Mt Zion came back from down 7 points in the 4th quarter to edge Centralia 47-46 to reach the Class 3a Final Four. A last second shot from Cruz Harlan bounced off the back of the rim as the Braves head to their first ever State Final Four.
The Orphans trailed early, but took the lead and held that advantage for the entire second half until the 4th quarter when Mt Zion would tie the game, only to see the Orphans go on a 7-0 run to take a 44-37 lead. Dustyn Collins fouled out with 2 minutes left which left nobody inside to guard 6-7 sophomore JC Anderson and he dominated the paint with 20 points.
Centralia ends their fantastic season at 32-3. Harland had 14 points in his final game for Centralia, Mike Organ had all 12 of his points in the first half. The Braves are 35-1 and will face Chicago Mt Carmel in the state semifinals in Champaign on Friday.
Also in 3a Super Sectionals last night, Mt Carmel over St Patrick in overtime at UIC 56-46. DePaul College Pre3p got 20 points from PJ Chambers in their 51-31 blowout of Crystal Lake South at the NOW Arena at Hoffman Estates. Peoria Richwoods nipped Harvey Thornton at Ottawa 58-52.
(Photos: Pat Hodges)
