Richwoods Snatches Another Win in Final Seconds vs Edwardsville

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Is Peoria Richwoods a team of destiny?&nbsp; They took out title contender Rock Island, then win one of the craziest finishes of the year vs Normal, and for the encore?&nbsp; How about a double digit fourth quarter comeback against Edwardsville to win the sectional final 59-58 over Edwardsville.&nbsp; We dive into the game and prospects below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>How Did That Comeback Happen?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Early in the 4^th quarter this one looked all but over with Edwardsville up 11 heading into the final stanza and an injury early in the quarter to Richwoods star [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley']'s ankle which looked like he would miss the rest of the game.&nbsp; Richwoods scrapped back into the game with their defense creating turnovers for points.&nbsp; Then Smith-Holley came back which gave them another lift.&nbsp; It kept getting closer and closer until when down one Smith-Holley picked the Edwardsville guards pocket for a steal and was fouled.&nbsp; Just like last game he went to the line and made the clutch free throws to take the lead and win the game.&nbsp; It was defense, toughness, and a lot of Edwardsville missed free throws in the last quarter that turned the game in Richwoods favor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Smith-Holley is a SUPERSTAR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everyone knows the names Pettigrew, Kelly, and to a certain extent Vahl in 2028.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] is a national recruit and one of the best players regardless of class in Illinois.&nbsp; What he is doing right now is absurd.&nbsp; His speed coast to coast is faster than anyone across the state as he regularly takes it off the defensive glass or gets a steal for transition finishes.&nbsp; More than just that he has burst in the half court, makes sound decisions with the ball, and has a pure jumper from NBA range that he can also take down into the post for turnarounds.&nbsp; He finished with 20 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Moore and McClendon Continue to Produce for Richwoods</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite everything that Smith-Holley did the MVP goes to [player_tooltip player_id='2362360' first='Anfernee' last='Moore'].&nbsp; What&nbsp; a performance by the Richwoods fellow 2028 prospect.&nbsp; Strong bodied forward has been uber consistent in their run with his physicality around the hoop, on the glass, and defensively.&nbsp; The skill is really starting to come along as well knocking in mid-range jumpers on the regular and stretching to three on occasion as he had 20 points.&nbsp; Davion McClendon brought the energy early on for Richwoods sealing for multiple baskets and the senior post rebounds well in his area netting 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mizzou Football Commit Shines in Final High School Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Edwardsville their most effective player in this game was Devyon Hill-Lomax.&nbsp; The Mizzou football recruit had the best hoops game we had seen in his career.&nbsp; Super bouncy athlete that had five dunks in the first half including a couple of massive tip slams.&nbsp; Reminded us a lot of what Neemias Queta is bringing to the Boston Celtics right now.&nbsp; Also had a sweet seal for a reverse dunk.&nbsp; He did struggle at the free throw line, but finished with 18 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Edwardsville Perimeter Trio</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2277698' first='Miccah' last='Butler'] is a senior sharp shooter who has been a PHI favorite for several years.&nbsp; Kid really shoot the basketball with quality size and moves well off the ball to get open transitioning quickly from catch to shot.&nbsp; Drained three of them for 9 points.&nbsp; D2s and JUCOs should be involved.&nbsp; Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2749981' first='Rowan' last='Weller'] had a nice game as the crafty two guard poured in 15 footers along with crafty takes off the bounce for 12 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='3472207' first='Matthew' last='Wilson'] is a 2029 that recently moved into our freshman watch list.&nbsp; Strong bodied and skilled forward that rebounds very well on the wing and is a plus shooter from three as he had 13 points.&nbsp; Definitely a name to monitor!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->