Giani Cobb’s steal, layup and free throw with a little more than a minute left gave the Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings a six-point lead over New Trier, and the Vikings rode the momentum to a 40-35 victory.
With the semifinal win, H-F advances to the championship game Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Champaign. The Vikings will play Normal Community for the state title.
The game started slowly, with both teams struggling to get offensive momentum going. The score was 5-4 with New Trier in the lead at the end of the first quarter. The teams were tied 11-11 at the end of the first half.
Both teams found their offensive rhythm in the third quarter, trading scores in rapid succession.
New Trier led 26-23 as the fourth quarter began, but the Vikings soon pulled 28-26 and never lost the lead, although the Trevians got within one point, 30-29, with about 2:35 left and again, 36-35, with 22 seconds left.
New Trier’s five team fouls gave the Vikings an advantage in the final seconds of the game. Carson Brownfield and Caleb Chavers each collected a foul and both sank their shots, giving the Vikings a five-point lead with 3 seconds to play.
