Annandale is well aware when it’s Jarod Wilken time.

The senior forward made nine free throws in the final 3 minutes, 7 seconds, helping Annandale rally from a five-point deficit for a 66-61 triumph over Jackson County Central City in the Class 2A quarterfinals Wednesday at Target Center.

“That kid always has a lot of pressure on him,” Annandale coach Skip Dolan said. “Down the stretch we got on his back.”

Junior forward AJ Hinz scored on a putback with 53 seconds left, giving the Cardinals (27-4) a 62-61 lead. He also made two free throws to give Annandale a 59-58 lead with 2:08 left.

Wilken had 18 points and 10 rebounds while Hinz  had 12 points and 15 rebounds. The tandem scored the Cardinals’ final 14 points.

“It was nice to come back, and take them out,” Wilken said. The Huskies (26-5) defeated Annandale 64-46 in the semifinals a year ago. “We knew it was going to be a gut check. We’ve done well in our gut check games.”

Annandale got the opening it needed when Huskies senior guard Jacob Christopher fouled out with 4:18 left. The shortest player on the court at 5-11 made the biggest impact, finishing with a game-high 33 points. He was 10-for-17 from the floor and 10-for-11 from the free-throw line.

“He can make the 10-footer, shoot the three and get to the basket driving,” Dolan said. “That was a crucial foul out. It gave us a chance to win it.”

Annandale will play in the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years.

RON HAGGSTROM