Former Viking hits game-winning shot

In all the madness that was the first day of the NCAA tournament yesterday, a local player had his "one shining moment" in one of the last games of the day.

Former Central Cabarrus star Ishmael Smith hit a jumper with 1.3 seconds left in overtime to lift Wake Forest over Texas in a first round game in New Orleans last night. Smith finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in the 81-80 win.

Smith and Wake Forest will now move on to face No. 1 seed Kentucky and former Raleigh Word of God star John Wall on Saturday.

Another local player will be in action on Saturday as former Concord High guard Dee Bost will try to lead Mississippi State past UNC in the second round of the NIT.

Bost will see a familiar face on the other bench, Will Graves, who he played against in the 2006 3A state championship when Dudley beat Concord.