The Lumpkin County Lady Indians (25-5) had the lead with 5.8 seconds to go, forcing #3-ranked Cross Creek to go the full court. They did, as a pass slipped through to a wide open player under the goal, who put beat the buzzer and broke the hearts of the Lumpkin fans with a 46-45 shocking turn of events.

The #1-ranked Lady Indians had battled back to take a late lead on a free throw by Isabel Davenport. Lumpkin had trailed for much of the game, including going down at one point by as many as 8 points. The Lady Indians opened the game hot, going on a 7-0 run, highlighted by an Averie Jones 3-pointer for the 10-4 lead and a timeout by the Razorbacks.

It was knotted at 10 at the break, and Lumpkin went through a cold spell as Cross Creek went on a 13-0 run that spanned the first and second quarter to go up 17-10. Davenport connected from deep for her first bucket with just 2 minutes left in the half. Lumpkin trailed 18-16 at the half in a low-scoring game.

A Lady Indians 7-0 run to open the third sparked the team and the crowd, as Mary Mullinax drained a deep triple. Still, Lumpkin followed behind Cross Creek 32-26 going into the final quarter.

Davenport’s game-tying tray with 5:32 to go was immediately negated by a Razorback three from the corner. Jones had a go-ahead bucket with a runner to put the Lady Indians up 42-41 with 1:26 remaining, and Lexi Pierce hit two clutch free throws with 40 seconds left for the 44-42 lead. The Razorbacks tied the game on a driving layup with 17 ticks to go, leading up to Davenport’s trip to the charity stripe. She was fouled and sent to the line, where she made good on the second attempt for the 45-44 lead with just 5.8 seconds to go. Cross Creek’s bucket shocked the crowd and Lumpkin players alike.

Davenport led the offense with 16 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Makenzie Caldwell had 10, all of which also came in the second half. Jones had 9, and Pierce and Mullinax had 5 each. The Lady Indians made 9 3-pointers, with 4 coming from Davenport.

The Lady Indians’ dream season ends at 25-5 overall, a #1 state ranking, the school’s first-ever Final Four trip, and a regular season and region tournament championship.