CHAMPAIGN — Homewood-Flossmoor’s Caleb Chavers soaked in the moment, almost in disbelief over what he had just done on the biggest stage.
Chavers played just three minutes Friday night but came up with some of the biggest plays, including two free throws that sealed the Vikings’ trip to the Class 4A state championship game.
“It was really emotional,” said Chavers, a senior guard who comes off the bench. “It’s special because it’s my senior year and I’ve been going through a lot of perseverance this season.
“It’s special to be in this moment and to be a part of this team and be a part of this win.”
Chavers’ rebound and free throws with 3.4 seconds left would lock up a 40-35 win for H-F over New Trier in a Class 4A semifinal at the State Farm Center.
Bryce Heard led the Vikings (32-4) with 16 points and seven rebounds. Columbia recruit Gianni Cobb scored 12 points and Carson Brownfield pulled down six rebounds.
H-F plays for the state title at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Normal Community (32-5), a 58-38 winner over Palatine. Christopher Kirkpatrick led New Trier (29-8) with 13 points.
Kirkpatrick was held scoreless in the fourth quarter, and Chavers was largely responsible for that. H-F coach Jamere Dismukes inserted him into the game for a few key defensive possessions.
And Chavers was matched up with Kirkpatrick.
“Caleb is our best defender on the whole team,” Cobb said.
Chavers then came down with the biggest rebound of his life after Kirkpatrick’s attempt at a potential tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds was off the mark.
Chavers was fouled and calmly sank both free throws after not having taken a shot all night.
“It just made me happy,” Chavers said. “I was really locked in the whole game. I didn’t touch the floor that long, so when I came in, I had to be ready to go.
“When my brothers want me to come in and finish the game, I’ve got to do it for them.”
Junior guard Jayden Tyler gave Chavers a quick message before the free throws.
“I said, ‘You ain’t been in the whole game, but you’ve came up big for us. Just take your time and end this game,’” Tyler said.
Dismukes said Chavers’ teammates were beaming with pride for him.
“When we got in the locker room, all the guys embraced him,” Dismukes said. “He was very emotional, and I thought a tear was going to drop.
“I told him, ‘Let it drop. That’s cool. You should have the emotions at this point because you just helped us win a game to take us to the state championship game and now we have a chance to make history.’”
Chavers said he makes sure to be prepared for his opportunities.
“Just have to be energized on the bench,” he said. “That’s our whole team. We’re always ready. We’re all clapping on the bench and cheering on our teammates.
“We know when our time comes, we’ve got to be ready.”
Both teams struggled mightily on offense for much of the game and were tied 11-11 at halftime.
Heard got H-F going with seven points in the third quarter and Cobb came through in a huge moment with a steal and 3-point play that put the Vikings ahead 35-29 with 1:05 left to play.
“I knew he was going to throw it, so I cheated off, got the big steal and the and-one,” Cobb said. “That was a big play for my team. It helped us bounce back up.”
H-F, which which play in the program’s second state championship game, is seeking its first title after losing the Class AA final to Peoria in 2004.
An unexpected hero in Chavers is a big reason why the Vikings will have that opportunity.
“Getting that rebound, icing the game, that’s one of those moments you’re going to remember forever,” Chavers said. “Now, we’re going to go get this ring.”
