No clear-cut hoops favorite this season

Marmonte League winter preview: Boys’ basketball


ATTACKING THE BASKET—Westlake High guard Brennan Walker, center, goes around teammate Michael Topper, right, during boys’ basketball practice earlier this week at WHS.

ATTACKING THE BASKET—Westlake High guard Brennan Walker, center, goes around teammate Michael Topper, right, during boys’ basketball practice earlier this week at WHS.

Basketball is a winter wonderland.

Just in time for the Festival of Lights, local hoops teams light up scoreboards like Hanukkah menorahs.

With Christmas around the corner, high-flying student-athletes deliver dunks, 3-point rainbows and the sweet sounds of swish after swish.

And then there’s Festivus— for the rest of us—and Clippers fans who need to root for a competitive team.

The Marmonte League boys’ basketball teams know how to get into the holiday spirit.

Defending league champ Thousand Oaks High is favored to repeat, but other teams seek to topple the mighty Lancers.

Arguably the most improved team in the Marmonte, the young Royal Highlanders can shoot their way into the postseason.

Crosstown rival Simi Valley counters with tradition, a solid starting lineup and the league’s best big man, Jonathan Davis.

Calabasas, which made the deepest playoff run of any local boys’ team in 2009-10, wants to maintain its success with a balanced lineup.

Newbury Park, Westlake, Agoura and Moorpark look to contend in a league where parity rules.

Here’s a peek at all eight Marmonte League teams:

Calabasas Coyotes

Calabasas won 24 games and shared a league title with Thousand Oaks in 2009-10.

Expectations remain high for these Coyotes.

“We have a good team, and we have a chance to compete and keep the program at a high level,” head coach Jon Palarz said.

They also have the Mad Russian, Lenard Gorokhov.

Gorokhov, a dynamic senior guard, slashes toward the rim with zest and can shoot with accuracy from downtown. He’s a tough defender as well.

Nick Justman flusters foes with his myriad of post skills. A lanky 6-foot-7 senior center, Justman scores with efficiency— he drilled 54 percent of his field goals last year.

Callum Dewar, a senior combo guard, is an excellent athlete who thrives in an up-tempo offense. Holden Israel and Josh Cohan share time at power forward.

Jeremy Lieberman is the rare freshman to start at point guard. Max Hoetzel, a 6-foot-3 freshman shooting guard, displays great range on his shot.

Senior Daniel Regan provides depth at point guard.

Westlake Warriors

The Warriors graduated nearly every starter from 2009-10.

No problem.

“My motto is: We don’t rebuild. We reload,” said head coach Tom Donahue, now in his ninth season guiding Westlake.

Instead of relying on strong outside shooting, the Warriors will pound the ball in the paint and ravage the offensive glass.

Senior Brennan Walker is “one of the best point guards in the league,” Donahue said.

“He has an uncanny ability of finding people who are open,” the coach said. “Guys have to be ready. Once they get the pass from him, they have to deliver.”

Dan Schneider, Michael Topper and Grant Wainess are in the mix to play significant minutes at shooting guard. Backup point guard Quentin Weinerman, a hardworking defender, spells Walker off the bench.

Small forward Adrian Powditch, power forward Angelo Jacobs and 6-foot-5 center Nick Zavala shore up the front line. Blake Reed is an athletic lefthanded shooter who rebounds and blocks shots. Tucker Higgins and Johnny Stuart add post depth.

Taylor Tattersal is a versatile, athletic swingman. Ryan Bleier, Taylor Messuri and Nick Caan can get NBA Jam hot from beyond the arc.

“We have the potential to win league,” Donahue said. “If we play really hard, we can win it all.”

Agoura Chargers

The Chargers are hoping a new year offers new opportunities on the hardwood.

In his 12th season guiding Agoura, head coach Joe Riccio asks his squad to minimize turnovers, improve defensively and play with consistency every outing.

Winning its season opener by 34 points against Roosevelt on Monday was a good start.

“I’m trying to keep the kids humble,” Riccio said. “Sometimes a win like this gets to your head. They need to stay humble and keep working hard each day to improve.”

Shayan Boloor, a senior guard, is “one of the best athletes in the county,” the coach said.

Steven Wilson, a 6-foot-3 senior center, uses his soft hands to catch passes and finish with ease around the basket.

The Chargers count on small forward Tony Wallace and power forward Phillip Chang. Clay Priskorn plays any position along the wing. Guard Chase Isaacs and forward/center Cole Pokard are super subs.

“I’m hoping we can be in the mix this year with the top teams in the Marmonte League,” Riccio said. “I know we’re undersized. It’s hard to measure a team’s heart by the size of the player.”

Thousand Oaks Lancers

The Lancers graduated stars Alex Tiffin and James Whalen. Still, any inkling of Thousand Oaks’ demise is premature.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in this group,” head coach Richard Endres said.

This squad is loaded with nine seniors and enough talent to sprout a hoops factory on the remote Bouvet Island.

Thousand Oaks is balanced offensively and shoots well along the perimeter. Endres will count on the defense to round into shape during early-season tournaments.

The White Buffalo leads the Lancers.

Richard Mullaney, a versatile senior forward, earned the White Buffalo moniker from the Green Hole student cheering brigade for his feats of strength in football, where he’s earned a scholarship to Oregon State.

Mullaney will be devastating on the hardwood, too. He’s a defensive stopper who corrals rebounds and does little things to win.

