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High Point upset was going to take everything — including a first layup of the season
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- High Point upset was going to take everything — including a first layup of the season
PORTLAND, OR – Go figure the biggest moment in High Point basketball history hinged on Chase Johnston doing something he hadn't done all season.
In the final seconds of the NCAA Tournament first round game against Wisconsin , the Panthers were down by a point when Rob Martin got a loose ball, and up ahead was an open Johnston running toward the bucket. Martin passed it perfectly to Johnston. All that was left was for Johnston to make a 2-point spot.
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A shot he hadn't made all season.
'Nobody would play us': High Point coach gives fiery interview after Wisconsin upset
March Madness heroes, legends: High Point's Chase Johnston can take his place on this list
It sounds unusual, but it's in fact one of the wildest stats in college basketball . Prior to that moment, Johnston attempted 142 shots on the season; 138 were 3-pointers.
The four 2-point shots? All misses.
No pressure for the sharpshooter.
Luckily, it was a layup. Johnston rolled it into the bucket, and sealed High Point 's first NCAA Tournament win in school history.
It was unusual territory for Johnston, but it didn't frighten him at all. Because he knew "we can go shock the world."
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"When Rob threw that off, I was just like, 'I gotta put this in to win this game,'" he said. "I wasn't really thinking whether it's a 2 or 3. I was just trying to put it in and win this game."
A moment that held the breath of every fan donning purple inside Moda Center, knowing it was asking someone for something out of their game. But those on the court knew their fortunate fate was sealed the moment it touched his hands.
In fact, the only thing they wondered was if it was going to be a slam.
"Chase got a little bit of bounce. Chase probably dunk a little bit," Martin said, drawing laughs from his teammates. "But I knew Chase was gonna make a layup. Of course, I believe in him."
While it was a one-of-a-kind moment for a one-of-a-kind achievement, it wouldn't have been possible if Johnston hadn't done what he does best: drill it from deep.
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It was an intense battle between the Panthers and Badgers, but it looked like Wisconsin was about to pull away with an eight-point lead with five minutes left. Then Johnston, who had just three points at the moment, finally drained another 3-point shot.
Then another. And another, including one from the midcourt logo.
A nine-point flurry in four minutes made it a one-point game in the final minute, all to set up the game-winning layup.
But Johnston's heroics weren't done. After making the shot of his life, he told his coaches to take him out. He is a reliable defender, but he knew what was needed to preserve the win. Put in a bigger guy to defend the last-second attempt.
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Wisconsin wasn't able to retake the lead, and when it got another chance, wasn't able to get the shot off as the High Point defenders hounded the long pass.
"He should get way more credit," coach Flynn Clayman said. "That is not just a defender, but an all-around player."
And just like that, March gets its new darling. The tournament is all about guys that go largely unnoticed all season, just for them to become the breakout star on the biggest stage in college basketball. Johnston wasn't even the team's leading scorer, it was Martin with 23 points.
But when you are the glass slipper for Cinderella, that's all it takes to become the hero. This may just be the rare case of the guy that got thrust in the spotlight for doing something he isn't known for.
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That's all OK, because Johnston has High Point still dancing.
"To be on this stage with these guys, and be able to hit a couple shots and finish with the layup," Johnston said. "It's something that I'll never forget."
High Point vs Wisconsin highlights
Who does High Point play next in March Madness?
The Panthers play the winner of Arkansas/Hawaii.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: High Point's Chase Johnston newest March Madness hero after Wisconsin upset
