Turmoil rocked the Richwoods girl's basketball program during the off-season when two-time state champion head coach John Gross was relieved of his coaching duties for the Knights. For more on the story, here is Jane Miller's story from the Peoria Journal-Star.

Taking over the defending Class 3A champions is Todd Hursey, an assistant under Gross. This is the first head coaching job for Hursey, who has been on staff of the girl's program for the past five seasons.

Richwoods returns two starters from last year's title team. Katie Murphy (6'0" Sr. Forward) has committed to play for Ball State. She averaged 10.7 points/game, and 7.6 rebounds/game as a junior and was an All-Conference selection in the Mid-State Six. Mariah Smith (6'0" Jr. Guard) was also an all-conference selection. Smith averaged 15.1 points/game, 7.1 rebounds/game, and 2.1 assists/game. She has offers from Iowa and Rutgers at this time, and more than likely many more to come.

That tandem will be looked upon to lead the 2009-10 Knights, and provide leadership and experience. Newcomers that saw limited varsity time last year include, Sarah Murray (5'7" Sr. Guard), who averaged 1.2 points/game, Susan Lynd (5'11" Jr. Guard/Forward) who averaged 0.8 points/game and 1.0 rebounds/game, Maggie Cunningham (5'7" So. Guard) who played in 14 games as a freshman, averaging 0.6 points/game, and Karissa London (5'8" Jr. Forward), who averaged 0.3 points/game and 1.5 rebounds/game. In addition, the Knights will have Lily Voelkeer (5'11" Jr. Guard/Forward), Elise Tamplin (5'8" Jr. Guard), and Tatyana Nimmers (5'8" Jr. Guard).

"We are returning two of the top seven from the state championship team. We have talent at all positions, but are lacking the experience that last year's team had at the varsity level," Hursey said. The Knights will be tested early playing in the Galesburg Thanksgiving Tournament. Richwoods opens on Tuesday 11/17 at Metamora to face the Redbirds. Other games during their first week will be against Alleman and United Township, followed by Springfield and Galesburg.

The Knights will look to defend their Mid-State Six conference championship, after a (7-1) finish in the league last season. "We are hoping to win the conference, with our toughest team being Peoria High."

Richwoods has won state championships twice in the last five seasons. The Knights dominated Freeport last season in the Class 3A title game (56-19). In that title game, Murphy had 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Richwoods also won the (2004-05) Class AA championship, finishing an undefeated (38-0) season. The team nipped Bartlett (52-48) in the title game.

Mary Kay Hungate led Richwoods to the school's first-ever state championship in the (1982-83) season. That team went (32-0) and beat Chicago Maria (56-43) for the championship. Richwoods took 2nd place in (1980-81 & 1983-84), 3rd place in (1984-85) and qualified for the Elite Eight in (1979-80 & 2003-04).