Prep boys basketball: 3-pointer at the buzzer sends Esko back to state tournament

Jaxon Turner’s 3-pointer from the top of the key at the buzzer gave Esko a 64-63 victory over Mora in the Section 7AA championship game Saturday night at Romano Gym, ending the Eskomos’ 10-year drought from the Minnesota high school boys basketball state tournament.

Mora had battled back from a 10-point second-half deficit to take a 62-60 lead on Sam Johnson’s 3-pointer with 24.6 seconds remaining. An Adam Burgess free throw increased the lead to three with 8.6 left.

Casey Staniger, who led Esko with 25 points, was fouled and made the first free-throw attempt before intentionally missing the second. The Mustangs knocked the ball out of bounds with 1.1 left on the clock.

Turner caught the inbounds pass at let fly at the buzzer on his only field-goal attempt of the game.

Esko (26-4) advances to Wednesday’s Class AA semifinals against an opponent to be determined at either Williams Arena or Target Center.

Sam Johnson scored 33 points, including 21 in the second half, to pace Mora (24-6).

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