A Buzzer-Beating Miracle
Scottie Vines, a senior basketball forward for the De Beque Dragons, made an unbelievable full court shot at the end of the first quarter against the Cheraw Wolverines in the Class 1A Regional Semifinal on Friday. The shot was so impressive that it earned him the Play of the Week award from KKCO 11 News, with just under 60 percent of the votes in this week’s poll.
Vines grabbed the rebound from a missed shot by Cheraw and launched a one-handed 70-footer that swished through the net as the buzzer sounded. The crowd erupted in cheers and disbelief as Vines celebrated with his teammates. The shot gave the Dragons a 19-12 lead and a huge boost of momentum.
A Dominant Performance
The Dragons did not let the Wolverines recover from the stunning shot and went on to win the game 71-53. Vines finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while his fellow senior Wes Ryan led the team with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals.
The Dragons advanced to the Class 1A Regional Final, where they faced the Sierra Grande Panthers on Saturday. The Panthers proved to be a tough opponent, as they led by 10 points at halftime and held off a late rally by the Dragons to win 62-59. The loss ended the Dragons’ season with a 16-5 record and a second-place finish in the 1A District 1 standings.
A Remarkable Season
Despite the heartbreaking defeat, the Dragons had a lot to be proud of this season. They won 12 of their last 14 games, including a thrilling 58-57 overtime victory over the North Park Wildcats in the District Championship. They also had four players named to the All-District First Team: Vines, Ryan, junior Brenden Klaseen, and sophomore Kade Hankins.
The Dragons also made history by becoming the first boys basketball team from De Beque to reach the Regional Final since 1998. They also had the highest winning percentage (.762) in school history, surpassing the previous record of .750 set by the 1997-98 team.
The Dragons will lose three seniors to graduation: Vines, Ryan, and Eli Etcheverry. However, they will return a talented core of players, including Klaseen, Hankins, sophomore Colter Allen, and freshman Brayden Klaseen. The Dragons will look to build on their success and make another run at the state title next season.
