By Nick McClintock

RIVERTON- Jake Reinhart was a man on a mission Wednesday night, as the Central Catholic Senior nearly single-handedly defeated the Petersburg PORTA Bluejays at the Class 2A Riverton Sectional Semifinal 64-56.

Reinhart finished with 41 points, starting early with 14 of Central Catholic's 16 first-quarter points.

The Bluejays and the rest of the Saint's actually played to a tie in the first period, and despite an 8-0 run for Central Catholic at the beginning of the second, both teams were fairly even throughout the first half. Reinhart would have 25 points at the halftime break, and Central Catholic would lead the Bluejays 30-26.

The third quarter saw some separation for the defending Class 2A champs, as the Saints would quickly go into a double digit lead. Of course, Jake Reinhart again showed his long-range skills with three, three-pointers in the third quarter, and the Saints would head into the final period with a 17 point, 55-38 lead.

The Bluejays would roar back in the final period, as they would come back to within six with two minutes left. However, the Saints hit free throws and ran out the clock in the end in to take home the win.

Central Catholic now moves into the Sectional final on Friday, where they will take on Macomb at 7 p.m.