Even Johnny Coy had to catch himself as he reflected on the career that was --- the greatest in the history of a St. Joseph high school player.

Eliminated in the semifinals, Coy didn't get his shot at a second straight district title in a third championship game appearance. No, despite the 6-foot-7 senior's best efforts --- 46 points worth --- Lafayette's hot shooting undid the best team in the city in recent years.

"I played in a district championship three years --- really two. I thought this was going to be the third year," Coy said as he reflected back.

It was a surreal scene at a packed Lafayette High School as unheralded junior guard Cody Miller managed to dim the light from Coy's record performance. It seemed an unfitting stage for Coy's final high school game.

Coy again showed what made him such a special talent, and every fan packed into the nooks and crannies at Lafayette witnessed one final testament to his greatness. It's unclear what lies ahead for Coy, and many people want to debate the pros and cons of his potential college career.

Some say he's not strong enough; others say he's destined to become a major contributor at the next level.

He certainly made a believer out of Lafayette coach Chris Neff, who stood awestruck of the player who single-handedly kept his Irish from ever feeling comfortable Thursday night.

"There's never been a kid 6-7 with that kind of game in this town," Neff said. "Maybe I'm wrong because I never got a chance to see (Lafayette's) Dominique Thuston play. I know he was really solid.

"But this kid here --- and I here people say, 'Awww, there ain't no way Pac 10' -- but you know what, what he does on the AAU circuit and what he did tonight and what I saw him do this year, he's going to succeed. He's going to succeed."

--- We can talk up and down about Coy and his legendary performance, but in the St. Joseph annals, his final performance will always be against Lafayette when Cody Miller stepped up and hit six 3s.

The red-headed, unassuming junior wasn't even on my radar for potential heroes. Granted, he's shown flashes and figures to be a great Bryce McCrary replacement next year. But to do what he did on that stage might never be topped.

Simply epic.

Each time he caught it, the Lafayette crowd rose up with him and celebrated in unison with the basketball ripping the cords. Maybe he threw up one air ball, and maybe he hit just 1 of 3 free throws in the third quarter after being fouled on a missed 3-point attempt.

No one's going to remember those slight bumps. He'll always be a Fighting Irish hero.

--- Lost in Miller's heroics was an outstanding performance from Derrick Williams, who continued to play larger than his 6-foot-3 frame. The senior tallied 20 points, including 12 in the first half helping offset Coy's five second-quarter 3s.

He also grabbed four offensive rebounds to provide some key second chances.

Jake Davis grabbed the Irish's only other offensive rebound and used it to kick out to McCrary for his first-half 3-pointer. Davis managed just four points but did a surprisingly good job of hounding Coy. It was just one of those nights where Coy was going to score no matter whose hand was in his face.

--- The talk immediately after the game for Lafayette turned from celebration to, "Oh boy, we've got another game tomorrow, and we have to win that one." Neff talked them down and told them to think about all the medals or trophies they've won in their life.

He reminded them that it could be anything from middle school basketball to being the best pitcher in T-ball.

Whoops.

The kids gave him a hard time about that one, as there is obviously no pitcher in T-ball. That's where the tee comes in.