Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Influences...



Now & Then...






LORNE

Football
Favre, Moon, & Young





Basketball
Kobe, Iverson & Russell



LANGSTON

Football
Brown & Payton






Basketball
Wooden, Wilt, Waymon, Wade & Woods
Other favorite sports: Baseball, Golf, Track and Volleyball
Article Launched: 2/17/2006 12:00 AM
This class of basketball sophomores are anything but jinxed
2008 grads expected to be one of the best to come out of the San Fernando Valley
By Sean Ceglinsky, Staff WriterInside SOCAL
It's not uncommon to find college basketball scouts from the powerhouse conferences - the Pacific-10, ACC, Big Ten, SEC and Big East - sitting in huddled masses in the corner of the gyms at Taft High of Woodland Hills or Campbell Hall of North Hollywood.

They're not always looking for someone who can help their programs immediately. In fact, the focus has been geared toward the area's underclassmen, including a superb group of sophomores that's grabbed the attention of recruiters.

Remember these names: "In basketball, you can tell at an early age if a kid has potential or not," said Sonny Vaccaro, a Calabasas resident and one of the most influential figures in amateur basketball. "There's some pretty darn good young players in the Valley, and I say that because I've seen them play. "These sophomores are challenging the seniors and holding their own. They're on the radar."

"The fun part is molding them and playing a role in their development - you don't want ruin them. These guys are true, true basketball players, students of the game. You'll see both of these guys at a big-time college, for sure."

"The 2008 class is loaded," Rutherford said. "I'd put money on our sophomore class going up against any (group of seniors) in the Valley. I like our chances of winning." "I haven't seen a class this good around here in quite some time. It's rare," said Bort Escoto, who's in his 13th year as coach at Sylmar.
sean.ceglinsky@dailynews.com
SOPHOMORE SENSATIONS
Name, School, Comment
Oscar Bellfield Taft Few can match athleticism.
Justin Cook Renaissance Acad. Slasher, solid mid-range game.
Larry Drew Taft Quickest first step in area.
Joseph Fauria Crespi 6-foot-7 and growing.
Mat Hankins Sylmar Scores in bunches from long distance.
Jrue Holiday Campbell Hall Complete package, improves daily.
Lorne Jackson Simi Valley Playmaker of the future.
Ryan Merkle Harvard-Westlake Point guard, shooters' mentality.
Danilo Raicevic Montclair Prep Big man with soft touch.
Kyisean Reed Highland Unknown commodity waiting in wings.
Dallas Rutherford Hillcrest Chr./GH Makes big things look routine.
Chris Smith Burroughs Not afraid to take clutch shot.
Eric Strangis Crescenta Valley Emerging as a leader early on.
Junior Thompson Chatsworth Does the dirty work inside.
Jesse Zarate North Hollywood Jack of all trades.

Simi Valley and Royal players named to All-Marmonte League team. Alex Ponce and Curtis Marsh of Royal and Lorne Bell and Devin Kelly were named to the First Team offense unit. Honored on the First Team Defense unit were Jonathan Sanders and Jared Debo of Royal. Receiving Second Team All-Marmonte League honors were Tim Brown, Mardo Mardirossian, Thomas McCormick, and Cody Uebelhardt of Royal and TJ Washington, Bryan Randolph, and Nick Shaver of Simi Valley. Honorable mention honorees included Langston Jackson, Nick Matlas, Colin Franklin, Jack Albert and Brian Grace of Simi Valley and Michael Long, Kevin Redmond, Tony Evans, Danny Jennings, and James Callaay of Royal.

Preseason Prediction: Youth prevails:off! With 10 players from last year's team having graduated, Simi Valley High hopes several impressive sophomores can come in and fill the void by Sean Martin, Special to the Daily News

Lorne Jackson, a 6-foot-2 guard, and 6-3 forward Michael Meza were starters last season for the 23-1 junior varsity. "Lorne is a very complete player," Simi Valley coach Christian Aurand said. "I think he can make some big noise in the next couple years. He's been impressive all summer. Michael can shoot the ball, but is a threat inside as well. We are very fortunate to have them both."
Jackson and Meza have started for the Pioneers the entire summer. Langston Jackson, Lorne's twin brother, and Spencer Feist have also gotten significant playing time in the summer before their sophomore seasons. "We've got a good mix of young guys who will mix well with our returners," Aurand said.
Simi Valley will return three players: Lorne Bell, Collin Franklin and Michael Meza's older brother, Tony. Next year will be Bell's third varsity season. Franklin is a 6-foot-5 center.
Gone from last year's 22-8 team are Caise Burris, the state leader in 3-pointers, and Michael Rodgers. Both were All-CIF selections.








Wednesday, February 01, 2006

THE JACKSON TWINS... 2005-2006





Double Impact! Double Threat! Double Trouble!


Langston
Class: Sophomore
Position: FB, DB
Jersey: 8 Height: 6'1"
Weight: 180 lbs.



Lorne

Class: Sophomore
Position: G
Jersey: 20
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180 lbs.






