Injured Player Scores Unexpected Basket Thanks to Opponents' Generosity

Caribou High School senior forward Liv Adams gets chance to score on tournament floor despite season-ending injury.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Caribou High School senior forward Liv Adams, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in her first soccer game this past fall, was given an unexpected opportunity to score a basket in the final seconds of her team's Class C North semifinal loss to Mattanawcook Academy. In a gesture of sportsmanship, Mattanawcook's coaches called a timeout and asked Caribou's coach to let Adams enter the game and take an uncontested layup, allowing her to step on the tournament floor one last time this season.

Why it matters

This heartwarming moment showcases the power of good sportsmanship and the ability of sports to bring communities together, even in the face of adversity. Adams' dedication to her team despite her injury was recognized and rewarded by the opposing coaches, providing her with a memorable experience on the tournament stage.

The details

With around 10 seconds left in the 59-43 loss, Mattanawcook head coach Pat House called a timeout and sent an assistant to Caribou coach Mackenzie Turner with an offer to let Adams, who was wearing a knee brace, enter the game and score an uncontested layup. Turner confirmed with Adams, who was surprised but eager, and she sank the shot as the crowd cheered. Turner then called another timeout to take Adams out of the game.

  • In her first soccer game this past fall, Adams sustained a knee injury that required surgery.
  • On Thursday, the Class C North semifinal game between Caribou and Mattanawcook took place.
  • With around 10 seconds left in the game, Mattanawcook's coaches called a timeout to make their offer.

The players

Liv Adams

A senior forward for Caribou High School who sustained a season-ending knee injury in her first soccer game this past fall, but was given the opportunity to score a basket in the tournament game thanks to the generosity of the opposing team.

Pat House

The head coach of the Mattanawcook Academy Lynx, who called the timeout and made the offer to Caribou's coach to allow Adams to score an uncontested layup.

Mackenzie Turner

The head coach of the Caribou High School Vikings, who confirmed with Adams that she wanted to enter the game and score the layup.

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What they’re saying

“They had been yelling, '10, 10' at me. I didn't know what that meant.”

— Mackenzie Turner, Caribou High School head coach (bangordailynews.com)

“I was really surprised when it all happened. The adrenaline hit me. I was all shaky and nervous.”

— Liv Adams (bangordailynews.com)

“That was really nice of them. Kudos to them. That was very special for Liv to have.”

— Mackenzie Turner, Caribou High School head coach (bangordailynews.com)

“Liv has been coming down to our summer tournaments the last couple of years and I always felt she was underrated and under-appreciated. She is one of the hardest working kids I've ever seen and she is a nice human being.”

— Pat House, Mattanawcook Academy head coach (bangordailynews.com)

“I was heartbroken this fall when I heard she was out for the year. I said before the game to my assistant coach that if we were in a spot where we could do that, I wanted to make that offer to them.”

— Pat House, Mattanawcook Academy head coach (bangordailynews.com)

The takeaway

This heartwarming moment showcases the power of sportsmanship and the ability of sports to bring communities together, even in the face of adversity. Liv Adams' dedication to her team was recognized and rewarded by the opposing coaches, providing her with a memorable experience on the tournament stage that she will likely cherish for years to come.