its boys’ basketball players, its coaches, its fans and practically its entire community — could do was watch once Meridian’s Graham Meisenhelter launched a three-pointer from nearly 60 feet on Friday night when the clock hit all zeros at the Enlow Center.
The Warriors couldn’t foul. Not in a tie game with just 2.6 seconds on the clock. Letting Meisenhelter take the shot from the opposite volleyball line was the only play.
So Tuscola watched. And then agonized after Meisenhelter’s desperation shot swished cleanly through the net.
Another overtime win for Meridian against Tuscola.
This one an 82-79 victory in double overtime that gave the Hawks the Class 1A St. Anthony Sectional championship and ended the Warriors’ dream season in a matter of seconds.
A hope and a prayer from Meisenhelter was all Meridian could, well, hope for in that situation. The Hawks’ senior came through, capping his team-high 26-point performance with the shot of his life. Now and in the future.
“We had it in our best player’s hands,” Meridian coach Shannon Houser said. “That’s what happens when you do that.”
