Following the timeout, A&M’s Griffin Andricks missed a shot and the Bulldogs had a chance to get even closer. But St. Anthony couldn’t convert and was unable to make a shot the rest of the way. The only points in the final 5:44 were a pair of free throws by Jaccob Dust that made the score 51-43 with 1:12 left.
Andricks, Paradee and Heaton, the three standout players for A&M, each scored four points in the final four minutes, sealing the Raiders third straight trip to the super sectional. This group has posted an 85-16 record the past three years and will be looking for a return trip to the state tourney. They finished third last year.
“This is a phenomenal athletic team,” Rincker noted. “They’re the most athletic team we’ve faced since playing Chicago Hope in the state tournament three years ago. This team is really, really good.”
Central A&M, now 30-3 on the season, hasn’t lost a game this season outside Effingham County. The Raiders were defeated twice in the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic and dropped a 50-49 decision to St. Anthony in the Teutopolis Shootout.
The Bulldogs led 8-6 after a 3-pointer by Aaron Webb midway through the opening eight minutes. But back-to-back scores by Heaton and Brycen Burgener gave the Raiders a lead they never relinquished.
By the end of the first period, A&M was on top 16-12. St. Anthony got within 22-20 three minutes into the second quarter and it was 26-22 when Dust was whistled for his third foul at the 2:17 mark and forced to leave the game. Heaton then scored seven points, including a three-point play in the final seconds, to give the Raiders a 33-25 edge at intermission.
Turnovers and rebounding hurt St. Anthony in the opening half. The Bulldogs turned it over eight times and A&M converted six of those into points.
‘”They were in foul trouble, too, but we couldn’t take advantage,” Rincker said. “We were behind largely due to the turnovers. Rebounding and turnovers. I know I’ve said it so much this season it sounds like a broken record, but that’s what wins ballgames. It seemed like they scored 20 points off turnovers and you just can’t do that against good teams.”
It was a low-scoring third period. Heaton scored on a drive and Paradee connected from long range to give A&M its largest lead, 38-25. But Hoene then turned in a three-point play, followed by another jumper, and Webb converted an A&M turnover into a bucket to make it 40-32.
Neither team scored in the final 2:48, setting the stage for the final period.
“It was a hard-fought game,” Rincker said. “We’ve had a heckuva season and it’s been a heckuva ride. Unfortunately, one of these two great teams had to lose. A&M is a tremendous team and we just made too many mistakes.”
Heaton finished with 23 points and Paradee added 20 for the Raiders. Hoene and Dust finished with 14 and 13 points respectively.
“Jack has been our glue all season,” Rincker said of his senior guard who scored 10 of his points in the second half. “I wish we could have gotten him going earlier, but I’m very proud of what he gave us tonight. He’s the guy that kept us in the ballgame.
“Jaccob is the perfect example of what you can accomplish with dedication in the off-season,” Rincker added. “He worked hard to get stronger and faster. You saw that improvement on the court this year. He was a monster for us and will be difficult to replace.”
These Bulldogs were just the third team in school history to record 29 wins in a season, finishing 29-3. The 1956, 1999 and 2001 squads also accomplished that. Only the team from the 2017 state championship season had more wins, accumulating 30.
Rincker will lose six seniors from this year’s squad – Jaccob Dust, Jack Elder, Kaden Fearday, Jack Hoene, Connor Walk and Aaron Webb.
“This senior group changed more than any other group I’ve had,” noted Rincker, who is now completing his seventh season as St. Anthony’s head coach. “I’m really proud of this group and the improvement they’ve made. It’s tough to say goodbye to these kids.”
