Last-Second Shot Drops and Montclair Prep Falls

A standing-room only crowd that packed Montclair Prep’s tiny gymnasium got what it wanted Friday night in a Southern Section V-AA Division quarterfinal between the host Mounties and Campbell Hall: A last-second thriller that had the entire gym--even those with seats--standing and roaring.

It was the Campbell Hall half that roared loudest in the end as Taylor Williams’ driving scoop shot bounced once, twice, three times on the rim and fell through as time expired to lift the Vikings to a 62-61 win.

They will celebrate until Tuesday when Campbell Hall (23-3) will face Bishop Diego in the semifinals.

On the Mountie side, players collapsed to the floor and remained motionless after a seesaw game that was in their grasp until the final tick and roll.

But after Montclair Prep’s J. T. Billingslea missed the front end of a one-and-one with 13 seconds remaining and a 61-60 lead, Campbell Hall’s Lee Sprague grabbed the rebound and got it to guard Austin McKellar.

McKellar, who scored a game-high 26 points, could not penetrate and passed the ball to Williams on the left wing. Williams, without hesitation, drove the lane in traffic and hoisted a shovel shot with five seconds left.

And then he waited.

“It went in complete slow motion,” Williams said as he was mobbed by students and parents. “I didn’t think it was going to drop. I was sitting there praying and then when it went through I just got weak.

“I felt like I was about to cry. I’m still shaking.”

As was Montclair Prep. The Mounties, who were able to force Campbell Hall’s 6-foot-10 freshman Alex Lopez into foul trouble and limit him to just six points, had stormed back from a nine-point third-quarter deficit. Montclair Prep (20-5) went on a 14-2 run at the end of the third quarter to take a 45-42 lead and a seemingly firm handle on momentum.

But Campbell Hall retained its balance, and when McKellar made a layup and the ensuing free throw, the score was 53-53 with 4 minutes 42 seconds to play.

All that was left was for the teams to trade baskets, raise the tension level and see who would score last.

It was Williams, in just his first season of organized basketball, who attended to the last matter.