Simi Valley’s Title Streak Reaches Five

For the first time in five seasons, Simi Valley High’s stranglehold on the Marmonte League basketball title was on the verge of being loosened. It was time to gather the troops and talk about returning home with a share of a fifth consecutive title.

The Pioneers huddled before they took the court in front of a standing-room only crowd of more than 2,000 at Royal High on Friday. They talked about Coach Dean Bradshaw’s phrase, “The Drive For Five,” then parked in the winner’s circle with a 58-48 win.

The win enabled Simi Valley to tie Royal for the league title, Royal’s first since 1971, and left the Pioneers dreaming up yet another catchy phrase for the 1990-91 race.

“We got together by ourselves and said, ‘This is it,’ ” senior forward Kenny Hood said. “It was our last league game ever and we had to do it.”

Hood (14 points and 11 rebounds) and fellow seniors Mike Wawryk (12 points and 15 rebounds) and Steve Carnes (24 points) led an inspired Simi Valley effort. Carnes added eight assists and three steals and hit four of five free throws in the fourth quarter.

“Our seniors responded to the pressure,” Bradshaw said.

So, too, did the rest of the Pioneers. Simi Valley never trailed and held Russell Myers, the Valley area’s second-leading scorer at 24.6 points a game, to only one field goal and a season-low seven points.

“We wanted to deny him the ball and, if he got it, make sure we had a hand in his face,” Bradshaw said.

Hood was mostly responsible for Myers’ off-night, harassing the 6-foot-5 senior into a one-for-eight effort from the field.

“I came out to play defense on Russell and shut him down,” Hood said.

Simi Valley established itself from the start, jumping to a 6-1 lead on three jump shots by Hood. Royal pulled within two at 20-18 on Chad Smith’s bucket, but Carnes scored five of Simi Valley’s next seven points to give the Pioneers a 27-20 halftime lead.

Simi Valley extended its lead to 35-24 with 5 minutes 17 seconds left in the third quarter and Myers on the bench with four fouls. And, when Royal pulled within three at 37-34 on Smith’s basket with 2:32 left in the quarter, Carnes scored 10 points during a 14-5 run that gave Simi Valley a 51-39 lead with 4:55 left.

Royal pulled within six at 54-48 with 1:47 left, but Carnes converted two one-and-ones to secure the win.