Peoria High boys basketball is having one of its best seasons since it won a Class 3A state championship in 2012, and certainly the best under fifth-year head coach Daniel Ruffin.
And the program's trajectory may very well continue to rise.
The Lions own a 22-6 record and have won seven of their eight Big Twelve Conference games, the only loss coming against Big 12 leader Normal Community. Peoria High re-entered Class 3A’s rankings at No. 10 last week and proceeded to beat crosstown rival and Class 2A No. 8 Manual 46-43 on Feb. 7 to win the season series between the two.
Upperclassmen are key variables in Peoria’s successful equation this year, led by senior and Miami (Ohio) commit Leshawn Stowers, senior TJ Studivant and junior Fenix Foy. These “X” variables added with the “Y” variables have equaled the most wins in one season under Ruffin, with still plenty of games to go.
Who are the “Y” variables? The freshmen group of Orlando Edwards Jr., Nigel Moore, Jacob Duffin Jr., Bryan Nicholson Jr. and Kaylen Hardy.