Courtesy of Sal Interdonato, Times-Herald Record Varsity U

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Cory Quimby took about 1,000 shots per day at Otisville Park.

Quimby worked on his shooting form in the morning.

Nights were reserved for rapid-time rounds of 25-30 shots, when he wasn't playing in the summer league at Primo Sports in Florida, Most Precious Blood in Walden or Storm King in Cornwall.

Quimby also squeezed in speed and agility work and weightlifting.

Nothing was going to be handed to Quimby his junior season at Dominican College in Orangeburg.

But Quimby, a 6-foot-6 forward and two-time Varsity845 Player of the Year at Minisink Valley, knew if he put in the work that this could be a special season.

Dominican needed to replace Almin Hodzic, the team's leading scorer and all-East region selection last year.

He did. In fact, Quimby has exceeded Hodzic's numbers and coach Joe Clinton's expectations this season.

Quimby is averaging 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds, which ranks second in Division II. He has recorded a double-double -- points and assists -- in 16 of Dominican's 23 games.

"Coach Clinton is putting the belief in me," said Quimby, a 2009 Minisink Valley graduate. "He's given me a little more free reign this year."

Quimby averaged 7.6 points and 5.4 rebounds as a sophomore in 29 games. He missed all but 10 games of his freshman season with a broken arm.

"We knew he was going to be good and solid," Clinton said. "But we didn't know he was going to (be close) to leading the country in double-doubles. He comes into the gym and it's all business. He just knows one way to go, and that's all out."

Quimby's hard work around the basketball has earned the nickname "Garbage Man" from Clinton. He is averaging more than four offensive rebounds per game.

"He's great around the basket," Clinton said. "He just works. His talent level, it's good. He gets by because he outworks them."

Quimby isn't perfect. He said his defense and free-throw shooting (65 percent) could improve.

"And I could be a better captain," Quimby said. "You can never be satisfied with any aspect of your game. You can't be satisfied with the numbers that you put up or the time you play. You have to earn every moment of time on the court."

Quimby has done that and more. Finally, it's his time.

sinterdonato@th-record.com