Ponies upset Tyler in 3 OTs
The Panola Watchman
3/11/08  

KILGORE - Christopher Jones nailed a three-point goal off the top of the key with 3.2 seconds to play in triple overtime. and when teammate Papa Opong drew a charging foul on Tyler's in-bounds play, with 1.9 seconds showing, there was bedlam and shock in Region XIV tournament action here Saturday.,
Conference champion Tyler, ranked No. 10 in the nation and top-seeded here, was history.
Well, almost!
Seems there was confusion among the game's officials -- zebras and clock keepers - and of course discussion, discussion and more discussion.
Panola was finally given possession of the ball, but Tyler was awarded an extra 1.3 seconds as the scoreboard clock was reset to 3.2 seconds.
That move was explained away as "a clock issue."
No point in arguing, Pony Coach Jacob Wonders determined, having been there, done that and had his appeals rejected once previously this season in league action in Carthage.
Besides, he had most of what he wanted, the lead, ball possession and Tyler hanging by its scalp before coup de grace.
 Opong calmly hit two free throws to put the Ponies up three and they intentionally fouled Jimmy Butler, sending him to the line with 0.3 seconds remaining.
With 41 points already in his resume, Butler sank the first freebie, and then intentionally missed the second, hopeful of a miracle.
Opong rebounded for the 10th time in the donnybrook and the two-and-one-half hour contest was finis.
Panola trailed 50-38 at halftime but 6-8 freshman Fran Urli of Croatia and 6-1 Philadelphia sophomore Aamir McCleary came off the bench to help push the Ponies to seven ties as the lead changes seven times before a 93-all deadlock and overtime.
Tyler made 10-of-13 free throws in the first extra period, Panola just five-of-10, but Oppong stepped back behind the three-point arc and nailed a trey with 4.4 seconds to tie at 107-all, bringing on a second OT.
Panola missed several opportunities before Tyler tied it 114-114. Neither team scored in the final 1:49.
McCleary finished with 22 points (9-of-21 from the floor); Urli tallied 23 (5-of-6 f.g.a.; 13-of-14 f.t.a.); Justin Dennis had 15; Oppong 22 (5-of-14); Christian Jones 4; Christopher Jones 20 (7-of-15); Brandon Webb 7; Elijah Cotton 8; Chris Lewis 2.
Panola would move on to play Navarro in the XIV semifinals.