Wawryk Grabs Rebounds; Simi Valley Collects Title

With one week to play in the regular season, Simi Valley High had to rebound from three Marmonte League losses in order to win a share of its fifth consecutive league title.

The Pioneers came through, defeating Thousand Oaks and Royal to enter the Southern Section 5-AA playoffs as the league’s No. 1 representative.

As for the rebounding, that’s where Mike Wawryk came through.

In a 63-56 victory over Thousand Oaks, the brawny 6-foot-6 center had 12. And in the 58-48 title-clinching win over intracity rival Royal, he collected a career-high 15. The victory kept the Highlanders from winning the championship outright.

“This was an example of a senior stepping up to meet the challenge,” Simi Valley Coach Dean Bradshaw said. “Mike was very determined. He plays with a great deal of emotion and it carried over to the other players.”

Thousand Oaks has no post player strong enough to fend off Wawryk, who also scored a game-high 24 points against the Lancers.

“Mike Wawryk really knows how to play underneath. I think he’s got to be the best inside player in the Marmonte League. He has the size, and his skills really hurt people,” Thousand Oaks Coach Ed Chevalier said.

Against Royal, Wawryk scored 12 points and helped out a defense that held Highlander standout Russell Myers to seven points.

“Mike’s play was big all week,” Bradshaw said.

Big enough in body to bang the boards and big enough in spirit to rise to a championship level when a proud tradition was on the line.

Along with fellow senior starters Steve Carnes and Kenny Hood, Wawryk can now pass on a streak of championships that began with the sophomore season of Don MacLean.