Norcross Hosts Invitational, Wins Game on Bizarre Basket

The Norcross boys basketball team pulled out an improbable 60-57 win against Charlotte Christian (N.C.) after one of the Knights players scored on his own basket in the final minute of the game.

The contest was part of the 4th annual Hilton Invitational, a two-day event pitting Georgia hoops teams against stiff out-of-state competition. The Blue Devils held the lead throughout the first half, but had trouble with the Knights' 2-3 zone in the third period and found themselves down by six heading into the final stanza.

On the losing end of a 52-44 score, Norcross head coach Jesse MacMillan called for full-court pressure and the Blue Devils began to cut into the deficit.  The gap was broken down to one with less than 30 seconds to play and Charlotte Christian inbounding.  The inbound pass went awry resulting in a scramble for the ball. Knights junior forward Ryan Potocnik retrieved the ball going towards his own goal and lightly dropped in a two-hand lay-up, giving Norcross the lead with 11 seconds remaining.  

The moments after Potocnik scored the winning basket on his own team were surreal, with the crowd screaming and the scorekeeper trying to figure out who to give the gift hoop to. The Blue Devils tacked on a couple free throws to complete the wild comeback.

Forward Jason Croom led Norcross with 17 points and Brandon Goodwin chipped in with 14.

Norcross' next game will be at Peachtree Ridge this Tuesday (1/24).

Editor's Note: Number 33, Ryan Potocnik, was mistakenly identified as Chandler Goodson in the original version of this article.