When Cedric Jackson hit a half-court buzzer beater to end a double-overtime classic against Perth, few would have expected that moment to be eclipsed mere weeks later.
But in one fluid motion, one catch and turn and release, Ekene Ibekwe ensured his name would be the one written in boldwhen the Breakers record the history of the 2014-15 season.
Ibekwe's last-gasp jump shot not only beat the buzzer to beat the Cairns Taipans but also clinched the Kiwi club's fourth championship in an incredible five-year stretch.
The import was an unlikely hero as the Breakers sealed a 2-0 sweep in the Australian NBL grand final series. With the scores tied and 1.2 seconds on the clock as coach Dean Vickerman called the final play, many at the North Shore Events Centre expected the ball to end up with Jackson, Corey Webster or Tom Abercrombie.
But a play drawn up the previous year by assistant coach Judd Flavell soon resulted in the biggest shot in the Breakers' 13 seasons and saw Ibekwe immortalise himself in the club's history.
"I wanted to get my picture up [on the walls at the Breakers' practice gym]," Ibekwe said. "What better way to do it than making a last-second shot for the championship?"
Ibekwe's jumper ended a see-sawing clash after Cairns seized control in the final quarter. The Breakers trailed by five with a few minutes left, before a dagger three from Abercrombie and a couple of clutch free throws from Mika Vukona left the scores level.
