How Anderson County boys basketball won district championship on controversial ending

HUNTSVILLE — Hayden Craig had a little more than three seconds to decide the fate of Anderson County basketball in its game against rival Clinton in the District 4-3A Tournament championship game Tuesday night at Scott High School. 

The junior forward grabbed the rebound after the missed Clinton free throw, pushed the ball vigorously up the court and made the game-winning floater from one step inside the 3-point line. 

The shot counted although a video shows that the ball remained in his hands as time expired. That is irrelevant as the TSSAA referees’ initial ruling on the shot is used and not video from an outside source. 

Clinton coach Chris Lockard said, "I didn't think he got it off in time" before he eventually saw a picture with his hand on the ball still.

The Mavericks (21-9) beat Clinton 62-61 to win its second straight district tournament championship. For the fifth consecutive season, Clinton (11-15) lost in the district championship game. 

“That was a tough one for them,” Lockard said. “Because I think they felt like they earned that one. I think they felt like it got taken away from them.”

Anderson County's Jordan Jeffers said he understands why Clinton was upset after the game. 

“It was a 32-minute war,” Jeffers said. “I think probably we were just lucky we had the ball last, honestly.”

Anderson County was led by Brandon Dake who had 17 points and District 4-3A Tournament MVP Cole Russell, who had 15 points. Craig had 11 points. 

For Clinton, Jeremiah Lee scored a game-high 18 points and Jacob Dooley had 18 points. 

Lockard said that the “foul situation got a little tilted" in the second half and was the “biggest hurdle” to overcome. 

He also said that he didn’t think the shot was off in time even before he saw a picture that showed the ball was still in the shooter’s hand.  

“I thought my guys played hard enough and deserved to win,” Lockard said. “But, you know, Anderson County made some big plays, they showed resilience, never quit. I just felt like that last shot should have been discussed. And it wasn't and that's how it goes.”

The district championship is of great significance for the Mavericks who have improved since Jeffers took over. 

When he accepted the coaching job two years ago, the Mavericks hadn’t won a district game in over a year and the district championship they won last season was the first in 15 years. 

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Anderson County will have a home-court advantage as a top seed in the region tournament.

Jeffers said he didn’t know if the shot was off in time in the moment and that he waited for the referee's judgment. 

“That's what makes it hard about high school,” Jeffers said. “You ain’t got replay, you ain’t got red lights on the backboard. An official got to do the best they can in real-time. We’re fortunate it went in.”

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly Twitter, @TJ3rd_.