Sports

Third-Grader Sinks Amazing Half-Court Shot

There are half-court shots, and then there are Austin Worthen-type half-court shots.

Worthen is a third-grader who gained major popularity and style points when he heaved a half-court buzzer-beater during a recent tournament game in Oklahoma. With time winding down in the third quarter, Worthen heaved the ball like a shot put and banked it off the backboard for three points. The video has now gone viral, and it’s easy to see why once you watch it:

But as if the shot wasn’t entertaining enough, Yahoo notes the celebration was equally as impressive:

As is the case with many buzzer-beaters, the hysteria set off by Worthen’s bucket was at least as entertaining as the shot itself. The shooter himself went racing around the court in near delirium while his coach exploded on the sideline as if he had just won the lottery himself.

Extended video of the celebration can be seen here.

According to Worthen’s father, the shot wasn’t really a fluke: he had practiced it almost a thousand times.

By the way, Worthen’s team would win the game 25-4.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Comments (38)

  • sallyredneck
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 7:11am

    I am sure he made this decision on his own, a future leader.

    Report Post »  
  • ehbardin
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 10:08pm

    Final score, 25-4,
    I can only pray that there were plenty of grief councilors on hand, or else the other team will be in therapy for the next 62 years, on our dime.

    Report Post »  
  • perry1980
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 9:55pm

    check out the kid on the opposing team who is as big around as he is tall.

    Report Post »  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 8:30pm

    Pretty darn funny! All the other players are scrabbling down court to set up for a play, and the kid just lobs it in from half court when no one was even looking at him. That was great!

    Report Post » Rational Man  
  • Vardaman
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 6:07pm

    Amazing!!!!! im sure some of you are SICK of the anti-white racism in professional sports like basket ball…. not racist but maybe this will show the “brothas” who REALLY domminates….

    Report Post »  
  • OklahomaBound
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 4:44pm

    So he made the shot, but did he call glass? ;o)

    Report Post » OklahomaBound  
  • FlamingFartSyndrome
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 2:28pm

    only on the outside

    Report Post » FlamingFartSyndrome  
  • Best_Patriot
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 2:26pm

    Liberal school, liberal kid, liberal family. Good for him!

    Report Post » Best_Patriot  
    • teresa2010
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 4:31pm

      Sorry, but liberal parent and coach wouldn’t jave let the kid do that shot…He might hurt himself

      Report Post »  
  • RayOne
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 2:17pm

    That third grader was teaching that day. Individual effort, hope, and the will of the kid put that ball into the basket.

    Report Post » RayOne  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 8:07pm

      Or… more likely… be a Casey at the Bat… in ObamaVille! There is No Justice in Fate!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:30pm

    Thats cool,my son played basketball for 4 or 5 seasons during elementary and half court shots were his thing.His coach asked him not to try these shots as much and to pass closer to goal but when he made one of game winning shots like this one she just threw her hands up in the air and celebrated the win just the same.

    Report Post »  
  • churchdog
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:27pm

    I am really starting to hate this site. EVERY SINGLE post is met with the same stupid comments on Obama, socailism, PC, communism, “we need real news” crap ad nauseum! Get a life! Can’t you watch a kid throw a ball and say “well done” instead of pulling out your stupid anti-obama sarcasm?

    And by the way, Blaze staff, the pop-ups and side banner things are super annoying.

    Report Post »  
    • PlowMan
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:48pm

      churchdog, two points here for you to ponder. I too grow tired of the rhetoric but if we don’t remove this guy in November you are, someday, going to wonder why you weren’t one of the people warning everyone about the coming problems. Second, how do you suppose the Blaze make money? Maybe you’ll just find it in your heart to write a check once a month for this service? NOT! So, get a pop up blocker and ignore the side ads!

      Report Post » PlowMan  
    • churchdog
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 4:06pm

      Plowman, you condescending jerk, two points to ponder here:
      1. The story is about a kid making a basket, not Obama’s re-election
      2. The need for advertizing revenue notwithstanding, the ads are still annoying

      Report Post »  
    • whatthecrazy
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 4:20pm

      I’m with you on the pop-ups and side banners,totally annoying……………..

