Wheaton Academy had hopes for a long run in the Class 3A playoffs and had a 24-2 record to back up that vision.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, St. Francis had ideas of their own.
Outsized across the floor, the Spartans instead relied on quickness and toughness and that combination turned into the perfect ingredients for a 48-45 upset win over Wheaton Academy in a regional semifinal matchup.
With the victory, St. Francis will take on Riverside-Brookfield Friday night at Wheaton Academy.
The Spartans led 30-26 at halftime and upped that advantage to 41-32 heading into the final eight minutes. But the home team clawed their way back, knotting up the score at 43-apiece on two free throws by Quinn Gorski with 4:07 left.
After the teams traded buckets, St. Francis took the lead for good on a runner by Joe Pfeiffer with 1:25 on the clock. Wheaton Academy had a couple shots in the final minute, including a three-point attempt and close shot by Tim Rusthovin, but could get nothing to fall.
A free throw by Mark Schmitt increased the margin to three with eight seconds left and then the Spartans had to hold their collective breaths as Gorski's three-pointer bounced off the rim as time expired.
Pfeiffer and Schmitt each had 11 points for St. Francis while Larry Murison added 10. Rusthovin closed out his brilliant career with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots.
