Golden West Rustles Up an 84-80 Win Over Valley

On the playoff scale, Golden West College’s 84-80 victory over Valley Wednesday night was a sizable tremor.

Golden West, which finished third in the Orange Empire Conference and was seeded 12th in the Southern California regional of the state junior college basketball tournament, leveled the Monarchs in a second-round game at Valley.

The Rustlers (23-10), who defeated Pasadena in a first-round game, will meet Moorpark on Saturday for a berth in the final eight of the state tournament.

While an upset, Golden West’s win over Valley was hardly shocking. The teams split two games earlier this season--both close, hard-fought battles.

“We’ve played these guys about eight times in the last three years and it’s been a son-of-a-gun every single game,” Golden West Coach Jim Greenfield said.

Valley (22-11), seeded fifth in the regionals, had plenty of chances to win Wednesday, but the Western State Conference champion was hurt by turnovers, poor shooting and the Rustlers’ clutch free throws down the stretch.

Valley committed 21 turnovers and shot only 41% from the field in the second half. Monarch guard Andre Harrell, the WSC Player of the Year, was three of 11 from the field and finished with 12 points. Harrell scored only five points in the second half and missed five of six shots.

Even so, Valley was in contention throughout and led on many occasions. The Monarchs, behind the play of forward Shawn DeLaittre (23 points, 15 rebounds), led, 20-9, in the early going. But Golden West took its first lead, 36-34, on the final basket of the first half--a driving layup by Ric Van Scoyce.

Valley took a 46-40 lead in the second half, and when Rustler center Alex Kreps went to the bench with his fourth foul less than four minutes into the half, the Monarchs appeared to be in good shape.

Valley was still ahead, 50-46, when Golden West put together a 13-4 run. But Valley regained the lead, 68-67, on a bank shot by Steve Ward, who scored 21 points off the bench, hitting eight of 12 shots.

Van Scoyce then scored eight of Golden West’s next 10 points as the Rustlers broke to a 77-70 advantage with one minute 20 seconds to play. Valley stayed close, and a three-point basket by Ward cut Golden West’s lead to 82-80 with 29 seconds left.

Rustler guard Tom Dever sank two free throws with 24 seconds to play to clinch the victory. Golden West hit 11 of 14 free throws in the final 3:28.

Van Scoyce led all scorers with 27 points.

“I can’t get these kids ready to play. I knew what was going to happen and I couldn’t get them prepared for it,” Valley Coach Jim Stephens said. “I just don’t do a good job anymore. I don’t have the patience. I take the blame.”