They were the Cardiac Kids, and now they’re dancing into the Final Four.

Down 15-2 early, and still trailing by 10 points at the start of the fourth quarter against Dunmore in Wednesday’s PIAA Class 4A quarterfinal round game, Jim Thorpe stormed back.

The Olympians, who never had to overcome that type of deficit this season, pulled to within a point in the closing seconds. They then put the ball into the hands of Skyler Searfoss - and Searfoss made magic happen.

With three seconds left, she drove into the lane and left the floor with the ball raised above her head. But as she prepared to release a potential game-winning shot, Searfoss’ plans changed in mid-air. Wary of a defender’s hand coming up for the block, Searfoss brought the ball down, and then on her descent released it softly. The ball kissed the rim and then fall through the net.

After a desperation half court shot by Dunmore soared right of the basket, bedlam broke loose in the Berwick gymnasium, as Jim Thorpe fans rushed onto the court in jubilation.

Because of Searfoss’ dramatics, the Last Dance - the mantra for Jim Thorpe’s four senior starters - continues onto the hardwood at Liberty High School this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. against Archbishop Wood in the semifinals of the PIAA tournament.

The Vikings, who are the reigning state 4A champions, are no stranger to the Final Four. Since 2010, they have been a state semifinalist nine times, a state runner-up three times, and a state champion six times. This year’s edition has achieved a 23-5 record against an extremely challenging schedule.

In their three state playoff games, the Vikings have won by scores of 68-24, 44-21 and 50-27. They have yet to allow an opponent to score in double figures in any one period.

In Wednesday’s quarterfinal roiund win over previously undefeated Gwynedd Mercy, 6-0 forward Ryanne Allen led Wood with 17 points. Bri Bowen, at 5-10, added 11 points, and Deja Evans pulled down 13 rebounds.

“With how well both teams play defense, we expect a low scoring game,” said Jim Thorpe coach Nadia Gauronsky. “Every possession and every shot will matter. They’re a very talented team, but we’re coal region kids, and we will come ready to play them tough.”

Throughout the season and the playoffs, Searfoss has been the Olympians’ go-to-girl in must-score situations, but each of the other four starters have made huge contributions to their 27-1 record.

Leila Hurley has hit prime-time three-pointers. Junior Mackenzie Yuhas has been a defensive force and a solid short-range jump shooter. Olivia Smelas - in early foul trouble against Dunmore - came off the bench in the second half to score big buckets down low and dominate the defensive glass. Leah Snisky - who likes to work the offensive baseline - proved she could step beyond the arc to score two key three-pointers that kept her team within range for the late comeback.

“Leah’s significance to our team has been overshadowed,” said Gauronsky. “Her work ethic from the get-go has been outstanding, and the results of her efforts have been a major factor to why we are where we are right now.”

Thorpe is the only public school left in the bracket, and will be the underdog according to Gauronsky.

“We will once again want to have balanced scoring, and try to create mismatches for good scoring opportunities,” she said, “and on defense, make them work hard to get good shots.”

Gauronsky sees this game as a bigger picture than just Thorpe against Wood.

“The support for the Olympians has been incredibly strong, from not only the Jim Thorpe community,” she said. “We’re also playing for Pleasant Valley and for Panther Valley, and for all our area public schools. We’re homegrown kids. We’re junkyard dogs, and we won’t be intimidated by schools that take advantage of getting their players from a bunch of different towns.”

The last public school 4A team to make it to the state championship game was Cumberland Valley, which won the title in 2016.

A victory over Archbishop Wood would send the Olympians to their last dance at Hershey on March 24 to play against the winner of the Lansdale Catholic-Villa Maria semifinal game.