Manliguis and Valley Get Their Points Across in Win Over Moorpark

The term “point guard” can be a bit confusing when one considers that the position generally has less to do with scoring points than creating them for others.

But Valley College floor leader Joey Manliguis took the literal definition of the term Saturday night, scoring a game-high 22 points to lead the Monarch men’s basketball team to a 59-51 Western State Conference victory at Moorpark.

Manliguis, normally content to dish off to guard Tory Stephens, Valley’s leading scorer, or to Oral Elrington and Andre Bouvay in the post, took matters into his own hands against Moorpark (12-10, 3-3). Manliguis, a freshman out of Cleveland High, scored 14 of Valley’s 30 first-half points, including 3 3-point baskets, then helped rally the Monarchs after they blew a 10-point halftime lead.

“People think Tory is our only outside shooter, but Joey can shoot the ball when he gets the shot,” Valley Coach Jim Stephens said. “They were leaving Joey open because they were sagging on the post. But as a point guard, his number one responsibility is to pass the ball.”

Manliguis did that as well, handing out 7 assists and grabbing 6 rebounds.

Valley (16-8, 6-1) led, 30-20, at halftime, thanks to Manliguis and the fact that Moorpark converted only 7 of 22 shots. But the Raiders came out strongly in the second half, scoring 12 consecutive points to take a 2-point lead.

“I was worried, but the kids stayed close and came back. They always do,” Stephens said.

Although Valley missed its first 10 shots and didn’t score a second-half field goal until 9:24 remained, the Monarchs hung close by converting 15 of 17 free throws in the half. They closed to within 40-39 on 2 free throws by Bouvay, then took the lead for good on a steal and layup by Sean Williams.

Manliguis made 2 free throws for a 43-40 lead, and a jump shot by Elrington put Valley ahead by 5.

The Monarchs built their advantage to 55-45, and Manliguis tacked on Valley’s final 4 points by hitting 2 free throws and a nifty turnaround jump shot off the dribble.

“It wasn’t pretty, but it was a ‘W’,” Valley forward Gerald Franklin said.

Tory Stephens had 13 points for Valley.

Moorpark was led by former Thousand Oaks High standout Bruce Watson, who scored 19 points. Guard Roger Thomas added 12 points for the Raiders.