PHOENIX - Arguably the most important shot of Centennial boys basketball's mammoth rally to win the 5A title did not count.
Trailing #2 Gilbert 39-32 with 4:19 remaining, Coyotes coach Randy Lavender called a time out a second before star senior guard Jake Lifgren swished a three-pointer. It didn't count, but Lifgren finally saw the ball go through the net at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.
Lifgren quickly hit a jumper from the elbow, drove for a layup, then hit all six of his free throws protecting the lead. He had 10 of the Coyotes' jaw-dropping 16-0 run in the final five minutes to beat the Tigers 46-39 and claim the program's first state title.
