Troy Buchanan’s Charlie Nett hits the game-winning jumper over a Francis Howell defender as time-expires in overtime to win the Class 6 District 4 boys basketball title, 47-45, March 6, in St. Charles. Nett finished with just five points because of a rough shooting night, but hit the final two points when it mattered.
Troy Buchanan's Jack Fessenden hits a layup in the first half against Francis Howell. The senior saved most of his points, however, when it mattered most, scoring nine of his 12 points in the second half and overtime.
Troy Buchanan’s Charlie Nett hits the game-winning jumper over a Francis Howell defender as time-expires in overtime to win the Class 6 District 4 boys basketball title, 47-45, March 6, in St. Charles. Nett finished with just five points because of a rough shooting night, but hit the final two points when it mattered.
St. Charles - The iron had been anything but kind to Charlie Nett all night.
The Troy Buchanan shooting guard had been held in check by Francis Howell’s defense, and had even missed a pair of free throws in the first half.
When the Trojans found their entire season on the line, however, the senior found the ball in his hand - and he made sure not to let the opportunity slip away - as Nett’s jumper at the buzzer sent the Viking faithful home shocked and won the Class 6 District 4 Boys Basketball title, 47-45 in overtime, March 6.
With the victory, Troy Buchanan (24-5) advanced to the Class 6 State Semifinal against Chaminade College Prep March 10 at Lindenwood University. Two years ago, the Trojans found themselves one win short of a trip to the “Show Me Showdown” in Columbia, when they lost to Fort Zumwalt North in the semifinal.
Class 6 District 4 Boys Tournament Champion Troy Buchanan Trojans
Lincoln County Journal/Shawn Singleton
After a Trojan turnover with 3.3 seconds left in the extra period, Francis Howell had a shot to win the contest. However, the “coast-to-coast” inbounds pass overshot everyone and landed out of bounds without touching anyone, giving Troy one final chance to win the district championship under its basket.
When Troy’s first opportunity to get the ball in was kicked by a Viking player, the Trojans successfully inbounded the ball to Nett, whose turnaround jumper from 15 feet at the horn found nothing but nylon.
“Our original play didn’t work, so we ran another play. The ball was inbounded to me,” Nett said. “Time was running out, so I shot it.
“As soon as the ball left my hand, I knew it was going in.”
Troy Buchanan coach Tim Gilmore said the play was originally intended for one of his bigger players.
“Typically, Charlie never gets that pass,” he said. “(Keegan Linebaugh) normally gets it, but we got it to Charlie at 15 feet, and he nailed it.
“Charlie’s been playing AAU ball for years, and I wouldn’t trust anyone else to hit that shot.”
Nett finished with five points against Francis Howell. In the Trojans’ 66-54 semifinal win over Timberland March 3, he scored 13 points, including the 1,000th point of his career.
Despite the shooting woes against the Vikings, Nett said he never lost confidence in his ability to contribute.
“You have to believe in yourself every time, and being a senior (the game-winner) was my opportunity,” he said.
Trailing by as much as nine points in the fourth quarter, and eight with three minutes remaining, Troy made a furious rally to force the extra period. After Andrew Moore sank a pair of foul shots, the Trojans stole the inbounds pass - and Jack Fessenden nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner to cut the deficit to 43-41 at the 1:26 mark.
The Vikings then missed a pair of free throws, and Fessenden completed the comeback with a reverse layup with 44 seconds left to knot the game at 43.
Troy Buchanan's Jack Fessenden hits a layup in the first half against Francis Howell. The senior saved most of his points, however, when it mattered most, scoring nine of his 12 points in the second half and overtime.
Lincoln County Journal/Shawn Singleton
Fessenden scored 12 points, including nine in the second half and overtime.
“That 3 in the corner loosened (Fessenden) up. That was critical for him,” Gilmore said. “He was tight early, and he just let go in the second half and overtime.”
Andrew Moore finished with 15 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead the Trojans. Tyler Moore also had 15 points, before fouling out with 3:49 left in regulation.
Curiously, in the fourth quarter and overtime, Francis Howell went away from its attacking offense when it had a lead, and went to a “keep away” offense designed to drain clock. The strategy led to key turnovers, which allowed the Trojans to get back into the contest.
“You’ve got to believe in your product,” Gilmore said. “Maybe that’s why they did it. I would never judge another coach.”
Gilmore also said the comeback was a result of a promise his squad made when it lost last year’s title game against Fort Zumwalt South.
“I go back a year earlier when we were playing Fort Zumwalt South, and we were up 14 points in the fourth quarter. We squandered that lead and lost,” he said. “We called ourselves the ‘Redeem Team’ all summer.
“We have a philosophy, and that philosophy showed tonight.”
Nett echoed his coach’s belief that no deficit is too big at any time.
“We have that belief. We knew we could come back from being down eight points with three minutes left,” Nett said. “Coach (Gilmore) says if we hold a team under 50 points, we’ll win.
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