Seconds after committing what he thought would be a fatal mistake, a New York high school basketball player heaved and made a last-second shot nearly the length of the court as time expired, winning his team the state title.
Julian McGarvey of Ardsley High School in Ardsley, New York missed two free throws with 3.9 seconds remaining in the New York State Class A Section 1 high school title game.
With his team trailing 51-49 to Tappan Zee High School, McGarvey managed to intercept the subsequent inbounds pass, and chucked the ball as far as he could.
Lucky for him, his aim was true, and the made three-point shot handed Ardsley the win and the championship. Fans then rushed the court in jubilation to celebrate with the team.
After missing two free throws, Julian McGarvey (in blue, at right with arm cocked back) chucked the ball nearly 70 feet as time expired and made the shot, winning Ardsley High School the championship game
‘At one moment it looks like the whole world was ending and I’m about to start bawling on the court because I just missed the free throws to win the game for my team,’ McGarvey said to LoHud.com.
‘And then they throw one down half court, I catch it, stumble a little bit, throw it as I’m falling back and it found the bottom of the net.’
McGarvey’s shot has since made the rounds on social media, garnering over a million views and a shout out from ESPN’s SportsCenter program.
‘As soon as it left his hand, my first thought was he has the greatest arm I’ve ever coached, too, so I knew it was going to get there,’ Ardsley coach Sean Cappiello said.
McGarvey (right in blue) stole the ball with 3.9 seconds remaining in the championship game after missing two free throws moments before
McGarvey’s shot fell through the net with no time left on the clock, elating his team and their fans
Following his made shot, students and fans celebrated with the winning team on the court
McGarvey (above) credited his training as a football quarterback as a factor in why he made the final shot
‘And then I’m like, ‘But it’s not going in.’ I guess my thought while the ball was in the air was, what a cool way to end it.’
McGarvey is also a football player – he’s set to play quarterback at Marist College next year. He suspects that might have helped him with his miracle heave.
‘I’d say the quarterback arm helped a bit. Throw it up high and let your receiver catch up to it. This time I hit the spot — right in the bottom of the net,’ he said.