Lathan Sommerville gives Richwoods a dominant presence as team builds for the postseason
A true big man is back at Richwoods.
After 16 years without having anyone to fill the paint, the Knights have relied upon Lathan Sommerville to make his presence felt statewide. The 6-foot-10 senior is doing just that and already putting together a monster season.
“We’ve been guard dominant, trying to make things happen,” Richwoods boys basketball coach Will Smith said, noting former Illini standout Bill Cole (2007) as the last real center in the Richwoods program. “Now to have that steady hand in the post, that can post up and command the post (is nice). As big as he is and as good as he is, it’s been a long time (coming)."
Sommerville, of course, is back in Peoria following a two-year stint at a Georgia prep school. The Rutgers signee has brought his 2024 ESPN 100 talent to the River City in a big way.
Just last week, he posted a triple-double with 28 points, 14 rebounds and 11 blocks in an 11-point victory over Normal West. This came on the heels of him scoring 23 to beat Champaign Central by 18, then going off on Manual for 28 points and 11 rebounds on Tuesday.
“(The transition has) been really good,” Sommerville said. “Just getting to play with new teammates, obviously, some guys that I know but still new as teammates. Being able to play in front of family, friends, it’s just a good experience.”
Leadership and getting his teammates involved have been a point of focus for the son of former Bradley great Marcellus Sommerville. The younger Sommerville says he’s been shooting the ball well, steadily improving his perimeter shot.
But most of all, he’ll make sure he does everything in his power to will Richwoods to victory.
“When I got to take over a game,” Lathan Sommerville said, “I see that I got to take over a game, I try to take it over to the best of my ability.”
And when Sommerville isn’t dominating, it’s likely that Tavie Smith is playing lights out. The 6-foot-2 senior guard dropped 25 points and dished out five assists in beating the Rams.
Adding Sommerville has been very much welcomed.
“Now that we actually got somebody to hold a big man on every team, that’s just good for us,” Smith said. "You can see the difference in like how we practice. You can see him get more comfortable knowing his plays more and knowing how he’s supposed to play his position.”
Sommerville said about Tavie Smith: “He’s a really good combo guard. He can score, pass it. He can do everything good, so we complement each other very well.”
One adjustment Sommerville is still making comes with the Illinois High School Association’s stricter rules on sportsmanship. He’s been assessed at least one technical foul this season for taunting.
He says in Atlanta he was able to show a little bit more emotion.
“It’s on a little bit of a tighter leash here,” Sommerville said, “Can’t show as much emotion. I just got to get better at that. Staying level-headed. I guess not celebrating as much and just let my game do the talking. That’s something I’m working on.”
More: Why this elite Division-I recruit is returning to play high school basketball in Peoria
Motivation, on the other hand, needs no improvement for the Knights. Richwoods made a run to the Class 3A Sweet Sixteen before losing to eventual state champion Metamora in the sectional final.
March is a long way away, but Richwoods is focused on making sure everything is fine tuned once the postseason arrives.
“(The Metamora loss) left kind of a bad taste (in our mouths),” Tavie Smith said, “and (we) just (want to) go back and go farther.”
More: Former Richwoods coach among 16 from Peoria area part of IBCA Hall of Fame's Class of 2024
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Rutgers recruit making big impact in return to Peoria
