Spotlight on Rumble on the River continues to grow along with talented prep hoops field

QUINCY — Chris Duesdieker’s tireless effort is done with one goal in mind.

Put the spotlight on area basketball.

The collection of talented teams he is bringing to John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center and the intriguing matchups he has created for the 16th Rumble on the River have transformed the event from a solid shootout to a six-day extravaganza.

And that spotlight is as big as ever.

The 20-game schedule kicks off Friday night with a cross-river showdown between the Quincy Notre Dame and Hannibal girls. An eight-game slate follows Saturday with games to be played each of the first four nights the following week.

All in all, 15 teams from Illinois, 16 from Missouri and four from Iowa. There are 18 games featuring cross-river matchups and two with Missouri teams playing Iowa squads. With interest growing, Duesdieker, the JWCC athletic specialist and event organizer, could play more games if he had more time slots available.

Here’s a look at the 16th Rumble on the River schedule:

Friday, Dec. 15

Quincy Notre Dame girls vs. Hannibal, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Payson Seymour girls vs. North Shelby, 9 a.m.

Camp Point Central boys vs. Bowling Green, 10:30 a.m.

Quincy Notre Dame girls vs. Troy Buchanan, Noon

Quincy High School girls vs. Cairo Northwest, 1:30 p.m.

Illini West boys vs. Hannibal, 3 p.m.

Winchester West Central girls vs. Hermann, 4:30 p.m.

Union boys vs. Columbia Rock Bridge, 6 p.m.

Union girls vs. Keokuk, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 18

Monroe City girls vs. Liberty, 4:30 p.m.

Monroe City boys vs. Liberty, 6 p.m.

Payson Seymour boys vs. Palmyra, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Mendon Unity girls vs. Macon, 6 p.m.

Mendon Unity boys vs. Macon, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Clapton girls vs. West Hancock, 3 p.m.

Clopton boys vs. Western, 4:30 p.m.

Quincy Notre Dame girls vs. Burlington Notre Dame, 6 p.m.

Southeastern boys vs. Burlington Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 21

West Hancock girls vs. Columbia Father Tolton, 5 p.m.

Central-Southeastern girls vs. Fort Madison, 6:30 p.m.