LANGSTON

Football

5 TDs - Longest Run: 70 yds Longest Punt: 54 yds misc:90 yds interception TD tackles: 57 rushing avg: 6.04 yds punts in 20 yard line: 5

Basketball

Named JV Defensive MVP and one of 4 sophmores on Varsity squad and Athletic/Scholar 3.5 gpa

Simi Valley and Royal players named to All-Marmonte League team. Alex Ponce and Curtis Marsh of Royal and Lorne Bell and Devin Kelly were named to the First Team offense unit. Honored on the First Team Defense unit were Jonathan Sanders and Jared Debo of Royal. Receiving Second Team All-Marmonte League honors were Tim Brown, Mardo Mardirossian, Thomas McCormick, and Cody Uebelhardt of Royal and TJ Washington, Bryan Randolph, and Nick Shaver of Simi Valley. Honorable mention honorees included Langston Jackson, Nick Matlas, Colin Franklin, Jack Albert and Brian Grace of Simi Valley and Michael Long, Kevin Redmond, Tony Evans, Danny Jennings, and James Callaay of Royal.

Pioneers Last Season’s Results: (7th in Marmonte, 4-6 overall). Failed to make the playoffs. After starting strong in 2004 with wins over Pacifica and Highland, the Pioneers dropped five of six games to fall out of the Marmonte title chase. The low point of the year may have been the regular-season finale, in which Simi was manhandled by eventual league champion Royal, 45-7. Notable Returnees: Devin Kelley, sr., RB (1,232 yards rushing, 312 yards receiving); Lorne Bell, sr., S/WR (39 receptions, 528 yards); Bryan Randolph, sr., QB; Nick Shaver, sr., PK/P; Impact Newcomer: Langston Jackson, soph., FB/S Who They Play: Simi’s early-season schedule consists of matchups against a well-coached Pacifica squad (Sept. 9) and Canyon of Canyon Country (Sept. 23), a team that went 10-2 last year before losing in the second round of the Div. II playoffs. Home games vs. Westlake (Oct. 7) and Royal (Nov. 10) and road contests against Thousand Oaks (Oct. 21) and Agoura (Nov. 4) highlight Simi’s league schedule. Overview: First-year head coach Todd Borowski, who takes over for the departed Karl Zierhut, has loads of offensive talent on his roster, most notably Kelley and Bell. Kelley, a 6-foot, 180-pound running back is an explosive ball carrier who is capable of putting up monster numbers. Outside of Westlake running back Jeff Rapoport, Kelley is easily the league’s most polished back. Expect a big season from the senior. Bell will serve as the No. 1 wideout. Known for his jarring, neck-snapping tackles, Bell has moved to safety after playing outside linebacker last season and will be the man in charge of the Simi secondary. Jackson, the sophomore, will start alongside Bell in the defensive backfield. Randolph will take control behind center for the departed Robbie Fierro. Much of the Pioneers’ success will depend on Randolph’s development. If 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior tight end Colin Franklin can establish himself as a legitimate target in the middle of the field, the offense could be unstoppable. Borowski has switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme with the hopes reviving a unit that allowed 20 or more points in every game last year, including four games of allowing 40-plus points. In a Nutshell: Simi has too much talent at the skill positions not to qualify for the postseason, something the school hasn’t done in over a decade. The only thing holding Simi back is a defense that allowed 33.8 points per game in 2004. The unit must get better for the Pioneers to reach the playoffs.

Simi Valley and Royal players named to All-Marmonte League team. Alex Ponce and Curtis Marsh of Royal and Lorne Bell and Devin Kelly were named to the First Team offense unit. Honored on the First Team Defense unit were Jonathan Sanders and Jared Debo of Royal. Receiving Second Team All-Marmonte League honors were Tim Brown, Mardo Mardirossian, Thomas McCormick, and Cody Uebelhardt of Royal and TJ Washington, Bryan Randolph, and Nick Shaver of Simi Valley. Honorable mention honorees included Langston Jackson, Nick Matlas, Colin Franklin, Jack Albert and Brian Grace of Simi Valley and Michael Long, Kevin Redmond, Tony Evans, Danny Jennings, and James Callaay of Royal.

Simi Valley impressive in opening win
By Loren Ledin, Ventura County-Star September 10, 2005
As far as the Simi Valley High football team was concerned, the season opener was a first step to redemption Friday night.
After a scoreless first half, Simi Valley took command in the second period. An eight-play, 78-yard scoring march, ending in a 22-yard run by sophomore Langston Jackson put Simi Valley up, 7-0, with 10:45 left in the second period. A 12-play, 60-yard drive following, ending in Randolph's 24-yard hookup with Bell.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
Highland's Kevin Guillroy ran back the opening kickoff 70 yards and Harvey Martin scored on a 10-yard touchdown run. Simi Valley's Devin Kelley had a 85-yard kick return for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Simi Valley's Langston Jackson sealed the win with a 56-yard touchdown run with just over nine minutes remaining. Jackson finished the night with 77 yards on four carries.

Daily News
Simi Valley 20, Highland 14: Devin Kelley returned the second half opening kickoff 84-yards to put visiting Simi Valley up 10-7. Kelley rushed for 80 yards on 19 carries and Langston Jackson had six carries for 77 yards, including a 56-yard scoring run that put Simi Valley (2-0) up 20-7 early in the fourth quarter.
Highland (1-2) answered with a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kevin Bevans but could not recover the onside kick. Bevans also had a 10-yard scoring run. Micah Littlejohn had 123 yards on 21 carries for Highland

Outlook: Simi Valley’s 36-35 overtime loss to Newbury Park last Friday easily qualifies as an instant classic.
But not only was the defeat hard to stomach for the Simi players, coaching staff and fans, it also puts the Pioneers in danger of suffering a tremendous letdown against a Thousand Oaks squad that appears to once again be hitting its stride

OUTLOOK: High-scoring Canyon, which has scored a total of 14 TDs in two games, looks to extend its 19-game nonleague winning streak.

