BOYS' BASKETBALL: STUNNING FINISH SAVES CALABASAS DOWN EIGHT WITH 45 SECONDS LEFT, COYOTES WIN CALABASAS 60, SIMI VALLEY 57.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Even facing an eight-point deficit with 45.9 seconds showing on the scoreboard. Even with a fourth-quarter lead long since lost. Even as the unwanted guests in another team's gym.

Even then, the Calabasas High boys' basketball team found a way Wednesday night to make the impossible somehow possible.

Junior Shayaun Saee hit a game-tying 3-pointer in front of his team's bench with 1.9 seconds left in regulation, and the No. 5 Coyotes went on to stun host sixth-ranked Simi Valley 60-57 in overtime.

``We keep fighting until the end,'' said Saee, who had six points. ``We will never quit in a game. Not until there's zeros on the clock and the final horn sounds. We keep playing, we're never quitting.''

Calabasas (15-3, 3-0 Marmonte League) won its fifth consecutive game and did so with a comeback the likes of which neither coach Russell White nor any of his players ever had been a part of before.

``That was incredible,'' White said. ``It's just persistence, hard work and knowing you can get it done. These kids are incredible. They just found a way to win.''

Senior center Steve Saunders led the Coyotes with 27 points, hitting three free throws in the final minute of overtime to preserve the victory. Junior guard Drew Housman added 12 points, and spotted an open Saee out of a triple-team for the big shot.

``That was the greatest win our team's ever had,'' Saunders said.

But in the final minute, it seemed unlikely at best. Calabasas already had lost the 40-37 lead it took into the fourth quarter, and Simi Valley (13-5, 2-1) went up 54-46 with 45.9 seconds remaining when Mark Wells (27 points) made one of two free throws.

It turned out to be a starting point rather than an end. Saunders was fouled and hit a pair of free throws to make it 54-48. Then Housman came up with the gift of the game on the ensuing inbounds play.

The Pioneers' pass deflected off a foot and into Housman's hands. He hit a reverse layup and was fouled. In an instant - and after knocking down the subsequent free throw - Calabasas trailed just 54-51.

``It gave us hope,'' Housman said. Even White called the play ``lucky'' afterward.

John Schock (16 points) then missed a free throw at the other end that gave the Coyotes one final chance with 16.9 seconds. Housman inbounded the ball and got it back with 10 seconds to go.

He attempted to drive on a play diagrammed for him but drew three defenders. At the last second, however, Housman spotted Saee open and fired a pass to the wing.

``I just saw Drew in the middle of the court and knew,'' Saee said. ``I was like, 'I guess it's coming to me.' I just lined it up and shot it. It felt real nice.''

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com