CENTURY LEAGUE : Three Overtimes Later, Canyon Edges Foothill

When Foothill and Canyon high schools meet on the basketball court, it’s never easy going--at least not this season.

Foothill managed a one-point overtime victory at Canyon the first time around, but Wednesday night it was Canyon’s turn to win away from home. The Comanches won in three overtimes, 70-67, to pull into a second-place tie with the Knights behind El Modena in the Century League.

“I thought it was deja vu,” Canyon Coach Steve Sabins said. “We’ve got four overtimes between us this season.”

Reserve guard Jason Klein made two free throws with 20 seconds remaining in the third overtime for the victory after a series of dramatic last-ditch three-point baskets turned the contest into a marathon.

Klein’s free throws gave Canyon (15-7, 5-2 in league) a 69-65 lead. After a concession dunk to Foothill’s Sean Amos with eight seconds left, the Commanches’ Eric Oliver hit the front end of a one-and-one with seven seconds remaining. Amos’ desperation three-pointer at the buzzer fell short.

Canyon’s Kevin Wilborn sent the game into the first overtime when he picked up a loose ball, turned and threw in a 22-footer to tie the score at 55 with one second remaining.

Foothill’s Matt Vandrey sent the game into its second overtime when he connected on a 21-footer from the right side with six seconds remaining to tie the score at 59.

Oliver scored on a goaltending call on Foothill’s Nick Konopisos and then on a free throw to give Canyon a 63-61 lead, but Foothill’s Naveen Athuluru hit two free throws with 32 seconds remaining. The Knights got the ball back, but Jared Winger missed the front end of a one-and-one with eight seconds remaining, forcing the third overtime.

Wilborn, who was six for 25 from the field in the first game against the Knights, was nine for 20 Wednesday and led the Commanches with 25 points.

Abdi Barkhordar had 15 points and Oliver added 11 for Canyon.

Amos had a game-high 28 points and 11 rebounds for Foothill (11-10, 5-2). Teammate Athuluru added 12 points.

Neither team led by more than eight points, and the score was tied at halftime, 31-31. Canyon’s biggest lead was 42-35 in the third quarter, and Foothill’s biggest was 14-6 in the first quarter.