http://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/la-preps-bbk07-rank,1,1685858.story?coll=la-util-sports-highschool
From the Los Angeles Times
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL
The Times' rankings
Staff writer Dan Arritt's rankings through games of Monday, Jan. 7, 2008:
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
January 8, 2007
Rk School (Rec.) Division LW
1
Taft (9-2)
City
3
2
Mater Dei (16-0)
Div. I-AA
4
3
Westchester (14-2)
City
2
4
Dominguez (9-2)
Div. I-AA
6
5
Campbell Hall (12-4)
Div. III-AA
7
6
Santa Margarita (16-1)
Div. I-AA
9
7
Fairfax (11-2)
City
1
8
Etiwanda (15-0)
Div. I-A
12
9
Riverside King (14-1)
Div. I-A
NR
10
Simi Valley (15-1)
Div. I-AA
21
11
El Toro (15-1)
Div. I-A
24
12
JSerra (13-4)
Div. I-AA
NR
13
Bishop Montgomery (12-4)
Div. II-AA
11
14
Gahr (12-3)
Div. I-AA
8
15
Compton (11-5)
Div. I-AA
5
16
Renaissance Academy (16-2)
Div. III-A
NR
17
Redlands (14-0)
Div. II-AA
NR
18
Capistrano Valley (14-4)
Div. I-AA
NR
19
Los Alamitos (11-5)
Div. I-A
13
20
Cor. Centennial (17-2)
Div. II-A
NR
21
Harvard-Westlake (12-4)
Div. I-AA
15
22
Upland (14-3)
Div. I-A
NR
23
Corona del Mar (10-5)
Div. III-A
NR
24
Palisades (16-2)
City
25
25
Chino Hills (14-2)
Div. I-A
NR
MARMONTE LEAGUE
Simi Valley 95, Newbury Park 73
Lorne Jackson's 28 points -- including 13 for 13 free throws -- combined with his 13 rebounds and eight assists sparked host Simi Valley (17-1, 6-0) past Newbury Park. Charles Benton scored 18 for Newbury Park. Simi Valley led, 45-34, at halftime.
The Daily News
Simi Valley finishes tough week with impressive win
After two big victories against Westlake and Thousand Oaks earlier in the week, the Simi Valley boys' basketball team still had enough gas left in the tank Saturday night in a 95-75 Marmonte League win over Newbury Park.
Lorne Jackson scored 28 points and had 13 rebounds to lead four Pioneers (17-1, 6-0) in double figures. All 12 players scored for Simi Valley.
"We started a little slow tonight but got going the in the second quarter," Simi Valley coach Christian Aurand said. "I am just glad to get out of this week with three wins."
Trailing 16-13, Simi Valley - ranked No. 12 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports - went on a 17-2 run, spearheaded by Jackson's 17 first-half points. Jackson finished 13 for 13 at the free-throw line.
Leading by 11 points at halftime, the Pioneers put the game away with a 9-0 run to start the third quarter, thanks to a 3-pointer and layup from Michael Meza. Meza finished with 11 points as did teammate Grant Keller. Junior transfer Brad Lewis scored 16 points, including three 3-pointers.
"Our key guys came through and the seniors did their job," Aurand said. "We just need to get some rest now and finish the last eight games strong."
Charles Benton had 20 points and Dalton Francis added 12 points and 12 rebounds for Newbury Park (7-11, 2-4).
- Jacob H. Pollon
Boys' basketball: Best of the best from my neck of the woods
So, we’re sitting around the office last week -- Editor Bob, Austin Knoblauch and myself --- chatting about the whole basketball scene when the topic of rankings came up. If I remember correctly, Knobs suggested we figure out the top 10 teams in the SF Valley/North region and list them accordingly. Thus, an idea was born. I’ll be doing the boys every Monday and Austin, the girls. So, without further delay, here it is:
1. Campbell Hall (15-4): No-brainer pick here. Jrue Holiday made the decision a whole lot easier.
2. Simi Valley (17-1): Lorne Jackson and the Pioneers are one of the few teams that could give C. Hall a run for its money.
