Blue Devils take care of business against Pioneers, set up showdowns with Maroons, Rocks to finish WB6 play

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — For a moment Tuesday night, however brief it was, the Rock Island Alleman boys basketball team led state-ranked Quincy High School.

Then the Blue Devils took possession of the ball, the lead and the game.

Alleman sophomore guard Jack Wendt scored on a drive down the left side of the lane on the opening possession of Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup at Don Morris Gym. Ten seconds later, Quincy’s Dom Clay laid in an alley-oop from Keshaun Thomas and the rout was on.

The Blue Devils scored 22 consecutive points, led by 31 points at halftime and rolled to a 76-33 victory to remain undefeated in WB6 play and guarantee themselves a share of the conference crown.

Now, the focus turns to winning the WB6 title outright.

Quincy (25-2, 10-0 WB6) has two league games remaining against the teams currently tied for second place. Moline (24-5, 8-2 WB6) visits Blue Devil Gym at 7 p.m. Friday, and the Blue Devils travel to Rock Island (24-4, 8-2 WB6) next Tuesday.

Although only one victory is needed for a solo first-place finish, the Blue Devils, who are ranked third in the Class 4A state poll, want to finish undefeated in league play.

“We are on a mission to complete that goal,” Quincy senior point guard Kamren Wires said.

Bradley Longcor III led the Blue Devils with 15 points against Alleman, while Wires finished with 12 points. In fact, Quincy had seven players score seven or more points.