This Paradise Panthers Sports Minute is brought to you by Lowery Metals
A dramatic finish sent Paradise High School Panthers boys basketball back to the state championship game.
Cooper Jones delivered the game-winning moment Tuesday night, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Panthers to a 38-35 victory over the Henrietta High School Bearcats boys basketball in the Class 3A Division II state semifinals at Denton High School.
The win sends Paradise back to the state title game for the second consecutive season. The Panthers improved to 36-2, extended their winning streak to 19 games and will face Palestine Westwood High School Panthers boys basketball in the championship game at 1 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome. Paradise fell in the state final last season and now gets another opportunity to capture the title.
The semifinal matchup with Henrietta was a defensive battle throughout. Paradise trailed 20-13 at halftime and was still behind 29-25 after three quarters.
A 3-pointer by Will McGregor finally pushed the Panthers ahead 32-31 with about 2:30 remaining. Henrietta responded by tying the game at 35 with 20 seconds left.
After a timeout with 5.2 seconds on the clock, Paradise set up its final play. Jones broke free from his defender and knocked down the buzzer-beating 3-pointer, sending the Panthers to the state championship game once again.