OKLAHOMA CITY - Heath Kufahl was excited to get to check out his favorite team Tuesday night.
"Don't tell anyone," he said quietly. "I'm a Laker fan."
But when Kufahl went down to the floor at Chespeake Energy Arena between the third and fourth quarters, he faked being a Thunder fan pretty well, putting on a Thunder jersey and a pretty big smile.
Then the high school basketball and volleyball coach at Christian Heritage Academy in nearby Del City, Okla., made a half-court shot.
And won $20,000.
"I accidently promised each student $100 if I made it," Kufahl said. "That promise is no good anymore."
The crowd, of course, went wild, but the amazing shot comes with an amazing story and a at a perfect time.
Kufahl's wife, Jenni, was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in October. They have seven children. Jenni's father, John Merrell, has been the football coach at Christian Heritage the past 30 years. Now they can use the money to help pay medical bills.
Jenni had nearly no reaction as her husband's shot went in. Her eyes got wide. Her jaw dropped and she didn't move for a long while.
"I'm still in shock," she said of the shot. "I don't know what to say. I can't believe it. I still can't."
