Boys Basketball

Verdell Jones, 2004 8AA Boys Basketball State Championship

Morton JHS vs. Champaign Franklin, February 23, 2004

Synopsis

The 8AA Boy's Basketball State Championship game between Morton Junior High (24-1) School and Champaign Franklin (22-2) was tied at the end of regulation 45-45. The regulation game was a well-played 24 minutes. The first three-minute overtime ended with both teams tied 49-49.

At the end of the hard-fought second overtime, Champaign Franklin fouled a Morton player with two seconds to play and the score was tied again at 52-52.

The player from Morton sank both free throws to put Morton ahead by two points 54-52. Franklin in-bounded the ball from the end line opposite their bench.

Franklin's Verdell Jones, Jr. took two dribbles and launched a shot just beyond the opposing team's three point line. As the time expired, the ball sailed through the basket putting Champaign Franklin ahead by one point.

The final score was 55-54. Champaign Franklin ended the season 23-2 and Morton JHS finished second in the state at 24-2.