Kolbeck’s 3-Point Shot Lifts Santa Paula, 49-47

Mike Kolbeck of Santa Paula sank a desperation three-point shot from beyond the top of the key as time expired Friday night in a 49-47 Frontier League upset of Santa Clara. The senior forward scored the Cardinals’ last seven points, 13 of their 15 in the fourth quarter, and 17 of their 26 in the second half.

“I had no time to think; I just threw it up,” said Kolbeck, who was buried by a frenzied crowd of Santa Paula fans for more than a minute. “We were scrambling and I had no idea how much time was left.”

The winning possession began with 13 seconds to play and Cardinals Danny Guzman and Juan Mendez colliding in the backcourt as Guzman tried to dribble up the court. But Santa Paula (11-9, 2-1 in league play) recovered and handed the Saints (16-2, 1-1) a crushing loss.

“We told the guys to watch [Kolbeck] and B.J. [Ward] was right on him at the end, but it was a perfect stroke,” said Lou Cvijanovich, the Santa Clara coach.

Ward, who had 19 points, gave Santa Clara a 47-46 lead when he sank a baseline jumper and converted an ensuing foul for a three-point play.

Santa Clara, No. 2 in The Times’ regional rankings, led, 24-23, at halftime and 43-42 with less than a minute to play. Kolbeck then hit a pair of two-point baskets and Ward converted a free throw to set up the final drama.

“Mike was on fire, so I kept setting him up for three-pointers and he kept knocking them down,” said Santa Paula Coach Tom Donahue, whose team swept Santa Clara last season, ending the Saints’ string of 13 consecutive league titles. “That was one of the greatest high school basketball games I’ve ever seen.”