In terms of likely locations for a basketball assist of the year, a high school girls game in Texas might not seem a lucky spot. This year, it appears that it was.
The play you see above was turned in by Clear Springs (Tex.) High guard Jo Ann Lira, who ended up with the ball after a lucky bounce saw it land directly in her hands. As she fell to the ground, Lira caught a glimpse of teammate Brooke McCarty.
Luckily for both Lira and McCarty, the Clear Springs teammates caught a glimpse of each other before Lira had either traveled with the ball or lost it completely. It also helps that the pair has a deep bond, with the duo connecting on any number of other buckets earlier in the season.
All of that set the stage for Lira’s assist to end all assists, with an over-the-head pass Steve Nash would envy, hitting McCarty in stride for an easy layup.
The bucket was just the prettiest of many that Clear Springs dropped on regional rival Houston (Tx.) Bellaire High in an 80-65 victory. In fact, McCarty scored 35 points on her own. Yet it was that one assist that will remain the most notable play from the game and, most likely, Clear Springs entire ride to the state title game.
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