Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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We love sports for many reasons but at the top of that list is that dramatic victory. Although coaches prefer that double digit victory; players, fans, and announcers love the buzzer beater.
At Park City High School, sophomore guard, Bosten Van Der Veur had his very special moment against his arch rival Wasatch.
Here's the scene setter.
The game is tied with just a few minutes left in the game. Wasatch runs the delay and with just 3.4 seconds left on the clock, Park City fouls and Wasatch hits a pair of clutch free throws to take a 46-44 lead.
The Miners were looking for a miracle.
Sophomore guard Bosten Van Der Veur describes the final moments. "We ran a little play where usually we throw a lob."
Bosten's dad Shem Van Der Veur was sitting in the stands watching those tense final seconds unfold, "Bosten ran off a couple picks, got a pass on the sideline and was probably fouled."
"I caught it, reverse pivoted, and found a little space." remembers Bosten, "I kind of faded a bit so I didn't have a good angle and I wasn't 100% sure if it was going in."
After three power dribbles, Van Der Veur raises up just past half court and drills the game winning three pointer.
I felt like I was watching my son in the 'Karate Kid' or 'Rudy'. From the shot, to them carrying him out and everyone chanting his name and this 'Rocky-esque' moment.
–Jaynee Cadrez
"Just crazy, just mayhem everyone went nuts." said Bosten.
Watching the highlights after the game, "My favorite part is once the ball goes in, you can't even tell where the camera is going because everyone was so excited." The videographer got caught up in the action and bumped the camera, tilting it upwards and shooting toward the ceiling.
This was worth the price of admission for Bosten's parents. "To watch him do well and to enjoy it and to have fun, to me, is very rewarding because he wants it bad." said Shem.
Bosten's mother Jaynee Cadrez was part of the hysteria, "I felt like I was watching my son in the 'Karate Kid' or 'Rudy', from the shot, to them carrying him out and everyone chanting his name and this 'Rocky-esque' moment. Those were the movies and my son was living it."
"It was a really cool experience," said Bosten, "just that I can make everyone that happy and excited and come out and get a W against our rivals."
Cadrez knows that it was a clutch shot in a big moment, "There is more to come, but no one can ever take that one away from him."
It was pretty scary. I never want to let my team down like that, they need me on the court.
–Bosten Van Der Veur
However, a scary moment just before the season began put Bosten's season in doubt when he failed his routine sports physical.
"They thought I had a heart murmur." said Bosten.
Cadrez was with Bosten at the doctor's office, "We decided to do an EKG just to be safe. The nurse came in and said this is bad; this isn't what we like to see. She showed us the printout and said we think there's a block, we think there could be a murmur and said I can't pass you off on this."
The information wasn't being fully processed by the 16-year-old sophomore captain, "Bosten wasn't really listening, he was like ‘I've got practice and I'm going to be late.'" said Cadrez, "I went over to him and rubbed his back and said ‘Son you do not understand.' I kind of braced him and said ‘She's not going to sign this piece of paper and if she doesn't do that you're not going to be able to play.' He just kind of looked at me and said, ‘What did you just do to me mom?"
Worried and disappointed Bosten put his hoop dreams on hold for a few days. He met with a cardiologist who determined all was well and cleared him to play the game he loves.
"It was pretty scary," said Bosten, "I never want to let my team down like that, they need me on the court. It was tough and scary but I'm glad everything worked out."
A small scare outsized by a legendary moment.
