The Bulldogs scored the first four points of the game and never trailed. Brock Fearday had a big opening quarter, draining two three-pointers and scoring 12 points. Collin Westendorf netted seven more. His three at the 2:43 mark, gave the hosts their first double-digit lead of the game, 15-5.

Fearday connected on his second three and Westendorf scored in the final seconds to help the Bulldogs maintain that 10-point margin, 22-12, heading into the second period.

“I was real pleased with how we opened the game,” Rincker noted. “Early on, our intensity and urgency was very good. We showed a lot of passion. We were getting stops and making shots. We shot better tonight than we have for a while.”

St. Anthony threatened to turn the game into a rout in the second quarter. Ryan Schmidt came off the bench and provided an instant spark. He scored nine points, including a three with 3:56 left in the opening half that extended the Bulldogs lead to 35-19.

“Ryan has done a great job understanding his role,” Rincker said. “Whether it’s at the offensive or defensive end, he has been a huge lift for us off the bench. I’m excited about his growth and potential moving forward.”

But just about when you started to think the game was over, the Hatchets proved to have other ideas. Jordan Wittenberg’s jumper started an 11-0 run that carried over into the opening minute of the second half. Jackson Gurgel had a bucket and Carter Chaney drilled a three and added another basket, getting WSS to within 35-28 at intermission.

Just 37 seconds into the third period, Talon Bridges hit a jumper in the lane and the Hatches were within five points.

“Because we were making shots early, I thought we got a little over-zealous and forced a few shots and had a couple turnovers,” Rincker said. “They then went on that 9-0 run to end half and executed a good play to get within seven to start the second half. Like I said. They just wouldn’t go away.”

Fearday and Max Koenig scored on back-to-back possessions for St. Anthony that ignited a 12-3 run. Koenig had six points during that stretch and when Schmidt converted a WSS turnover into a bucket, the Bulldogs had a 14-point lead, 47-33.

But, again, here came the Hatchets. Austin Wittenberg hit a long three and Jordan Wittenberg added two free throws to make it a nine-point spread, 47-38, heading into the final eight minutes.

A bucket by Dylan Curry cut it to seven in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. At the 3:24 mark, the margin was just eight, 51-43.

A basket by Fearday 21 seconds later, however, started the game-clinching 11-2 run. That included Fearday and Westendorf combining to make 7-of-8 free throws over a 43-second span to secure the win.

The Hatches dipped to 3-3 in the NTC and 16-6 overall. Austin Wittenberg and Chaney both scored 11 points and Gurgel added 10.

Fearday scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Bulldogs. Westendorf finished with 15 and Schmidt added 11. SAHS shot extremely well, knocking down 22-of-38 attempts, a 58 percent clip. They were 4-for-11 from behind the arc and 14-of-18 from the line.

“They played a 1-3-1 zone tonight, which wasn’t surprising,” Rincker noted. “It’s no secret that we’ve struggled against a zone most of the season. I thought Brock, Collin and Michael (Martelli) did a good job attacking the gaps and then kicking it out for some threes. They were very aggressive and I liked that.”

The Bulldogs improved to 15-7 on the season overall and 5-1 in league play. They have a tough game today (Saturday) at St. Joe-Ogden.

“That will be a great benchmark for us right before the NTC Tournament,” Rincker said. “They are a very good team.”

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Between the junior varsity and varsity games, a special ceremony was held, celebrating the St. Anthony boys basketball program reaching the 1,500-win plateau.

Each of the Bulldogs former coaches since the 1940s were remembered. Four of them – Mike Wilson, Ron Niebrugge, Chris Kusnerick and Les Stevens – returned for the program. They joined current coach Cody Rincker and players from the 1950s through today on the court at The Enlow Center.

Steve Allen, a board member with the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, was also present and presented a plaque in recognition of the school’s 1,500 victories.