With the game tied and the clock showing just 10 seconds in the fourth quarter, Swampscott sophomore Teddy O’Neill sunk a jump shot to give the Big Blue the lead against Norwell High School on Tuesday in the MIAA Division 3 Round of 16.

The packed Swampscott High School gym exploded as it appeared the Big Blue would be moving on to the Elite Eight.

Norwell had just one more chance. After a timeout, the Clippers inbounded the ball, which was initially fumbled, pushing Norwell senior Nick Fein back to half court. Once Fein picked up the ball, he turned around and put up a last-second prayer, which found the bottom of the net, stunning the Big Blue and ending their state championship dreams, 43-42.

The Swampscott crowd silently watched in disbelief as Norwell players and fans ran around court in a frenzy.

The Big Blue came out strong, leading by 10 in the first quarter, but went cold, scoring just 16 points in the entire second half. Connor Chiarello and O’Neill led the way in the scoring department, notching 15 and 14 points respectively.

“Unfortunately the last shot went in but it was our shots not falling today that was the killer,” said Head Coach Jason Knowles, who announced after the game he was stepping down after seven years in the role. “If we had shot just a normal game that we are used to, we score 55 points.”

The Big Blue had a number of open looks throughout the second half that touched every part of the rim but just didn’t fall.

Knowles credited his team for their defensive performance.

“They were able to get some open looks from three but to hold this team to 43 points, I can’t be upset with that,” said Knowles.

Swampscott played a zone defense for the majority of the game. Knowles said the plan was to try and keep the ball out of Norwell junior Jack Luccarelli’s hands.

The Big Blue led at the end of each of the first three quarters, including a 26-22 lead heading into the locker room at halftime. Neither team led by more than five points at any point in the second half.

Despite the loss, Knowles said he will look back on this team and season very fondly.

“This is going to sting,” he said. “We had a great season, going 17-5 and getting a 4 seed in the playoffs. It’s a phenomenal group of kids. There were a lot of positives, and it’s unfortunate how it ended.”