They are too young, and they haven’t played together long enough. These were the excuses the fourth- and fifth-grade Horned Frogs were told. This underdog team was not supposed to win their early entry games, let alone the Hoopster preseason championship game.

Yet this young, upstart team shocked the Hoopster league after using a buzzer-beating shot to defeat the Razorbacks 27-26 at Langston Hughes Elementary on Nov. 15.

After the Razorbacks jumped to an early 12-2 lead, the Horned Frogs used a smothering defense to hold the Razorbacks to two points in the second quarter while warming up the offense.

“We came out a little slow, but we started playing some defense and were able to hold the Razorbacks scoreless in the second,”said Horned Frog head coach Keith Loneker. “The offense was able to hit a couple of shots, and then everything started falling.”

With only two fifth-graders and a limited amount of practice time due to football season, the Horned Frogs were not expected to win the tournament. However, the Frogs were able to gel just at the right time to take the Hoopster tourney.

The Horned Frogs relied on their bruising center Bryce Montes de Oca to carry the offense. Montes de Oca clogged the lane defensively and intimidated the Razorbacks from attacking the basket. Offensively, Montes de Oca used a soft touch and a deceivingly quick first step to penetrate the Razorback defense. Montes de Oca’s hustle play on both ends of the court gave him a double-double in points and rebounds.

Part of Montes de Oca’s strong play can be attributed to the work of guard Miles Stevens. Working at the point, Stevens set up the Horned Frog offense into position for the easy bucket. Stevens’ ability to protect the ball and limit turnovers enabled the Horned Frogs to make their run in the second quarter.

Early on it appeared it was going to be all Razorbacks. Dane McCullough jumped on the board quickly after hitting back-to-back baskets and giving the Razorbacks the early momentum. McCullough’s constant movement and excellent backdoor cutting led to several baskets and kept the Horned Frogs on their toes.

Head coach Mike Willoughby talks strategy as the Razorbacks take a breather.

The most intriguing match up of the night was between centers Montes de Oca and Matt Baker. The pair, who are perhaps the two most dominant Hoopsters centers, battled each time down court. The Razorbacks relied on Baker’s efficient offensive output and ability to snag the rebounds, which kept things close.

With all the impressive play, it was only fitting this contest would come to down to the final seconds. With both benches on their feet and parents holding their breaths, it appeared the Razorbacks were going to come away with the win. Razorback guard Blake Meyers found just enough space to cut through the Horned Frog defense for the lay up.

With seven seconds remaining, the Horned Frogs called a timeout to set up a play. There was little question of who was going to get the ball. The challenge was getting it to Montes de Oca.

“We knew we had to get the ball to the big guy. He was on a roll, so we called a Baldwin shift right,” Loneker said.

After a quick inbound, guard A.J. Fixico threw a pass that grazed the fingers of Baker and fell into the lap of Montes de Oca. With fans, players and coaches screaming, Montes de Oca calmly laid in the ball as the clock read zero, claiming the unexpected Horned Frogs the preseason champions.