Moorpark’s Second Effort Prevails, 79-63

Moorpark College defeated Valley, 79-63, on Wednesday in the first round of the Crown City tournament at Pasadena City College, but not before Valley shocked the 10-1 Raiders back down to earth.

The Raiders, who won the consolation final last season, are hoping to meet PCC in the Crown City final to avenge the single loss on their record. Moorpark lost to PCC in the Moorpark College Tournament three weeks ago.

Moorpark had to beat Valley (5-7) first, and it wasn’t as easy as the final score would indicate.

The shock came in the first half.

Despite a poor passing game in the first few minutes, the Monarchs jumped out to a 12-4 lead and after 10 minutes of the first half led, 24-12. Sophomore Mario Lopez, who is 6-7 and one of the better scorers for the Monarchs, went to the bench early with two fouls, but Valley was able to control the tempo of the game even with Lopez playing spectator.

“We had our second front line in there and they did a great job,” Valley Coach Virgil Watson said. “Then, when we brought Mario back in, we started playing poorly--not because of Mario, but because we started passing outside and not running the ball like we did when we had the lead.”

Moorpark didn’t really need help in falling behind. The Raiders hit only eight of 32 shots from the field and only 14 of 22 from the line in the first half.

“It was a funny game,” Moorpark Coach Al Nordquist said. “I told the team at halftime that we were playing out of sync. We never could have won the Mid-State tournament if we had played like that.

“We couldn’t get any passes off, we couldn’t get any shots off and we were lacking intensity on defense. They were playing like they were tired.”

It is doubtful that the Raiders were tired after returning from winning the Mid-State tournament Saturday. Moorpark didn’t practice Monday and had only a light workout Tuesday.

“We were like a car that needed a tuneup,” Nordquist said.

The Raiders regrouped as time was running out in the first half. After lagging by as many as 14 points, Moorpark scored 13 points in the last five minutes of the half and trailed by only two, 32-30, at the half.

“We came out in the second half with the intensity we needed,” Nordquist said. “That’s probably what won the ball game. Also, I think Steve Abraham held us together.”

Abraham, a 5-10 guard, had seven rebounds and eight assists.

While the Raiders found themselves in the second half--they hit 18 of 32 from the field--Valley was losing its way. The Moorpark defense held the Monarchs to just four points in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

“Sometimes you look for ways to lose instead of ways to win,” Watson said. “We came out looking over our shoulders and you can’t do that and win.

“They didn’t do it and that’s why they’re 10-1.”

Moorpark 30 49--79

Valley 32 31--63

MOORPARK--Berryman 30; Camp 23 and 8 rebounds; Abraham 12, 7 rebounds and 8 assists; Staples 7 and 11 rebounds; Channels 5; Inemer 3.

VALLEY--Lopez 6 and 5 blocked shots; Lewis 10; Harden 12; Goodrich 8; Fontenette 9; Stephens 4; Wright 7; Windham 8.