SIMI VALLEY vs NEWBURY PARK

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).

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.

Simi vs Thousand Oaks

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.

SV vs Westlake - Grudge Match

Sports
Simi Valley 88, Westlake 86 (OT)

Senior point guard Lorne Jackson scored 14 of his 37 points, including the game-winning shot with 15 seconds remaining in overtime, and senior forward Mike Meza scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter for Simi Valley (15-1, 4-0), which came back to tie the game against visiting Westlake (10-6, 1-3) after trailing by 15 at 63-48, at the end of the third quarter. Jackson went 13 for 17 from the free-throw line and had nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Meza added eight rebounds and four blocks, including one at the end of regulation to force overtime, and teammate Brad Lewis hit a key three-pointer in overtime and finished with 13 points. Andres Svennefiord had 27 points and Adam Kolodney added 24 points for Westlake.

Simi Valley holds off Westlake
By Zachary McVicker Correspondent

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Westlake High's T.J. Hennessey watched his 3-point attempt at the buzzer hit the back iron, carom a few feet in the air and then barely miss coming down into the basket.
The shot summed up Westlake's upset bid of Marmonte League boys' basketball powerhouse Simi Valley.
Oh, so close.
Lorne Jackson's go-ahead basket with 17 seconds left and Hennessey's missed 3-pointer clinched an 88-86 overtime victory for host Simi Valley on Monday night.
The basket capped a frantic comeback by Simi Valley. Trailing 50-33 at halftime and 63-48 at the end of the fourth quarter, Simi Valley outscored Westlake 31-16 in the final period to force overtime, where Jackson sealed the victory with his layup that made the score 88-86.
Jackson was fouled on the play, but missed the free throw. Hennessey, however, just missed as time expired.
"We know all the teams in the league are going to come out and play their best game against us," said Jackson. "We can't have slow starts like we did tonight."
Simi Valley improved to 15-1, 4-0 in league, while Westlake dropped to 9-7, .
Simi Valley overcame a subpar first half in large part because of Jackson, who scored 25 of his 37 points after halftime.
The senior guard carried his team for large parts of the half — as Westlake's matchup zone frustrated fellow stars Mike Meza and Brad Lewis — penetrating off the dribble and getting to the foul line.
For good measure, Jackson nearly notched a triple-double by adding nine rebounds and eight assists.
Simi Valley needed all of it, because Westlake played a almost-flawless first half. Westlake was able to break Simi Valley's 2-2-1 zone press time and time again, leading to open 3-pointers for Adam Kolodney, who had five in the first half, and easy layups for Andreas Svennefiord.
Svennefiord, who finished with 27 points before fouling out, scored 19 in the first half on 9-of-10 shooting.
Kolodney added 19 in the first half as well, finishing the half by burying three 3-pointers in the final 3:37 to give Westlake all the momentum going into halftime.
"We played a perfect first half," said Westlake coach Tom Donohue. "We shot very well and we were creating turnovers out of our zone."
Westlake staved off a comeback before finally letting its lead slip away in the fourth quarter, as Simi Valley finally started to create turnovers as its press led to easy baskets.
"We played with a lot more intensity in the second half," said Jackson. "We had a lot more movement on offense and were putting a lot more pressure on them on defense."
"We knew they were going to make their run because they are a good team." said Donohue.
"We just started missing more of our shots and they started making more."
Meza and Lewis finally got going in the second half, finishing with 16 and 13 points respectively. Lewis hit a huge 3-pointer in overtime to make the score 81-78 with 3:37 to play, while Meza helped cool off Svennefiord in the second half.
Kolodney finished with 24 points for Westlake, while Kyle Olandt added 13 and Alec Hess had 11.
2008 Ventura County Star

Marmonte League Games - SV vs Moorpark

Simi Valley 75, Moorpark 47
Lorne Jackson had 16 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals for Simi Valley (14-1, 3-0), ranked No. 21 by The Times, against visiting Moorpark (10-5, 1-2).

