One play made all the difference in the world at the end of the game for the Big Park Community School boys basketball team Tuesday, Dec. 6, which lost to Mayer Middle School.

Down 34-31 with three seconds to go, eighth-grader Garrison Skornik began to fire a three-pointer from outside the arc. While the ball was just leaving his hand, a whistle blew.

As the ball floated helplessly in the air, and eventually dropped in, Skornik and the rest of his teammates celebrated, since they thought they just tied the game.

Unfortunately, a foul was called away from the ball and the Coyotes would receive only two free throws, still trailing 34-31.

“There was two seconds left and he was in the act of shooting when a foul was called,” second-year Big Park Head Coach Julie Hallenbeck said. “It went in, too, but we ended up getting only two free throws instead.”

Big Park missed both free throws and the Wildcats went on to win a wild one, 34-31.

Skornik finished the game with three points instead of six as he had hoped in those final seconds, while seventh-grader Randy Rodriguez finished with 10 points, a game high.

Seventh-grader Chas Rescigno scored six points for the Coyotes while eighth-grader Austin Samano had four points.

“They played great. It was good to see. The team looked good and we gave Mayer a run. We have to figure out a way to keep things going every quarter instead of just one or two,” Hallenbeck said.

With the loss, Big Park is 0-3 to start the 2011-2012 campaign. The Coyotes lost to Clarkdale-Jerome School to open the season Nov. 29, 48-18. Big Park lost to rival Camp Verde Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 1, 39-19.

The Coyotes were in action Thursday, Dec. 8, when they faced off against Beaver Creek School at home. Results were unavailable at press time.

Next up, Big Park will play host to Oak Creek School on Thursday, Dec. 15. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.