3. Harvard-Westlake (14-4): Can make a big statement tonight with a victory over visiting Loyola.
4. Crespi (11-6): Struggling a bit at the moment. Then again, Celts always play better once postseason rolls around.
5. Oaks Christian (15-2): Matt Johnson can do it all, giving the Lions chance to win it all in the Tri-Valley League.
Dominguez captures 2007 MaxPreps Holiday Classic
By Joel Francisco
Scouts Inc.(Archive)
Updated: December 26, 2007
DEL MAR, Calif. -- In one of the most gut-wrenching championship games thus far this season, Dominguez pulled out a stunning 84-83 victory over a resilient Simi Valley Pioneer squad. Dominick LaCoste's putback off a an errant 3-point attempt by Darrell Espy with two seconds left captured the Dons the 2007 Maxpreps Holiday Classic.
The Dons built an impressive 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter by utilizing their outstanding depth, a suffocating defense and dominating the glass. However, things began to unravel for them in the fourth due to a lack of composure (two critical technical fouls -- one of those would be starter Bryce Cartwright's fifth and final foul).
But despite the Dons' failure to put the game away in the fourth, a more significant reason on why Simi Valley got back into the game was the awe-inspiring play of their outstanding point guard 6-1 senior Lorne Jackson (39 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds) who was brilliant throughout the tournament.
Jackson, one of the fastest rising seniors in the West, ventured his way through the Dons' pressure making one impressive play after another. His ability to read the defense and make savvy decisions consistently is what separates him from most point guards in the country.
However in the end Dominguez would pull out the dramatic victory and capture its second tournament championship of the season (Amare Stoudemire Invitational Classic being the other). The Dons' leading scorers were steady 6-2 junior Myron Green (20 points) and scorer deluxe 6-7 junior Jordan Hamilton (15 points).
Along with Jackson, the Pioneers, who by the way are one of the most well-coached teams I've seen this season, received great performances by 6-4 Michael Meza (18 points) and 6-2 Brad Lewis (16 points).
Updated: December 26, 2007
DEL MAR, Calif. -- In one of the most gut-wrenching championship games thus far this season, Dominguez pulled out a stunning 84-83 victory over a resilient Simi Valley Pioneer squad. Dominick LaCoste's putback off a an errant 3-point attempt by Darrell Espy with two seconds left captured the Dons the 2007 Maxpreps Holiday Classic.
The Dons built an impressive 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter by utilizing their outstanding depth, a suffocating defense and dominating the glass. However, things began to unravel for them in the fourth due to a lack of composure (two critical technical fouls -- one of those would be starter Bryce Cartwright's fifth and final foul).
But despite the Dons' failure to put the game away in the fourth, a more significant reason on why Simi Valley got back into the game was the awe-inspiring play of their outstanding point guard 6-1 senior Lorne Jackson (39 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds) who was brilliant throughout the tournament.
Jackson, one of the fastest rising seniors in the West, ventured his way through the Dons' pressure making one impressive play after another. His ability to read the defense and make savvy decisions consistently is what separates him from most point guards in the country.
However in the end Dominguez would pull out the dramatic victory and capture its second tournament championship of the season (Amare Stoudemire Invitational Classic being the other). The Dons' leading scorers were steady 6-2 junior Myron Green (20 points) and scorer deluxe 6-7 junior Jordan Hamilton (15 points).
Along with Jackson, the Pioneers, who by the way are one of the most well-coached teams I've seen this season, received great performances by 6-4 Michael Meza (18 points) and 6-2 Brad Lewis (16 points).
Standout Players
Lorne Jackson (6-1, 175) Senior, Simi Valley, Calif. Jackson was originally going to be listed as one of my surprise selections, but his play was far too impressive for that category. Like D.J. Gay (current freshman at San Diego State) displayed during the 2006-07 season, no player's stock is elevating quicker in the West than Jackson. Jackson is the quintessential point guard for the next level. Although he isn't the quickest or the fastest, his savvy and craftiness with the ball is beyond his years. He makes great decisions at both ends and is one of the more impressive competitors and leaders that I've seen during the 2007-08 season. His passing ability is excellent and most importantly he rarely turns the ball over. In addition, he is one of the rare prospects in high school that takes what the defense gives him. Although he is a pass-first point guard, he can score effectively (39-point outburst against Dominguez) either off the bounce or the 3-point jump shot. Jackson is unsigned and it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up at a high-major program for the 2008-09 season.
