West Muskingum's Buzzer-Beater Stuns St. Clairsville in Ohio High School Thriller

Sophomore Noah Morrison's improbable full-court heave at the buzzer sends West Muskingum to the regional final for the first time since 1990.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:39pm

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In a thrilling Division V regional semifinal matchup, the West Muskingum High School boys basketball team pulled off an incredible buzzer-beater to defeat St. Clairsville 59-57 in overtime. With the game tied 57-57 and just 1.8 seconds left, sophomore Noah Morrison caught a full-court pass and banked in a last-second shot to send his team to the regional final for the first time in over 30 years.

Why it matters

West Muskingum's improbable victory over the top-seeded St. Clairsville squad has captivated the local community and sparked statewide excitement for the team's unexpected tournament run. The buzzer-beater is already being hailed as one of the greatest plays in Ohio high school basketball history, showcasing the drama and unpredictability that make the sport so compelling at the grassroots level.

The details

With the game tied 57-57 and just 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime, West Muskingum's David Evans threw a long inbounds pass the length of the court. Sophomore Noah Morrison raced to catch the ball, gathered himself, and banked in a last-second shot to give his team the stunning victory. Morrison finished the game with a team-high 21 points, capping off an incredible performance with the game-winning heroics.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
  • West Muskingum was making its first regional final appearance since 1990.

The players

Noah Morrison

A sophomore at West Muskingum High School who hit the game-winning buzzer-beater to send his team to the regional final.

David Evans

The West Muskingum player who made the full-court pass that set up the game-winning shot.

West Muskingum High School

The small-town Ohio high school team that pulled off the improbable upset victory and is now headed to the regional final for the first time in over 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“There is NOTHING better than a community rallying around their high school sports team.”

— Ohio's Tate

What’s next

West Muskingum will play Ironton on Saturday, March 14, 2026 for a spot in the state final four.

The takeaway

This buzzer-beater showcases the magic of high school sports, where underdogs can rise up and deliver unforgettable moments that captivate an entire community. West Muskingum's improbable victory is a testament to the perseverance and determination of the players, and a reminder that anything can happen when a team plays with heart.