A moment to remember: SHG secures Class 3A state title in game-winning shot
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — It took a whole lot of tenacity, perseverance, and as coach Tim Allen spotlights, 鈥淐hampionship Grit”, to win in double overtime in the big lights of Champaign against Metamora 53-50, off Ke’ Shon Singleton’s game-winning three! When you casually hear the like-minded references to this great football powerhouse, the word champion might not surprise you, but this group of talented young men of SHG, wanted more and they did it on the court!
The state championship matchup seemed very even. Both had a 1st and 3rd team All-State performer, in Jake Hamilton and Zack Hawkinson for SHG, and for Metamora, Ethan Kizer and Tyson Swanson. SHG was ranked sixth and Metamora tenth in state polls. Both teams played tough and gritty! Everything you would expect from two programs that took out Chicago powers of St. Ignatious (Loss to SHG in the semi-final), and the NBA producing talents of Simeon (Loss to Metamora in the semi-final).
鈥淢y halftime speech was simple,鈥� Coach Allen told me. 鈥淲e have come too far to lose now.聽 We have worked too hard to not leave it all on the floor for the last 16 minutes!鈥�
Coach’s slogan this year is “I am Third! God, Others, then myself.” That can be appreciated by everyone as important! This team is special in the fact that they really believed in the unselfishness that is needed as true champions!
Coach Allen knew long before this season that his team was talented and could continue what they started two years ago when they were not allowed to finish their 2A playoff run, due to the pandemic. This group of young men did not falter or move away from their passion for the game. The team became a family on and off the court, as Coach Allen knew they could.聽“Everyone knows the starting five,鈥� Coach Allen said. Every player contributes, it was next man up every day!”
鈥淐oach just trusted in me to make a play whether that鈥檚 to shoot the ball or pass it,鈥� Ke鈥橲hon Singleton聽said in Adam Devall鈥檚聽Peoria Journal Star聽story.
鈥楾he ball is loose, and I was like, I got to throw up a prayer to even have a chance, and it went in. I鈥檓 just thankful it went in!鈥�
Many teams have great players but, having a truly great team that trusts the process and each other is special! They were great teammates for a spectacular season, and even more importantly they will be family forever!
鈥淚 like to build a family atmosphere by doing things outside of basketball. We took a team trip to Dave’ n Busters in St. Louis, we go out to eat, attended together at family functions. Praying together, eating together, and competing together has made us a family, Coach Allen said.
That鈥檚 why this team will be remembered not just by stats and trophies, but also with sleepovers at Jake and Will’s, helping the community through charity, and believing the last guy on the bench knows what they need to win!
All five team starters received conference or State recognition.聽聽鈥淚鈥檓 proud of them,鈥� Coach Allen stated. 鈥淔urther, the boys know that my greatest goal for them is that they become successful adults and develop a relationship with God. I’m blessed that God let us experience a little Joy in the process.鈥�
Friends of聽Sweet Spot Living聽Magazine, Bob and Sandy Hamilton are parents of three boys, their twins, now known as #3, Jake and
# 23, Will for SHG and聽Charlie, age 21 a junior聽at Illinois Wesleyan.聽He聽plays聽football and was voted Best Sills Player and MVP for Offense.
There have been so many highs along聽the way, Sandy said. 鈥淭his moment in particular!鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 about them,鈥� Bob Hamilton said, in the聽State Journal Register鈥檚 story by Bill Welt. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about them and the players and their teammates now and being able to celebrate because it鈥檚 only two or three days, and then that鈥檚 it. They鈥檝e just聽got to appreciate it.聽鈥淎t this point, we don鈥檛 have to tell them, you know, 鈥楬ey, make sure you watch the back cut,鈥� and things like that. They know that stuff. So really, it鈥檚 being supportive and being positive and trying to hide our nervousness from them, pretending that I鈥檓 all just under control when I鈥檓 just chomping at the聽bit.鈥�
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