Sports
High School Hoops: Adams Wins in Overtime, Advances to Regional Championship
The Highlanders defeated Pontiac 71-68 after sending the game to overtime on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
It is one of two basketball teams still standing in Rochester Hills.
defeated Pontiac High School in a 71-68 overtime win Monday night to advance to the regional championship game Wednesday.
The excitement coincides with the March Madness felt at nearby , where the Golden Grizzlies are preparing for
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The hero: Nick Zekaj hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. (Watch the shot and the ensuing celebration in the video that accompanies this report.)
The turning point: Once Zekaj hit the magic 3-pointer, Adams swiftly stole the momentum.
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The quote: "I just threw it up and saw it was on line," Zekaj said about his clutch shot.
The bottom line: Adams High couldn't defend Pontiac's Anthony Adams, who seemed like he drained every shot he took.
But on the other end of the court, the Highlanders kept making shots, too, and Zekaj's 3-pointer was the boost they needed to win the game.
Key statistic: Anthony Adams broke a school record, scoring 45 points for Pontiac. He had 23 points with four 3-pointers in the first half alone.
The Highlanders spread the scoring around.
- Andrew Hammett scored 14 points with a 3-pointer and shot 3-for-4 from the line.
- Zack Littleson scored 12 points, including a 3-pointer, and shot 3-for-4 from the line.
- Matt Nestor added 12 points with a 3-pointer and shot 5-for-8 from the line.
- Zekaj scored 7 points with one 3-pointer.
Bracketology: Adams plays Southfield in the regional final at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Southfield High School.
"We're playing one of the best teams in the state on their home floor," Adams head coach John Hall said. "We're going to keep doing what we're doing."
