SPORTS

Whites Creek loses on halfcourt, buzzer-beater in semifinals

Michael Murphy

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

MURFREESBORO — Whites Creek coach Carlton Battle knew it as soon as the last-second heave left Knoxville Catholic senior Luke Smith’s fingertips.

Knoxville Catholic's Luke Smith is lifted up after sinking a last-second halfcourt shot to defeat Whites Creek 53-56 in the Class AA semifinals on March 17, 2017, in Nashville, TN

“When he jumped and let it go I knew it was good,” Battle said after his squad's heartbreaking 56-53 Class AA semifinal loss. “Special players just make plays like that.”

Moments after Dennis Stallings’ game-tying layup at the other end, Smith, a Class AA Mr. Basketball finalist, battled through the Whites Creek press and launched the buzzer-beating, game-winning shot from just inside midcourt.

“I’ve been watching state tournaments my entire life, and plays like that are made,” Battle said. “I knew that when we didn’t get a good contest on the look that it was going in. I was probably halfway to the scorer’s table.”

Smith, who hit just one of his first four attempts from beyond the arc, finished with 20 points to lead Knoxville Catholic (31-1), which takes on Maplewood in the championship game.

Stallings finished with 17 points to lead Whites Creek (29-6), while 6-foot-9 senior Ruot Monyyong contributed 11 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks in the season-ending defeat.

ReachMichael Murphy atmfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8262 and on Twitter@Murph_TNsports.