Just two days ahead of New Year’s, a different kind of countdown captured attention, marked by a climax that rivaled the excitement of Times Square’s famous ball drop.
Santa Barbara High School’s 6-foot-6 senior guard Luke Zuffelato faced a mere 2.8 seconds on the clock, but his off-balance, 25-foot three-pointer, released from one foot, created an unforgettable moment—one that will remain etched in memory not only for the 17-year-old but also for the 1,500 fans packed into JR Richards Gymnasium on Monday during the finale of the Santa Barbara Holiday Classic.
“Insane,” Zuffelato described the shot and the atmosphere when reflecting the next day.
The jubilant uproar and the spontaneous celebrations were not only a reaction to the bank shot that clinched an incredible 75-74 win but were also fueled by the significance of the opponent—the formidable Sierra Canyon team.
On the Trailblazers’ bench was Bryce James, the youngest son of LeBron James, who has just committed to Arizona the day after. Before him, Sierra Canyon had Bronny James, now with the Lakers, and a long list of other notable NBA players or their sons, including Marvin Bagley III, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Scottie Pippen Jr.
Some notable former Trailblazers currently in the NBA include Amari Bailey, Brandon Boston Jr., Christian Koloko, Cassius Stanley, Duane Washington Jr., and Ziaire Williams.
Despite Zuffelato’s stunning shot leading to Sierra Canyon’s 11-3 record and their fall from the Southern Section’s Top 20 ranked teams, Santa Barbara’s coach Greg Zuffelato—who also happens to be Luke’s father—recognized the immense reputation of the Trailblazers.
“It’s Sierra Canyon and they carry a huge mystique,” he shared. “I know teams like Roosevelt-Eastvale and Harvard-Westlake are ranked well ahead, but frankly nobody from our community knows those names. But everyone knows Sierra Canyon.”
“Around here, us beating Sierra Canyon is like UCSB beating Duke.”
The comparison to Duke is fitting, as Coach Zuffelato drew on Mike Krzyzewski’s most famous last-second play—the conventional 17-footer from Christian Laettner in 1992 against Kentucky—to inspire his team against the Trailblazers.
“Different location of the court but same movement,” Greg Zuffelato stated. “We’ve been watching the play on YouTube forever and practice it regularly.”
In fact, they had just one walk-through, having played two days prior in a tight 73-70 overtime loss to Dougherty Valley-San Ramon. That last-minute shot was likely five feet further.
“Everything was the same, but they defended it a little tighter,” Luke Zuffelato recalled. “I couldn’t get around the corner. (The shot) hit nothing but backboard.”
As Sierra Canyon’s Gavin Hightower scored to put his team ahead 74-72 with an inside jumper, Luke Zuffelato immediately called a timeout and assured the coaches he wouldn’t let the opportunity slip away again.
Inbounder DJ Wilson, a 6-1 senior guard who also serves as a backup quarterback for Santa Barbara’s football squad, adeptly faked left before rolling right on the baseline pass, successfully getting it over the 6-8 defender Chris Nwuli.
Starting at his own free-throw line, Luke Zuffelato temporarily broke free from the persistent 6-6 defender Bryce Cofield with the aid of a screen set by 6-3 Carter Battle. As senior guard Diesel Lowe navigated the zone, sprinting toward the opposite end line, Zuffelato secured the pass just past midcourt. Taking one dribble while hooking Cofield with his left arm, he leapt off his left leg and released the shot right in front of the Dons’ raucous student section.
Mouths dropped. Eyes bulged. A hushed silence enveloped the gym.
And then the silence shattered.
“Every shot is different,” Zuffelato pointed out. “When it left my hands, it felt good, but I was off balance, falling backward. It felt like it was against all odds. I could tell as I watched it that it wouldn’t be a swish; I was just hoping and praying it would bank in. When it did, the place erupted into chaos. Sheer bedlam.”
Zuffelato’s points 29, 30, and 31 held even greater importance as they came at the expense of a renowned program. The Trailblazers had previously handed Santa Barbara a crushing 85-41 defeat in the same matchup last season. “We got destroyed,” Greg Zuffelato lamented.
With a record of 24-9 and having qualified for state, last season’s Dons were certainly a formidable team.
And let’s be clear, Luke’s impressive shooting performance and scoring frenzy on Monday was anything but accidental. Alongside Zuffelato’s 31 points, Lowe contributed 18 and Battle added 14. For Sierra Canyon, Cofield led with 21, Nwuli scored 17, while James and Hightower contributed 9 and 8, respectively.
Zuffelato established a school record last season by averaging 27.7 points per game, which resulted in scholarship invitations from UC Santa Barbara, the University of San Diego, and Penn, along with interest from several other mid-major universities.
As he entered Monday’s matchup this season, Zuffelato was putting up 23.7 points, 6.0 assists, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. He’s shooting an impressive 62 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc, adding another six 3-pointers to his tally on Monday.
Unlike last year, when Zuffelato was the team’s sole double-digit scorer, this season’s Dons (10-3) also showcase Lowe, who averages 14.3 points per game and has transferred from St. Joseph-Santa Maria, alongside Battle’s 13.8 points per game.
Zuffelato hails from a family rooted in athletics—his father played basketball, while his mother Kim was a volleyball player in college. His sister Emma is currently on the nationally ranked beach volleyball team at Cal Poly SLO. Luke played volleyball until a few years back before opting to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Bob Zuffelato.
Bob, now 87, is a standout college basketball player and Hall of Fame inductee from Central Connecticut State, who has dedicated over sixty years to coaching and holding management positions in both collegiate and NBA settings.
Throughout his career, he served as an assistant coach in the NBA for the Warriors, Timberwolves, Mavericks, and Raptors between 1983 and 1998, later becoming the Raptors’ General Manager in 2001.
Former UCLA coach Ben Howland, who has settled in Santa Barbara, regularly attends Dons’ games and has informed Greg Zuffelato that his son would have received notable Division I offers were it not for the recent NIL changes that have significantly impacted the recruiting scene.
“Everyone has told us to be patient, and we will,” Greg Zuffelato remarked.
Memorable moments like the one on Monday certainly aid in that regard, Luke Zuffelato shared.
Having lived in Santa Barbara since second grade, Luke and the Dons are transforming this picturesque weekend retreat into a fervently spirited basketball town.
“The community has been incredible to us,” Luke expressed. “So many families and alumni, not just students, come out and show their support.”
After Monday’s spectacular shot, many more are likely to join the crowd.
“I can’t say for sure, but that moment brought our team even closer,” Luke noted. “With a large roster, many players don’t get to see much playing time, yet I noticed nothing but smiles all around after the shot went in.”
