During this week’s Maine State Men’s Basketball Tournament matchup between Thornton Academy and Bonny Eagles, the two teams combined to produce one of the wildest finishes you’ll ever see in a basketball game at any level this week featuring four lead changes, two dramatic and-one layups and a controversial game-winning shot all in the game’s final 20.9 seconds.
It all started when Bonny Eagle hit a clutch three-point bucket to take a 48-47 lead with about 17 seconds left on the clock. But then Thornton took the ball right down the court and scored a layup to retake the lead with the score at 49-48 – then hit an and-one free throw to make it 50-48 with just 8.8 left to play.
Bonny Eagle punched back once again with an and-one layup of their own, hitting a layup and the foul shot to make it 51-50 with just 1.3 seconds on the clock. But after a long pass, Thornton was able to hit a last-second apparent buzzer-beating floater to clinch the 52-51 victory.
The craziest 20.9 seconds in Maine HS basketball history.
Four lead changes. Two dramatic and 1 layups. And a shot that people will be talking about for a long time.
This is how we had it. #MaineMadness @MEBBallRankings pic.twitter.com/Acp5u0sDn0
— James Corrigan (@RealCorrigan) February 25, 2023
However, the shot was controversial, because, upon further review, it’s clear that the final shot should not have counted as it was released after the buzzer.
And Bonny Eagle head coach John Trull wasn’t happy about it.
HC of the green team here… would love to come on the podcast and talk about the end of this game. Maine HS officials and MPA wont do anything about it. Would love for this to be a bigger issue about how we got robbed/ how to change fix for future DM for more info @BillSimmons pic.twitter.com/hrPqaSCS8O
— John Trull (@Jtrull23) February 25, 2023
“HC of the green team here… would love to come on the podcast and talk about the end of this game. Maine HS officials and MPA wont do anything about it. Would love for this to be a bigger issue about how we got robbed/ how to change fix for future DM for more info,” Trull said in a tweet.
All in all, it was a wild ending, and the basketball world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
A game so crazy that the play by play guy ripped off 2 “Ohhhhhh doctor!” calls in 8 seconds. Oh doctor!!!!!! https://t.co/g82ZuCUxzg
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 25, 2023
Amazing drama, and the Maine state basketball tournament is unlike anything I've ever covered.
I hate to be a downer, but that last shot should not have counted…. https://t.co/A91SCoDdQ6
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) February 25, 2023
https://twitter.com/ReallyDanWeiner/status/1629570668453871617?s=20
If you want to smile, take a listen. 10/10 on the excitement category.
— Jonathan Rifkind (@JonathanRifkind) February 25, 2023
This is what I love about covering this tournament. No, not every game ends like this. But every game, especially in the later rounds, could. https://t.co/3cT05he55Q
— Drew Bonifant (@dbonifantMTM) February 25, 2023
Play-by-play person steals Sam Madonia's "whoa doctor" in this. https://t.co/Iyy2B8VwGj
— Ryan Mahan (@RyanMahanSJR) February 25, 2023
Maine highschool basketball needs some serious changes, like a shot clock, but maybe the ability to review buzzer beaters should be added too… https://t.co/UpvPiuR5wX
— Daniel Fortier (@DanielFortier9) February 25, 2023
It’s safe to say everyone was thoroughly entertained.
