That Kid's Got Game: Teen makes buzzer-beater, scores 9 points in final seconds of hoops tournament
(KTVU) - An Arkansas teen playing in the semifinals of the National Christian Homeschool Tournament made the shot of a lifetime to propel his team to victory after scoring nine points in the final nine seconds of regulation.
Josh Higginbotham and the Saline County Warriors were trailing late in the March 14 matchup when Josh effectively said, “Don’t worry, I got this,” and proceeded to put on a show. Two three pointers, a steal and a perfect three-for-three from the free-throw line in less than 10 seconds snagged the 88-87 win for the Warriors and landed the 16-year-old from Benton, Arkansas on That Kid’s Got Game.
Video shared by Josh’s brother-in-law shows the moments leading to the buzzer-beater he made from half-court. According to Jonathan Presswood, a fourth quarter lead faded late in the game and the Warriors trailed the Kansas City Lions by seven points with 20 seconds remaining. The Warriors missed a three-pointer on the next possession but Josh grabbed the offensive rebound. He darted behind the arc and sunk the basket with under 10 seconds reaming, cutting the deficit to four points.
Coming off of a timeout with seven seconds to go, Josh stole the Lions’ inbound pass and ran for three-point line where he threw up a shot in desperation. He missed it, but was fouled hard and made all three shots to bring his squad within one point (86-85), Presswood said.
The Warriors fouled on the following play and a player for the Lions made 1-of-2 shots. With three seconds left, Josh caught the inbound pass, drove the court and launched the final shot of the game from half court. The bank-shot went in and the crowd erupted.
Josh, a 5-foot-11 point guard who averages 18 points per game, finished the electric 88-87 win with 27 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. And the Warriors rode that wave straight to the championship with a 76-66 win over the Dallas Thunder on Friday, Presswood said. Josh scored 17 points in the win.
An email sent to officials with the National Christian Home School Championships seeking comment and confirmation was not immediately returned.
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