Schnell’s Return Gives Camarillo Spark, 69-55

For nearly one month, Rick Schnell could only sit and watch his Camarillo High teammates struggle without a point guard who could provide offensive help and much-needed leadership.

With Schnell sidelined after he underwent an emergency appendectomy Dec. 19, the Scorpions, preseason favorites to win the Marmonte League, opened league play with three losses in their first four games.

But Schnell traded his street clothes for a basketball uniform Friday night and played a key role in Camarillo’s 69-55 win over Simi Valley at home.

“Every game it just bugged me that I couldn’t do anything about what was happening,” Schnell said. “So I had my mind set to give it my all.”

Schnell’s effort proved to be the difference for Camarillo (11-6 overall, 2-3 in league play). The 5-foot-10 senior scored 10 of his 14 points in a 31-point Camarillo outburst in the fourth quarter.

Add Scott Foster, who missed more than a month because of mononucleosis but grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots against Simi Valley, and Camarillo seems back on track.

“We’re an entirely different team with them in the lineup,” Camarillo Coach John Harbour said.

Their presence was a relief to David Harbour and the rest of the Scorpions.

Harbour, who leads Valley players with a 28.2 scoring average, finished with a less-stressful 21. Leonard Lopez added 11 points and Brian Vellmure had nine points and five assists.

“We always worked hard, but we just seem to be more enthusiastic with Foster and Schnell in there,” David Harbour said. “I think we’ll be a different team from here on out.”

For Simi Valley (10-7, 2-2) its top players were hurt by early foul trouble.

Kenny Hood scored five first-quarter points but finished with only nine. Steve Carnes, Simi Valley’s leading scorer, made only four of 13 field-goal attempts and had 15 points. Mike Wawryk added 15 points and Mike Baity finished with 10.