Buzzer-Beater b-ball; it doesn't get any better

If you missed the Thursday after-school basketball game between the Junior High Lady Lynx A-Team and the visiting Helena Christian Rams, you missed a lot.

The two evenly matched teams fought tooth and nail to a thrilling 17 point tie with twelve seconds left in the game. The Rams, assuming they had the 'last possession,' were working a play in their key hoping for a lay up and a win. Suddenly, Makena Copenhaver stole the ball. Could the Little Lynx really have a chance?

Alas, in the frantic confusion of the final seconds, team leader Kylee Copenhaver fouled out. The Lynx made a run to score in regulation, but came up short. O.T. gave both teams a two-minute reprieve to try again but without the physical defense and floor management of Kylee, a victory looked doubtful.

The clock seemed to speed through the overtime minutes and doom loomed again. With 3.8 eight seconds left in the 17-17 tie game and the hometown ladies set to take an inbound pass at the half-court line, Coach Shane Smith called time out. In a calm, quiet voice he told his team, "You only have time for three steps, then you will have to shoot for the hoop."

Krymzen Dempster took the inbound and turned to take her three driving steps to the key. Time's up! Dempster launched the ball up in a big beautiful arc. The buzzer sounded while the ball was in the air and one hundred fans held their breath. Just like in the movies, the ball fell through with a swoosh and the Lincoln gym erupted in frenzy. What a night.

Dempster was the top point scorer with ten followed by Kylee Copenhaver who had six. High energy defense by Haley Smith and Makena Copenhaver kept the junior high Lynx within striking distance and back up help from the bench, Andrea Weisner, Jordyn Zarske and Kaya Butterfield gave the starters time to rest.

The next home game is against Granite County Feb. 4, starting at 4 p.m. Fans with heart issues should bring a note from their doctor to be admitted.