Crossword Genius

... high pass and a circuit around open country (5-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alley-oop

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'high pass' is the definition.
(type of basketball pass)

'a circuit around open country' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'circuit' could be 'o' and 'o' is located in the answer.
'around' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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