Simi Valley beats Moorpark by 28
By Roman Veytsman, Special to the Daily News
Article Last Updated: 01/04/2008 10:35:09 PM PST

There would be no letdown for the Simi Valley boys' basketball team following its run to the championship game of the Maxpreps Holiday Classic.
Behind Brad Lewis' 19 points, Lorne Jackson's floor game and the inside presence of Mike Meza, the Pioneers blew out Moorpark 75-47 and further solidified themselves as the favorite to win the Marmonte League.
"Before the season we said we're gonna go undefeated in league so we're gonna try to keep that up," Jackson said.
Coming into the matchup, Simi Valley (14-1, 3-0) had a sour taste in its mouth, both from its last game, a last second 84-83 loss to Dominguez of Compton, its first of the season, and last season when the Pioneers lost four of their last six league games to finish third.
"It kind of seems like they have some unfinished business and they've got some seniors that are hungry," said Moorpark coach Adam Wohlstattar, who's known Simi Valley coach Christian Aurand since the two were in the fifth grade.
Jackson, one of those seniors added seven rebounds, seven assists, and six steals to his line of 14 points, a game after dropping 39 on Compton Dominguez. Meza another senior added 17 and like Jackson and the rest of Simi's starters sat out the fourth quarter.
After Mike Meza picked up a technical foul in the second quarter, and was forced to go to the bench with three personal fouls, Simi Valley went on a 22-1 run to close the half and extended the lead to 52-25.
"I think the strength of the team is your depth," Aurand said.
For Jackson and his teammates, anything lower than a first place finish would be unacceptable this year. They haven't won the league since 2000, Aurand's first season.
"I'll be honest, any team has a chance to compete with Simi, but maybe not," Wohlstattar said. "They've got a pair in Meza and Jackson that are experienced, that are hungry, that will do anything coach Aurand says."

Torrey Pines Xmas Tourney - 1 pt. & 1 second from Championship!!!

Press-Telegram
Two could enter tourney spotless


frank.burlison@presstelegram.com

High school hoopla
I saw nearly every top team in Southern California in December, most of those on multiple occasions thanks to tournaments at Redondo Union (Pacific Shores), Westchester, Ocean View (Tournament of Champions) and Torrey Pines (Max Preps/Torrey Pines Holiday Classic).
I'll give you a few of the exceptions in a few moments.
The best teams I watched were (in approximate order): Taft, Dominguez, Simi Valley, Fairfax, Westchester, Santa Margarita, Campbell Hall, Compton, JSerra and Gahr.

The 10 players that impressed me the most when I watched them last month were (alphabetically) Jerime Anderson (Anaheim Canyon), Keion Bell (Pasadena), Demar DeRozan (Compton), Jordan Hamilton (Dominguez), Jrue Holiday (Campbell Hall), Lorne Jackson (Simi Valley), James Rahon (Torrey Pines), Renardo Sidney (Fairfax), Klay Thompson (Santa Margarita) and Casper Ware (Gahr).

UCLA-bound Malcolm Lee (J.W. North) and future North Carolina Tar Heel Larry Drew (Taft) certainly rate among the "10-best" players in Southern California. But neither played as well when I saw them (at the Westchester and TOC events, respectively) as I know they are capable.

Rehashing Torrey Pines
Simi Valley (which blew out Compton in a semifinal and then lost the 84-83 gut-cruncher in the final to Dominguez) and its exceptional - and unsigned by a college - point guard, Lorne Jackson, were the biggest surprises during the four days of the 16-team, National Division of the MaxPreps/Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.
Simi Valley, a member of the Marmonte League, is smallish (6-4 Michael Meza is its tallest starter). But, with Jackson quarterbacking its pressing and trapping defense and its up-tempo and back-cutting offense to perfection, Simi Valley figures to make a very deep run in the CIF Southern Section IAA playoffs.
How deep a run?
I think the Pioneers should be considered, along with Dominguez, Mater Dei and Santa Margarita, as one of the division's four strongest championship contenders.
The 6-foot Jackson is supposedly a very good student and figures to be pursued by just about every college program across the country in need of a quality point guard this spring.
As dynamic as Jackson (39 points) and his teammates were against Dominguez Saturday night - and they would be 14-0 right now if not for Dominick Lacoste's follow shot with two seconds to play - the Dons have only themselves to blame for not winning by a double-figure margin.
Three Dominguez players were called for technical fouls, each time while the Dons were in possession of the ball.
Besides gaining possession, the Pioneers converted each of the six (two per technical) free throws they received. And they knocked in 3-pointers on the last two of those possessions - including the one that gave them an 83-82 advantage with 27 seconds remaining.
Do the math, guys, and take it as a lesson - minus a loss - about the importance of staying in control of on-court emotions.

