BASKETBALL TOURNEY MAGIC
Owls Miracle Play Nets ESPN, National Attention

It makes no difference whether you compare the Smith Co. High Owls’ stunning, buzzer-beating play of last Monday night’s District 8AA Basketball Tournament by channeling the high school’s football program or to Duke University’s basketball lore of the Grant Hill / Christian Laettner infamous shot. Either way, it was special. Having lost to DeKalb Co. by a combined 35 points in their two regular season meetings, the Owls had their hearts broken – but only momentarily – as DeKalb Co. converted a 3-point shot with 0:01.1 left that tied the District 8AA Tournament boys elimination game at 58-58 last Monday night at Tennessee Tech. Facing the full length of the floor to go, the Owls went with a connection from the school’s football program as quarterback Carson Hackett inbounded an 85-foot pass to his wide receiver Jaylon Shepperson who caught the basketball at the free throw line. Shepperson spun in the air and released the buzzer-beating game winner from 12-feet away — sending the Owls, losers of 10 of their previous 11 outings, into triumphant jubilation and avoiding season-ending elimination. While those in attendance were eye-witness to the spectacle, thanks to video / TV coverage by NCTC (North Central Telephone Communications) and the play-by-play call of local radio broadcasters Terry Collins and Stacy Angel, within a couple of days the play was viewed nationally.

VIEW THE VIDEO OF THE SHOT BELOW AND READ MORE IN THIS WEEKS COURIER