SPOTLIGHT
CANYON (2-0) at SIMI VALLEY (2-0)
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Langston Jackson, RB, Simi Valley - If opponents worry too much about Devin Kelley, Simi Valley's leading rusher, Jackson will burn you. He scored on a 56-yard touchdown last week.

Four weeks into the season, Canyon suffered an embarrassing loss to Simi Valley

Simi Valley shines
Randolph's passes for 314 yards in big comeback victory over Canyon

By Brendan Malloy, Correspondent September 24, 2005
After a full 48 minutes of football, Simi Valley High had enough energy to celebrate a thrilling victory. Senior quarterback Brian Randolph passed for 314 yards and Devin Kelley had a pair of touchdown runs in the fourth quarter for a 34-27 win over Canyon.

Group Ranks Canyon (12-1) as 14th Best In Nation and Southern Section Div. II championship

On Friday, in a 21-13 win over Foothill League rival Hart in the CIF-Southern Section Division II Championship game, the old coach proved it again. In 17 seasons at the helm of the Cowboy football team, Welch has brought four CIF titles home to Canyon Country.
It was the kind of loss that takes a good team and makes it bad. The kind of defeat that can crush a potential champion. Welch wouldn’t let that happen. “If it weren’t for that loss, we wouldn’t be here,” Welch said. That’s because the Cowboys used the loss to get better. They understood that with that tough defeat, respect flew out the window. Critics gave up on Canyon. If they lost to Simi, how can they win it all?

Simi Valley, 4-0 for first time in 30 years, faces Marmonte League test vs. Westlake
By Loren Ledin, lledin@VenturaCountyStar.com October 7, 2005

Four victories to start the season earns a team respect.
A victory over perennial powerhouse Westlake High just might lead to a playoff spot or, maybe, a league championship. That's the crossroads where the Simi Valley High football team finds itself midway through the regular season. Forging a 4-0 start for the first time in 30 years, the Pioneers have turned themselves into Team Surprise.

Contender ... or pretender?
But a potential triumph over Westlake turns them into a bona fide league and playoff contender, a place where Simi Valley hasn't been in 11 seasons.
"Our confidence level is very high," says Simi Valley coach Todd Borowski. "But at the same time we know people don't quite know what to make of us yet. We beat a very good Canyon team, but a lot of people are saying it was a fluke. If we beat Westlake, that becomes the one game that establishes us as a very good team.

The Simi Valley High football team will be playing on television for the first time in school history tonight with its home game against Moorpark High.

Simi-Moorpark game switched to Thursday Next week's key Marmonte League matchup between the Simi Valley and Moorpark high football teams has been moved to Thursday night to accomodate Fox Sports West.

Newbury Park, which dominated much of the 1990s, takes four-game win streak into game against unbeaten Simi Valley lledin@VenturaCountyStar.com
It's not merely the high-octane passing attack that's so familiar about the Newbury Park High football team this season. It's the winning attitude.

How about that?
Tied at the top of the Marmonte League football standings with Moorpark is not a position that either team has occupied often. Simi Valley hasn't reached the postseason since 1992. The Pioneers' last league championship -- and only second in program history -- was 20 years ago. Four victories to start the season earns a team respect. That's the crossroads where the Simi Valley High football team finds itself midway through the regular season. Forging a 4-0 start for the first time in 30 years, the Pioneers have...

Take note, Calabasas High. Simi Valley rises to the occasion
Just three years ago, Simi Valley had a struggling football program of its own. The Pioneers had lost 31 of 32 games, including 22 straight in the Marmonte League

Parity appears likely in Marmonte Can the 2005 Marmonte League football season be filled with close games and parity from top to bottom as member schools endured last fall? If three weeks of non-league games are indicators, the likelihood is strong. No stronger message was delivered to the league's overall strength than Simi Valley's 34-27 upset over Canyon/Canyon Country last Friday.

As of Oct. 17 DIVISION IV -- 1. St. Bonaventure, 2. Ventura, 3. Moorpark, 4. Arroyo Grande, 5. Newbury Park, 6. Thousand Oaks, 7. Simi Valley, 8. Santa Monica, 9. Agoura, 10. Beverly Hills. The Acorn’s High School Football Game of the Week Simi Valley Pioneers (5-0) at Newbury Park Panthers (4-1) Friday, 7 p.m. By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspaper BIG GAME ON TAP—Marco Gilio and the rest of the Newbury Park Panthers will be playing for first place in the Marmonte League when they host Simi Valley Friday night at 7 p.m. First place in the Marmonte League standings will be at stake Friday night when the Newbury Park Panthers host the Simi Valley Pioneers.
Simi Valley is fresh off a 29-23 come-from-behind victory in Week 5 over Westlake. Newbury Park downed Calabasas, 43-7, last weekend on the road.
Both teams are riding high heading into Friday’s matchup.
The Panthers have reeled off four consecutive wins after losing the season opener to Verbum Dei. Led by quarterback Jordan LaSecla, the Southern Section’s leader in passing yardage (1,589 yards), the Newbury Park offense is averaging 37.8 points per game during the team’s current four-game winning streak. Panther wide receiver Josh Baker leads the Marmonte in receiving yards (724), while averaging 144.8 yards per game. Wideout Jordan Cameron ranks fourth in the league with 511 yards receiving. Cameron has also scored 10 touchdowns.
“The bottom line with these guys is that you can’t control them, so you try to contain them,” Simi first-year head coach Todd Borowski said. “Are they going to get their completions? Yes they are. But if they’re going to score, we need to make them drive down the field.” Simi Valley, off to its first 5-0 start in school history, has loads of talent at the skill positions as well.

