PEORIA — Reigning News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year Jereme Richmond scored a season-high 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as Waukegan beat O'Fallon 85-78 in the third-place game in Class 4A on Saturday night.

Who's your Mr. Basketball?

O'FALLON – Katie Roustio didn't begin playing club volleyball until the eighth grade. She has one season of high school competition under her belt, too.

But that didn't stop Illinois from offering a scholarship to the power-hitting O'Fallon freshman, who orally committed to Kevin Hambly's nationally ranked program late last week.

"I truly believe in this guy. I know his heart, and I honestly feel he can and will make a positive difference in society," Self wrote when Wacaser was facing his first sentencing hearing before McCuskey.

But neither Self nor the other coaches knew him at all — at least not to the extent of a prison psychologist who interviewed Wacaser and studied his personal history.

On the way

A list of Illinois volleyball recruits who have signed or orally committed:

Troy Gentle's weekly update on the five players headed Bruce Weber's way and the two players headed Jolette Law's way:

Chris O'Connor's presence on film was enough for Illinois to extend a scholarship offer, his first, earlier this month. First-year offensive coordinator Paul Petrino has led the Illini's recruitment.

"Illinois was the biggest one so far," Zimmer said. "That's the biggest one right now, but this week's been busy with phone calls requesting film on him. Wisconsin is probably the next Big Ten team with a lot of interest."

News you can't leave work without:

The 2009-10 Gatorade Illinois Boys Basketball Player of the Year is ...