Hope Academy held the typical senior night celebration before its game against Notre Dame on Friday. The player walks out with his family for pictures. It is standard stuff.
Senior Malik Meridy’s group was uniquely large. He was accompanied by about 20 people.
“He brought the whole West Side with him,” Eagles coach Ronnie Fields said.
Ninety minutes later, Meridy gave his supporters a moment to remember forever. Meridy came in off the bench and drained the biggest shot of the game, a three-pointer with 14 seconds left that gave Hope the lead for good.
“I just listened to [Fields],” Meridy said. “He said shoot it. I sat out most of the third and fourth quarters, so I had to do something.”
Junior Tyjuan Hunter and sophomore Trentyn McGinnis went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line from then on to seal a 43-39 victory for Hope Academy.
“That was the worst game we have played this season,” Fields said. “Missing shots and free throws. But this was like a playoff game. You have to win without your best stuff.”
Hope Academy (21-7) lost in the Class 1A state semifinals last season. With Hunter, the star guard, and fellow junior Jaiden Simmons back from that team, expectations are sky-high for this year’s playoffs.
“We have a couple of things we need to fix, but I think we can make a run,” Field said.
Hunter was tremendous in Champaign last season and led the Eagles again this year. Hope shot poorly on Friday and Hunter was just 4-for-18 overall.
“[Fields] kept telling me to trust myself,” Hunter said. “We had to fight through it.”
Hunter had missed 12 consecutive shots when he sparked Hope with a defensive play, busting loose for a steal and layup at half-court. The game turned around for the Eagles after that moment late in the third quarter.
“I read the pass and it came my way,” Hunter said. “I took it and got the and one and we went from there.”
Hunter finished with 15 points and Dominick Hale added 11. Simmons had eight rebounds and four blocks for Hope before fouling out with 1:35 left.
“A lot of these kids come from schools they didn’t play at,” Fields said. “Their coaches didn’t trust them. I trust them all. Tyjuan I trust the most because at the biggest moment, he doesn’t shy away from the pressure.”
Senior Brady Sehlhorst led Notre Dame (15-15) with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Dons dominated the second quarter and didn’t surrender the lead until midway through the fourth.
Hope is the No. 1 seed in the Class 1A St. Francis de Sales Sub-Sectional B. If they win the sectional the Eagles will advance to the ISU supersectional against the Ridgeview Sectional winner.
“I’m so excited for these playoffs,” Hunter said. “We have a bigger, stronger team and I know the atmosphere now and the court and how quickly the game can change there. I’m ready to get back to Champaign and win this time.”