25 Sports High School Monday - March 13, 2023

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (25News Now) - Monday marked the first day of games in the high school sports season. Several teams braving Monday’s cold. In soccer, Peoria Richwoods gets a big opening day win over East Peoria, and Normal West cruises past intercity foe Bloomington Central Catholic 5-0.

The Big Twelve Conference girls indoor track meet was also held Monday. The Normal Community Iron take first, Richwoods second, Danville third, Bloomington fourth, and Normal West fifth.

The celebration continues for the Metamora boys basketball team. The Redbirds celebrated a state title Saturday night, and the 2006 Peoria Richwoods Knights celebrated too. Saturday night ended with Metamora head coach Danny Grieves and top assistant Justin Dehm hugging every player.

The 2006 state tournament ended different for Dehm. That year, Dehm was a star of Richwoods as they battled Chicago Simeon and Derrick Rose for the state title. Dehm hit a three to send that game to overtime only see Rose hit an overtime buzzer-beater to give Simeon the state title. It’s the game that haunted Dehm until Saturday night when Dehm and Metamora won the state title over Simeon. Dehm’s Richwoods teammates celebrated with him.

“I heard from a bunch of old teammates about finally beating Simeon,” Dehm said. “I heard from them last year, too, but this year to beat Simeon in the state title game.”

The celebration also continued Monday for the Bloomington Central Catholic Saints, who took second place in the state basketball finals in Class 2A. The Saints were honored at the school Monday for their fantastic season.

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