Evann Hall, a shooting guard/ power forward, is a savvy veteran. He played on the Thousand Oaks squad that secured a CIF-Southern Section championship in 2008-09.

“He knows what it takes to be successful,” Endres said of Hall.

Anthony Jacques and Austin Kingi are versatile wingmen. Austin Cagley leads the way at point guard. L.J. Wiley and Eric Greene also contribute.

Newbury Park Panthers
Newbury Park is ready to transform into Hoosierville West.

“Panther madness is about to start,” second-year head coach Jeff Perrault said earlier this week.

Perrault—also an assistant on the Oxnard College men’s basketball team—lives and breathes hoops. He wants the Panthers to share his passion for the game.

“This team has a little bit more of my identity,” Perrault said. “Last year’s kids were still trying to figure me out. This year’s kids understand the attitude I want them to have on the court. You play till the final buzzer sounds.

“Attitude and effort—I expect it to be great every time.”

Senior guard Zach Garrett returns to the backcourt with junior point guard Kamana Keohohou. Garrett has a relentless motor and he relishes driving to the bucket. Keohohou has improved his shooting and leadership acumen.

Bret Russell will be counted on to score. Devin Fountain is a solid interior defender.

Kyler Argue, Trevor Lecka, Matt Temaat and Tre Jones provide depth.

“We’re looking to push the ball up the court and use our speed,” Perrault said.

Simi Valley Pioneers

The Pioneers are ready to make their run.

“Every year, we want to win league,” Simi Valley head coach Christian Aurand said. “We have high expectations—this year isn’t any different.”

There are few players in Ventura County with the physical gifts of Jonathan Davis, a graceful 6-foot-8 senior who can play any position.

Davis, who committed to George Washington, mans point guard right now. He blocks shots, scores, rebounds and dribbles balls against pressure effectively.

“He really understands that he has to take this team on his shoulders,” Aurand said of Davis.

Junior point guard Austin Hawk continues to learn the nuances of his position.

D.J. Saul and Jesse DiNonno are outstanding jump shooters. Nolan Reed isn’t afraid to do the dirty work in the post. Brandon Guillory is a defensive stopper.

Although the Pioneers continue to pressure and hound teams, Aurand may be forced into the job of tinkering chemist.

“We don’t have the depth that we’ve had in the past,” the coach said. “We might have to change it up a little bit. We’ll still press and do our thing. We have to be more creative.”

Royal Highlanders

Things are looking good for Royal.

Although four sophomores start, the Highlanders can drop 3-point buckets all day and night from the perimeter. They just need to learn how to win cliffhangers.

“We couldn’t finish games last year,” head coach Craig Griffin said. “We lost a bunch of games in the last couple of minutes.

“Hopefully this year we’re able to finish those games and make the playoffs.”

Max McCoy leads the charge. The sophomore point guard dictates the pace of the game.

JR Powell, a junior shooting guard, has range from the beyond the arc. Powell can break the school record for 3-pointers made in a season, the coach said.

Scott Woods, a 6-foot-7 center, mans the middle for Royal.

Nick Creber and Austin Carr help out in the post.

Weston Park is one of the first players off the pine. Michael Molnar, Andrew Hong, Jose Hernandez, Fernando Estevez, Kyle Dickey and Kevin Habroun also contribute.

Moorpark Musketeers

The Musketeers continue to build the foundation of a successful boys’ basketball program.

Third-year head coach Eddie Gutierrez isn’t interested in having one memorable season in a fog of multiple forgettable years.

“We want to get in the top half in the league standings,” Gutierrez said. “We want the program striving to have that consistency and not just, ‘Remember when we were good in 2010-11?’ and then drop back down.

“We’re trying to find consistency. And we’re trying to stay there.”

The guard-oriented Musketeers take pride in protecting the ball and finding good offensive looks.

Senior John Lenox is an aggressive, strong guard who’s not afraid to attack the hoop.

Jordan Russell, a junior guard, has improved his outside shooting. He’s a surprisingly good offensive rebounder for a player his size.

Sophomore guard Jake Myers can create space upon releasing high-percentage shots within 12 feet. Lionel Poole, a lanky 6-foot-3 senior forward, is an excellent shot blocker who can handle the ball, rebound and finish at the rim.

Mitchell Sagely is this team’s X-factor. The junior forward rebounds and defends well. He’s also good at finishing around the basket. The raw athlete is working on his shooting form.

“The faster Mitchell improves, the faster we’ll improve, too,” the coach said.

Ziva Sarbu, Miles Kozlowski, Quinn Dam, Noah Stanley and Parker Blount add depth.

Locals to
hone in on

• Lenard Gorokhov,
shooting guard, Calabasas:
The Mad Russian can score from inside and outside, and he’s a defensive nightmare for smaller guards. • Nick Justman, center,
Calabasas:
Justman, a senior, scores efficiently and passes out of double teams from the post. He’s developing a well-rounded game. • Brennan Walker, point
guard, Westlake:
One of the best point guards in the Marmonte, Walker has a knack for delivering crisp passes to open teammates. • Nick Zavala, center,
Westlake:
At 6-foot-5, Zavala can rebound, block shots and run the floor. • Shayan Boloor, shooting
guard, Agoura:
The senior leader is a natural scorer and exceptional athlete. • Steven Wilson, center,
Agoura:
Wilson may be undersized for a center, but he is crafty. He handles the ball like a guard and is very smooth around the basket.

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