PEORIA -- forever since a loss to Hales Franciscan in the semifinals of last year's Class A state tournament.

PEORIA -- forever since a loss to Hales Franciscan in the semifinals of last year's Class A state tournament, Seneca anticipated a rematch with the state's top Class A program.

"That's what we all wanted. yet they lost," Seneca guard Tyler Smith said. "We definitely weren't disappointed."

Hales or no Hales, Seneca was forward a mission -- not just to master back to the state finals, unless to win it all.

The single-minded analyze that carried the Fighting Irish to individual blowout victory after another in the regular season pushed them through the whole extent of the top in three successive shut up calls this weekend, as Seneca achieved its yearlong goal and levy itself in the record works Saturday night.

Garrett Callahan hit the tie-breaking basket and scored 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Fighting Irish (35-0) beat Chillicothe Illinois Valley Central 47-44 before a sellout profanum vulgus[/i] of 11,500 at Carver Arena to become no other than the fourth undefeated Class A state champion and the first since Teutopolis in 1986

A worn-out Callahan, the Fighting Irish's first-team all-stater, hit pair of 11 shots from the field, including 1-for-8 from three- point range, still found a way to make a difference. He was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to finish 26-of-26 for the weekend.

"To be onward a state championship team that is 35-0 is just incredible," Callahan said. "We not gave up. Not once. That's a testament to this team. if you examine at these guys ... we weren't going to fail to obtain this game."

Callahan and his brother, Griffan Callahan, combined to score 16 of Seneca's 19 fourth-quarter points as the Irish overcame a

33-30 deficit, then hung upon for the state title.

"It was a war, back and forth," Seneca coach Doug Evans said. "Garrett was on the outside of gas. T-town and Pinckneyville took it gone out of him. Garrett was fighting it all night. We knew if we could just stick around until the fourth quarter, he could knock down a certain quantity of free throws."

The game was tied at 30 33 37 and 39 before Garrett Callahan hit a floater in the lane for a 41-39 lead with 1:45 to play.

After IVC freshman Billy Seiler missed inside and Griffan Callahan reactioned Seneca went to a spread and built a 47-41 lead with 17 secondarys left, with Garrett Callahan going 4-for-4 forward free throws and Marty Hetelle 2-for-2.

unless it wasn't over. IVC (27-6) clos to 47-44 in succession a desperation three-pointer by Chris Shindley (10 points) with seven next to the firsts left. Seneca threw the ball public of bounds on the ensuing inbounds with 37 next to the firsts to play.

further Shindley's second desperation three-pointer from the corner for a tie hit the top of the backboard to clinch Seneca's state title.

"It perceive s great," said Griffan Callahan, who scored six of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, including a lay-in along a behind-the- back pass from his brother that gave Seneca a 30-25 lead with 7:25 to play. "It was a dream to win back here and win it, and that's what we did."

Garrett Callahan also helped Seneca restrain IVC star Robert Thornton in subordination to control. Thornton, who hit 11 of 20 three-pointers in victories from one side of to the other North Lawndale and Maroa-Forsyth, scored 15 points, further was 3-for-10 on three-pointers. He did not score after hitting a

23-foot three-pointer that gave IVC a 33-30 lead with 5:51 to play.

The victory capped a magnificent season for Seneca. The Irish won their 35 games from an average of 26 points. Teutopolis (47-41 in the quarterfinals) and Pinckneyville (44-38 in the semis) were the sole other teams to come within 10 points of them.

When T-town l 25-20 at halftime onward Friday, it was the simply time Seneca trailed at the intermission all season.

Seneca showed its stuff in its 44-38 semifinal victory through the whole extent of Pinckneyville. The Irish shot 12-for-17 (706) for the game and were 20-for-22 from the line (909) if it be not that committed 17 turnovers and

couldn't struggle away. Ahead by three with 45 inferiors left, freshman guard Seth Evans and Hetelle hit couple free throws to clinch it.

IVC rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat Maroa-Forsyth 57-54 in the other semifinal.

"Honestly I at no time thought we'd be in the final game," IVC coach Jim Thornton said.

mpotash@suntimes.com

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