Camarillo Rises Above League Foe in Semifinal

Some of the questions concerning the legitimacy of the Newbury Park High basketball team perished Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Thousand Oaks tournament.

Going in, the Panthers had won their first 6 games, but against somewhat questionable competition. Critics lifted wary eyebrows. Newbury Park was, however, considered a favorite in the Marmonte League.

It was established Wednesday that Newbury Park can be beaten. Instead, a new question has arisen: How good is Camarillo?

The Scorpions defeated league rival Newbury Park, 64-59, and will meet Thousand Oaks, an 80-75 winner over Pioneer, in tonight’s final at 8:30

Camarillo sophomore David Harbour scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Scorpions to their fifth win in 7 decisions. The losses were in their final 2 games of last weekend’s tournament in Page, Ariz.

“We tried to make this game turn it around,” Harbour said. “It felt good to beat them and show we’re going to be up there when league time comes around.”

John Harbour, the Camarillo coach and David’s father, might even toss it back, given the opportunity.

“I think I’d rather have two in league than this one today,” Harbour said. “I don’t know, we might have gotten their dander up.”

Indeed. Wayne Cook, Newbury Park’s leading scorer and rebounder, said the loss might have come at a good time.

“I think we’ll be more ready (next time),” he said. “We were going into games thinking we were going to win--not giving them as much credit as they deserve. It just makes us more determined.”

Cook scored 12 points and grabbed 2 rebounds--far below his season averages of nearly 25 and 10, respectively. The lack of production was a result, in part, of the 3 fouls he was assessed in a 16-second span midway through the first quarter. Another reason was Camarillo forward Jason Hunt who, Cook said, “was in my shirt all night.”

Playing it close to the vest was John Harbour’s plan. His offense was dictated by an aggressive defense that stifled the Panthers, who shot 43% (21 of 49) from the field. Camarillo scored the first basket and never trailed.

Four times Newbury Park came within 5 points in the fourth quarter, but each occasion the Scorpions answered with points. Harbour scored their final 4 points from the free-throw line.

Frank Dews added 15 for Camarillo and Scott Foster had 12. Kevin Loveall led Newbury Park with 16 points and had a game-high 11 rebounds. Tim Lane scored 13 points for the Panthers, who play Pioneer (3-1) at 7 tonight for third place.

In other tournament games:

Thousands Oak 80, Pioneer 75--Darren McMaster scored 29 points, including 2 free throws with 15 seconds left in overtime, as the Lancers advanced to the championship game against Camarillo.

John Bushart, whose free throw with 2 seconds left in regulation forced the overtime, added 19 points for Thousand Oaks (4-2).

Oxnard 39, Calabasas 35--The Coyotes were able to control the tempo but converted only 1 field-goal attempt in a 2-point third quarter and lost in the consolation semifinals.

Jim Friedlander and Greg Waugh each scored 12 points for Calabasas (3-5).

Agoura 61, Alemany 48--Sophomore Sean Martin scored 30 points--15 in the third quarter--to lead the Chargers to their second victory, in the consolation semifinals.

Behind point-guard Jon Beauchemin (21 points), Alemany scored 15 consecutive points in the second quarter in the midst of an 18-2 run.