Simi’s Sophomore Jinx Beats Hueneme

It is the dawn of the Don and Shawn era at Simi Valley High.

Sophomores Don MacLean and Shawn DeLaittre, who aren’t even in the starting lineup, dominated play in the Simi Valley Tip-off Tournament for the second night in a row Thursday as Simi smothered Huenene, 91-68.

And Simi Valley Coach Bob Hawking is glad that hometown fans are able to witness the development of his prodigies. The inaugural tournament may have been spawned just to let Simi fans fawn over MacLean and DeLaittre.

MacLean scored 24 points and had 14 rebounds, while DeLaittre had 22 points and 12 rebounds.

“Usually we begin the season in a tournament at a foreign gym,” Hawking said. “Having our own tournament allows us to open up in a friendly environment.”

MacLean and DeLaittre entered the game with 3:20 remaining in the first quarter for the second straight night and quickly assumed control. Each had eight rebounds in the first half as Simi took a 36-19 lead.

Hueneme was more physical than Fillmore, the team Simi stompped Wednesday by 68 points, but the Vikings scored only one point for every two Simi scored until midway through the third period. Hueneme cut the gap to 63-41 with one minute remaining in the third quarter, but two baskets by MacLean restored order. A remarkable 57 points were scored in the torrid third period.

Senior forward Gus Gates, a transfer from Palo Alto, added 18 points for the Pioneers.

Notre Dame 52, Royal 50--Royal was edged on a 14-foot shot by Notre Dame’s Josh Oppenheimer with 20 seconds remaining in the game. The loss by Royal eliminated a possible intracity final to the tournament.

“The shot was off our normal offensive pattern,” Oppenheimer said.

Royal’s offense consisted mostly of perimeter shots. The Highlander’s setup resembled a doughnut--there was nothing in the middle. John Perak (6-6, 215) and Alex Horosny (6-2, 205) clogged the middle for Notre Dame, and they were hardly cream puffs.

HUENEME--Tate 27, Nunnery 9, Fukaye 4, Powell 8, Smith 4, Spencer 6, Secrest 8, Castaniero 2. SIMI VALLEY--Gates 18, Erwin 2, Jenner 2, Hanlins 11, Smoot 2, MacLeans 24, DeLaittre 22, Bice 10. NOTRE DAME--Horosney 5; Oppenheimar 14; Perak 16; Heicke 7; Escala 1; Brewster 9. ROYAL--Tapia 15; Noone 3; Yarrell 4; Blanks 4; Greene 6; Velasquez 2; Woods 12; Wade 4.