Ronnie Flores CalHiSports Managing Editor
The past two seasons have been disappointments for the Dominguez boys basketball program. The Dons were competitive as they always are under veteran coach Russell Otis, but their season ended before they would have like both years after Otis coached the Dons to their fifth state title, and the first in his second tour of duty with the Compton program, in 2004 and to a SoCal regional final in 2005.
Even with a roster full of newcomers, the Dons were placed at No. 18 in the Rivals.com Preseason FAB 50 National Rankings. Prep basketball insiders knew that if this talented unit meshed under Otis' guidance, they had a chance to return to the level they displayed back in 2004 when they won their sixth state title since the 1995-1996 season. The Dons lost by 16 points to preseason No. 16 Taft of Woodland Hills early in the season, but it now looks like Otis' deep unit is starting to jell after winning the National Division title game of the MaxPreps/Torrey Pines Holiday Classic with a thrilling 84-83 victory over Simi Valley on Saturday night. With the title game win, Dominguez (ranked No. 6 in the latest state rankings but likely to move up) upped its record to 10-1 with a rematch with Taft on the horizon on January 5. "That may be the best team in Los Angeles," Campbell Hall coach Terry Kelly told MaxPreps after the Dons routed his club 76-53 in the semifinals. "I know Taft beat them earlier this year but the way Hamilton is playing with such confidence and the way the supporting cast is improving, that team is going to be hard to beat."Simi Valley (which entered the game ranked No. 19 in the state) looked like it might pull off the upset and run its record to 14-0 after taking a 83-82 lead on a three-pointer by Michael Meza with 21.9 seconds left. That clutch shot by Meza gave the Pioneers their first lead of the second half after they rallied from a 13-point deficit over the course of the final period and a half. On the Dons' last possession, tournament MVP Jordan Hamilton (18 points, 12 rebounds) drove the lane and kicked the ball out to a wide-open Darrel Espy for a three-pointer. Espy missed the potential game-winner, but Dominguez junior Dominick Lacoste secured a rebound over teammate Myron Green and banked in a shot with one second remaining to give his team the improbable one-point victory. In defeat, Simi Valley had nothing to hang its head about as they played a terrific game and showed why it will take a near perfect effort to beat Dominguez the rest of the regular season. Hamilton, a talented wing forward who played last season at Dorsey of Los Angeles, might have been the tourney MVP, but the best player on Saturday night was Simi Valley's Lorne Jackson, a senior point guard. He netted a career-high 39 points and also stuffed the stat sheets with five rebounds, seven assists and five steals in a losing effort. Simi Valley was able to keep Dominguez within striking range by nailing 25 of 28 free throws, including 20 of 22 by Jackson. Jackson's all-tourney performance was aided by Meza, who also was an all-tournament pick and finished with 19 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. Brad Lewis chipped in 16 points for Simi Valley. Green scored a team-high 20 points and was joined on the all-tournament team by Hamilton and Bryce Cartwright, who fouled out with just under 40 seconds remaining and was replaced by Lacoste, whose last-second heroics gave him eight points in the title game. Hamilton scored 24 points in the dominant semifinal victory over Kelly's squad at Campbell Hall, which came into the tourney ranked No. 8 in the state. UCLA recruit Jrue Holiday netted 21 points for the Vikings in a losing effort. Holiday was not thrilled with his team's effort against the Dons and they rebounded to take the third place game, 70-62, over an up and down Compton High team. In a balanced effort, Holiday finished with 18 points, point guard Dallas Rutherford netted a team-high 20 points and sophomore post James "Duece" Johnson added 17. Compton, who was led in defeat by Mr. Basketball candidate and USC recruit Demar DeRozan with 23 points, was not only trying to avenge an earlier loss to Campbell Hall at the Ocean View Tournament of Champions, but trying to erase the memory of an embarrassing semifinal loss to Simi Valley. In that game, the Pioneers led 33-12 after one quarter and at one point led by 40 points before wining by a 85-59 margin. Lewis canned six three-pointers for the Pioneers and finished with 25 points while DeRozan was held to a tourney low 17 points. He averaged 31.5 points per game (126 points) as Compton (ranked right behind Campbell Hall at No. 9) finished 2-2 at the event. Eads: Simi Valley proves it belongs in company of state's elite