Rushing League Leaders

1 Darrell Scott, Moorpark

2 Curtis Marsh, Royal (Simi Valley)
3 Devin Kelley, Simi Valley
4 Dan Moran, Moorpark
5 Peter Epstein, Calabasas
6 Spencer Scotti, Thousand Oaks
7 Langston Jackson, Simi Valley

Punting League Leader
1 Langston Jackson, Simi Valley
Check maxpreps.com for stats

Result: 5 - 5 - 0

Pacifica (Oxnard, CA)
W 38-13
@Highland (Palmdale, CA)
W 20-14
Canyon (Canyon Country, CA)
W 34-27
Calabasas (CA) W 48-35
Westlake (Westlake Village, CA) **
W 29-23
@Newbury Park (CA) **
L 35-36
@Thousand Oaks (CA) **
L 34-38
Moorpark (CA) **
L 0-27
@Agoura (CA) **
L 30-49
@Royal (Simi Valley, CA) **
L 35-37

Lorne's Season Stats as of 2/2/06

scoring: 341 assists: 84 steals: 76 blocks: 13 rebounds: 150 3fgs: 20

INDIVIDUAL STATS IN MARMONTE LEAGUE RANKINGS:

#1 Steals #2 Assists #5 Scoring #9 Rebounds #12 Blocks #13 3pt fgs

Basketball

Named Team Co- MVP with Colin Franklin

Football

2nd Team Quarterback and Athletic/Scholar 4.0 gpa

Ventura County Star
Park's Cameron nets top award
By Staff reports March 12, 2006
Jordan Cameron of Newbury Park High is the MVP of the Marmonte League boys' basketball team. Russell White of Calabasas and Rich Endres of Thousand Oaks are the co-coaches of the year. Thousand Oaks placed two players on the all-league first team.
Named to the first team were: Alex Cohen and Bobby Macias, Thousand Oaks; Conner Faught, Agoura; Collin Franklin, Simi Valley; Mark Einhorn, Calabasas; and Allen Scott, Westlake.
Members of the second team are: Ryan Delgizzi, Calabasas; Matt Luft and Sean Taxter, Thousand Oaks; Lorne Jackson, Simi Valley; Jordan LaSecla, Newbury Park; and Sam Adams, Moorpark.
Third-team selections are: Justin Nouri, Agoura; Mauro Ormedillo, Westlake; Jake Poppen, Thousand Oaks; Derick Haught, Royal; Bryan Randolph, Simi Valley; and Redmond Parker, Calabasas.

This class of basketball sophomores are anything but jinxed. 2008 grads expected to be one of the best to come out of the San Fernando Valley
By Sean Ceglinsky, Staff Writer

SOPHOMORE SENSATIONS
Name, School, Comment
Oscar Bellfield Taft Few can match athleticism.
Justin Cook Renaissance Acad. Slasher, solid mid-range game.
Larry Drew Taft Quickest first step in area.
Joseph Fauria Crespi 6-foot-7 and growing.
Mat Hankins Sylmar Scores in bunches from long distance.
Jrue Holiday Campbell Hall Complete package, improves daily.
Lorne Jackson Simi Valley Playmaker of the future.
Ryan Merkle Harvard-Westlake Point guard, shooters' mentality.
Danilo Raicevic Montclair Prep Big man with soft touch.
Kyisean Reed Highland Unknown commodity waiting in wings.
Dallas Rutherford Hillcrest Chr./GH Makes big things look routine.
Chris Smith Burroughs Not afraid to take clutch shot.
Eric Strangis Crescenta Valley Emerging as a leader early on.
Junior Thompson Chatsworth Does the dirty work inside.
Jesse Zarate North Hollywood Jack of all trades.

ERIC SONDHEIMER
These Guards Avoid the Sophomore Jinx
March 19, 2006

There used to be a weekly network television program in the early 1980s called "That's Incredible!"College basketball coaches are going to be using the same expression every time they come to Southern California and watch guards from the high school Class of 2008 display their skills.The list of outstanding sophomore guards grows seemingly every week. Call it a glut of good fortune."I'm just glad it's happening, because it's coming at the right time for us," UCLA assistant coach Kerry Keating said. "It's a big need. There's still a long way to go, especially with guards. Some grow late and some mature late, but these guys have proven themselves worthy of recruitment." All season, there has been debate about who's best, leading sometimes to bitter arguments in Internet discussion groups and in the stands. But the real question is, how many top sophomore guards are there? The depth at the position among players who are only 15 and 16 years old is exciting because no one knows how good they will become as they grow stronger, quicker and more experienced. Coaches are already scheduling games for next season to give their sophomore guards a chance to test themselves against their peers. One matchup set for 2006-07 is North Hollywood Campbell Hall and Jrue Holiday taking on Woodland Hills Taft and Larry Drew Jr. It doesn't really matter who might be No. 1 right now. What's important is improving every season, and that's why college recruiters will be out in force this spring and summer watching and evaluating. Based on observations during the high school season, here are some impressions of the extraordinary sophomore guard class:

