Lantz’s free throws enable Central-Southeastern to fend off SHG for Class 2A regional title

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Karly Peters’ response was both euphoric and prophetic.

“This feeling is amazing, and we’re not done yet,” said Peters, a 5-foot-9 junior forward for Central-Southeastern’s No. 6-ranked Class 2A girls basketball team.

Peters was one of several Panthers who figured prominently in the CSE’s 44-41 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin during Thursday night’s regional championship game, played before a standing-room-only crowd at Central High School.

Central-Southeastern (27-2) held off a late charge from SHG (21-12), thanks in large part to four free throws from Brilyn Lantz in the closing 26 seconds. 

Springfield had closed within 40-38, but Lantz cashed in a pair of foul shots at both the 26- and three-second marks to preserve CSE’s 19th consecutive victory and a 14-0 record on its home floor. 

Lantz’s first two foul shots gave CSE a 42-38 advantage, but Springfield’s Izzy Hassebrock swished a 3-point field goal with six seconds remaining to bring the Cyclones within 42-41. Lantz was fouled moments later, and following those successful free throws, the Panthers forced a game-ending turnover.

“I had been shooting extra free throws all week,” Lantz said. “I was ready.”

Peters scored 13 points and Lantz added 11, and they were two of the Panthers who stepped up when Sacred Heart-Griffin was able to limit Central-Southeastern’s leading scorer, Lauren Miller, to four points. Miller entered the game with a 17-point average.

“We all knew what we had to do,” Lantz said. “We knew (SHG) would try and take away our weapons, but everyone stepped up and did their part.”

Peters will probably never forget the latter stages of the fourth quarter.

“Those were the hardest minutes of the season,” she said. “Brilyn’s free throws were huge.”

Central-Southeastern advances to Tuesday’s sectional semifinal vs. Staunton (27-5) at Beardstown. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Staunton beat Roxana 62-39 in the Staunton Regional championship. CSE defeated Staunton in last year’s sectional semifinals 62-26.

CSE coach Matt Long’s 609th career victory in his 31st year was one he will have no problem remembering down the road. He was completely exhausted by game’s end.

“Both schools played hard,” he said. “This was a great game.”

Sacred Heart-Griffin coach Steve Klunick agreed.

“This was a very good game, a very well-played between two very good teams,” Klunick said. “There was no quit out there.”

Long said it was shame two high-caliber programs had to meet so early in the postseason.

“It’s really too bad both of us were in the same regional, but it is what it is,” Long said.

And what it was, was an outstanding game from buzzer to buzzer. CSE never relinquished the lead over the final 3 1/2 quarters, but it was repeatedly challenged. Twice the Panthers built what looked to be commanding margins (30-16, 39-29), but both times SHG managed to mount comebacks.

CSE was able to utilize the inside strength of Peters (who led all rebounders with seven), Parker Crim, Agnes Genenbacher and Kara Stephens, coupled with the outside punch of Lantz and Claire Huston to keep SHG at arm’s length much of the game.

“Karly made so many big plays for us,” Long said. “We had challenged her, and she came through in all aspects of the game.”

Long said Lantz, a 5-foot-7 senior, was a major question mark to even play until shortly before game time. She had sustained a badly bruised knee in Tuesday’s 51-28 regional semifinal win over Pittsfield.

“(Lantz) just kept telling us, ‘I’m playing,’” Long said.

And that she did, scoring six of her points in the decisive fourth quarter.

Huston, a 5-foot-5 junior, was third in the CSE scoring column with six points, which included a pair of key buckets in the third quarter that helped ward off SHG’s first run at the Panthers.

“We talked about meeting the challenge, not running away from it,” Huston said. “This was the most thrilling game so far in my career.”

Long said the CSE coaching staff has been “begging her” to shoot the ball more.

“We told her we were going to need some players to step up in this game, and she did,” Long said. “I am so proud of her.”

Callie Huston (12) and Hassebrock (11) led SHG in scoring.

“One of our goals this season was to go unbeaten at home, and we have,” Long said. “The other goal is to be playing in March. The state championship game is the first weekend of March.”

One down, one to go.