Last night was one of those nights that reminds me why exactly it is I went into the business of covering sports. There’s several reasons, and I’m reminded of them frequently, but last night was one of those nights where the magic was on the court and I’m just glad I was the guy standing on the baseline with the camera and the microphone.
Actually, I didn’t have the microphone. Or a tripod. They were out in the car. I thought about running to get them from the car between the end of regulation and the beginning of overtime of #3 Fort Fairfield’s 67-66 win over #1 Washburn, but I couldn’t forgive myself for turning off the record button at that point. Not after what just happened.
Fort Fairfield had the ball with :0.4 left on the clock, down by 3. Hunter Beaulieu, post player, big #50, caught the inbound hucked up a 33-footer and swished us into overtime.
“Coach doesn’t even let me shoot from 3 in practice,” Beaulieu told me after the game.
Who knew what could happen next?
Well the Washburn Beavers came out and almost ran Fort out of the gym, but the home team Tigers caught up at the very end again. Free throws brought them to within 1.
“Bust the Dam” signs in the stands read. The Beavers were undefeated and running roughshod over everyone in Class D. Fort was 9-2, and a determined squad.
So, again, Hunter Beaulieu had the ball in his hands with a couple tenths of a second left and won the game with a lay in at the buzzer. He spread his wings and stormed towards halfcourt. So did I. I had to get the close up. I was the only one with a handheld camera.
The mob around Bealuieu was bouncing with unbridled joy. And the crowd was roaring at the incredible game from the come from behind home-win hero’s.
That’s why.
That’s why I’m in sports. Buzzer beaters are the greatest endings in all of sports. At least I think. It’s the best finale a game could hope for. Teams can instantly go from losing to winning, or giving us a greater treat, bonus basketball. That ball has gotta be out of your hands by the time that clock strikes zero. Ohhhhh boy.
And there’s truly nothing like being there. Especially if its your team that won. If it’s your team that lost, well that’s a sad story for you. Sorry, Charlie. But as a journalist, I’m lucky enough where I’m never on a side, I’m just calling what happens. I’m not rooting for red or blue, I’m just rooting for that last second shot to be true.
And I’ve been there with the camera for five buzzer beaters so far in life. All of them great. Even the one that was soccer.
Jake Berent 
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