• Best three-point shooter: Malik Story of Lakewood Artesia.• Best at driving and dishing: Drew of Taft.• Best passer: Jerime Anderson of Anaheim Canyon.• Best defender: Jarred DuBois of Westchester.• Best scorer: Mat Hankins of Sylmar.• Most effective in transition game: Holiday of Campbell Hall.• Best shot creator: Brandon Jennings of Compton Dominguez.• Fastest-rising prospect: Lorne Jackson of Simi Valley. And there are others to admire: Dallas Rutherford of Granada Hills Hillcrest Christian averaged 22.2 points…. James Staniland of Ventura is 6 feet 6 and has great range beyond the three-point arc…. Oscar Bellfield of Taft is a terrific leaper, defender and outside shooter.Keion Bell of Gardena Serra is 6-3, averaged 14.5 points, was a first-team All-Del Rey League pick and might be the best dunker among the guards. Chris Solomon of Los Angeles Fairfax has been a backup for two years while showing flashes of talent and ability. Ryan Kelley of Chino Hills Ayala is a top defensive player who figures to increase his scoring output. Jason Pruitt of Artesia was moving up the guard ranks until his season ended because of academic ineligibility. Don't set the final rankings of these players in stone. There are growth spurts to come and others who played junior varsity as freshmen who might end up joining the elite. As UCLA's Keating said, "Time will tell who ends up being the one who rises to the top. It's going to make for a lot of good basketball."

Check Maxpreps.com for stats

THE MARMONTE LEAGUE

Simi Valley Pioneers
Record: 18-11

League finish: Tied for third
Top players: Colin Franklin, Lorne Jackson, Brandon Simon.

Simi Valley's playoff history includes four championship game appearances (one title) plus four semifinal trips in the last eight years.

C.I.F. Playoffs - 3rd Round

Villa Park 73, Simi Valley 54

Riley Johnson had 15 points including four three-point baskets and Kertd Elisaldez also scored 15 in a dominating road win for the Spartans over the Pioneers. Lorne Jackson had 15 points and Collin Franklin tallied 14 points and seven rebounds for Simi Valley (18-12).

Article By Dave Keefer Riley Johnson's four 3-pointers helped put the game away for Villa Park. In a game where Simi Valley concentrated on containing Villa Parks' Drew Viney to twelve points, the Spartans got plenty of balanced scoring from the rest of the team and easily handled the host Pioneers 73-54. Riley Johnson and Kertd Elisaldez each had 15 points, Brian Law added 10, and the big men James Cawthorne and Sean Williams each chipped in with 8. Viney was limited early with some foul trouble and hit only three field goals in the game, but he was 6-6 at the line and was valuable in other aspects of the game with his 5 assists, 6 blocks, and 6 rebounds. Simi Valley (18-12) had trouble shooting and could never threaten after falling behind. They did get to the free throw line for 26 attempts but made only 16. The Spartans sparkled at the charity stripe going 13-15. Simi Valley started out encouragingly by notching a 4-0 lead. Villa Park's Elisaldez's soft jumper gave the Spartans its first lead at 6-5. But Collin Franklin got a putback to make it 7-6 for Simi Valley and they edged out to a 10-6 lead before Villa Park (27-3) closed out the first quarter with a 10-0 run. Viney's nice feed to Blake Bender knotted the game at 10-10, then Viney hit two free throws to give Villa Park the lead for good. The quarter ended at 16-10. Simi Valley scored first in the second quarter to make it 16-12 but that was as close as they'd get the rest of the way as Elisaldez responded with a three-point play and when Johnson later hit a three-pointer (the first of four on the night), the lead was double digits at 24-14. Simi Valley kept fighting to cut the deficit to single digits.

Lorne Jackson got a tough three-point play just before the end of the half to keep the Pioneers within shouting distance at 35-25. The score at the break was 37-26. Simi Valley started the third quarter scoring with a free throw to make it a ten-point ball game again but Villa Park steadily pulled away from that point on. Elisaldez nailed a three to make it 40-27; a three by Jackson made it 43-29 and the game seemed to be slipping away for the Pioneers. But Franklin got a three-point play and the home crowd was still cheering enthusiastically for a comeback with the score 43-32. But Villa Park left no doubt in the outcome by scoring 7 quick points, capped by another Elisaldez three-ball. The lead was a comfortable 51-34 after three quarters. However, the Pioneers had one more push at it as they cut the score down to 53-39 after a Tony Meza three-pointer very early in the final quarter. But Villa Park reacted by scoring 8 swift points before the Pioneers could blink.

Jackson's three-point play made it 61-40 with 6:08 left in the game. When Viney slammed down a dunk at the 3-minute mark it was 67-45 and the visiting Spartan fans went wild. Bender's free throw made it 73-48 for the largest lead of the game. The Pioneers managed to end with a bang as TJ Washington flushed down a dunk with two seconds left to end the scoring. Villa Park will now take on Dominguez in the Division IIAA semifinals on Tuesday. The winner of that game plays at the Pond on Saturday for the divisional title. Box Score:Villa Park (73): Law 10 (and 10 rebounds for his first double double), Johnson 15 (4 threes, 6 assists), Elisaldez 15 (2 threes), Bender 5, Viney 12 (6 reb, 5 assts, 6 blks), Cawthorne 8, Williams 8.Simi Valley (54): Brandon Simon 6 (2 threes), Tony Meza 5 (1), Lorne Bell 1, Jackson 15, Franklin 14 (7 reb), Spencer Feist 2, Bryan Randolph 5, Mike Meza 2, Washington 4.

