Prep Basketball BOYS : Royal 63, Simi Valley 59

Ever since Royal High opened 17 years ago, Highlander fans have campaigned to change the name of Simi Valley to Royal Valley. Friday night at Royal, their team laid claim to the valley, the Spielman Gym floor and anything else that may have belonged to Simi Valley High, its cross-town rival.

Senior forward Joe Pugh scored 9 of the Highlanders’ first 11 points and went on to score a game-high 25 as Royal upset the Pioneers to notch only its second victory in the last eight meetings between the schools.

It was a moment that Pugh has thought about for a long time.

“Ever since I picked up a basketball for the first time, I’ve dreamed of playing against Simi and beating them,” said Pugh, who has grown up in Simi Valley. “This was by far my best game. I don’t want to leave the gym tonight.”

Pugh hit on 10 of 16 shots and teammate Mike Barry rebounded from a scoreless first half to score 12 in the second half. Guard Brent Tapia added 10 points.

Simi Valley’s high-scoring center, Mark Robinson, was held to four points in the first half and made only four of 12 shots in the game to finish with 15. Guard Mike Hankins came off the bench to lead the Pioneers in scoring with 20.

Royal, which broke a three-game losing streak, is 3-3 in Marmonte League play and 8-9 overall. Simi Valley, which entered the contest tied for the league lead with Camarillo, fell to 4-2 and 10-6.