Westlake Duo Too Much for Muir, 86-77

Many people anticipated a Muir-Simi Valley rematch in the Southern Section 4-A final. But Westlake High’s Paul Keenan and Rick Welch want another shot at Simi Valley themselves. If the shots continue to fall like they did Tuesday night, they just may get it.

The two Warrior seniors combined for 58 points in Westlake’s 86-77 win over Muir in a second-round game at Thousand Oaks High.

Westlake, the second-place team from the Marmonte League, lost to league-champion Simi Valley twice during the regular season. Muir whipped Simi Valley in the 4-A final last season and is upset about as often as it hails in Westlake Village, which it did Tuesday.

Westlake stormed to a 12-point halftime lead and sealed the win by making 12 free throws--all on one-and-one situations--in the last two minutes.

Keenan, a forward, and Welch, a guard, made 16 of 18 free throws and 21 of 31 shots between them.

“Rick and I were unconscious,” Keenan said. “Whatever we threw up went in.”

Westlake led by 11 after three quarters, but Muir pulled to within 72-68 with 2:20 left on a shot off an offensive rebound by Jamal Smith.

The Mustangs began fouling the Warriors, however, and Welch, Keenan and Jim Henderson each made four free throws down the stretch. The game was won when Muir (20-4) began creating one-and-ones for Westlake (19-7).

“That’s our forte,” Westlake Coach Roy Gilmore said. “Rick, Paul and Jim are all 80% free-throw shooters.”

Westlake made 28 of 34 free throws. Keenan finished with 38 points, which tied a school record set by Cary Peterson (now an assistant coach at Westlake), and Welch had 20. While Keenan’s points came on an assortment of baseline jumpers, bank shots and layups off the break, most of Welch’s baskets came from long range.

Westlake took control in the second quarter by outscoring Muir, 28-17, after being tied, 13-13, after one period. Kevin Logan, a 6-5 junior forward, came off the bench to spark the Warriors.

Logan assisted a Keenan basket to give Westlake a 15-13 lead, then grabbed four rebounds and scored six points in the next five minutes. After Logan’s run, Westlake led, 37-23.

Muir cut a 16-point Westlake lead to 41-30 in the last 30 seconds before halftime. Derek Brown hit a long jumper, Kirk Wagner--who led Muir with 24 points--hit a free throw after being fouled following an offensive rebound, and Joe Brumfield made a basket with five seconds left in the half.

“I knew Muir wouldn’t quit because they sort of expect to win,” Gilmore said. “But our guys have played against this type of competition and were not intimidated.”

Said Keenan: “Having played Simi Valley twice definitely helped our confidence tonight. Playing Simi again in the Sports Arena is a dream, but I’d better just think about our next game.”

Before Westlake meets Fontana in Friday’s quarterfinal, though, the Warriors will savor this, their second-ever playoff victory. The first was last Friday’s win over Hawthorne.

“This is the biggest win I’ve ever had,” Gilmore said. “Our seniors look at the playoffs as a chance to redeem ourselves. We didn’t have a super regular season.”

Welch, who averages 12.5 points a game, made eight of 10 field-goal attempts and Keenan, who averages 16 points, made 13 of 21.

Brown matched Welch shot for shot from the outside until the final minute, when he missed an off-balance 10-footer with Westlake leading, 78-70. Keenan grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. And of course, he made the free throws.

Keenan, who also led the Warriors with seven rebounds, played all but one minute. With four seconds left, a Westlake fan stood and shouted to Gilmore, “Take Paul out. We want to give him an ovation.”

Gilmore obliged and Keenan, who is Westlake’s single-season point leader, received a loud clap for the thunder he provided all night long.