The shot: Feight nails game winner at state

Years from now people in Whitehall will still be talking about "the shot".

But let's back up a little bit first.

The Whitehall High School boys basketball team was in a hard fought battle with Missoula-Loyola at the Class B State Tournament in Billings. The ebb and flow of the game seemed perfect for the setting and importance of the contest early Saturday morning. The winner would be moving on with a chance to get a third-place trophy at state, the loser's season would be coming to an end.

With 20 seconds to play, Whitehall senior Colton Noyes connected on one-of-two free throws to put the Trojans up 62-59.

With the Rams needing a three to tie, it was no secret to anyone in the Metra Park Arena that they would try and get the ball in the hands of sharp shooter Ryan McHugh, who had already had seven pointers in the game.

Trojan guard Max Feight and his teammates knew McHugh may get the ball, and said they were going to work hard to switch on screens.

Unfortunately for the Trojans, McHugh was able to get the ball with 16 seconds remaining, and after two dribbles and fired up a shot from five feet behind the three-point line.

Despite a hand in his face from Noyes, the shot found the bottom of the net to tie the game with just ten seconds remaining.

Feight said he knew McHugh was hot, but he didn't think he would make that long of a shot.

Feight would get the ball inbounds to Wyatt Alexander, who would quickly pass it back to him with a little over four seconds remaining.

The sophomore standout said he was aware there was enough time to get a shot off and quickly pushed the ball up the court. With time running out, he was able to get the ball to the right side of the free throw line, and put up a shot from about 15 feet.

Feight said it felt good as soon as it left his hands.

The shot would bank in and jubilation would ensue. For the first time in his basketball career, Feight would find himself under a pile of teammates.

Those in attendance at the Metra Park were in a frenzy. Those listening to the play-by-play call of Ed Simon or the televised stream let out shouts of joy throughout Whitehall.

Seconds after the shot, Trojan head coach Zach McLean jumped high in the air several times celebrating the game winning shot. McLean said he knows assistant coaches Levi Simon and Kelly Nieskens will probably not let him down for his celebration, but he did not care.

"I'm so proud of these boys," McLean said.

Feight was humble when discussing the game winner. He's had many people show him the video, and said he received several big hugs after the game.

Sure, it was the biggest shot of his life, but he was more excited because he said it gave his team a chance for a state trophy.