“After experiencing the shortcomings we had last year in the regional, you have to credit these kids,” St. Anthony coach Cody Rincker said. “They continued to work hard and have the drive to be even more ready for these big moments.

“Making the state tournament is everybody’s dream at the beginning of the season,” Rincker added. “So, this is a proud moment. But, hopefully, we’re not done.”

With 2:56 to play in regulation, things were not looking good. Since falling behind 39-22 three minutes into the second half, the Bobcats had dominated. Their full-court pressure completely changed the complexion of the game, creating turnovers which resulted in some easy baskets.

In the final 62 seconds of the third period, three straight turnovers were converted into baskets, trimming the St. Anthony lead to 41-34 heading into the final eight minutes.

And the Mounds Meridian surge wasn’t over.

After scoring the final six points of the third period, the Bobcats scored the fist seven points of the final quarter – with two of those baskets coming off more turnovers. With 5:26 left, the score was tied 41-41.

Sam Link then hit a short jumper to give the Bulldogs back the lead, but it was short lived. Javionne Ranson hit a free throw, Colin Monan connected on a jumper and Ransom scored again after grabbing an offensive rebound. That capped a 24-4 run that not only had the Bobcats on top, 46-43, but also in possession of all the momentum.

“We knew they would come out on fire and amp it up in the second half,” St. Anthony senior Ryan Schmidt said. “We expected them to come out strong. I don’t think we were as mentally prepared as we should have been and it quickly turned into a dogfight.”

“They really hounded the ball that second half,” senior teammate Brock Fearday added. “They are strong and physical, and when they ratcheted up their defense, it caused some turnovers and gave them some easy buckets. But we finally settled down.”

And he was the one that did that.

On the Bulldogs’ ensuing possession, Brock Fearday knocked down a three-pointer from the top of the key to tie the game with 2:21 to play. And seven seconds later, a Mounds Meridian turnover resulted in a layup by Ryan Schmidt to put SAHS back on top, 48-46.

“In those situations, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out you need to get the ball in an all-stater’s hands,” Rincker said. “When Brock’s shot went in, it gave the whole team a shot of confidence. It showed he’s not afraid of the moment.”

After another turnover by the Bobcats, Schmidt hit a 7-foot jumper to expand the lead to four, but a three-point play by Mounds Meridian’s AJ Flenoid made it a one-possession game. Schmidt made another free throw with 25 seconds left and Ranson knocked down a pair of foul shots eight seconds later to force the game into overtime.

Flenoid got an offensive putback just 37 seconds into the extra session that gave the Bobcats their last lead. Then, over the next minute, Will Fearday and Keenan Griffith stepped up in a huge way.

First it was Fearday. After going 1-for-4 through the first four quarters, the senior buried a three-pointer from the corner to put SAHS on top, 54-53.

“I missed that same shot from the same spot in the fourth quarter,” Will noted. “But I was open and had the same mindset in the overtime. This time, I made it.”

After Mounds Meridian’s Latarus Johnson made a free throw to tie it, it was Griffith’s turn to shine – this time from the opposite corner. The junior point guard was scoreless up that point, having missed his first three attempts. But number four proved to be the charm and put the Bulldogs ahead for good, 57-54, with 2:31 still remaining.

“There was no hesitation,” Keenan admitted. “And it felt good coming off my hand.

“Brock and Ryan score a majority of our points,” Keenan continued. “But in the overtime, Will and I had our opportunities. They left us open and we punished them for it.”

“Those two guys came up huge,” Rincker added. “If you’re going to be a hero, you have to do so by playing your role, whether that’s from defense, rebounding or hitting big shots when necessary. Will and Keenan certainly buried a couple big shots.”

“We needed those two shots,” Brock noted. “Without them, we’re probably not going to state.”

Will Fearday hit 3-of-4 from the foul line in a 19-second span that offset a pair of baskets by Flenoid, the second coming with just three ticks remaining.

That’s when Brock Fearday was fouled and made the two game-clinching free throws that erupted into a celebration on the floor of Groniger Arena (formerly Lantz Arena) on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.

“In this type of game, you can’t count anybody out,” Rincker emphasized. “They (Mounds Meridian) are a load. You just don’t realize how quick and athletic they are until you face them. Credit them for coming back and making this a great game.”

It didn’t have the makings of a great game in the first half, however.

With Brock Fearday knocking down a three and scoring nine points, and Schmidt connecting on another shot from behind arc and netting six more, the Bulldogs twice led by seven points in the first quarter. It was a six-point margin, 17-11, at the end of the opening eight minutes.

It was a five-point game, 23-18, when St. Anthony went on a surge that opened a double-digit lead. Schmidt hit a pair of free throws, Link hit a jumper, Schmidt made two more buckets and Brock Fearday capped the 10-0 spurt with a score to make it 33-18. It was still a 15-point spread at halftime, 35-20.

“The game plan was not to make it a track meet,” Rincker said. “I think that went out the window in the first 30 seconds. We don’t mind a faster tempo, plus we came out and did a great job.

“But you saw what happened in the second half,” the veteran coach added. “Our legs started to go, their pressure started to have an impact and momentum switched to the other side. The boys started becoming indecisive and that played right into their hands.”

Flenoid had a double-double – 19 points and 12 rebounds – for the Bobcats, who finished their season at 26-9. Monan and Ranson were also in double figures with 15 and 12 points respectively.

Brock Fearday also had a massive double-double, finishing with 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Schmidt scored 21.

As a team, the Bulldogs shot 46 percent overall, connecting on 23-of-50 attempts. They were 6-for-19 from three-point range and 10-for-16 at the line. They owned a 38-31 rebounding advantage and turned the ball over 17 times, with 13 of those coming in the second half and overtime.

The Bulldogs will now return to the state tournament for the first time since winning it all in 2017. And their semifinal opponent will be the same one – Chicago Hope -- they faced eight years ago and defeated 43-34, en route to capturing the 1A title.

The Eagles earned their berth by beating LeRoy, 47-44, in the Normal Super Sectional.

Also reaching the Final Four were Peoria Christian (28-9) and Lanark Eastland (33-4). Those two teams will square off at 11:15 a.m. Thursday.

The semifinal winners will meet for the championship at 1 p.m. Saturday. The losers will play in the third place game at 9:30 a.m. Friday.

While reaching the state tournament was a goal of this St. Anthony squad, it was not the ultimate goal.

“Winning the super sectional means a lot, but we’re not finished,” Will Fearday said.

“Getting to state was one of our goals, but now we have a bigger goal on our minds,” Brock Fearday quickly added.

“Coach always tells us to enjoy the moment,” Ryan continued. “So, we’ll enjoy this and then get back to work. We’ve got two more games to win.”