Not a million bucks but a nice haul

"When he called, he said ,'You can win a million dollars,' Sexton said. "I thought it was a scam. I didn't know it was going to happen," Sexton said.

"He thought I was trying to sell him a car," Ungaro said.

Sexton had been entered into the drawing for the annual contest by his girlfriend, Katy Ellis. The call from Ungaro came out of the blue. Sexton, sporting a spiky black mohawk, missed the million-dollar shot, but won seven other prizes, including a 1999 Chevy Camaro from Vito's Auto Sales.

"I signed myself up first, but that's OK he was drawn,'' Ellis said. "I wouldn't have won anything.''

Sexton's attempt at the million-dollar prize was on line, but significantly short.

"I was pretty sure I wasn't going to make it," said Sexton, who had practiced 50 shots from three-quarters court distance and made one earlier in the day.

Sexton didn't appear nervous, but his girlfriend was nervous watching him.

"My video is all shaky," Ellis said.

Sexton missed three attempts from half-court for a 2009 Jeep Cherokee. Next came a plethora of attempts from the 3-point line and then three from the free-throw line. The announcer had a separate card to read for each prize and at one point Sexton asked somewhat wearily, "How many more cards do you have left there?"

After hitting shots to win a $2,000 shopping spree from Brown's Electric, a $1,000 gift certificate for Alaska Business Interiors, a mushing excursion from GOSH Riders, dinner for two once a month for a year from Nino's, a remote start from Creative Audio and three months of personal training from Acceleration of Alaska, Sexton was given one last chance to win a car.

Ungaro offered him $500 that he could take right away or the opportunity to win a Chevy Camaro with a 3-pointer. Sexton gambled, but missed the 3-pointer. Ungaro then let him shoot from the free-throw line. Sexton made the shot and won the car.

"I'm glad to get anything," Sexton said. "I have no idea what I all got, but I know I got a car."

It's the 13th year that Ungaro has sponsored the million-dollar shot. He has yet to give away a million dollars, but usually gets to give away a car. Ungard has insurance for the million-dollar shot, but the car he offers on his own.

"I pay for the insurance so I'd really love to see somebody make it one of these years," Ungaro said. "I'm a gambler and I hate to see a contest where they don't have a chance to win. I love to give them a chance."

Matthew Hobbs won the shooting contest for four free tickets to Hawaii. The YMCA basketball player made six of his seven shots while eliminating the other five competitors.

"I'm taking my friends to Hawaii," Hobbs said.

Old foes at it again

Saturday's championship featured two coaches who have done battle more than once in the past.

First-year Washington State head coach Ken Bone, a Seattle native, has spent the majority of his 21-year coaching career in the state of Washington. Ditto for San Diego head man Bill Grier, who was born in Oregon. Grier was an assistant at Gonzaga in Spokane, Wash. for 16 years before taking over the head job at San Diego.

While assistants, Bone and Grier squared off several times as Bone made his way from an assistant at Seattle Pacific to the team's head coach, then from an assistant at Washington to the head job at Portland State.

"Ken and I go way back," said Grier.

Before the tournament began, Grier said he and Bone discussed how much fun it would be to coach against each other in the championship.

"We're just a couple of Northwest guys," he said.

Best 0-8 team?

Nicholls State's 0-3 sixth-place finish also gave the Colonels the dubious distinction of tying Alcorn State at 0-8 for the worst record in Division I through Saturday.

But that's likely to change. Nicholls State led Oklahoma at the half, and Sooners coach Jeff Capel said he believes the Colonels will make some noise once they begin play in the Southland Conference.

"They're gonna be really tough in their league," Caple said.