Briarcrest Christian narrowly escaped with a two-point win over Memphis University during an electric high school basketball game in Tennessee on Friday night. However, the game was marred by (a not-so controversial) controversy at the end of regulation.
What seemed to be an electric buzzer-beater for the home team did not count upon further review.
Although it was likely the correct call, it was unfortunate to see such an exhilarating upset win get erased by an error with the clock. The team that would’ve lost went on to win in overtime.
Briarcrest Christian High School, located on the easternmost border of the greater Memphis area, made the short trip up the road to face Memphis University School. With only 12 miles between the two private schools, they have become rivals over the years. This year’s high school basketball matchup was not supposed to be competitive on paper. The visiting Saints entered at 19-3. The Owls were 14-11.
Both teams battled to a 41-41 tie with less than one second remaining on the clock. MU had the ball with 0.8 seconds left. There was just enough time for a catch and shoot from the sideline.
A lob pass into the paint was swatted down, which bounced right into the hands of a Memphis player. He quickly put up a shot that appeared to beat the buzzer. Students stormed onto the court. It was epic!
Here’s the ending to the MUS-Briarcrest game. The officials said no basket for the Owls and the Saints went on to win in OT. pic.twitter.com/2TgETIYYDr
— John Varlas (@johnvarlas) February 15, 2025
Upon further review, the shot was ruled no good— but not because the shooter did not release the ball before the clock hit zero. In fact, the video shows that he most certainly did!
The shot did not count because clock had a hiccup at the 0.3-second mark and did not start on time. Plus, if we’re being honest, 0.8 seconds was not enough time for the ball to bounce off of the floor into the hands of a shooter and for the shooter to get a shot off.
Briarcrest Christian went on to beat Memphis University in overtime.