SIMI VALLEY GIRLS’ TOURNAMENT : Westlake Still Perfect After 47-44 Victory Over Ventura

Usually it has taken the girls’ basketball team at Westlake High a handful of games before it figured things out and hits its stride.

The notoriously slow-starting Warriors have bucked tradition this season by sprinting to a 6-0 record.

On Wednesday, Westlake, almost reverted to form.

The Warriors trailed through most of the game before coming back to beat Ventura, 47-44, in the quarterfinals of the Simi Valley tournament.

Westlake, which had crushed the Cougars by 21 points earlier this season, trailed by eight at the half and by four entering the fourth quarter.

The Warriors, who are expected to make a run for the Marmonte League championship, quickly took over, going on a 10-2 run to open the final period. From there, they relied on the shooting of forward Melissa Gische to hold on.

Gische scored Westlake’s final eight points, including a pair of free throws with nine seconds left, and finished with 16 points.

“After beating them the last time, I think we came into the game a little cocky,” Gische said.

Her coach agreed.

“A lot of attention has gone their way and I think it got to their heads,” Nancy Bowman said of her players.

Westlake center Lauren Goldstine had 10 points, eight in the second half. Dani O’Byrne scored 16 for Westlake, which will meet Simi Valley on Friday in the semifinals.

In other tournament games:

Simi Valley 54, Arroyo Grande 50 (OT)--Christina Ruiz stole a pass and converted it into a layup to break a 50-50 tie with 27 seconds left in overtime.

The Pioneers (6-3) were led by center Josie Kosanke, who had 27 points, 15 rebounds and three steals.

Kosanke, who entered the game averaging 13 points, has scored 51 points in two games against Arroyo Grande. It was her 16-foot jump shot with 38 seconds left in regulation that sent the championship quarterfinal into overtime.

Lori Church of Simi Valley added nine points.

The Pioneer comeback spoiled a 21-point performance by Arroyo Grande guard Brenda Gammie.

Hart 76, Canoga Park 32--The game was a rout from the start. The Indians (10-1) led, 41-13, at the half, then cruised to the quarterfinal win.

Anjanette Dionne paced Hart with 21 points and Sara Wilson added 16. Eleven different Hart players scored.

Caryl Lee led the Hunters (3-2) with 15 points.

The Indians will meet Buena in a semifinal game Friday.

La Reina 56, Saugus 30--Heather Freeman scored 17 points to lead the Regents to a win in the consolation semifinals.

Janice Van Mourik shared game-high scoring honors with 17 for the Centurions, who were eliminated.

Santa Clara 50, Royal 43--Junior guard Jennifer Gutierrez led all scorers with 25 points to pace the Saints, the defending Southern Section 2-A champions, to a consolation quarterfinal win.

Angie Cole scored 12 points--all on three-point baskets--in a losing effort for.

Burbank 43, Reseda 37--The Bulldogs outscored the Regents, 12-6, in the first quarter, then played on even terms the rest of the way to win a consolation quarterfinal.

Tasha Johnson scored 16 points and teammate Renata Vavrusa added nine to lead Burbank, which will meet Santa Clara on Friday.

Reseda’s Denisha Jordan led all scorers with 18 points.

Buena 81, Newbury Park 40--This game was a rout from the start. The Bulldogs, ranked fourth in the state, jumped to a 46-19 halftime lead and cruised thereafter.

Buena forward Nicole Ellis led all scorers with 22 points. Jennifer Goodwin added 10 for Bulldogs (6-0). All 12 players scored for Buena.

Newbury Park (5-4) was paced by Marcie James, who scored 12 points.

The Panthers will face Canoga Park in the fifth-place semifinal, also on Friday.