Monday's miracle half-court shot by Walled Lake Northern sophomore Chris Cliff to send the Knights into the second round of the state boys basketball tournament brought back memories of a similar effort from Rochester Adams' Nick Zekaj two years ago during March Madness.

Zekaj drained a 35-footer at the buzzer to give Adams an unthinkable upset-win over Pontiac in 2011 in the regional semifinals and propel themselves into the Class A SWEET 16.

The answered prayers via Cliff's and Zekaj's last-second heroics are two of the most clutch shots Oakland County has seen the past half-decade. THAT'S A FACT!!!     

Cliff and Northern face district-host North Farmington on Wednesday.

Following Zekaj's stunner to beat the horn in 2011 against Pontiac, Adams wound up losing to eventual final-four participant Southfield on the Bluejays home floor in a tough-fought contest.

Could TEAM HALL's HIGHLANDER HOOPS CREW be on a similar path this postseason? Burney has a feeling something special is cooking in Adams BALLERLAND this month!

In addition to being a SIR-GRIND-A-LOT forward on the basketball court, Cliff is a playmaking stud of a wide receiver on the football field. Last fall, he helped lead Northern to an all-time great campaign on the gridiron, capturing city and league championships, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time ever.

Don't look past Cliff and TEAM THOMPSON to possibly have some more tricks up their sleeve as underdogs to North Farmington in Wednesday's district semis.