MERRIMACK — Jackson King figured he'd be the least likely player to net the game winning shot in Merrimack's 62-61 win over Nashua South on Friday night before an enthusiastic hometown crowd.

In a nip-and-tuck thriller that required the winners to make a defensive stop and then score, King — a replacement starter for injured all-state junior guard Dimitri Floras — grabbed the necessary rebound and then knocked down a game-winning trey from the left wing with 33 seconds left to ensure first place Merrimack's (9-1) seventh consecutive win, the second straight by a one-point margin.

It was the Titans' (5-6) sixth heartbreaking loss in the last seven games. With the largest losing margin just seven points, South coach Nate Mazerolle said his team has played well enough to win and poorly enough to lose all season long.

“That's been our mantra, it seems, said Mazerolle. “And tonight we go down with a kid that's supposed to be a football player knocking down a 3-pointer in a cool, calm and collected fashion. That was one gutsy shot.”

King, a 5-foot-11 running back with options to play college football at Sacred Heart and the University New Hampshire next season, opted to try out for the hoops team at the last minute. He'd sat the JV bench as a sophomore and spent the last basketball season in the weight room prepping for football.

“I missed the feel of being part of something special on a team that wins a lot of games,” said King. Basketball is the sport at Merrimack.

“I planned on being a bench player maybe getting a couple of minutes a game and then Dimitri (Floras) got hurt and someone had to step up.”

Floras broke his right wrist last week. Another starter, Jared Peabody, has been injured and unable to play. King has played a pivotal role in the three wins following the injuries, including nine points, four rebounds and a steal against South.

“He's so athletic and he's getting better every day,” said Merrimack coach Tim Goodridge. “He's old-school basketball. Nothing fancy, he just plays hard, does all the right things and doesn't make many mistakes.”

The lead swapped frequently throughout the game and four times in the fourth quarter when King found himself open about a foot beyond the 3-point line. He took a pass, shot without hesitation and then tried to look stoic while leaping for joy when the shot settled inside the cylinder.

“I was nervous after I let it go, It was a laser, but went in,” said King with a shrug.

South opened a seven-point lead, the largest of the game, in the second quarter with Anthony Muccioli (19 points, six rebounds, four assists) and Tim Preston (10 points) driving down the lane. Muccioli also hit two treys, scoring 12 points in the quarter.

Merrimack forward Tyler Gendron accepted responsibility for guarding South's senior sharpshooter Muccioli in the second half, holding him to one field goal and four points.

Gendron also scored seven of his 12 points in the pressure-filled fourth quarter. His brother, sophomore Eric Gendron, led the team with 18 points, including 12 in the opening quarter.