JAMESTOWN — The North Collins Eagles, who won one game just a season ago, will now play in the Class D Finals, and all it took was some magic by Tyler Robinson.

The Eagles (11-11, 4-seed) took down the vaunted Panama Panthers (16-4, 1-seed), 47-46, in the Class D Semifinals from Jamestown Community College on Monday night.

Down 46-44 with just three seconds left on the clock, Panama’s freshman Gabe Roth went to the line for two free throws and couldn’t connect on either. Robinson grabbed the rebound and his coach Jan Warren called a time out.

Inbounding from under their own basket, Christian Loretto, who also missed two big free throws and had a crucial turnover in the waning seconds, was able to get the ball to Robinson. Robinson got to half court and put up a prayer.

Photo by Debbra Bailey Tyler Robinson (11) launches up a half-court buzzer beater against Panama.

“I just closed my eyes,” Robinson said. “It was a shot I’ve maybe practiced once after practice.”

He opened his eyes in time to see his prayer answered.

It looked like North Collins’ hopes were dashed when Panama’s Gerrit Hinsdale buried a three to give Panama that 46-44 lead, before Robinson got his final say.

Robinson was a machine all game, locking down Panama superstar Cameron Barmore and flustering the normally dominant scorer.

“I know Tyler is good but tonight he was better,” said Warren. “He was blocking shots, he was getting on the floor, he was doing everything he had to do.”

An emotional Robinson was proud of his team and how far they’ve come.

“I’m just so happy for us as a team,” Robinson said. “We worked so hard to get here. I love this team so much. I’m just speechless right now.”

It was a sentiment that Warren echoed.

“This is something else,” Warren said. “For us to be where we were last year, we got annihilated the last two years down in Panama, and to come in here and play the way we did here tonight.”

The Eagles and Panthers played even all game, with the largest lead for either side being only eight points, which came as a 31-23 halftime lead for Panama. But the Eagles wouldn’t back down. No matter what Panama did, North Collins was able to answer, and took the lead back half way through the fourth quarter.

North Collins advanced to play the winner of the game between the Forestville Hornets (2-seed) and the Sherman Wildcats (3-seed).