NASHVILLE - Baylor's smallest player stood out in the biggest moment Friday in a TSSAA Division II-AA state semifinal at Lipscomb University.
Senior Tre Jackson, the only player listed shorter than 6-foot tall on the roster Baylor put out at the beginning of the season, made the first of two free throws with 0.9 second remaining to break a tie score. Then after a Briarcrest timeout, Jackson under coach's order missed the second, leaving the Saint who rebounded the ball a full-court desperation heave that came up short, and the Red Raiders came out victorious 45-44.
No. 3-ranked Baylor (19-6) is making its second appearance in a state final today and will be seeking its first title when it takes on top-ranked Brentwood Academy (24-5) at 8:30 p.m. EST. Briarcrest (29-4) is ranked No. 2 in the state.
"I can hardly wait to try and win a state championship with this team right now," Baylor coach Austin Clark said. "We're excited about being here in the championship game, but there's one more step. It's been our goal to get there with these seniors. We've realized it. Now it's time to complete it."
The Red Raiders held a three-point lead before Briarcrest freshman Kennedy Chandler hit a 3-point shot from the right wing with 17 seconds to play. Clark said that during the ensuing timeout the Red Raiders planed to "at least get the last-second shot."
It turned out that guard Beyuan Hendricks took that shot - a 3-pointer to the left of the key from about NBA 3-point range - but all it produced at first was a deep rebound.
"I thought we handled their pressure," Clark said of the Saints' defense coming out of the timeout at 15.5 seconds. "We got a decent look. It worked out in our favor. But that's because of the effort and hustle these kids have put out all year long."
As the Saints' Marcellus Brigham twisted and leaned back to grab the ball headed over his head, there was Jackson underneath on the receiving end of some contact. Baylor was in the double bonus.
"It was kind of unfortunate, honestly, on their part," Baylor senior Patrick Urey said. "We took advantage of it. Tre stepped up and knocked down the first one. He missed the second one on purpose, which was a great play on his part. That was thanks to Coach."