It's all Simeon in Class 4A championship game

PEORIA - Simeon's basketball legacy keeps growing, even as the march of time claimed part of its past.

The Wolverines sprinted out to a 13-0 lead against Whitney Young in the Class 4A boys basketbal championship game Saturday night at Carver Arena in the Peoria Civic Center and maintained a comfortable lead the whole way in a 51-36 triumph.

It's the third state title for coach Robert Smith, one made more poignant by the passing of former Simeon coach Bob Hambric earlier this school year. Hambric won a title in 1984 and led Simeon to five more Elite Eight appearances; Simeon won back-to-back crowns in 2006 and 2007 under Smith.

"This championship and this season are for (Hambric)," Smith said. "We went through a lot of trials and tribulations but we got through it. I miss you, coach.''

Brandon Spearman led Simeon (25-9) with 13 points. The Wolverines outrebounded Whitney Young 39-22.

Anthony Johnson led Whitney Young (23-7) with 13 points. The Dolphins converted on just 12 of 39 shots.

"We dug ourselves a hole that was too deep to get out of," said Young coach Tyrone Slaughter. "They had some fresh legs and we weren't very fresh today. They were the better basketball team."

Ahman Fells scored 4 points and had 13 rebounds, and Rashawn McElrath and Darien Walker both scored 9 for Simeon.

"I think we wanted it more than they did," Smith said. "I think they burned up a lot of energy against Waukegan (in a 60-58 semifinal victory Friday) and our guys came out today and gave it a full effort. We jumped on them early and didn't give them a chance to get back into the game.''

• All-state forward Jereme Richmond scored a season-high 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as Waukegan beat O'Fallon 85-78 to take third place in the boys Class 4A state finals at Carver Arena.

Forward Quan Conner added 20 points for the Bulldogs, who lost 69-66 to Whitney Young in last year's 4A championship game.

Waukegan (27-5) took control early and led 44-36 at the half.

Richmond, a 6-foot-8 Illinois signee, also set a Class 4A single-game scoring record.

Guard Roosevelt Jones led O'Fallon (30-4) with 26 points and 13 rebounds, and teammate Charles Joy added 12 points for the Panthers.