CORBIN —
By Les Dixon / Sports Editor
March 27, 2012 will mark the 30-year anniversary of ‘The shot heard ‘round the Commonwealth.’
The 65th Annual Boys Sweet Sixteen championship game was tipped-off at Rupp Arena on March 27, 1982 and little did anyone know what would take place during the final seconds of the fourth quarter.
It looked as if both North Hardin and Laurel County were destined to go into overtime tied at 51 apiece until something happened.
Laurel County’s Paul Andrews intercepted an inbound pass from North Hardin’s William Baker and let go a shot from halfcourt that would seal his fate in Kentucky high school basketball lore.
His halfcourt heave found the bottom of the net and gave Chuck Broughton’s Cardinals a 53-51 win over the Trojans while giving Laurel County its first boys high school basketball champion since Hazel Green High School captured the feat back in 1940.
Broughton said Andrews’ shot was “a great moment for myself, the kids on the team and Laurel County. It was some skill and some luck and yes, maybe it was a lucky shot, but we won the championship and that’s what is most important.”
Andrews said in a 2007 interview with the Times-Tribune that, “When it left my hands, it felt good and I thought it had a good chance of going in. When it did go in, I think I was in shock. I just stood there and finally realized what happened and just fell to the floor.”
On the other end of the spectrum, it’s a moment in time North Hardin coach Ron Bevars would rather forget.
“It was a miracle, that’s all you can say,” Bevars said in a 2007 interview with the Times-Tribune. “There’s no hard feelings at all. I was a young coach back then and it made me realize to enjoy the ride more. This was a game between two good teams that didn’t play well on that certain night. I’ve watched the film over 100 times and all I remember is that it had a chance to go in. The pass was too high and he intercepted the pass and the rest is history.”
The memory of Laurel County cutting down the nets at Rupp Arena will be celebrated Friday. The 1982 state championship team will be honored Friday during the North Laurel/South Laurel cross-town showdown.
“When I first got here after being hired I went into the gym and looked at all of the banners and noticed the 1982 state championship banner,” South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said. “I felt like something needed to be done to honor them, so we’re going to bring them back. It’s a big honor just to have them come back and watch both teams play.
“This isn’t a South Laurel thing, it’s a community thing,” he added. “This is big for the community. My dad has been going to the state tournament for years and I’ve heard a lot of stories about ‘The Shot.’ I think it’s pretty neat to have that team coming back. Just to listen to their stories — it’s going to be a special night.”
Davis said there will also be a surprise for the fans that attend the game, but North Laurel coach Brad Sizemore might have let the cat out of the bag.
“I think it’s going to be a neat deal,” he said. “I know my players like the idea of getting new uniforms. I know they’re excited. It should be a fun night, especially having members of the state championship team there. They’re one of, if not the best, team Laurel County has had.”
Broughton said he was honored when contacted about the 30-year reunion taking place during Friday’s North/South match-up.
“I can’t wait,” he said. “We’re coming and I believe, almost all of the guys are, too. I’m not 100 percent certain, but I believe most of them will be here.
“It’s really hard to believe it’s been that long and it’s always nice to come back to the building that you spent a lot of hours working, practicing and playing games in. It’s going to bring back a lot of memories.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Laurel County's Paul Andrews is surrounded by teammates, fans and the media after hitting a halfcourt shot to defeat North Hardin in the finals of the 1982 Boys Sweet Sixteen State Tournament. Photo courtesy of the Lexington Herald-Leader
Discussion
The shot heard 'round the Commonwealth
The 1982 Laurel County High School Boys Basketball Team will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of winning State title during North Laurel-South Laurel basketball game Friday
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