Richwoods rebounds to take third at state after morning loss in 3A semifinal

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Richwoods had hoped to play on the final day of the basketball season but bringing a third place trophy back to Peoria is a bad second choice.

The Knights beat Mt. Zion, 62-50, in the class 3A third place basketball game at State Farm Center on Friday. Lathan Sommerville had 22 points and nine rebounds for the Knights, who finish the season, 30-5.

The game was tied at halftime, 32-32, but the Knights outscored the Braves 30-18 after halftime. DaQuan Little scored 16 points and Jared Jackson added 10 for the winners.

Richwoods was knocked into the third place game following a 52-41 loss to DePaul College Prep in its morning semfinal. Makai Kvamme and PJ Chambers scored 15 points apiece to lead DePaul, which won the class 2A state championship last year.

The Rams are trying to become the first team in Illinois High School Association history to win consecutive state titles in different classes. They will play Chicago Mount Carmel at 5:30 p.m. Saturday for the 3A state championship.

Sommerville’s 18 points led the Richwoods attack in the semifinal. Making their first state appearance since 2010, the Knights led 5-4 midway through the first quarter but the Rams closed the half on a 16-6 run and Richwoods never regained the lead.

DePaul had not surrendered more than 32 points its first four games of the postseason. The Rams will play Chicago Mt. Carmel for the state title on Saturday.

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