Jackie Kerns hit a free throw with 0.7 seconds remaining on Thursday night to lift the Santa Barbara girls basketball team to a giant-killing win at Ventura, 52-51.
“I’m trying to figure out how we won… We’re gonna have to watch the video and see if there was a mistake,” joked coach Andrew Butcher.
The Dons, ranked seventh in Division III-A, have now beaten powerhouses Buena and Ventura (21-3, 4-2 Channel League) in the same season for the first time since 2003 and have a good shot at their first Channel League title since 1988, well before any of the current players were born. If Ventura, ranked No. 2 in Division II-AA, beats Buena next week, the Dons (20-5, 6-1) will at least share the title.
Rebecca Griffin came up huge once again with 24 points, five assists and three steals. She hit four 3-pointers, including a nothing-but-net half-courter that nearly hit the ceiling before swishing at the halftime buzzer.
She scored 15 points in the quarter, helping Santa Barbara surge back after losing the first quarter 16-4.
“Apparently she practices that shot and makes it. She probably weighs 100 pounds so I don’t know how she gets it there,” said Butcher.
Griffin hit a trey with 20 seconds left in the game that tied the score at 51-51. Ventura called a timeout and then got a good look at a 17-footer, but it rimmed out. Kerns grabbed the rebound and was fouled. She made the first, and since Ventura had no timeouts left the Santa Barbara coaches tried to tell her to miss the second intentionally. She didn’t hear them, but her second attempt went in-and-out anyway.
Kerns, the No. 2 student in Santa Barbara High’s senior class, finished with nine points and six rebounds. Defensively, she held Ventura senior guard Maddie Fahan to 12 points. Butcher said that freshman point guard Ivette Gil also had a great game with eight points and solid defense.
“We just have a bunch of great character kids who bust their butt,” said Butcher of his group.
The Dons play at Buena on Wednesday.
SANTA BARBARA 52, VENTURA 51
SANTA BARBARA — Gil 8, Lloyd 2, Griffin 24, Emerson 5, Pereyra 4, Kerns 9. Totals 17 14-23 52.
VENTURA — Cole 4, Fahan 12, Meyer 7, Shank 2, Farry 2, Gibbons 2, Wilson 1, Pupa 21. Totals 19 13-16 51.
Santa Barbara…4 21 20 11 — 52
Ventura…16 10 13 12 — 51
3-point goals — SB 4 (Griffin 4). Total fouls — SB 9, V 15.
Best $5 I ever spent. Most exciting girls basketball game I've seen in 25 years. Two quality teams.
Way to go Dons!
Best $5 I ever spent. Most exciting girls basketball game I've seen in 25 years. Two quality teams.
Way to go Dons!