By VINCE LOVERGINE
TopSports.news
Topeka High boys basktball dropped a 61-59 Centennial League heartbreaker to Junction City Tuesday night on a buzzer-beater.
Senior Bryson McComas scored 26 points Tuesday night but Topeka High dropped a 61-59 Centennial League heartbreaker to Junction City. [File photo/TSN]
The Trojans led by six points (57-51) with about two minutes left in the game, but the Blue Jays pulled to within two (57-55) with 55.6 seconds left.
Senior Lovell Autry, who had a team-high 26 points, put his team on his back in the final ticks of the game, scored four straight to put the Blue Jays up 59-57 with 9.5 seconds left, forcing Topeka High coach Robbie Sanders into a timeout.
T-High inbounded and called another timeout to advance the ball with six seconds.
Trojan senior Bryson McComas, who had a stellar 26-point performance, drove to the bucket for a layup, but a Blue Jays player smacked the backboard, prompting the referees to call a goaltend, tying the game at 59-all.
With just 1.5 seconds left on the clock in regulation, Autry got open down the sideline, a hail mary pass fell right in his arms and he scored the game-winning lay-up, stunning Topeka High, 61-59.
A dejected Sanders in the locker room took a few seconds to gather his thoughts on what happened.
“In the month of January we found ways to win and this month we’ve consistently found ways to lose,” he said. “We’ve been in every game. Four game losing streak. We haven’t been able to step up and make the necessary plays to get some victories.
"I think it’s a little bit of nerves, a little bit of coaching mistakes and possibly having the wrong people in the game. This one is on me. I have to make adjustments. I have to figure out some ways to get another win.”
It was a back and forth contest between the league rivals and the Blue Jays had the last answer. Sanders said the last player he wanted the ball in the hands of was Autry.
“I don’t understand how we allowed that to happen but things happen,'' Sanders said. "What I said to them in the locker room is, 'I’m trusting you guys to make plays but sometimes you have to be able to step up and make that play.'
"Trust is a two-way street and me placing my trust and belief in them, you got to give me something to trust and believe in. We’ll get back to work and we’ll fight and scrap and try to get a win on Friday.''
Topeka High led 29-25 into the break and in the third quarter, McComas scored 10 of his 26 points. The Trojans had a five point lead heading into the fourth quarter but in the end the heartbreaking loss left High still searching for its first win since Feb. 6.
Senior Octvaion McFadden backed McComas with 13 points for Topeka High.
JUNCTION CITY 61, TOPEKA HIGH 59
Junction City 15 10 16 20 – 61
Topeka High 16 13 17 13 – 59
Junction City (10-9) -- Thompson 2 1-2 5, Walker 3 3-4 11, Boeckman 2 1-2 5, Autry 12 1-1 26, Hollie 7 0-0 14, Briley 0 0-2 0.
Topeka High (10-10) -- Aldridge 3 3-5 9, Guest 1 0-0 2, McComas 13 0-1 26, Ross 1 0-0 2, McFadden 5 1-1 13, Redmond 1 2-2 4, Campbell 1 0-0 3.
3-point goals -- Junction City 3 (Walker 2, Autry), Topeka High 3 (McFadden 2, Campbell). Total Fouls -- Junction City 12, Topeka High 15. Fouled out -- none. Technical fouls -- none.
