(San Antonio, Texas)-Just call it March Madness! Stranger things do happen. In the University Interscholastic League Class 6A Semifinals, McKinney HS point guard 6’5” Alex Anamekwe stole the ball with less than ten seconds left to play in double-overtime, and he raced down court and ended the game with a slam-dunk, bringing Lions fans to their feet, winning 68-66.
Yes, this win was wild. With less than :30 seconds left in regulation, McKinney called timeout trailing 54-53, but the UIL referee cited Austin Westlake a technical foul during the timeout, putting McKinney at the line for a bonus shot and it paid off with McKinney tying the game at 54-54, sending the game into a wild overtime.
Down 62-59, the Chaps hit a three-pointer to tie the game, 62-62, but McKinney followed through with another basket to take a 64-62 lead. Westlake raced down court to tie the game at 64-64 to send the game into a second overtime.
In the second overtime, both teams never gave up. Westlake head coach Robert Lucero and McKinney head coach Wes Watson both watched their teams performing their best, tied at 66-66 until McKinney broke loose and stole the ball, slam-dunking as time expired to win 68-66 bring fans to their feet.
The 26-6A Austin Westlake Chaps (38-2) ends its season while the District 5-6A McKinney Lions (34-5), makings its second UIL State Tournament appearance since 1928, will head to the finals on Saturday. The Chaps have made three UIL State Basketball Tournament appearances from 2018, 2021, and 2022.
