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DAYTON, Ohio — To say that Thornville Sheridan beat Norton 68-60 to reach the OHSAA Division II state championship game would be accurate, but it would not be adequate.

For the first time in state tournament history, dating back to 1976, a game went into triple overtime. As historic and amazing of a fact that is, it still doesn’t do it justice what transpired at the University of Dayton Arena.

Trailing by nine with less than six minutes to play, Norton went on a 15-5 run and forced overtime.

Still deadlocked after the first extra four minutes, the Panthers staked a 59-54 lead in double overtime, but the Generals mounted their own rally and knotted things up at 60. Jamisyn Stinson hit a 3-point shot with 21 seconds left.  Norton then missed a pair of free throws, but Sheridan turned it back over, giving the Panthers the ball with three seconds left.

Three seconds later, it was absolute bedlam.

Hailey Shutsa drained a 40-foot shot that appeared to give Norton the win. The Panthers poured onto the floor, the Generals were being consoled after a heartbreaking defeat.

However, following a quick video review, it was determined that the shot was released just after the clock hit zero.

On to triple overtime, where it was all Sheridan. The Generals scored all eight points to advance to the school’s first ever appearance in the state championship game, after three previous semifinal losses.

Sheridan’s coach and three of his stars speak to the media following a “historic” game. This is the first triple OT game in the history of the girls state tournament. pic.twitter.com/MmxNRmfF8E

— Casey Weldon (@TheWallyWeldon) March 11, 2022

The Stinson sisters led Sheridan with 21 (Jamisyn) and 17 (Faith) points. Shutsa and Gabby Destefano added 18 each for Norton.

The Generals will play for the Division II championship Saturday at 2 p.m., which may be viewed live on Spectrum News 1. MaryLee Melendez and Dave Cecutti will host OHSAA Championship Gameday starting at 1:45 p.m.