Channel Islands Takes Marmonte Lead, 71-60

It wasn’t poetry in motion, but the Channel Islands High basketball team’s four-corner offense had its desired effects during the final eight minutes of the Raiders’ 71-60 Marmonte League victory over host Camarillo on Friday night.

Channel Islands made only two field goals in the fourth quarter, but hit 21 of 24 free throws, including a streak of 12. The Raiders were 30 of 42 from the line in the game.

“We’ve been doing four corners all year long, but it has cost us a couple of games,” said Stephane Brown, who scored a game-high 23 points and had 12 rebounds. “We tried to rush it because we think we’re a lot quicker than everybody. We had more patience tonight.”

Channel Islands (17-4, 9-2 in league play) took over sole possession of first place after Thousand Oaks fell to Royal, 54-48.

The teams will play tonight at Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks (17-4, 8-3) defeated Channel Islands in triple overtime in the first meeting in a game in which the Raiders’ four-corner offense didn’t pay off.

“We didn’t run it perfectly tonight, but it got us the free throws,” Channel Islands Coach Don Salado said. “It didn’t look very pretty, but it looked a lot better tonight than it has in other games. I’m happy as long as it works.”

Camarillo, which lost its fourth in a row, is 12-7 and 6-5.

Channel Islands led, 48-47, after three quarters but outscored Camarillo, 14-3, in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter.

Channel Islands scored eight unanswered points before Camarillo’s David Harbour scored his only points of the second half on a three-point basket with 2:44 remaining.

Harbour was limited to 15 points before fouling out with 1:48 left.

Channel Islands led, 35-32, at halftime after leading by as many as 11 points in the second quarter.

The Raiders, who led, 17-13, after the first period, extended their advantage to 26-15 on a short hook shot by Brian Schimelphing with 5:24 left before halftime.

Camarillo closed to within 30-28 with under two minutes remaining and had a chance to tie the score when Brown was called for an offensive foul on a drive up through the key. However, Freddy Tepesano and Brown were called for double technical fouls after a brief scuffle after the play.

Camarillo’s Marc Trerotola missed both technical foul shots and Channel Islands’ Marlowe Durmiendo, who finished with 14 points and six assists, made one of two. Channel Islands was awarded possession and Durmiendo was fouled after hitting a short jump shot and converted the three-point play to give the Raiders a 34-28 lead.

“We were mentally strong and didn’t let up,” Salado said. “We only have 24 hours to enjoy the win. Hopefully, we’ll be rested.”