NEWPORT COAST — James Karahalios hit the game-winning jumper with 2.5 second left in overtime as Sage Hill’s boys basketball team defeated Tustin 43-39 in the CIF-SS Division 3AA quarterfinals Tuesday night at Sage Hill High.

Sage Hill coach D’Cean Bryant was thrilled that Karahalios persevered despite some recent struggles with his shot.

“When that (shot) left his hand, I was like, that’s money, that’s good,” Bryant said. “Finally the kid got a break because he had been struggling with his mid-range. Early in the season he was money, he couldn’t miss, and he’s kind of been struggling with it. But we just said if you get a look, take it.”

Karahalios, who scored a game-high 16 points, took a pass from Tre Cradle and used a crossover dribble to create space to sink the clutch jump shot at the right elbow.

“I was just ready to do what my team needed me to do,” Karahalios said. “You always stay locked in and that’s what happens when you’re focused, when you have a goal, you’re going to accomplish it if you keep trying.”

Karahalios remembered the feeling of last year’s gut-wrenching loss in the quarterfinals to La Habra, the eventual champion in 3AA. He was glad to be on the other side this season.

“It’s very satisfying,” he said. “I only wish my boys from last year could experience the same thing, but at least we got it.”

The Lightning (17-9) will host San Gabriel Academy on Friday in the semifinals.

The Lightning trailed by seven points heading into the fourth, but the Tillers struggled to make a basket in the final minutes.

Sage Hill went on a 10-2 run to start the fourth to take a 35-34 lead. The run began with a 3-pointer from Charles Gomez, who finished with seven points.

With the game tied, Yuri Klines made one of two free throws with 10.6 seconds left in regulation to give Tustin a 37-35 lead.

Cradle went on to tie the game with 5.6 seconds left on a spinning right-handed shot in the post.

On the following inbounds play, Daniel Molina got behind the defense near midcourt for a long pass from Klines. Molina let the ball bounce one time, about 25 feet from the basket, before controlling the ball with no dribble and attempting a shot inside the arc over the outstretched hands of center Jackson Cryst.

Cryst (11 points) was a defensive stalwart all game long as he blocked four shots and affected many more from going in, like Tustin’s final shot in regulation.

In overtime, Sage Hill outscored the Tillers 6-2. Tustin’s only basket came from Klines and tied the game 39-39.

The Tillers were playing their second overtime game in a row after a 49-47 road win over Adelanto in the second round.

“We battled all year defensively,” Tillers coach Ringo Bossenmeyer said. “I felt like it wasn’t one of our better nights executing offensively, but they probably had something to do with that.

“We were having to rely too much on one-on-one play and ultimately when that happens it’s your responsibility as a coach.”

No. 2 seed Tustin (24-7) was led by Daniel Molina, who scored a team-high 11 points, including three 3-pointers. He was the only Tustin player to finish in double figures.

Klines contributed with nine points and Ethan Contreras and Terrelle Morales each added six points.

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