Thursday was the day for the 1A and 2A games for a chance to advance to the State Championships on Saturday. The second 2A semifinal game was between Bloomington Central Catholic and Rockridge.
In the Supersectionals, the Saints took down conference rival Pontiac, whom they had lost to back in early January. The Rockets squeaked out a 1 point win against Rockford Lutheran.
Last season the Rockets took 4th place in class 2A, losing to eventual state champion Nashville in the state semifinal 54-38, and to DePaul Prep 41-22 in the 3rd place game. The Saints lost 62-44 to eventual state runner up Monticello in the Supersectional.
Much like the first semifinal, both teams started slow offensively, but who else other than star 6-5 junior Cole Certa to end the first half with a bang?
Rockridge led 16-15 in the final minute of the first half, before Certa hit a three with 15.6 seconds left in the half.
Certa wasn't done there.
The 6-5 guard, who is one of the highest ranked prospects in the junior class hit a buzzer beating three at the end of the third quarter to put the Saints up 5. In the fourth quarter, Certa and company stayed in control en route to a 57-44 victory.
Certa led all scorers with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Senior Chase Fisher and 6-6 junior Colin Hayes each finished with 10 points, and Hayes had 7 rebounds. Senior Rye Pirtz and 6-3 sophomore Trey Eller each finished with 9 points (Pirtz was 9/10 at the free throw line).
6-4 sophomore Landon Bull led the Rockets with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Sophomore guard Caleb Cunico had 10 points, and senior guard Jase Whiteman had 8 points and 6 rebounds.
The Saints (26-11) will battle DePaul Prep (22-12) for the 2A State Championship Saturday.
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