Westlake Rally Beats Thousand Oaks, 68-58

Westlake High got revenge and, more important, control of its destiny by beating Thousand Oaks, 68-58, in a Marmonte League basketball game Wednesday night.

The Warriors (15-6, 6-3), who lost a 49-47 decision to Thousand Oaks earlier this season, trail the second-place Lancers (12-8, 7-3) by a half game. Both teams trail Simi Valley (22-1, 10-0). The top three teams make the playoffs.

“That one was definitely a nice one for us,” Westlake Coach Roy Gilmore said. “We had to beat them.”

Trailing, 37-27, early in the third period, Westlake got back in the game quickly on several fast-break baskets. Meanwhile, Thousand Oaks center Jon Walker sat out more than five minutes with four fouls.

But even when Walker returned with 6:14 left in the game, Westlake scored 14 unanswered points to take a 55-48 lead with 3:29 to play.

“We started off slow, but the guys hung in there and came back,” Gilmore said.

THOUSAND OAKS--Schlossman 4, Watson 17, Walker 16, Martin 15, McLaughlin 2, McKinnon 4.

WESTLAKE--Keenan 8, Henderson 16, Heckmann 23, Welch 14, Cangelosi 6, Logan 1.