HILLSBORO, Tenn. (WTVF) — Hillsboro won't have the chance to cut down the nets at the Boys’ State Basketball Tournament this year. Following Gov. Bill Lee’s Wednesday recommendation that all schools in the state remain closed for the rest of the academic school year, the TSSAA canceled all remaining sporting events for the rest of the year.
But even without the chance to win a state championship, it’s hard to imagine Hillsboro could have ended its season with any more thrilling victory. The Burros defeated Clarksville Northeast 51-49 at the buzzer in the Sectional Final on March 9th.
It was Hillsboro’s fifth straight win after consecutive losses in late February dashed their district title hopes. Instead of hanging their heads, the Burros regrouped for a postseason run to remember highlighted by one of the shots of March.
Hillsboro quickly shook off the letdown to end the regular season, stringing together four straight wins capped by a convincing victory over Summit for the region title. But the Burros found their season on the line in the Sectional, trailing Clarksville Northeast by one with just over six seconds left to play.
With the ball out of bounds near mid-court, Hillsboro turned to junior point guard J.P. Pegues, who dribbled up court and buried a game-winning three with a defender in his face at the buzzer. The stands of the Hillsboro gym emptied onto the court in a euphoric celebration.
Longtime head coach Rodney Thweatt called it the “best win he’s had in his 15 seasons at Hillsboro”. It was a victory that victory completed the two week run in which the Burros turned bitter disappointment into a trip to state.
For not giving up and packing it in, sticking with it and making something special out of their season, the Burros of Hillsboro get this Curtain Call.
