What is uncommon is for that game-changing shot to take place from the opposite 3-point line and on the final play of the third quarter.

But Athens Drive's Justin Reynolds did just that on Tuesday night.

Reynolds had just collected a defensive rebound just inside Holly Springs' 3-point line, but instead of taking a few more dribbles -- there were about three seconds left on the clock -- he took one and flung his shot at the Athens net. The 70-footer never hit the rim, swishing straight through the nylon and gave the Jaguars their first lead since the early stages of the first quarter.

The Jags never trailed again, defeating Holly Springs 42-36 in Tri-Nine boys basketball action.

"It kind of rattled us when he made that shot," said Holly Springs coach Thurman Jordan. "We had been up and pretty much in control for most of the game. We just never recovered."

After playing most of three quarters where getting a shot of any variety to fall was difficult, Reynolds' heave seemed to be a breakthrough moment for Athens Drive's shooters.

The Jags (9-8, 8-3 Tri-Nine) got a few more shots to fall in the fourth, and kept the Golden Hawks (10-10, 5-7) at bay.

"We've been off for a week... I knew we weren't going to shoot the ball and play as well as we did before," said Athens Drive coach Robert Clemons said. "We got a little spark from that long shot and held on."

Senior center Mike Estes led the Jags with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while classmate Dylan Haupt added nine points and three assists. Reynolds finished with eight points off the bench.

Holly Springs' Anthanee Doyle led all scorers with 17 points, while Hawks teammate Donyell Lowe had a team-high nine rebounds with his seven points.

The Hawks and Jags were in the bottom rung of last year's Tri-Nine Conference, with Athens finishing dead last and Holly Springs seventh. But with five games to go in the regular season, both are in position to make the postseason. Athens Drive is all alone in third place.

"There's a big difference. The attitude is different. The kids are working harder, showing a lot more character this year," Reynolds said. "It's a whole 180-degree turn and it's been fun."

The Hawks are in a three-way tie for the fifth and final playoff spot with Cary and Panther Creek.

"It's just a matter of finding a way to win one on the road," Jordan said. "We've just got to get back on track and find a way to win."