Simi Valley 56, Chino Hills 47

Lorne Jackson posted 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists to lead Simi Valley (18-11) at Chino Hills (14-15). Bryan Randolph added 13 points in the victory. Nick Turner scored 16 points in the losing effort. Latimes.com

Simi Valley 56, Chino Hills 47
CIF-SS Division II-AA, second round
At Chino Hills
Highlights: Simi Valley — Lorne Jackson scored a game-high 19 points and had eight rebounds, and Bryan Randolph scored 13 points. Collin Franklin finished with 10 points for Simi Valley, which will play host to No. 1 Villa Park on Friday. venturacountystar.com

In a second-round II-AA game featuring two upset winners, Simi Valley (17-11) travels to Chino Hills (14-14). Simi Valley upset No. 11 seed Mark Keppel and Chino Hills beat No. 6 Edison in the opening round.

Simi Valley 63, Keppel 60 Bryan Randolph scored 19 points and Collin Franklin had 15 points for visiting Simi Valley.

Despite a six-point third quarter, Simi Valley beat Mark Keppel of Alhambra in a Division II-AA first round playoff basketball game. Collin Franklin led Simi Valley (17-11) with 15 points and Brandon Simon scored 14. Simi Valley will play Chino Hills in the second round.

DON’T FEAR THE MASKED MANLorne Jackson, left, of Simi Valley tries to get a shot past Valencia’s Brandon Duarte during Wednesday night’s CIF Division IIAA wild-card playoff game at SVHS. The Pioneers won the game, 53-43, and advance to play Mark Keppel on the road tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the first round.

Pioneer boys’ basketball team takes down Valencia; hits the road tonight Simi wins despite ‘sloppy’ performance, coach says.

By Steve Ames Special to the Simi Valley Acorn

After playing a boys’ basketball wild-card game at home Wednesday night in which they had to hold on to stave off the Valencia Tigers of Placentia, the Simi Valley Pioneers will face the Mark Keppel Aztecs tonight in the first round of the CIF-Division IIAA playoffs.

Against Valencia, Simi Valley won, 53-43, after having built its lead to 20 points, 48-28, early in the fourth quarter. “In Mark Keppel, we know they’re small and quick and probably going to play a game like we had to play (Wednesday) in the fourth quarter,” SVHS head coach Christian Aurand said. “So it’s not going to be long before we get tested in the same way. In that fourth quarter, we’re going to just have to be a lot better.”

Senior forward Bryan Randolph led the Pioneers with 13 points, senior center Collin Franklin scored 10 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and had two blocks, and sophomore guard Lorne Jackson added 10 points. Senior guard/forward Ray Magee led Valencia with 16 points. Franklin led Simi Valley in rebounds and had another doubledouble. “He’s continued to play well,” Aurand said. At halftime the Simi Valley coaches told their players not to give the Tigers any hope of a comeback in the second half.

“To (Valencia’s) credit, they kept battling and trapping,” Aurand said. “We threw the ball away too much and let them back in the game. When you get on one of those rolls, it’s kind of like a slippery slope.” The Pioneers got off to a 6-0 first-quarter start and weren’t scored on until 5:30 remained in the opening quarter. But with 3:25 remaining in the first quarter, the Tigers went ahead, 7-6. As the quarter ended, Simi Valley had the edge, 11-7.

Valencia crept up early in the second quarter and knotted the score at 14 with 5:05 on the clock. But the Pioneers went ahead 1514 and were never again on the short-end of the score. By the halftime intermission, the Pioneers were up 31-20. Simi Valley scored only nine points during the third quarter— to the Tigers four—as the home team took a 40-24 lead.

“We did enough for the win and we’re pleased about that,” Aurand said. “We’re not pleased about how we finished it off, and we’ve got to get better there and make better decisions. “We were sloppy,” the coach said. “We were fortunate that we were able to do enough to get the win and we’re going to have to correct that if we think we can go on the road and win.” With the victory, the Pioneers will take a team record of 16-11 into tonight’s game. Simi Valley was 9-5 in the Marmonte League. Valencia finished the season with an overall record of 18-9 after an Empire League record of 6-4.

Aurand was pleased with Bell’s performance against the Tigers.
“Bell did a great job defensively on Magee,” Aurand said. “He’s a tremendous athlete. (Bell and Magee are) two outstanding football players and we needed Lorne to go in there and stop that kid, and he did a great job. “(Magee) only scored six points in the first half and he got some buckets late and some free throws, but Lorne did a great job shutting him down and giving us a chance to win.”

Simi Valley has advanced to four championship games and made four semifinal appearances during the last eight years. That includes the 2003-04 team that— after taking third place in league play—won three consecutive playoff games before losing in the semifinals to the Marina Vikings, 47-43. Playing Keppel, the Pioneers will face a team that was 19-7 overall this season.

Simi Valley will encounter a team that includes a strong pair of senior guards, Jonathan Chu, who scored 537 points, including 110 points on 3-pointers, and Henry Hoang, 299 points.

Going into the playoffs, Franklin was averaging 13.2 points per game (331 points total) and had a 6.7 average per game for a 167 total in rebounds along with an average 2.1 blocks (53 total) in 25 games.
Jackson averaged 11.6 points (290 points total) and had a 2.9 average in assists and steals, garnering 73 of each in 25 games.
Randolph grabbed 158 rebounds in 26 games.

