St. Anthony Headed To Class 1A State Boys Basketball Tourney

Effingham St. Anthony heads to the Class 1A State Tournament.   Tyler Repking photo

What are the odds? The odds that Effingham St. Anthony and Chicago Hope Academy made it back to the Class 1A State Boys Basketball Tournament at the same time? Not only at the same time, but in the first game that will begin the 1A State Tournament Thursday at 9:30 a.m.?

The two teams met in the opening game of the Class 1A State Tournament back in 2016-17. The Bulldogs downed Hope and went on to win the State championship that year while Chicago Hope finished third.

Now, here they are again meeting at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in opening round play of the 2024-2025 State Tournament in the first game.

It was Coach Cody Rincker's fourth season at the helm of the Bulldogs program and the team finished with a 30-5 record. Now, eight years later, Coach Rincker has put together 283 victories and suffered only 95 losses.

"I think our strengths this year are our depth, ability and versatility," said Rincker. "We've got guys who can play multiple positions and we can make adjustments when needed to overcome adversity. We also have the luxury to have two All-Staters and you don't get that very often. We've relied on them to do the heavy lifting in scoring.

"We have five guys out there who can pass and dribble. Our understanding about the team concept on defense and how we're going to attack the other teams, is really good. The young men have been able to adapt to the game plan when it's presented to them."

St. Anthony is led in scoring by All-Staters 6-foot-4 Ryan Schmidt, a senior, and 6-foot-3 Brock Fearday, also a senior. Schmidt leads the team with an 18.1 average while Fearday scored 16.1 per contest. Fearday has led the team in rebounds with 271 and Schmidt has pulled down 205. Sam Link, a 5-foot-11 senior, leads in assists with 117 while Keenan Griffith, a 6-foot-0 junior, has 109 assists.

Leading the team in three-pointers is B. Fearday with 75 and Schmidt with 55. Will Fearday, a 6-foot-0 sophomore, has 44 three-pointers.

"iWe have five guys out there who can pass and dribble. Our understanding of the team concept on defense and how we're going to attack other teams are strengths. The boys have been able to adapt to the game plan when it's presented to them.

"We just need to continue to do what we're doing, maybe a little better each time. We have to trust the work we put in and the teammates around us. Really, the key to success is don't ever change. Do those things game in and game out.

"Defense and rebounding are what you have to take care of first. the hearts and mind you can control. With turnovers, you have to value the possessions you have. You can't score if you don't have the ball.

"We also have got to win the free throw battle. You have to capitalize on the easies. You also have to gather up those loose balls.

"If we can battle in those areas, I think we have a chance for success."

Chicago Hope Academy comes into the game with a 25-7 record. This is only the second time Hope has gone to the State Tournament.

Tyjuan Hunter, a 5-foot-7 senior, is the leading scorer with a 23.6 average and also leads the team in assists with 158. Dominick Hale, a 6-foot-3 senior, averages 14.2 points a game. Jaiden Simmons, a 6-foot-5 junior, has pulled down 301 rebounds. 

The Bulldogs stand at 31-4. Two losses came at the beginning of the season against Edwardsville and Breese Central. The other two losses came to Teutopolis Feb. 7 and Bloomington Central Catholic  Feb. 14. They have now won nine in row.

Coach Rincker talked about how the Bulldogs will go after the Eagles.

"This day and age with all the live streams, it's been easier than ever to scout the team you'll play. If you didn't go see them in person, you just tried to outscore your opponents. But with all the films, I've been ableto get 10-12 games, and I'm sure they've seen a major part of our games as well.

"They are very quick, very athletic and good scorers. They try to put the pressure on you to force turnovers. It will be a game of the turnover battle and who can limit the other team's easy buckets.

"With us, our rebounding has been suspect at times this year. We did a good job Monday and we just need to do that this time."

Caoch Rincker talked about his players.

"Brock has been a four-year starter for us. He just broke the all-time scoring record a week ago. He's a model of consistency for our program. He leads by example and has been a vocal leader. He has really developed a knack for making the big plays for us when we need them.

"Ryan led us in scoring and with being aggressive towards the basket. He does a great job on defense which creates havoc, getting steals and bothering the other team's best players. He leads by example as well. He spends a lot of time and effort and works hard. He makes big plays when we need them. He's gotten himself where you can count on him for a double-double every night.

"Will Fearday is another starter and is a senior. He's averaging eight points a game. What he brings to us is toughness, tenacity and defensive presence. He guards the other team's best player, doing his best to slow them down. He has speed and strength and is a crucial part of what we've done this year and had the succes we've had.

"Sam Link, another senior, doesn't score a lot of points, doesn't get a lot of rebounds but he has a lot that doesn't show up on stat sheets. He makes a lot of hustle plays and does a great job as a voice leader and he understands the game.

"Keenan Griffith, a junior, averages eight points a game and three assists. He handles the ball 90 percent of the time and does a great job using his mind for the game. Constantly communicating where to be. He has the ability to step up and make big plays and shots. That helps relieve Brock and Ryan. Both he and Sam.

"Myles Waldhoff, a sophomore, comes off the bench. He is a sparkplug and has the ability to score in double digits or not at all. He plays his role defensively and with energy. He comes up with big shots and is a spark off the bench.

"Maddox Wiedman, a senior, has had limited minutes but does a great job of being a teammate, working his tail off in practice. A great, great teammate. One of those guys every program needs. He doesn't complain or whine.

"Junior Luis Gonzalez and sophomores, Gabe Looman, Will Vonderheide and Will Bierman and freshmen Jonny Gannaway, Freddie Jansen, Connoer Storm and Cooper Sehy are the guys who have all been crucial at practice as a scout team. They've come a long way and helped us prepare. They've had few minutes and those far in between but they've been great teammates. They have challenged and pushed our starters and role guys to get better."

Caleb Mette, Ben Giertz and Shawn Drone are the assistant coaches.

"Caleb has been with me since the beginning," said Coach Rincker. "He does a fantastic job of helping me make decisions and game plans. He probably knows how to push my buttons, guides and helps me.

"Ben Giertz has been with us the last four years. The seniors were freshmen when he started. He knows the game really well. He does a great job giving us different options and thoughts. He keeps the boys positive and he encourages them.

"Shawn has also been with us the last four years. He is the P.E. teacher at the grade school. He really does a good job manageing the games. He keeps clipboards with timeouts and fouls. He is a key guy who helps in practices. He comes from the Altamont program. He undestand defense and how to put concepts together.

"They are a huge luxury for me to have. They've kept this ship in the right direction."

In the second game Thursday, Peoria Christian will take on Lanark Eastland at 11:15 a.m.

If the Bulldogs win over Chicago Hope, they will play for the State Tournament championship Saturday at 1 p.m. If they lose, they will play for third place Friday at 9:30 a.m.