Hughes has grown into key part of Richland (Essex) success

Following a historic run of success in the recent Bloomfield Christmas Tournament, the Richland (Essex) varsity boy’s basketball squad fell flat in its post-holiday game at Woodland, as the Rebels fell 75-57. However, on Friday, Richland (Essex) secured its ninth win in 13 outings with little difficulty, as it topped Delta (Deering) 66-29.

The Rebels are steaming headstrong towards earning their first winning season since 2019 (13-12), and possibly having its highest victory total since 2010 (21-7) if they can climb past last year’s 14 wins.

A key to Richland’s success this season has been its offensive balance.

“All of these guys have to be working together,” fifth-year Rebel coach Matt Cline said of his team’s roles. There are 10 guys who play on our varsity basketball team. All 10 of those guys can offer something. They may not have all played, but they can offer something to our team.”

In the loss to Woodland, sophomore guard Gary Tilley put in a team-high 20 points, including 11 points in the final quarter, while junior point guard Hunter Sanders had 13 points.

“When (Sanders) is going,” Cline said during the Bloomfield Tournament, “he is absolutely a sparkplug. He’s a big piece of what we have, but he is just a piece.”

Rebel junior forward Tucker Hughes had a very solid tournament at Bloomfield and was named to the All-Tournament Team. However, he was limited to just eight points against Woodland.

Hughes is an interesting athlete because he developed his game as a smaller guard, according to Cline, before growing (he is 6-foot-3) into a frontcourt player’s body.

“He grew up as a stretch guard,” Cline said, “and now he is a big (player). So, he is very versatile (and) you can play him about everywhere.”

Hughes put in 17 points in a recent win over Portageville and had 16 points against one of the best teams in Southeast Missouri, Puxico, during the Bloomfield Tournament.

“He gets off the floor,” Cline said.

In one game during the Bloomfield event, Cline said Hughes pulled down 20 rebounds.

“I like that part of him,” Cline said, “his rebounding.”

Within the Rebels’ motion offense, regardless of your position or size, each player has to be adept at handling the ball, and Hughes’ background as a “stretch guard” helps him in that regard.

“He’s a good passer,” Cline said. “Sometimes he is too good of a passer. He tries to thread the needle a little too much.”

Cline also said that Hughes can be a threat in blocking shots but is still learning to manage his aggression with that skill and not get into foul trouble.

The Rebels will aim to keep their positive momentum going this week, having won 6 of their past 8 games.

Richland (Essex) will visit Zalma (2-9) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and host Advance (2-9) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.