BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Channel Islands Helps Title Hopes

Seeking its first league title since 1974, the Channel Islands High girls’ basketball team took a long stride in that direction by rallying from an 11-point first-half deficit in a 58-56 victory Thursday night over two-time defending Marmonte League champion Thousand Oaks.

Thousand Oaks’ Michelle Palmisano did her best to thwart the Raiders, scoring a game-high 38 points, including 23 of 28 free throws. But with Thousand Oaks trailing, 57-56, with three seconds to play, the sophomore guard missed the front end of a one-and-one. Channel Islands Candace Carper rebounded the missed shot and made a free throw with one second left to preserve the win.

Center Sal Tauau gave Channel Islands (14-4, 4-0) a one-point advantage after sinking a pair of free throws with six seconds left.

Palmisano received the ensuing inbounds pass and drove downcourt under heavy pressure to the free-throw line.

Channel Islands claimed that the timekeeper started the clock late and time should have expired before Palmisano was fouled. After discussion by officials and both coaches, the time was allowed to stand at three seconds, but the issue became academic when Palmisano failed to convert the first free throw.

Danielle Brooks (19 points) gave the Raiders a 55-49 advantage when she hit a free throw after being fouled on a three-point basket with 1:57 left, but Palmisano hit a three-point shot and sank four free throws as Thousand Oaks (8-8, 1-2) reeled off six unanswered points to take a one-point lead with 24 seconds left.

Tauau was the dominant inside player with 17 points and 18 rebounds. And, of course, there were the clutch free throws.

“Sal is a class player,” Channel Islands Coach Ryle Lynch-Cole said. “There was no doubt in my mind she was going to come through for us on those free throws.”

Tauau wasn’t quite so confident.

“I was nervous, I didn’t know if the (free throws) were going in,” she said.

Channel Islands trailed, 27-16, with 4:47 left in the second period, but went on a 9-2 spurt to close to within four at the half.

In other girls’ games:

Simi Valley 73, Newbury Park 69--Tammy Pacheco scored a game-high 31 points and added nine rebounds and nine assists to lead Simi Valley (8-7, 1-2) to a Marmonte League victory at Newbury Park.

Simi Valley, which zipped to a 26-7 first-quarter lead, received 23 points and seven blocks from Josie Kosanke. Newbury Park (7-8, 1-3) was led by Marcie James with 23 points.

Alemany 40, San Fernando 33--Tori McCormick scored 16 points to lead Alemany (11-6, 3-0) in a key San Fernando Valley League game at Notre Dame.

Kim Fisher scored 11 points and Luisa Parra added 10 for Notre Dame (5-8, 2-1). Julie Nelson grabbed eight rebounds.

Chaminade 40, Louisville 37 (OT)--Maria Costa scored 20 points and teammate Jane Kim grabbed 14 rebounds as host Chaminade notched its first San Fernando Valley League victory.

Chaminade (5-5, 1-3) outscored Louisville, 6-3, in overtime.

Village Christian 40, Montclair Prep 16--Village Christian took a 13-0 lead after the first quarter en route to a win in an Alpha League game at Montclair Prep.

Pilgrim 59, Viewpoint 36--Ngozi Ogbunamiri had 25 points and 11 rebounds and teammate Laura Reid wasn’t far behind, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead host Pilgrim (8-2, 4-0) to a Heritage League win.

BOYS

Highland Hall 65, West Valley Christian 50: Robert Ramirez had 22 points, 12 assists and seven steals to lead Highland Hall (9-2, 3-0) in the Westside League game.

John Klejnot scored 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and Craig Ernst scored 16 points before suffering a possible season-ending knee injury in the third quarter. Ernst is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder.

Oak Hill 58, Einstein Academy 41--Mike Smith scored 31 points and Mario Loffredo had 17 rebounds for host Oak Hill (5-3, 3-3) in a Westside League game. Smith and Joe Green each had 12 rebounds.