NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Patrick Dickinson pumped in a 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left and Jakob Neel deflected the subsequent inbounds pass as the Bryant White Hornets eighth grade team of Bryant Middle School stunned the host Lakewood Cougars, 29-26, on Tuesday.
The win lifts the Hornets into the tournament championships on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., against Sylvan Hills.
“It was one of the best games that I have ever been a part of and, without a doubt, the best finish,” declared Hornets coach Heath Long. “We played a lot better than we did on Monday night and that gave us a chance to win.”
Bryant White led 6-5 after a quarter and 13-11 at the half. It was 21-15 with the Hornets up going into the frantic fourth quarter.
Lakewood tied it with about 10 seconds left, Long said. “That’s when Dickinson found the range to put the Hornets ahead.”
“Jakob covered the inbounder on their inbounds play after the basket and managed to tip the ball on the inbound pass preventing them from potentially tying the game,” Long related.
Kajuan Robinson paced the Hornets with 12 points. Dickinson finished with 7. Daelin Drake and Jake Wright added 3 each.
“It was a great effort,” Long said, “and the kids now have a chance to win the tournament on Saturday.”
