TWO MADE FREE THROWS. DeKalb High School is home to The (Missed) Shot Heard 'Round the World. The state basketball tournament is another matter. First, Darius McNeal made two free throws. Then North Aurora's Jeffrey Lewis made two more. The local paper offers commentary.

The story once again centered around Darius McNeal and the free-throw line.

Only this time, there wasn’t the same heart-warming conclusion.

There certainly were tears again, but this time they were all about the end of one of the most memorable seasons in DeKalb basketball history.

Because it wasn’t about the wins and losses this season, although the Barbs only lost two games all year at home. It was about something a little more important.

When McNeal headed to the free-throw line with his team down one point and 26 seconds left in a Class 4A DeKalb Regional semifinal Wednesday night, coach Dave Rohlman had a smile on his face.

Because the last time McNeal had taken such important free throws, he purposely missed them at Milwaukee Madison.

If the outcomes were preordained, we wouldn't have to play the games.

If the DeKalb - Milwaukee Madison series continues, with alternating home games, the 2009-2010 game will be in DeKalb. Maybe an opportunity to fill the Convocation Center?