Buzzer Beaters

That plural in the headline is correct. Three buzzer beaters in one game, to be exact. In a close game with an exciting finish, the Berkner Rams boys basketball team beat the Jesuit Rangers Friday night 60-58 in overtime to stay unbeaten in District 9-5A play. Here's how The Dallas Morning News reported it.

"Two last-second shots by sophomores kept Richardson Berkner’s boys undefeated in 9-5A with a 60-58 overtime win over Jesuit. Kendal Harris hit a shot at the end of regulation, and Jordan Mickey hit the game-winner for Berkner (22-7, 9-0)."

But that hardly does the game justice. It was a close game throughout with numerous lead switches. Berkner led by three points after one period. Jesuit led by four at the half. Berkner led by four after three periods. Jesuit took a six point lead late in the fourth period. Berkner rallied to tie in the final minute. Jesuit played for the last shot and made a running jumper with 0.79 seconds on the clock to take the lead and with the buzzer beater, probably, the win.

After consulting, the referees put 1.7 seconds back on the clock. Berkner still had one last chance. Regan Lucio made the inbounds pass, a perfect three-quarters of the length of the floor connection to Jordan Mickey who was positioned at the top of the key. Mickey dished the ball to a waiting Kendal Harris who drove to the basket for the tying layup as regulation time expired. The refs consulted again and agreed that the shot was in time. Berkner had its own buzzer beater. Overtime.

The game-winner in overtime was a more traditional buzzer beater. With the score tied again, it was Berkner playing for the last shot. As the seconds wound down, Berkner worked the ball in to Jordan Mickey under the basket who made the basket with only a couple of seconds on the clock. Jesuit, out of timeouts, couldn't call time out to set up their own attempt at last second heroics. Instead, the clock expired as Jesuit passed the ball inbounds.

It was a shame that either team had to lose this game. If you enjoy basketball, there's more exciting high school boys basketball like this just down the street from your home. Games twice a week. Affordable. Good seats. Catch a game. You can thank me later. More importantly, the kids will thank you for your support.

To see photos from an earlier Berkner game this year, look here. It's a great time to be a Ram!