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Sierra Canyon ended 2024 with an upset loss, as Santa Barbara sank Bryce James and his squad. This was all thanks to Santa Barbara's Luke Zuffelato hitting a game-winning three at the buzzer for that unlikely New Year's Eve win against one of the best teams in the country. The unstarred and unranked guard scored 31 points and handed his school the 75–74 victory.
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The Santa Barbara bench erupted in celebration after one of the biggest high school basketball upsets this season. The school has an 11-3 record this season, though the Dons have not been considered favorites like Sierra Canyon, which also has an 11-3 record.
A jumper from Gavin Hightower gave Sierra Canyon the 72–54 lead with just 2.8 seconds remaining, However, in one of the most dramatic moments of this season, Zuffelato caught an inbound pass from teammate DJ Wilson and sank the dagger three at the buzzer. He spoke about that moment with Sports Illustrated.
“Every shot is different,” the Santa Barbara guard said. “When it left my hands it felt good, but I was off balance. I was falling away. It was kind of against all odds. As I was tracking I could tell it wasn’t going to swish. I was just hoping and praying it would bank in. When it did, it was just chaos. Sheer bedlam.”
Despite not being ranked or rated by the big sites like On3 and ESPN, Zuffaleto has been averaging 23.7 points, 6.0 assists, 12.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game this season. He has also shot 62% from the field, meaning experts may have overlooked and underrated him and his team.
As for Bryce James, he scored nine points during that game, all of which came from behind the arc.
Sierra Canyon gets another chance to bounce back with game vs. Bartlett on Friday
After ending 2024 with a loss, Bryce James and the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers must start 2025 with a win. They will get their chance on Friday as they take on the 9-5 Bartlett Panthers.
It will be a road game for Bryce and crew as it will happen at the Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee as part of "The Classic At Tennessee High School." Then on Saturday, Sierra Canyon will take on the 12-2 Houston Mustangs, a local Tennessee team. The game will also be part of "The Classic At Tennessee High School."
