What young player hasn’t counted down the clock 3…2…1, he shoots, he scores? Kids all over this great land imagining they are Jerry, Pistol, Magic, or Seth launching the buzzer beater as imaginary fans go wild. A very young cowboy will always remember the greatest last second shot in Rockhurst College history.
The score was tied 74 all with two seconds on the clock. A time out was called and nearly all of the 11,000 fans in Municipal Auditorium, and the opponents, knew who would be taking the desperation shot. Ralph Telken inbounded the ball to six foot three inch guard Dick Hennier. He possessed one of the sweetest shots in NAIA history. Hennier took one dribble and faded to his right from 35 feet away. Two defenders rose to block the ball and no one in attendance could imagine this Hail Mary going in. Hennier landed out of bounds just as the ball swished through the net. The shocked Indiana Central players could not believe their eyes as their title hopes were dashed. This young (14) and rabid fan thought the top of his head would come off as the wild celebration continued for ten minutes.
Now, I know you’re saying that the passage of time has embellished this story over time. Get your Bible out and I’ll gladly place my hand on it…this buzzer beater was from thirty-five feet and he did indeed land out of bounds. It occurred to me now that there was no way Hennier could have practiced this unlikely game winner. On second thought, I bet he did…and that somewhere today a youngster once again is counting 3…2…1 all by himself dreaming of someday being a hero like Dick Hennier.
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