they knew too, so I had her inbound it to me on the post and it was a last-minute switch.”

After the basket was made, the game instantly came to a halt. Quigley was embraced by her coaches, teammates and she posed for a center court photo with her parents Mike and Nina.

This season has been nothing but record-breaking for the combo guard. She joined current Rutgers transfer Destiny Adams in the school’s 2,000-career point club, being the only two names on that banner.

“I live in the present so right now I can argue that she’s right up there with all the best,” said Beauchemin. “So blessed and lucky to have so much talent come through here, and man they’ve helped pave the way. What she’s been able to do, in the beginning of last year we knew we were going to lean on her but we’re not drawing it up like this. Cause last year was such an unbelievable year too.”

Quigley is averaging 33.7 points on the season and has already broken records for her school and the conference. She said only one thing is left on her mind.

“I want to win,” said Quigley on her next goal. “I want to win our section. I seen a lot of people who don’t think we can do it, but I have faith in our team in how far we have come and grown.”

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Devyn Quigley, Manchester, breaks girls basketball Jersey Shore scoring record