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

On the questionnaire distributed by MaxPreps Holiday Classic officials, the boys' basketball coaches are asked to request placement in one of the four divisions.
For the first time in seven years, Simi Valley High coach Christian Aurand made his team's case for elite 16-team National Division.
"I told them that we weren't big," said Aurand, "but we had good guard play."
Simi Valley (13-1) proved it belonged. The Pioneers ripped off wins over Torrey Pines, the top-ranked team in San Diego, Campolindo and Compton before dropping an 84-83 decision to nationally ranked Dominguez in the championship game.
Dominguez, ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation in three polls, beat Simi Valley by scoring off an offensive rebound with one second left in the game. Against Compton, Simi Valley limited USC-bound DeMar DeRozan, who had scored 86 points in the first two games of the tournament, to 17 points. Lorne Jackson averaged 28.5 points in the tournament. Brad Lewis and Michael Meza had 91 and 80 points, respectively. The loss to Dominguez ended what is believed to be the program's longest winning streak (13 games) to open a season. The last time Simi Valley made the upper-division field at Torrey Pines was 1999. Simi Valley lost to Mater Dei by two points in the first round. The two teams met again that season in the Division I-A championship game, won by Mater Dei, 53-39.
Simi Valley's body of work in its first 14 games will likely increase the program's value as one of the state's best teams. "We knew that we were going to be good," said Aurand. "Any time that you return two first-team All-County players like Lorne and Michael, you have a chance. Brad (Lewis) has been great. And we have nice supporting cast from players like Spencer Feist, Danny Cox, Paul Williams and Grant Keller. "Sometimes you have lulls in a season. This team has put its pedal to the metal right from the start of the season and haven't let up."
Foremost on Aurand's mind is Friday's Marmonte League home game against Moorpark.
"That is the most important game for us right now," said Aurand.
"We want to win our league. We have fallen short in the last few years (Simi Valley's last Marmonte title came in 2000)."
Four league losses in a five-game stretch cost Simi Valley last season.
"We want to learn lessons from what happened last year," said Aurand.
Streaking: The last area boys' basketball team to open its season with 13 straight wins was Oaks Christian.
— Derry Eads' e-mail address is deads@VenturaCountyStar.com.
2008 Ventura County Star

Varsity Times Insider -->

Lewis making an impact for Simi Valley basketball
Simi Valley has to be considered one of the bigger surprises on the Southern California basketball landscape this season. And Brad Lewis has been one of the bigger contributors for the Pioneers, who opened plenty of eyes last week by nearly knocking off Compton Dominguez in the title game of the Torrey Pines tournament.
Lewis transferred from crosstown-rival Royal a season ago and was a mainstay on the Simi Valley junior varsity team because of transfer rules, despite having the potential to make an impact at the next level. The junior guard is making the most of his opportunity this season, playing alongside Lorne Jackson and Mike Meza, shooting 52% from the field and averaging 19.4 points a game.
"Having Brad in the lineup adds another dimension to our offense. It's like we have a three-headed monster out there on the court,'' Coach Christian Aurand said. "Brad is a scorer. He wants the ball. He has zero fear. He's very talented, extremely versatile, the kind of kid that gets better with every game.''
The Pioneers, as a whole, seem to get better with each game too. Can't imagine opposing teams in the Marmonte League not noticing the improvement. It appears as if Simi Valley was deserving of its No. 21 preseason ranking in The Times, and Lewis is largely, though not solely, responsible for the Pioneers' unexpectedly good start.