Former Christ Presbyterian Academy basketball standouts Braxton (Blackwell) Key and Tyger Campbell parted ways last summer, but destiny seemed committed to bringing the two back together.
Braxton Key (right) and Tyger Campbell (left) both played basketball for CPA last year.
Both Key’s Oak Hill (Va.) Academy team and Campbell’s La Lumiere squad, located in La Porte, Ind., won their quarterfinal and semifinal matchups in the DICK’S Nationals high school basketball tournament, earning the two a chance to face-off in the championship game.
Not only did the two meet in Saturday’s ESPN-televised championship, but they were both involved in the last play of the game.
La Lumiere had a chance to take the lead with the game tied at 60-60, but the shot bounced off the rim.
Key, a senior and Alabama commitment, secured the rebound and advanced the ball downcourt before passing to teammate Matt Coleman, who missed a shot off the rim.
With the game on the line, both Key and Campbell jumped for the rebound, but Key tipped the ball just out of Campbell’s reach, allowing teammate Khadim Sy to tip in the game-winner as time expired to give Oak Hill a 62-60 victory.
Key finished with a game-high 20 points, adding nine rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist to give Oak Hill its first DICK’S championship in five tries, picking up tournament MVP honors in the process.
Campbell, a freshman, tallied 12 points, seven rebounds, four rebounds and two steals