Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 | 5 p.m.
Prep Sports Now
Breaking down the Bishop Gorman, Findlay Prep showdown
Las Vegas Sun reporters Case Keefer and Ray Brewer take a look at Saturday's high school basketball game between Bishop Gorman and Findlay Prep. They also break down the Palo Verde-Centennial game.
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Coronado coach Jeff Kaufman instructed Teyshawn Campbell to either draw a foul or get to the rim with the game tied and five seconds remaining in overtime Saturday afternoon against Foothill.
When Campbell realized neither of those options would work, he improvised. The senior guard took two steps past half court and launched the ball at the buzzer.
The half court heave bounced off the backboard and through the net. Coronado 75, Foothill 72.
“I just had to get off some type of shot,” Campbell said. “When I came down, I just threw it up and prayed that it went in.”
Prayer answered. The rest of the Cougars immediately swarmed Campbell and even the non-partisan crowd at the Cox Pavilion for the Big City Showdown Challenge erupted in cheer.
Kaufman went from thinking, “what are we going to do now?”, when Campbell let the ball go to joining in on the celebration. Kaufman had a valid reason for concern.
Two of the Cougars best players had just fouled out, Michael Louder and Dominique Muhammad, meaning the Falcons would have an advantage in a second overtime.
Instead, Coronado improved to 5-1 in the Southeast Division and took over first place in the standings.
“We didn’t draw up a half court shot,” Kaufman said. “But that’s what he got. He was feeling it and it just went in.”
Campbell had a team-high 19 points overall. He took all of the Cougars biggest shots.
Campbell had a chance to win the game in regulation. With seconds remaining and Coronado trailing 62-60, Campbell tossed a three-point shot from the left wing.
It clanked off the rim, but Muhammad was there after another miss to tip the ball in and prolong the action.
“I thought the game was over, but my team came up big for me and got the tip-in,” Campbell said. “That’s what set this up.”
Coronado trailed by as many nine points in the third quarter. The Cougars were down 72-69 with 39 seconds left in overtime after junior guard Brannon Cressanto made two free throws for the Falcons.
Cressanto was the best player on the floor for most of the afternoon, scoring 29 points and going 13-for-15 from the foul line with five rebounds. But Campbell scored the final six points to rally Coronado.
He swished a three-pointer from the left wing with 18 seconds remaining to tie the game at 72. Cressanto missed a long shot of his own, which set up the memorable finish from Campbell.
“I’m still on a high,” Campbell said. “I’m in shock. I can’t believe it happened.”
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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