VIDEO: West Orange boys hoops falls to Leesburg on buzzer-beater | Observer Preps

WINTER GARDEN Excitement. Confusion. Disappointment. 

That was the swing of emotions that players and fans for the West Orange boys basketball team encountered in a relatively short amount of time Thursday night, in what ended up being a 71-70 loss to the Leesburg Yellow Jackets — last season's FHSAA Class 6A State Champions.

First, there was the excitement. 

Coming out of a timeout and trailing 69-68 with 11 seconds to go in overtime, West Orange inbounded the ball to senior captain Tyler Yorke. Yorke drove to about the free throw line, stopped, turned around and pulled up for a jumper that he made to put the Warriors ahead 70-69 with three seconds remaining.

Leesburg had called a timeout immediately after the made shot.

Jackets senior Keon Ellis inbounded the ball for Leesburg, throwing a perfect pass that spanned about two-thirds of the court to junior Lance Erving. Erving caught the ball, took one dribble and floated a running lay-up off the glass and in as time expired.

Initially, though, there was some confusion as to whether the basket has counted after the officiating crew — which had not waived off the shot or otherwise indicated that it didn't count — had quickly exited the gymnasium. It was confirmed thereafter that the shot had counted, though — and video shows that the ball did leave Erving's hand a moment before the buzzer sounded.

With the win, Leesburg improves to 2-0 and the Warriors fall to 0-2 on the young season.

Junior Judah Collins led West Orange with 17 points. Yorke had 12 points and senior Troy signee K.J. Simon had 11 for the Warriors.

Erving had a game-high 22 points to lead all scorers and Leesburg senior Cordrayius Graham had 19 points for the Jackets.