With four seconds remaining, Minneapolis Washburn guard JEFF JONES, the state’s Mr. Football, received the inbounds pass, dribbled quickly across half court, and launched a one-handed, running three-point shot that careened successfully off the backboard as the buzzer sounded, giving the Millers a thrilling 73-71 City Conference boys’ basketball victory over first-place North.
Mpls Washburn vs. Mpls North
Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014
The victory, witnessed by a capacity crowd at North, opened up the race for the conference title and confirmed that basketball in Minneapolis is back on the rise.
Washburn appeared to be in control, taking a 44-33 lead behind the sharpshooting of EVAN SHEPHERD, who finished with a game-high 24 points and Jones, who added 22.
The Polars, however, refused to die. Down 59-52 with seven minutes remaining, guard JAMIL JACKSON, who finished with 15 points, sank two freethrows.
TYLER JOHNSON’S steal and layup a minute later brought North to within three (59-56).
Shepherd responded with a three-pointer. Teammate and center GEORGE CLARK drew a charge on Johnson. He stole the ball and attempted a layup at the 5:02 mark. DEANGELO PRUITT-COOPER scored his only points of the game seconds later, making it a 64-56 lead.
Jackson’s freethrow and layup — with Jones scoring for Washburn in between — and a pull-up jumper by EDO WALKER, who scored 10 points overall, brought North within five (66-61) at the 3:11 mark.
During the next two minutes, Johnson scored North’s next eight points, culminating with a three-point play. Shepherd’s freethrows and Clark’s layup on an assist from Jones accounted for Washburn’s points, as the Millers led 70-69 with 1:14 remaining.
Tyler Johnson’s missed jumpshot was tipped in by ISAAC JOHNSON, giving North a 71-69 lead with four seconds left.
After a time-out called by Washburn coach JAMIN COOK, Jones performed his heroics.
The final tally:
NORTH: Tyler Johnson 23, Jamil Jackson 15, Edo Walker 10, D.J. Hunter 8, Odell Wilson Jr. 7, JaQuan Sanders 4, Ahzerik Rodgers 2, Isaac Johnson 2
WASHBURN: Evan Shepherd 24, Jeff Jones 22, George Clark 13, c9, JoBreil Powell 3, DeAngelo Pruitt-Cooper 2
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
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