Burke’s buzzer-beater stuns Royals
Half-court buzzer beater in overtime to beat your biggest rival. Sounds like a dream you have playing in the backyard. But for Santa Barbara High School junior Noah Burke it is a reality.
Burke sank the miracle shot with no time left to give the Dons an incredible 56-55 overtime win at San Marcos.
Trailing 55-53 in OT, the Dons inbounded the ball under the Royals basket to Emilio Gonzalez who had a game-high 25 points. But Uriel Hurtado blocked the shot and the Royals grabbed the ball and threw it in the backcourt. Burke tracked it down with four seconds left and took a couple of dribbles and shot the runner from half-court. When the desperation shot went in to beat the buzzer, it set off a wild celebration by the visitors who mobbed Burke before hoisting him up in the air and carrying him around the court.
Burke’s game-winner puts the Dons right back in the Channel League race as they are 5-3, one game behind first place San Marcos. Burke’s heroics were set up by Matt Wagonhurst who scored a basket and was fouled with 15.8 seconds left in regulation. He hit the free throw to send the game into overtime tied at 49. The Royals almost won without making a field goal in overtime. They managed just six made free throws in the extra session. San Marcos was led by Kevin Hempy’s 17 points. It was the Royals first loss in 2013 as they see their six game league-winning streak snapped.
