Mike Carpenter

School: Santa Margarita High Sport: Basketball Position: Guard Class: Junior

Mr. Clutch is already taken, so they’ll have to find some other nickname for Carpenter if he continues his late-game heroics for the Eagles. During the regular season, Carpenter, 5 feet 11, made a three-point shot at the buzzer to give Santa Margarita a two-point victory over St. John Bosco. In the playoffs, he has made 10 of 15 three-pointers, but it’s his play after halftime that has really stood out. In the first round, Carpenter scored 25 of his 27 points in the second half and made all six of his free throws in overtime as Santa Margarita defeated Harvard, 83-76. Tuesday, he scored 13 of his 15 points after halftime in a 61-54 victory over St. Paul. Friday, he scored eight of his 12 points in the second half against La Canada, but it was his 13-footer in overtime that will be remembered most. The shot, which he took over La Canada’s 6-6 and 6-10 post players, gave the Eagles a 59-57 victory and a spot in today’s Division III-A semifinal with Servite.

Other top performers:

J.J. Ballesteros, who scored 28 points for Mater Dei in an 83-73 victory over Los Alamitos and 17 in a 67-53 victory over Arroyo in the Division I-A playoffs.

David Beilstein, who scored 50 points for Tustin as the Tillers won two Division II-AA playoff games.

Jermaine Galloway, who had 28 points and nine blocked shots in Kennedy’s 62-51 victory over Palm Desert and 17 points in a 81-54 victory over North Torrance in Division II-A playoff games.

Blayne Leitner, who had 17 saves in El Dorado’s 2-1 victory over Coachella Valley and 15 saves in a 2-1 victory over Anaheim in the Division 2-A playoffs.