Marmonte League winter sports prognosis

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Here’s my quick prognosis of the five winter sports in the Marmonte League this season. And, as always, if you disagree with me, don’t be afraid to let me know about it.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL -- Lorne Jackson, Mike Meza and the rest of the Simi Valley bunch are one of the best teams in Southern California, so no one is going to challenge the Pioneers for the league title. But the battle for second place and playoff positioning will fall between Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Moorpark and Agoura. Need a second opinion? Go here.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL -- Kris King and Erika Ward have been lighting it up over at Royal and the Highlanders are my favorite to beat Westlake for the title. Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark will duke it out for the league’s final two playoff spots.

BOYS’ SOCCER -- I’m picking Thousand Oaks to win the title even though defending champion Royal could make me eat those words with guys like Paris Figueroa and Kenton Boswell in the lineup. Of course, we can’t overlook Calabasas, which is off to a quick start. Newbury Park is looking good for the final playoff spot.

GIRLS’ SOCCER -- Defending champs Thousand Oaks have had a rough ride through tournament season and Royal and Agoura figure to be the top teams this season. The Lancers could be league champions again, or they might have to fend off Westlake, Calabasas and Simi Valley for third.

GIRLS’ WATER POLO -- Barring any freak incidents like a portal to another dimension opening up at the bottom of the Agoura High pool, the defending Division II champion Chargers will once again win the league title. And a lot of Agoura’s success has to do with the play of Loyola Marymount-bound Casey Flacks, who recorded 87 goals and 87 assists last season. Royal and Thousand Oaks will splash it out for second.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Information from www.filmandmedia.ucsb.edu