Czar Walsh’s Legendary Shot

Ringgold High School point guard Czar Walsh made a running, desperation heave/shot from midcourt at the buzzer to force overtime against Erie Prep in the 1995 PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals after trailing by double-digits in the fourth quarter. It was one of the most unlikely and dramatic shots in local basketball history. Ringgold, coached by the late Phil Pergola, eventually won in double-overtime, 77-67, and would go on to win the state championship. Adding to the lore was that Walsh sprained his left ankle just before halftime of that game and was getting his ankle taped in the locker room at the start of the third quarter. Walsh and the Rams capped their historic season with a 63-55 semifinal win over Butler and a 71-66 victory over Williamsport in the state title game at Hersheypark. Ringgold was the first basketball team in WPIAL history to win the largest classification of the PIAA tournament.