On the comeback trail

Warriors seek Marmonte League title with MacLean back in the lineup




ATTACK MODE—Westlake senior guard Kyle MacLean is one of the best players in the Marmonte League.

ATTACK MODE—Westlake senior guard Kyle MacLean is one of the best players in the Marmonte League.

The Kyle MacLean Revenge Tour is rampaging in a gym near you.

MacLean, a senior shooting guard for the Westlake High boys’ basketball team, played only six games last season while nursing an injury.

He’s healthy and lighting up scoreboards for the Warriors, who won five of their first six games entering Simi Valley’s Bob Hawking Tip-Off Classic.

“I’m happy with the way I’m playing, but I’m never satisfied,” MacLean said. “I’m still trying to get better.”

MacLean, an old-school Clippers fan from the Bo Outlaw era (you’re not a real Clippers fan if you don’t know Bo), is a scorer in the mold of his father, former NBA, UCLA and Simi Valley High star Don MacLean. The younger MacLean wears No. 24, just like his pops did in high school.

Kyle MacLean, the early favorite for the Acorn’s Comeback Player of the Year, is the go-to guy. Need a basket in 3-point country? He’ll drain rainbows from a catamaran at Westlake Lake. Need a bucket at the end of a quarter? He’ll shimmy, shake and create his own shot.

JD & THE STRAIGHT SHOT—Westlake High boys’ basketball senior guard Jacob Davis, left, soars to the hoop during the Warriors’ 61-48 win against Agoura on Dec. 2 at home. Westlake won five of its first six games this season. Marmonte League action tips off in January. Photos by JOSEPH A. GARCIA/Acorn Newspapers

JD & THE STRAIGHT SHOT—Westlake High boys’ basketball senior guard Jacob Davis, left, soars to the hoop during the Warriors’ 61-48 win against Agoura on Dec. 2 at home. Westlake won five of its first six games this season. Marmonte League action tips off in January. Photos by JOSEPH A. GARCIA/Acorn Newspapers

Kyle Kegley, Westlake’s fourth-year head coach, praised the 6-foot-2 guard.

“He’s a competitive basketball junky,” the coach said of the Warrior. “I never have to worry about motivating him.”

The Warriors believe they get less respect than a wood-paneled station wagon at Indianapolis 500. That fuels this group.

“We tend to tune out the outside noise, power rankings and what Jack Pollon thinks,” MacLean said. “We’ll do our stuff in the dark and make some noise. We’re capable of a league title and a run in CIF.”

Pollon is a freelance prep writer.

MacLean and fellow senior guards Caden Barton and Jonathan Thompson are all captains.

Barton, who earned silver at the Marmonte League track and field finals in the 400-meter run as a sophomore, is a tenacious wing defender.

“Defense is my favorite part,” Barton said.

If there was an All-Marmonte defensive team, Barton would want his name on the list.

Barton, a 3.5 GPA honors student, said his dream school is Auburn.

“This year, we’re going to prove people wrong,” Barton said. “No one is really talking about us.”

Thompson spent his first two years of high school at Calabasas. When he left, he had one requirement for his next school: Play against Calabasas. Westlake, which suited his academic needs, was the right fit.

“It’s truly a blessing to be part of this team,” Thompson said.

Thompson, who enjoys skateboarding, hiking and playing soccer in his free time, improved his rebounding and outside shooting.

He said his father, Herb, inspired him to play basketball. Jonathan Thompson’s three older sisters—Alivia, Lacey and Maddie— played softball at Calabasas.

“We’re building chemistry and making memories,” Thompson said. “When we’re all playing together, it’s hard to beat us.”

MacLean registered 22 points and eight rebounds in the Tribe’s 61-48 win against Agoura on Monday. He’s put consistent scoring outings against Birmingham (19 points), Moorpark (24), St. Monica (17), Cabrillo (20) and Chatsworth (23).

The Warrior, a scholar athlete with a 4.45 GPA, takes five AP classes. He volunteers with Boys Team Charity. He’s considering playing college basketball at an academically rigorous Division III school or walking on a large Division I team.

MacLean’s younger brother, Blake, is a sophomore center on the frosh-soph squad.

Jacob Davis, a senior guard, and Will Mazzuca, a junior forward, round out the starting lineup with MacLean, Barton and Thompson.

The undersized Warriors (Jaden Miller, a 6-foot-4 sophomore forward, is the tallest player on the varsity roster) must rebound well to contend in the Marmonte League.

Elijah Elohim, Isaiah Matute, Matthew Bedigian, Marcus Lesser, James Lee, Sam Mazzuca (Will’s twin brother) and Breck Bilbrey contribute for Westlake. Kisho Konagawa is a student manager. Elohim will miss this season with an injury, the coach said.

The Warriors will try to continue winning on the hardwood by playing hard-nosed, ferocious basketball.

“We have an extra toughness about us. We get on the floor more. We take more charges, and we share the ball,” Kegley said. “My favorite time with them is practice. They battle. They want to get coached.”

There is no secret to winning— the Warriors must rebound well, and that means boxing out. Of course, Kegley’s license plate reads “BX OUT.”

“If you need to find me,” the coach said, “you know where I am.”

Follow sports editor Eliav Appelbaum on Twitter @EliavAppelbaum.

IN A NUTSHELL

Head coach
Kyle Kegley (fourth season)
Starters
Caden Barton, senior, G
Jonathan Thompson, senior, G
Jacob Davis, senior, G
Kyle MacLean, senior, SG
Will Mazzuca, junior, F
Bench mob
Jaden Miller
Isaiah Matute
Matthew Bedigian
Marcus Lesser
James Lee
Sam Mazzuca
Breck Bilbrey
Elijah Elohim
Stealth defender
Caden Barton
3-point sharpshooters
Jacob Davis
Kyle MacLean
Top newcomer
Marcus Lesser
Most improved
Isaiah Matute
Record
5-1 overall at press time
Marmonte League opener
Westlake at Newbury Park, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7