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Vote for your favorite playoff buzzer-beater from an amazing weekend of boys hoops

03/02/2014, 7:00pm CST
By Travis Wilson

Tournament coverage brought to you by


The Regional round of the 2014 boys basketball playoffs produced some of the most incredible action we've seen in quite some time, with a defending champ going down in the first game, numerous outstanding finishes, a seemingly higher than normal rate of overtime contests, and several thrilling buzzer beaters.

Four buzzer-beating shots stick out, and garnered significant statewide attention. Fortunately, in this technological age, video was available within minutes of the games going final, meaning those of us around the state can enjoy the excitement, not just those lucky enough to be in attendance.

We spotlight these four incredible shots below, and after viewing each of them, please cast your vote at the bottom for which one is your favorite. You can vote once per day and we'll leave voting open through 2 pm on Thursday, when Sectional Semi-Finals will then take center stage.

Voting has ended, and the incredible shot by Ripon's Ben Vander Plas was voted as your favorite!


Mount Horeb - Drew Fredrickson

With an unbeaten record and state tournament hopes on the line, Mount Horeb's Drew Fredrickson found the ball in his hands with the clock ticking down as he and the Vikings trailed visiting Oregon by two points in a regional semi-final contest Friday night. Fredrickson fired an off-balance three-pointer that swished through the hoop as time expired to give Mount Horeb a 42-41 victory. Fredrickson finished with a game-high 18 points.

Video below courtesy of Madison.com

Sussex Hamilton - Brady Ellingson

Brady Ellingson, an Iowa recruit, scored 38 of his team's 49 points, but it was the last three that still have everyone talking. With his team trailing by two points in the final seconds, he worked his dribble to the left side of the three point line and let fire. The horn sounded with the ball in the air, and his shot found nothing but the bottom of the net as the Chargers scored a 49-46 upset win over Kettle Moraine in a WIAA Regional Final.

Ripon - Ben Vander Plas

He may be listed as a freshman, but Ripon's Ben Vander Plas made a shot for the ages on Saturday night. With Ripon trailing by two points against top-seed Laconia with just 3.6 seconds left, the Tigers inbounded the ball quickly and got the ball to Vander Plas as he circled to the right corner. Catching, turning, and falling away at the same time, he hoisted up a prayer at the buzzer, which fell through the hoop for a thrilling 43-42 victory in a Division 3 Regional Final. Vander Plas finished with a team-high 14 points to go with 11 rebounds.

Video below courtesy of the Ripon Press

Greendale - Nate Thomson

Greendale went to an unlikely scoring option as the clock ticked down in their Regional Final game against Union Grove. But when senior Jordan Perez found sophomore Nate Thomson in the corner with the Panthers down by 2, Thomson knocked home a wide open three-pointer at the buzzer for his only points of the game, and a 55-54 victory as his teammates and fans immediately swarmed him on the court. Thomson came in averaging just 6 points per game.


Tag(s): Video  Basketball - Boys  News Archive  BBB News  Travis Wilson  Boys Hoops Playoffs