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 6:22pm

      Um… if this sandbox has lost its appeal, you are free to come and go as you please. Trust me: The grass is generally not greener elsewhere. These forums are playgrounds; some of us can’t help but be bullies and spectacles. Others just wanna have fun.
      Stories are posted for comment.. that’s the point of the site. If you want to edit and restrict based on content, you can busy yourself with reporting posts that rankle you (and explain how your opinion supercedes others‘ thoughts and the forum’s policies) or open your own site.
      Did you recently change something in your diet or habits? You seem a bit cranky. You may want to step out, but I say all should be welcome, whether I agree with them or not. No need to blow a gasket.

      Report Post »  
  • jimmyv777
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:17pm

    Is this really a story, Big deal, the kid made a half court shot in a game his team won 25 to 4. Nothing to see here! Must be a slow news day!

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:57am

    In the fairness of fair share, the winning team was required to give the other team enough points to make the game a one difference, thus instead of 25-4 the new score was 15-14. This allowed the losing team to save face by not getting their hopes dashed with such a blatant display of celebration and ability of the winning team.

    All kidding aside, great shot from the kid. He just might have a basketball future.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:04pm

      He might have a baseball future! Looks more like a pitcher than a basketball player. Great shot though, he will remember that his whole life, glad it’s recorded for posterity.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:57am

    Ball hog — Anti-redistributionist! The ministry will not be pleased..

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • The Giver
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:56am

    What a great shot dude! How sad that the first thought I had was that this is seen as demeaning to the other children by the PC Marxist crowd.
    Competition made this country great. How about WE reward this little guy with cards and flowers and set an example for the importance of competition. We could do it each time someone excels at something. Equal opportunity without guaranteed results. That’s liberty. If you are awful at something, maybe you were meant to do something else. But you’ll never know as long as you accept the participation trophy.

    Report Post » The Giver  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:42am

    In other news, third grader suspended for celebrating and making the other team feel bad. School board has taken away his particitpation trophy and he was forced to eat pink slime for lunch.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • piper60
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 3:47pm

      Good one. Probably true in the dreams of all those lefty b.s. artists.

      Report Post » piper60  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:32am

    Global catastrophe coming right up.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • scuba13
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 1:28pm

      Tims mental catastrophe happening right now.

      Report Post » scuba13  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:31am

    .
    I think there is a new HC tax on Hail Mary Shots like that, and I know there’s a penalty for Standing out & a fine for making the other team feel bad. Just have your Mom pay The Man on the way out ……

    Other than that Great Job Kid………….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • PATRIOTMAMA
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:25am

    Oh well that’s not fair to the emotions of the those on the other team. I hope at least they were given a “Participation” trophy. (SARCASM) I think he should have been paraded around the court on the shoulders of the other players after the game!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:23am

    Oh wow what a shot. Suddenly all the cannibalism and placenta/ fetus eating people around the world isn’t such a big deal.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • Teabunny
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:21am

    ….And “buzzzzz” …game over. Got it! Say goodnight Gracie. : ) Much love always.

    Report Post » Teabunny  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:21am

    I am offended that this third grader’s accomplishment in a nasty, competitive sport would overshadow the abilities and greatness of his peers. This final score is also a mean-spirited travesty.
    Actually, I’m not sick with emasculated political correctness and commend this little dude on his feat and congratulate his team on their victory. This is when a sport is worth watching.
    Good job, kid!

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:17am

    Good for that little guy. Shows what hard work and practice, practice, practice can accompish.

    Report Post »  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:03am

    I hope he continues to succeed, and not allow this to be his life’s accomplishment….oh dear, is my contempt for government schools showing?

    Report Post » DagneyT  
  • possom
    Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:00am

    non-news

    Report Post » possom  
    • chips1
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:10am

      It’s not news, it’s information. Don’t limit what your mind can absorb. That is, unless your brain is already 98% full.

      Report Post »  
    • JayCee
      Posted on March 27, 2012 at 4:50pm

      You think maybe that is why it is under the SPORTS category?

      Report Post »  

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