William Lee commands Dallas County to victory over J.O. Johnson to win 4A boys hoops title

  • 03/01 - 11:00 AM Boys BasketballFinal
    J.O. Johnson 48
    Dallas County 51
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BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The biggest man on the floor delivered in the biggest moments.

Dallas County's William Lee made a 3-pointer at the regulation buzzer to force overtime and then made three free throws with 5.4 seconds to play in the extra period to lift the Hornets to a 51-48 victory over J.O. Johnson to win the Class 4A boys title game.

“I think he’s the best basketball player in the state – period,” Dallas County coach Willie Moore said. “I think he proved that today.”

Lee, a 6-foot-9 UAB signee, finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks to lead Dallas County to its first state basketball championship.

Moore turned the game over to Lee in the waning moments, after guards Keuonis Phillips and Jerrod Moorer fouled out. As Phillips trotted off the floor after picking up his fifth foul in the final minute of regulation, he gave Lee a bit of advice.

“He told me to take over, and that’s what I did,” Lee said.

J.O. Johnson built an 11-point halftime lead and led by 12 early in the third quarter, but the Hornets mounted a furious comeback. J.O. Johnson’s Lionel Love missed a free throw with 7.4 seconds to go in regulation, leaving the score 44-41.

Lee capitalized and drilled his 3-pointer to force overtime. He scored Dallas County’s final five points of regulation and final five points of overtime.

“I got the rebound off the rim,” Lee said of Love’s missed free throw, “and I was thinking, ‘We’ve got to have a three to go to overtime.’ I took the ball down the court and jacked up a three and it went it.”

The teams traded buckets in overtime, and Lee’s 15-footer knotted the game at 48-all with 2:12 to go. J.O. Johnson then held the ball -- presumably to get a final shot -- but missed a shot with less than 30 seconds to go and Dallas County reserve guard Travon Muse dove to pick up the bouncing rebound.

Dallas County quickly called timeout to set up a final play with 22.4 seconds to play. The Hornets got the ball to Lee, who dribbled into the front court and quickly ran into a double team. He dribbled through and drew a foul from a third defender.

He heaved up a desperation 3-pointer, and officials ruled he was fouled in the act of shooting.

“Coach, he told me to take the very last shot,” Lee said, “but I lost track of time. Luckily, I got fouled and went to the line and knocked down the free throws.

Not a bad way for Lee to end his high school career.

“I’ve never felt like this before,” Lee said.

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