Hoover High’s boys water polo team pulled off a crazy 18-17 win over Santa Barbara High in a four-overtime thriller on Tuesday in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs.

The Tornados showed a ton of heart and fight, battling back over and over in one of the most intense games of the season.

After falling behind 3-1 early, Hoover came alive with three straight goals to take a 4-3 lead midway through the first quarter.

“I changed up the defensive tactic and opened their eyes to the reality of a loss,” Hoover Coach Levon Harutyunyan said.

Even when Santa Barbara kept taking the lead, Hoover never gave up.

By halftime, the Tornados were down just 8-7 and still very much in it.

In the third quarter, they went on a 3-0 run to tie it up 10-10, showing how calm and focused they were under pressure.

The fourth quarter was just as wild.

Santa Barbara grabbed the lead again, but Hoover fought back, tying it at 15-15 in the final seconds to force overtime.

The game dragged on through four overtimes, but Hoover’s focus and endurance helped them pull through in the end.

The Tornados stayed composed and outlasted the Dons with Tigran Gharibyan scoring the winning goal in an unforgettable finish.

“It was amazing, we could finally rest,” said Arthur Tarakhchyan. “We won, and we’re going to the next round.”

Hoover will play Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on Friday in the quarterfinals.