Simi Valley 72, Thousand Oaks 67
Lorne Jackson's 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds and Michael Meza's 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks led Simi Valley (16-1, 5-0) past host Thousand Oaks (5-0).
The Daily News
Simi Valley overcomes Thousand Oaks' excitement for victory
By Roman Veystman, Special to the Daily News
Article Last Updated: 01/11/2008 10:54:31 PM PST
There was an air of excitement in Thousand Oaks on Friday night.
Two undefeated Marmonte League teams, two battling student sections, a completely packed building and television cameras abound.
Two-time defending Marmonte League boys' basketball champion Thousand Oaks is a team with no stars.
Simi Valley has two, plus a bunch of veterans who know their roles. The Pioneers want what Thousand Oaks owns. And this year's team, which has gotten off to the best start in school history, is poised to be the one to do it.
The stars aligned in the end for Simi Valley. Michael Meza, who had uncharacteristically missed five free throws, made two clutch ones down the stretch to seal a 72-67 win for the Pioneers.
"People said we were the team to beat and this proves it," Meza said. "This is the biggest game
in Marmonte."
With everyone in the gym standing and screaming, Meza said he felt his earlobes shaking when he stepped to the line.
"I said `I'm gonna make these man,"' Meza said. "I missed five of them, I gotta make these."
Simi Valley's other star, Lorne Jackson, led all scorers with 24 points. Just seconds earlier, with Simi Valley leading 68-65, he made two big free throws of his own.
After the Pioneers (16-1, 5-0) fell behind 47-43 - their biggest deficit of the game - they
responded with a 14-0 run. 
Meza scored in transition, Jackson followed with a layup, and then Jackson hit Meza for a 3-pointer. Grant Keller added two baskets and Brad Lewis, who had 14 points, knocked down a 3-pointer as well.
When Thousand Oaks (12-6, 4-1) - led by 17 points from Josh Morris - pulled within four, Simi Valley ran off seven straight points to extend the lead to 11. Meza rolled in a 3-pointer and Jackson added the exclamation point with a one-handed dunk.
"Coach tells us all the time stay consistent," Meza said. "If you get tired don't worry bout it, so when we're down we don't get worried."
At the end, the noise got lower and the crowd dispersed, just how Meza would want it.
"When we win it's all quiet and it feels good," Meza said.
Lorne Jackson's 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds and Michael Meza's 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks led Simi Valley (16-1, 5-0) past host Thousand Oaks (5-0).
The Daily News
Simi Valley overcomes Thousand Oaks' excitement for victory
By Roman Veystman, Special to the Daily News
Article Last Updated: 01/11/2008 10:54:31 PM PST
There was an air of excitement in Thousand Oaks on Friday night.
Two undefeated Marmonte League teams, two battling student sections, a completely packed building and television cameras abound.
Two-time defending Marmonte League boys' basketball champion Thousand Oaks is a team with no stars.
Simi Valley has two, plus a bunch of veterans who know their roles. The Pioneers want what Thousand Oaks owns. And this year's team, which has gotten off to the best start in school history, is poised to be the one to do it.
The stars aligned in the end for Simi Valley. Michael Meza, who had uncharacteristically missed five free throws, made two clutch ones down the stretch to seal a 72-67 win for the Pioneers.
"People said we were the team to beat and this proves it," Meza said. "This is the biggest game
in Marmonte."With everyone in the gym standing and screaming, Meza said he felt his earlobes shaking when he stepped to the line.
"I said `I'm gonna make these man,"' Meza said. "I missed five of them, I gotta make these."
Simi Valley's other star, Lorne Jackson, led all scorers with 24 points. Just seconds earlier, with Simi Valley leading 68-65, he made two big free throws of his own.
After the Pioneers (16-1, 5-0) fell behind 47-43 - their biggest deficit of the game - they
responded with a 14-0 run. 
Meza scored in transition, Jackson followed with a layup, and then Jackson hit Meza for a 3-pointer. Grant Keller added two baskets and Brad Lewis, who had 14 points, knocked down a 3-pointer as well.
When Thousand Oaks (12-6, 4-1) - led by 17 points from Josh Morris - pulled within four, Simi Valley ran off seven straight points to extend the lead to 11. Meza rolled in a 3-pointer and Jackson added the exclamation point with a one-handed dunk.
"Coach tells us all the time stay consistent," Meza said. "If you get tired don't worry bout it, so when we're down we don't get worried."
At the end, the noise got lower and the crowd dispersed, just how Meza would want it.
"When we win it's all quiet and it feels good," Meza said.
