INDIANAPOLIS — It is almost sectional time for boys basketball teams all across our state.
And the Westfield Shamrocks? They've got a secret weapon.
One Westfield High School senior's dream came true on Senior Night, and it's propelling his team.
The boys start sectionals next week, and the Shamrocks are one of the teams to keep a close eye on. They have a chemistry that was evident recently in one special moment.
Every day, Austin Carr is there. He is vital to this team — and he doesn't even play.
Carr has been the student manager for four years. He's the coach's righthand man.
"The guys love him, and he has a heart for other people, and you can tell that, and he's just a special kid to be around," said Shane Sumpter, head coach.
On Senior Night recently, Austin got a big surprise. He dressed for the game, and with 30 seconds left, the coach called his number.
He promptly hit a three-point shot.
"Oh, it, it's awesome," Carr said. "I've been playing basketball my whole life, so, I mean, just to even, like, get a glimpse of what it's like at the varsity level, it's truly a blessing, and I'm so thankful for it."
One shot, one moment, straight out of a movie.
"I couldn't have scripted it any better, him pulling up and draining that three," Sumpter said. "And it's the loudest roar I've heard, and it was just... again, I get goosebumps telling the story right now."
After the game, his teammates greeted him like he had just hit the game-winning shot for the state title.
"It was awesome. That just shows the community and family that we've built here," Carr said.
The video became a big hit on social media with over 280,000 views. Even Larry Bird and Tom Crean reacted to it.
"That's what athletics and sports is all about, and it's one of the most memorable moments I've had, and I'm blessed to have a lot of good basketball memories. That's certainly always gonna stick out to one of them," Sumpter said.
"It's gonna be a moment that I tell my kids with a huge smile on my face and, you know, I can't wait for that day," Carr said.
It was a Senior Night like no other.