Senior’s ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ full-court shot lifts Syracuse Academy of Science boys hoops past UAS (video)

There were 10 seconds left in Saturday’s boys basketball game between Syracuse Academy of Science and Utica Academy of Science, and coach Matthew Purcell needed his SAS team to get one stop to send the game into overtime.

Not only did Purcell’s team get the defensive stand they needed but his senior big man, Andre Pasha, pulled down the rebound, took a couple of dribbles and heaved a full-court shot as the final buzzer sounded.

The improbable shot hung in the air before splashing through the net and giving SAS a 64-61 victory in the non-league matchup at Utica Academy of Science.

“At first I was in disbelief,” Pasha said. “I just stood there with my hands on my head. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime, crazy shot. It really clicked into my head. I was like, ‘I really just made that.’ And then we just celebrated the whole ride home.”

Pasha’s game-winner was set up after UAS point guard Doneilius King Jr. drove to the basket and kicked it to Jazier Brown on the wing for a potentially game-winning 3-pointer. Brown had already knocked down six 3s by that point.

After the ball careened off the rim, Pasha tracked it down and threw a one-handed, over-the-head heave down the court and into the basket.

“Craziest shot I’ve ever witnessed in person,” Purcell said. “I’ve never been a part of something like that. It’s a magical moment. The kids are really excited about that. That’s a memory that Andre will hold on to for the rest of his life no matter how the rest of the season turns out or anything.”

Saturday’s game was the fourth matchup between these two teams since Purcell took over the SAS program last season. Purcell’s team split last year’s two-game regular-season series and SAS defeated UAS 67-46 in their season opener this year.

“There’s definitely a connection between the schools, being sister schools, being practically the same thing, just a different area,” Purcell said. “Every single (matchup) has had that energy, whether it was in Utica or here at Syracuse. It does mean a lot. Even the kids in the stands ... how they were cheering and kind of took it personally as well.”

Pasha, who finished Saturday with a game-high 30 points, said the games against UAS are always “chippy.” The versatile forward also knocked down six 3s.

His teammates, junior Thon Chol and senior Gabron Polk, finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively, for SAS.

UAS (1-11) was paced by King Jr.’s 21 points and Brown’s 20 points. They will get back to the hardwood for a matchup against Bishop Grimes at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“It’s such a great program,” Purcell said about UAS. “They’re led by a couple of amazing players there and this is Doneilius King’s first year coaching. They’ve had a tough schedule. Their record doesn’t reflect how good they are. They played their best game and they gave us their best shot.”

Pasha said he and his teammates will be watching ESPN to see if his late-game heroics will land on an upcoming SportsCenter’s Top 10.

“It would mean the world, obviously, because that’s something I’ve always wanted,” he said. “That’s something you dream of. I probably wouldn’t even know how to react.”

“They were sharing it to as many people as they could,” Purcell said. “It’s pretty crazy when in our little neck of the woods, we have these miracle once-in-a-lifetime plays. Who knows if it’s God getting in the mix or if it’s just luck, but either way, it’s amazing.”

In the meantime, SAS (8-3) will begin to prepare for its next matchup against Henninger at 6:30 p.m. Monday.

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