Zach Dunmore's fourth quarter heroics has lifted the Ballarat Miners to victory over the Corio Bay Stingrays in the semi-final of the Big V youth league one men's competition.
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Dunmore sunk a game-tying three pointer as time expired to force overtime in the match played at the Minerdome on Saturday.
The shot not only saved the game, but the season for the Miners who were on the brink of elimination after trailing by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Ballarat chipped away at the lead on the back of desperate full-court pressure which had Corio Bay out of sorts on the offensive end.
The Stingrays managed to break free of the press on a couple of occasions to extend its lead only for the Miners to cut it again at the other end.
Timely three-point shots from Dunmore and Blake Allison edged the Miners closer to the visitors who were unraveling under pressure.
It all seemed too little, too late for Ballarat inside the final seconds as a Corio Bay player stepped to the free throw line up by three. Those watching made themselves heard, equipped with the knowledge that one made free throw would put the game out of reach.
Their prayers were answered.
Both missed the mark and a scramble ensued to push the ball up the floor. A skip pass found Dunmore on the right hand side of the court.
He was wide open as he stepped in to shoot, but a desperate charge forced him to put the ball to the floor as the defenders left their feet.
Dunmore avoided contact and stepped behind the three point arc. He let the ball fly. Time expired as the ball went through the net, sending the Ballarat faithful into a frenzy.
The shot laid the platform for a classic victory for the Miners who took the momentum into overtime. They won the game 102-99.
Dunmore top scored for the home side with 29 points on 10 made field goals. He was backed-up by Jeremiah Mckenzie (19 points) and Allison who had 16 points and 20 rebounds.
Miners head coach Daniel Knaggs expressed his jubilation after the victory while speaking with The Courier.
When asked to describe Dunmore's shot he was brief.
"It was cutthroat," he said.
The Miners will play-off against the Geelong Supercats in the final.
