Thomas, Moorpark Outperform Antelope Valley

A fellow named Thomas seemed destined to play an important role in Moorpark College’s game against host Antelope Valley. However, few figured it would be Moorpark’s Roger rather than Antelope Valley’s Dedan.

Roger Thomas, Sam Crawford’s lesser-known running mate at guard, convinced any doubting Thomases in the crowd with 13 first-half points and 22 total points in 13th-seeded Moorpark’s 85-76 upset of fourth-seeded Antelope Valley on Wednesday night in the second round of the Southern California regional of the state tournament.

Antelope Valley’s Thomas scored a quiet 10 points on four-of-13 shooting, and high-scoring Antelope Valley (27-7) was held to nearly 20 points below its 95.7 points-a-game average.

“The motto for this game was pay-back,” said Moorpark Coach Al Nordquist, whose team had lost an earlier game at Antelope Valley, 81-66.

In that November match-up, Antelope Valley blew open a close game in the final minutes, but Crawford and Bruce Watson made sure there would be no deja vu this time.

With Moorpark leading, 74-71, and less than two minutes to play, Watson made what both coaches called the critical play of the game.

Antelope Valley had rebounded an errant Moorpark shot when Watson flashed in, stole the ball and made the layup.

Suddenly, instead of having the ball with a chance to tie, Antelope Valley trailed by five and was forced to foul.

The Marauders fouled Crawford, who responded by making seven of eight free throws in the final minute and finished with a game-high 23 points.

“Moorpark did a very good job of scoring in critical situations,” Antelope Valley Coach Newton Chelette said. “Every time we made a run, 22 (Thomas) or 34 (Watson) seemed to hit a critical three.”

Watson made four three-point shots in scoring 17 of his 20 points in the second half. Thomas made nine of 16 from the field.

“We were tight at first,” Chelette said. “I don’t think we got the game in the tempo we are comfortable operating at.”

Paul Ernst led Antelope Valley with 19 points.

Moorpark center Greg Taylor scored 12.

The Raiders blanketed the perimeter, limiting Antelope Valley to eight three-point baskets.

Moorpark (23-10) will play at Golden West on Saturday night for a berth in the final eight of the state tournament.