Odd Minnesota 4OT Game Ends on Buzzer-Beater
Amir Coffey's halfcourt heave ended an absurdly long battle for the Minnesota state semifinal that seemed like it was never going to end. With the final seconds ticking down, Coffey's buzzer-beater vaulted Hopkins High School (Minnetonka) to the Minnesota AAAA finals over Shakopee High, 49-46.
The craziest part about this game, however, is what transpired to reach the fourth overtime. There's no shot clock in Minnesota high school basketball, so with his team shooting poorly, Hopkins head coach Ken Novak ordered his players to dribble the clock out for the last three minutes of regulation and first two overtimes in an attempt to outlast the opponent. That's right—the overtime periods consisted of nothing but dribbling, passing and zone defense.
Once the third overtime came, Shakopee managed a three-point lead twice, but Hopkins eventually tied the game at 46-46, sending the game to a fourth extra period.
Finally, thanks to Coffey's prayer, a very stubborn team emerged victorious in one of the most unique high school tournament games in recent memory.