Bell averaged 3.3 assists per game during the regular season.
Junior guard Brandon Simon had 42 3-point field goals, a 1.6 average per game, and a 2.5 average in assists with 65 in 26 games.
Senior guard Tony Meza had 26 3-point field goals in 26 games.
Meanwhile, Aurand said he expected Simi Valley to make the most of the practice time yesterday as it prepared for Keppel.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to work on those things, go on the road Friday and play better,” he said. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

Simi Valley 53, Placentia Valencia 43
latimes.com : Sports : High School

Collin Franklin had 10 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks to lead the Simi Valley High boys' basketball team past visiting Valencia of Placentia 53-43 in a CIF-Southern Section Division II-AA wild-card playoff game Wednesday.

Bryan Randolph scored 13 points and Lorne Jackson added 10 for Simi Valley (16-11). Simi Valley will play at Mark Keppel in the first round on Friday.
Overview: Program is making its 23th consecutive postseason appearance. Pioneers were 5-2 in games decided by four points are less. Franklin was one rebound and two blocks short of a triple double against Agoura. The Pioneers have won six of their last eight games.

Simi Valley goes into the playoffs hosting Valencia Placentia in a Div II-AA wild card game on Wednesday.

Simi Valley, returning to the playoffs for the 23rd straight year, caught a break. As the fourth seed out of the Marmonte League, the Pioneers drew a wild-card game Wednesday at home against Valencia/Placentia. Should it defeat Valencia, Simi Valley will play No. 11 seed Mark Keppel on the road on Friday. Three wild-card teams will play highly seeded opponents.

In Simi Valley's last league game, Simi beat crosstown rival, Royal High 71-58. Lorne Jackson had 11 points 6 rebounds

The Simi Valley boys lost to Thousand Oaks 62-58. Brandon Simon had 22 points, including 6 3-point buckets. Collin Franklin added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Lorne Jackson had 12 points 4 rebounds 2 assists and 2 steals.

Simi Valley 67, Newbury Park 56

Colin Franklin scored 19 points on eight-of-11 shooting from the field and had 10 rebounds to lead Simi Valley (14-10, 8-4) past visiting Newbury Park, now 5-7 in league play. Teammate Lorne Jackson added 11 points, five rebounds and a career-best ten steals in the victorious effort. Jordan Cameron had 25 points in the loss for the Panthers. Simi Valley is currently tied for first place with Westlake in the Marmonte League standings.

The Simi Valley boys’ edge Agoura, 70-69. Pioneer highlights - Lorne Jackson scored 16 points. Collin Franklin had 15 points, 9 rebounds and 8 blocked shots.

Boys BB: Simi Valley Wins Key Road Game
Dave Keefer CaliforniaPreps.com Publisher
While Calabasas and Thousand Oaks battle it out for supremacy in the Marmonte League, the rest of the league is positioning for the playoffs. Simi Valley enhanced their chances with a big road win at Newbury Park Wednesday night. Lorne Jackson fueled a big third quarter for the Pioneers by scoring nine of his team-high 17 points.

Los Angeles Daily News
By Sean MartinSpecial to the Daily News
Thursday, July 14, 2005 - Youth prevails: With 10 players from last year's team having graduated, Simi Valley High hopes several impressive sophomores can come in and fill the void.
Lorne Jackson, a 6-foot-2 guard, and 6-3 forward Michael Meza were starters last season for the 23-1 junior varsity.
"Lorne is a very complete player," Simi Valley coach Christian Aurand said. "I think he can make some big noise in the next couple years. He's been impressive all summer. Michael can shoot the ball, but is a threat inside as well. We are very fortunate to have them both."
Jackson and Meza have started for the Pioneers the entire summer. Langston Jackson, Lorne's twin brother, and Spencer Feist have also gotten significant playing time in the summer before their sophomore seasons.

Simi Valley boys’ basketball squad says balance will create success By Steve Ames Special to the Simi Valley Acorn

The three aforementioned players will mix in with a group of guys from a junior varsity team that went 23-1 last year. “They had an outstanding year,” the coach said. “We’re hoping that we can mix those three, a good strong point guard, an inside player and a shooter—mixed in with some of the others. We have a lot of nice, young talent.” Aurand said sophomore guard Lorne Jackson is an outstanding player now playing way ahead of sophomore level. “He’s going to be one of the better players in the league.”

Simi Valley 58, Agoura 57 (OT) Lorne Jackson scored on a bank shot to force overtime and Spencer Feist put in layup with 1.3 seconds left in the extra frame to lift host Simi Valley (7-7, 1-1) past Agoura (9-5, 1-1). Jackson ended with 12 points and teammate Bryan Randolph had 19 points and 13 rebounds. Conner Faught netted 13 points for Agoura

Chargers can’t seal the deal vs. Simi Valley By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

Twice, the Agoura boys’ basketball team had Simi Valley right where they wanted them Tuesday night in the Pioneers’ gym. But the Chargers let Simi slip away both times.Following a late foul in regulation, Agoura’s Matt Speciale put his team up, 50-48, with 8.2 seconds remaining after converting the front end of a one and-one. Speciale missed his second foul shot and Simi Valley’s Lorne Jackson took the ball the length of the court before hitting a running jump shot as time expired. Jackson’s basket sent the game into overtime.
It also sent the small Simi Valley crowd into a frenzy.
“If we could have been a little more patient, used the clock a little better in the final seconds, we probably could have beat them in regulation,” AHS head coach Joe Riccio said. “But it didn’t happen. Simi did a great job.” Monday,

