Title games are supposed to be the showcase of the best of the best. Dibrell and Centertown more than lived up to the billing Tuesday, delivering an instant classic in the 3-Pt Club championship game.
The lead swung back and forth three times in the final minute, but Waylon Duggin's 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds left gave the Warriors a 47-46 victory over the Wildcats in the finale.
No lead felt safe in the finals, even when Centertown jumped out to a 13-7 lead in the first quarter. Dibrell started clawing back in the second quarter, but didn't take its first lead in the second half until Stuart Garcia's putback made it 27-26 in the third quarter.
Aiden Carter, named MVP following the game, and Wesley Romzek rallied Centertown back to a 40-36 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats got back-to-back 3-pointers from Kyler Cantrell and Halen Myers with two minutes left to jump back in front 42-41. Cantrell added two free throws with a minute left to make it a 3-point game, but Centertown would find the answers in the final 60 seconds.
Carter hit the first crucial shot to bring the Warriors back, nailing a deep 3-pointer from the left wing to tie the game at 44-44. Following a timeout, Dibrell responded in the clutch, getting a huge jumper from Trigg Culwell - his only make of the game - to retake a 46-44 lead with 25 seconds remaining.
The Warriors quickly pushed the pace, ultimately finding Nolan McCormick on the block in hopes of a tie. McCormick was swarmed by Dibrell defenders, leaving him no choice but to kick it out to his teammate.
Duggin was ready for his moment of glory, catching the feed and calmly draining a 3-pointer as the gym exploded in excitement.
Myers nearly sent the game to OT with a leaning jumper before the buzzer for the Wildcats, but his shot hit back rim and Centertown was able to celebrate a sweep of the elementary titles.
Centertown scoring - Carter 18, Romzek 17, Duggin 8, McCormick 4
Dibrell scoring - Myers 15, Cantrell 14, Garcia 7, Jaylin Biles 6, Culwell 2, Zackery Moore 2
