Richards: A season of special moments

The Richards Bulldogs on March 15 beat Zion-Benton 67-63 to win the first Illinois Class 4A boys basketball championship. Richards is the first Southland boys basketball team to win state since Leo won the Class A crown in 2004. Mount Carmel was the previous Southland team to win the "big school" crown, in 1985.

We asked members of the championship squad a simple question: What was your favorite moment of the season? Here's what they told correspondent Steve Millar:

Head coach John Chappetto

"It's very difficult to pick one moment. But, when the clock went to 'zero-zero-zero' (at the end of the Class 4A state championship game), it was pretty exhilarating for me. As a coach, there's a lot of pressure to perform well and for these kids to do well.

"The closer we got to the championship, the more tense I became, because you realize the closer you get, you can win it. For me, it's very emotional with the loss of my father and all that. I always thought that if this ever happened, I'd look up to him and say, 'We did it', so when the clock struck zero I just looked to the heavens and screamed my head off."

Assistant coach Demetris McDaniel

"There were 9.1 seconds left [in the Class 4A state championship game]. During a timeout, I realized [Zion-Benton] didn't have any more timeouts left and I got really excited. I kind of knew it was over before it was over.

"It was an unbelievable feeling that rushed through my body. I got a little emotional, got a little teary-eyed; it was great."

Senior guard Tommie Thomas

"The clock was ticking down on the state championship. It was the greatest feeling ever. After I missed that free throw [with 13 seconds left in the game], and Shaun (Pratl) tipped it back out and I knew I had another chance, I knew the game was sealed then.

"It was the great feeling I ever had in my whole high school career."

Senior guard Eliud Gonzalez

"Every day was a great moment. But, if I had to give something specific, it would be celebrating with all my teammates after winning state. It's the best feeling ever.

"Knowing that we had stayed together as a team and proved all the doubters wrong - we always knew that we could do it, and just proving it to everyone else was great. All the hard work finally paid off. It was just so much fun."

Senior guard Mike Denson

"My favorite moments were dunking on people. Eliud [Gonzalez] threw me an alley-oop against Eisenhower [in a Class 4A regional semifinal] and that was like my best moment ever.

"It was kind of close to the end of the game and no one was back there paying attention, so he lobbed it up there and I got it."

Junior forward Shaun Pratl

"In the state championship game, I got the last rebound and when the clock buzzed, I threw the ball up in the air, and that was really cool.

"I've always seen people do that in college and everything so that was cool. Words can't describe [the feeling]. Every time I think about it, I get a smile on my face."

Senior guard Lamar Harvey

"I hit a three to put us in the lead against Mount Carmel [Jan. 8]. It was right before half. I got the shot and knocked it down to put us up one. It gave us some momentum.

"It was really exciting because that was probably one of my first times getting in for the season. Coach had some confidence in me to put me in and I knocked down a big shot."

Junior guard Peter Danos

"We were playing Argo [Jan. 18] and I hit my first 3 of the season. It was four days after I got cleared because I came into the season with a broken left foot.

"I had to sit out the first half of the season, but four days after I got cleared I hit that 3. It was pretty exciting; I'll never forget that."

Sophomore guard Keith Sconiers

"Before I moved up to varsity, in a sophomore game, I got my first dunk. I don't remember who it was against; I just know I got my first dunk.

"My favorite varsity moment is when I hit a layup against Shepard [Feb. 1] at the end of the third quarter."

Junior guard Jeff Harris

"My favorite moments were when we went to tournaments. Being with my teammates and having fun outside of basketball, off the court, with these guys. Just making jokes and hanging out -- just being with these guys was a good experience. We have a lot of fun with each other. We all get along and everybody has something in common with each other. We aren't the type of the team that hangs out during the season and then leaves each other alone. We're like a family.

"At the Carbondale Tournament, coach finally called my name and I came up big for the team. I made a big defensive stop against Whitehouse from Tennessee and then I came back down and hit a shot, then I hit another one. That was a good feeling, knowing I helped my team out."

Senior forward Carl Richard

"When Tommie [Thomas] hit the two free throws (with 13 seconds left in the Class 4A state championship), I knew it was over. I knew we had wrapped up that state championship.

"I couldn't even believe it. Then they had the ball again and Mike stripped it and they didn't even get a shot off. All I could do was run to 'Meat' [assistant coach Demetrius McDaniel], because I knew how bad he wanted it. 'Meat' was crying and asking me for a hug and I was like, 'Oh, man'. That was the best moment."

Junior forward Kyle Renken

"The buzzer going off at the end of the state championship game would have to be it. It was just disbelief. You couldn't even believe you won it and there were so many emotions, it's madness, you have to think about it that you're actually the best in the state."

Assistant coach Bill Judge

"It was kind of weird how I got over here. I coach football at Oak Forest and it was kind of weird knocking these guys out of the playoffs in football and then coach Chappetto asked me to come coach over here, and it was just right place at the right time. I was just lucky to be here.

"The [Brother] Rice game (a sectional semifinal), I thought was a turning point. We fought hard and won, and after that, I knew we had a chance to go far and we ended up winning state."

Senior guard Tyrone Roper

"In the Carbondale tournament against Whitehouse, I hit like three three-pointers to help us advance to the championship game, coming off the bench.

"It was a great feeling to win that tournament. I knew we could do it because we were together. We were always together as one all season; we never really had any arguments between the team or anything."

Senior guard Corey Wolf

"My favorite moment is when we beat Brother Rice in our first sectional game. That was a big win because we had lost to them previously. We practiced really hard and played really hard to try to win in front of our crowd.

"It was amazing how many people came out and showed support for us. I appreciate our fans coming out to support us throughout the whole playoffs. It was real great to be in front of your home crowd and win the sectional."

Senior forward Sammy Olayan

"My favorite moment is when it was finally over. All season, we worked so hard to reach our goals, and when we had won it all, it was just a great feeling. It was a huge relief for everyone."

Assistant coach Derek Johnson

"Beating Hillcrest twice was my favorite. That's my alma mater. The fact that our team expected to [beat them], that showed they've come a long way. They went from being the hunter to the hunted and hopefully we can continue that."

Assistant coach Tim Baker

"My favorite moment was seeing Corey Wolf play in the sectional, supersectionals and even the state finals. He was a kid who didn't have a uniform on the sophomore team with me, but he earned it after a couple weeks. He didn't have a uniform last year, but here he was playing in a state finals game because he stuck with it and persevered.

"Just seeing a kid like that succeed and stick with something, that was probably my favorite memory of them all."

Senior forward Dwayne McGhee

"When Carl Richard caught an alley-oop against Tinley Park. I set a backscreen for him and he came around it and caught the pass for a huge dunk. That was a great moment."

Sophomore guard Randall Rushing

"Watching Eliud Gonzalez. He's been a mentor to me. I hope to continue the tradition of great Richards point guards in '09."