Charger girls still in playoff hunt despite a tough week

The Agoura Chargers girls’ basketball team wraps up the 2000-01 season tomorrow by hosting the Westlake Warriors in a 7 p.m. game in Agoura Hills.

This comes on the heels of last week’s game when the Lady Chargers took their 15-8 overall, 5-5 Marmonte League record to Newbury Park High to play a tough Panther team.

Last Friday, Agoura came out on the short end of a 53-44 game against the host Royal Highlanders. Jennifer Lacy scored 19 points for the Chargers and teammate Jana Sobel connected for14 points.

Ashley Alderton scored 17 points and Novey Woodard-Parker and Kinsley Mittel put 13 points each in the basket for the Highlanders.

Royal moved ahead 14-10 at the end of the first quarter, was ahead 28-21 at the half, 37-32 at the end of the third quarter and outscored Agoura by four points, 16-12, during the fourth quarter.

On Wed., Jan. 31, the Lady Chargers lost to Moorpark, 57-45, as Natalia Worth hit for 16 Musketeer points in a game played in Agoura Hills. Lacy’s 24 points led the scoring for Agoura.

After the loss to Moorpark, Charger head coach Olie Otis said he’d hoped for a different outcome but said a part of Agoura’s game plan has been affected by the team’s practice time and how the players are using it.

"We just don’t have enough quality practice time," he said. "We are not using our practice time well enough. Kids are out, they are trying to fit into the (offensive and defensive) scheme.

"We’re just trying to play hard and build confidence. When Lacy leaves (at the end of this season), the bulk of the team will be back. We’ll have four sophomores and four juniors returning."

Speaking of the game against Moorpark, Otis said, "Jamie Sobel played as good a game as she has in a while. She kept herself on the floor. She’s a rebounder we need.

"Jamie Kobler fouled out on questionable calls. (But) the refs evened it out. I’d rather have kids decide the game by playing."

Against the Musketeers, Kristen Nadas scored 11 points, 13 rebounds and made six blocks for Moorpark and teammate Libby Cantwell garnered 12 points and Taryn Milburn grabbed 12 rebounds.

Moorpark got off to a 12-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, and outscored the Chargers 18-10 by the intermission to lead 30-18. Agoura tried to get back in the game during the third quarter, outscoring Moorpark 16-12, to make the score Moorpark 42, Agoura 34. The Musketeers outscored the Chargers 15-11 during the fourth quarter.

Looking at the Marmonte League and the Lady Panthers’ run at winning back-to-back titles, Otis said, "Newbury Park will be at the top. Someone has to knock them off. It’s going to be tough. That will leave three tied for second place and Newbury (Park) by themselves."