With 0.3 seconds on the clock in overtime and New Home trailing by one, the Leopards got a shot off from close range to beat the buzzer, but after review, the officials waved it off leading to a 40-39 win for Lipan in the Class 2A state semifinals on Friday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
According to several explanations on Twitter/X the clock did not start on time once the inbound pass touched the New Home player. Therefore, the officials ruled that the shot attempt would have come after the buzzer sounded.
Lipan, at the state tourney for the 15th time in program history, will go for title #5 when the Indians play Shelbyville in the 2A final at 130 pm Saturday. Lipan is the defending state champ after beating La Rue La Poynor 50-46 last season. Shelbyville beat Thrall on Friday.
The Indians also beat New Home 52-44 in the semifinals in last year’s tournament.
Lipan trailed 33-31 after the third quarter and then 35-31 on a New Home bucket from Mason Turnbow with 5:07 left in regulation. The Leopards would go cold for over eight minutes before their next point.
Tyson Tarpley made a driving layup in the paint to cut the lead to 35-33 and Lipan tied it at 35 with 61 seconds on the clock after Court Gaylor scored off a New Home turnover.
Then Lipan went ahead 39-35 in extra time making it a 9-0 run.
But the Leopards made two free throws and a jumper to pull with 40-39 with 66 seconds left in overtime. Lipan missed two free throws. A shot attempt by NH was blocked by Payton Cornelius before the final play.
New Home led 9-9 after one and Lipan was up 22-19 at the break.
Gaylor scored a game-high 27 points on 9 of 20 shooting with five threes. Alberto Andreatta chipped in six points and eight rebounds. New Home’s Caleb Cook led the Leopards with 17 points.
Lipan’s 15 appearances are tied for fifth most all time.
