4-AA : Erkenbrack’s 3-Point Shot Moves Canyon Past Camarillo

Keri Erkenbrack hit a three-point shot with 7 seconds left to lead Canyon High School to a 49-48 victory over Camarillo in a Southern Section 4-AA girls’ basketball semifinal game Saturday at Villa Park High.

Canyon (22-4) will play Valencia in the 4-AA final Thursday at Chapman College.

Erkenbrack, who led all scorers with 29 points, brought Canyon back almost by herself as Canyon trailed for most of the game.

The turnaround for Canyon started in the third quarter when Canyon’s defense held Camarillo to six points in the quarter and Camarillo’s Nicole Victoria went out with her fourth foul with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Victoria, who finished with 28 points, had been harassing the Canyon guards and had seven steals which were converted into five layups.

With Camarillo leading 32-25 and 3:55 left in the third quarter, Erkenbrack scored seven unanswered points in a 1-minute span to tie the game.

Camarillo (21-7) called a timeout to try and stop the surge and it seemed to work as it outscored Canyon, 4-2, to take a 36-34 lead into the fourth quarter.

Victoria scored two quick baskets to stretch the lead to 40-34, but Erkenbrack converted a three-point play and teammate Dee Moore converted the front end of a one-on-one to bring Canyon within two at 40-38.

Canyon was able to use its size advantage and made its next eight points off offensive rebounds. But Camarillo answered on offense as it scored eight consecutive points to maintain its two-point advantage with 30 seconds left.

With 25 seconds left, Camarillo’s Brooke Ramsey was called for traveling to give Canyon the ball. Christa Ramirez missed a jumper, got her own rebound and missed the follow but the rebound bounced out of bounds off Camarillo.

With 9 seconds left, the ball was inbounded to Ramirez, who struggled with Victoria to gain possession of the high pass. The ball bounced out to Erkenbrack who quickly turned and hit the three-pointer that won the game.