It is the dream of every basketball player, from the eight year old playing on the playground with his girl watching to the professional athlete playing in front of thousands of fans, to have the ball with time running and make the game winning shot as the crowd adores them with emotions of love and admiration. Well this dream came true twice in one action packed game for players on opposing teams.

   With only seventeen seconds left in regulation the Roosevelt Rough Riders were down by five points to the Coolidge Colts (52-57) in front of a raucous, capacity crowd at Coolidge.  This was the second time this season these two west division teams faced off.  Earlier this year the Colts upset the Riders 53 to 65 at Roosevelt in a game that was much closer than the score indicated, but on this Tuesday (Jan. 29, 2008) evening the Riders came to avenge that lost!

   With six seconds left on the clock in this seesaw contest and down by two, the Riders were looking to tie the game.  A quick pass was delivered to senior forward D�Angelo Johnson who drove the baseline and scored at the buzzer tying the game 59-59.  The referees deliberated, trying to decide whether the basket would count and send the game into overtime.  An extra quarter was inevitable with the crowd screaming "OT...OT...OT".  Rough Rider cheerleader Lawanne Johnson stated, "there was so much noise I got a headache."  But a headache was the least of the crowds� thoughts as they erupted into a frenzy of joy and celebration when the head official announced the basket was good. 

   In overtime the Riders and Colts took turns scoring when Rider forward Darin Drakeford calmly shot and sank two free throws with only eight seconds left on the clock that tied the game at 67.  The crowd just knew it would be a double overtime as the Colts exploded up the court with seconds counting down.  They got the ball into the hands of senior guard Zack Webb.  With a second left he propelled an off balanced shot with both Riders Jibri Banner and Drakeford's pressure defense knocking him to the ground.  With a hope and a prayer the ball fell through without the least tickle of the net.  Coolidge fans poured onto the floor in celebration as the buzzer sounded and the Colts with an improbable 70-67 victory. 

   Unbelievable, the shot was similar to that of Gilbert Arenas and his numerous game winning, at the buzzer, three pointers. "It was a hell of a game,� Rider coach Rob Nickens exclaimed. �The kids played with a lot of heart and it felt like a city title game.  If things go right we'll see them one more time."  Coach Nickens is referring to the DCIAA Championship game that takes place later on this month also played at Coolidge. 

   At the end of the night, both teams had big players step up and score with no time left on the clock, if these two teams play in the championship it will be a game you won't want to miss!