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The first "Cinderella" of March Madness found its slipper from the fingertips of a Boca Raton native.
Chase Johnston hit the game-winning layup for No. 12 seed High Point in an 83-82 upset over fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday, March 19 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Johnston got loose in transition after a High Point defensive stop and made a finger-roll layup with 11.7 seconds remaining.
It was the first two-point basket of the season for Johnston, a senior three-point specialist who'd only attempted four other shots inside the arc.
The Panthers (31-4) got another two stops defensively to send the Badgers (24-11) home in the first upset of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Johnston made four 3-pointers, including one from the midcourt logo, and finished with 14 points.
High Point will next face Arkansas (27-8) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 21.
More March Madness: How to get tickets in Tampa
Johnston was born in Boca Raton and enjoyed a decorated varsity career at Westminster Academy in Broward County.
Johnston played for the varsity team since he was in eighth grade and developed a reputation as one of Florida's top 3-point shooters. He won three FHSAA state championships with Westminster Academy and was named the Class 4A Player of the Year after his senior year in 2019.
He began a circuitous college career with Purdue Fort Wayne before playing three seasons at Stetson, where he earned Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year in 2021. Johnston then played two seasons at FGCU before spending his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility with High Point.
Now 26 years old, Johnston has arrived as the latest surprise hero of "The Big Dance."
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chase Johnston: Boca Raton native hits March Madness upset winner
Continue reading...
Chase Johnston hit the game-winning layup for No. 12 seed High Point in an 83-82 upset over fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday, March 19 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Johnston got loose in transition after a High Point defensive stop and made a finger-roll layup with 11.7 seconds remaining.
It was the first two-point basket of the season for Johnston, a senior three-point specialist who'd only attempted four other shots inside the arc.
The Panthers (31-4) got another two stops defensively to send the Badgers (24-11) home in the first upset of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Johnston made four 3-pointers, including one from the midcourt logo, and finished with 14 points.
High Point will next face Arkansas (27-8) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday, March 21.
More March Madness: How to get tickets in Tampa
High Point's Chase Johnston hails from Boca Raton
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Johnston was born in Boca Raton and enjoyed a decorated varsity career at Westminster Academy in Broward County.
Johnston played for the varsity team since he was in eighth grade and developed a reputation as one of Florida's top 3-point shooters. He won three FHSAA state championships with Westminster Academy and was named the Class 4A Player of the Year after his senior year in 2019.
He began a circuitous college career with Purdue Fort Wayne before playing three seasons at Stetson, where he earned Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year in 2021. Johnston then played two seasons at FGCU before spending his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility with High Point.
Now 26 years old, Johnston has arrived as the latest surprise hero of "The Big Dance."
You must be registered for see images
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chase Johnston: Boca Raton native hits March Madness upset winner
Continue reading...
