Dragon Puncher and the Game-Winning Basket

It's a fantastic day for basketball at Mario Stadium as we prepare for the game-winning basket with only ten seconds on the clock with the crowd cheering for us. Mario smiled to me and said, "Dragon, this is it! We are tied at 98 with only 10 seconds to go. The only way to win the game is to score a basket and we must do it before the clock runs out."

"Don't worry, Mario. We'll get the final basket before the buzzer sounds." I replied, "All we have to do is shoot the ball and we win."

"That is what I like to hear about, Dragon. Let's do it!" Mario said as we enter the court.

Meanwhile, Bowser and Jr. are getting ready as well. Jr. said, "Wow! We got a tie game and we must stop them from scoring the final basket so we can go to overtime, right?"

"That's right, son." Bowser replied, "There is still ten seconds left and we could get this game into overtime, we must stop them from scoring the final basket. That way, we'll have a tie game and force a bonus period. So, let's do it!"

"OK!" Jr. agreed.

Then, it is go time. Lakitu looked at the scoreboard and said to the crowd, "This is it, ladies and gentlemen! Only ten seconds left in the match and we have a tie game going on. Both teams have 98 points and these next ten seconds will decide the winner. Who will score the basket before the final buzzer? Will it be Mario and Dragon Puncher of the Mario All-Stars, or the Koopa Duo of Bowser and Bowser Jr.? We're about to find out... right now!"

The whistle blew all across the stadium and Mario has the ball as he heads straight for the basket but, Bowser and Jr. blocked the path. I smiled to Mario and said, "Pass it to me, Mario! I'll take it from here."

"OK, here it comes!" Mario replied as he passed the ball to me and then, I caught it. Then I kept on going as the clock winds down even more. I went for the basket and as I got ready to shoot, the crowd starts counting down.

"5, 4..."

Mario looked at me and said, "Hurry, Dragon! You must shoot the ball!"

"Do I have to?" I asked him.

"Of course, Dragon! Now... SHOOT!" Mario agreed as he gave me a thumbs up.

I did the same as I took aim for the basket and then, I jumped in the air and released the ball from my hands, heading straight for the basket.

The crowd saw my shot as the timer ticks down the final seconds.

"3, 2, 1..."

I held in my breath and then...

SWISH!

BUZZ!

The basketball made it in the basket as the final buzzer went off, signaling the end of the game with the crowd making its biggest cheer.

Shy Guy saw it all and said, "SCORE! The Mario All-Stars win 100-98!"

As Shy Guy finished announcing the final score, I smiled to myself as I said, "I scored the buzzer beater. I did it... I DID IT!"

Mario came to me and gave me a hug as he said, "You did it, Dragon! You scored the game winner and right on the buzzer!"

"Thanks, Mario." I replied, "It was all in the wrist.

Then Bowser and Jr. came to us and Bowser said, "Great game, guys! You do deserve the win."

"Thanks, Bowser!" I replied, "It was a great match."

And so, I had a great win with Mario.