Basketball Hall of Fame

Coached by Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Famer John Gross, Richwoods set the Illinois High School Association record for most victories in a season, going 38-0 to claim the Class AA state championship.

Sophomore point guard Biannca Ward was a consensus first-team all-stater and the Journal Star Class AA Player of the Year. She averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 53% from the floor, including 44% on 3-pointers. Megan McGann, who played the last several weeks of the season with a stress fracture above her right ankle, also received all-state recognition. Ward and McGann were named to the all-state tournament team.

In postseason play, Richwoods won the Pekin Sectional title by defeating No. 11-ranked Galesburg for the third time that season. The Knights followed by beating Normal Community in the supersectionals, No. 2 Oak Park Fenwick in the state quarterfinals, Chicago Whitney Young in the semifinals and Bartlett, 52-48, in the championship game.

The Knights’ victory broke a 19-year Class AA state-title drought for Downstate Illinois teams.