Rivalry renewed Simi and Royal set to do battle By Steve Ames Special to the Simi Valley Acorn

While the records give the advantage to the Simi Valley boys’ basketball team (8-9 overall, 2-3 Marmonte League) over the Royal Highlanders (5-12, 0-5), coaches of both teams see tonight’s game at Simi Valley as even.
Last season the Highlanders won the first game, 48-41. The Pioneers won the rematch, 59-58. Simi-Royal, you can throw the records out,” said Pioneer head coach Christian Aurand, “You know they will come to compete. Craig (Royal head coach Craig Griffin) is doing a great job. We know he’s going to bring some fire and some energy and get out of it. It’s always fun. I remember playing myself. It’s a great rivalry.”
Simi Valley sophomore guard Lorne Jackson said he enjoyed playing against the Highlanders junior varsity team and anticipates the same tonight.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “There’s so many people and there’s a big, big rivalry in our town. I’m really looking forward to that game.”

Regarding Jackson, Aurand said that he’s “obviously somebody we’re excited about. He has a great feel for the game even as a sophomore. He’s an exciting player and our best scorer as a sophomore. He can get to the rack. When you have a player like that, it causes the defense to rotate.
“It leaves the easy baskets. He’s coming into his own. As a young player you kind of have to fall into that role. Other teams are beginning to respect him offensively. He definitely has the ability to create not only for himself and open his teammates up.”
Jackson, leading the Pioneers with a 12.2 points per game, has a history of playing with and against Highlander sophomore guard Derick Haught.
“He used to be on one of my teams (the Simi Valley Blue Devils), so I’m looking forward to playing against him,” As he works on his game through the season, Jackson said that he lets “the floor of the game take me to wherever I have to go. I don’t really think usually on the court. I do whatever I can do at that point in time.”


Friday, Jan. 13, 2006

Simi Valley 77, Royal 61 Collin Franklin had 22 points and seven rebounds and Brandon Simon added 17 points for host Simi Valley (9-9, 3-3), which led 32-29 at halftime. Lorne Jackson also had 10 points. Derick Haught had 31 points for Royal (5-13, 0-6).

Monday, Jan. 9, 2006

Simi Valley 64, Moorpark 62 (OT) Lorne Jackson scored 19 points and Collin Franklin added 14 points for visiting Simi Valley (8-8, 2-2), which benefited from a timely three-pointer by Lorne Bell in overtime to stay ahead. In the closing seconds of regulation, Bryan Randolph scored on a pair of free throws to give Simi Valley a three-point lead before Moorpark's Sam Adams made a three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime

At Agoura Friday, Jan. 27, 2006 Simi Valley 70, Agoura 69
Highlights: Simi Valley — Lorne Jackson scored 16 points 4 boards and 5 assists and Collin Franklin had 15 points, nine rebounds, and eight blocks. Simi Valley — Justin Nouri scored 24 points and had 15 rebounds. James Hession scored 13 points.
Records: Simi Valley 12-9, 6-3 Marmonte League; Agoura 12-9, 4-5.

Boys' Basketball
Simi Valley 64, Moorpark 62 (Ot)
At Moorpark
Highlights: Moorpark ' Kris Nash and Sam Adams scored 15 points. Simi Valley's Lorne Jackson had 16 points and Collin Franklin and Bryan Randolph added 12 apiece. Records: Simi Valley 8-8, 2-2 Marmonte League; Moorpark 7-10, 0-4.

Calabasas victory an inside job, defending Marmonte League champion uses its size to earn key win over Simi Valley By Loren Ledin lledin@VenturaCountyStar.com January 7, 2006

The flash has been replaced by the crunch.
Star point guard Drew Housman has graduated, so the Calabasas High boys' basketball team relies on its array of tall inside players and wide bodies to crash the boards, dominate the paint and control the tempo. The formula worked Friday night as 6-foot-6, 245-pound senior Mike Aguilar scored 23 points and 6-6 Ryan Delgizzi tallied 15 points to spearhead the Coyotes to a 67-57 victory over host Simi Valley High

Sophomore guard Lorne Jackson led Simi Valley with 16 points, including seven in the final quarter, and Collin Franklin finished with 12 points.

The Pioneers hit on 1 of 8 shots in the first quarter and only 5 of 19 in the opening half.
Calabasas opened the lead to 43-22 in the third period, then held off a late Simi Valley surge that trimmed the deficit to 55-46 with just over two minutes remaining.

Monday, Jan. 30, 2006

MARMONTE LEAGUE Calabasas 61, Simi Valley 60 Redmond Parker scored on a layup off an out-of-bounds play with 6.5 seconds left to give the Coyotes (18-4, 10-0) the Marmonte League victory at Calabasas. Simi Valley (12-10, 6-4) was close to pulling off the upset behind the play of Collin Franklin, who finished with 14 points. Shane Foster had 14 points for Calabasas.

About the Simi Valley Basketball Academy
SVBA has been training players in grades 6-8 since June of 2004. Brandon Simon and Lorne Jackson are Simi Valley High School sophomores who came through the academy a year ago. But playing in the Simi Valley recreation league and the Ventura County Youth Basketball Conference wasn't challenging enough, according to president Tim Bruen.