NASHVILLE – Same site, similar last-second scenario, different result.
One year after a heartbreaking state-tournament semifinal loss on a desperation heave, McCallie’s basketball team avoided a repeat when Briarcrest Christian’s DeMarc Richardson’s 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the side of the backboard. That miss secured the Blue Tornado’s 51-49 victory Friday in the Division II-AA semifinals at Lipscomb University.
For the first time in program history, McCallie will play for a state championship here today at 6 p.m. EST against top-ranked Ensworth/or Montgomery Bell Academy.
“During the timeout when they were setting up their play, my problem was calming everybody down on our team,” McCallie coach Dan Wadley said. “I think I had to say ‘shut up’ several times. I wanted to make sure they knew what we wanted to do defensively. We were willing to give up a contested outside shot, but I didn’t want them to get anything inside or get fouled.
“It was scary how much it felt like our situation at the end of last year’s game.”