ALL-VENTURA COUNTY FIRST-TEAM THUMBNAIL SKETCHES : Buena, Thousand Oaks Grab Awards After Taking Titles

Be they boys or girls, every varsity basketball player at Buena and Thousand Oaks highs this season was a champion.

Buena swept titles in the Channel League and Thousand Oaks did the same in the Marmonte League. The Thousand Oaks girls’ team went on to win the Southern Section Division I-A championship, beating (who else?) Buena.

Not surprisingly, the top Ventura County awards went to players and coaches from those schools.

The Frontier League produced six boys’ all-stars--a remarkable number considering the schools are smaller than those in the Channel and Marmonte leagues. A county-record four boys’ all-stars are from Santa Clara, a Southern Section divisional champion for the fourth consecutive season.

A look at the All-Ventura County players:

BOYS’ FIRST TEAM

Danny Alexander, Simi Valley: Thanks in large part to Alexander, the Pioneers were a force in the Marmonte League, finishing second and posting an overall record of 21-6. Alexander, the co-most valuable player of the Marmonte League, led the Pioneers in scoring with an average of 19.5 points. A versatile player who is comfortable inside or on the perimeter, Alexander averaged 6.6 rebounds.

Stevie Amar, Santa Clara: Perhaps the best college prospect among Santa Clara’s senior-laden team, Amar had team-leading averages of 15.7 points and 8.1 rebounds. Amar’s physical style enabled him to match up inside against taller opponents. He scored a season-high 25 points in Santa Clara’s last game, a 62-60 loss to San Diego Lincoln in the Division IV Southern regional final.

Art Barron, Santa Clara: Barron played point guard for a team that controlled the tempo of every game. Although he possesses the ability to score prodigiously, Barron played within Coach Lou Cvijanovich’s strict system and averaged 11.0 points. He led the Saints with averages of 4.2 assists and 2.6 steals. Barron scored 23 points in Santa Clara’s final victory, a 64-52 Southern regional win over Serra.

Andrew Borg, Thousand Oaks: Borg is a pure shooter, a player who on certain nights can score from outside seemingly at will. He was co-most valuable player of the Marmonte League and provided senior leadership for a young Lancer team that won its first outright league championship since 1977. Borg averaged a team-high 17.2 points and also had 2.4 steals.

Chris Cole, Santa Clara: In his three seasons as a starter, Cole never posted a double-figure scoring average. Yet he twice has shared the most-valuable-player award in the Frontier League and is the two-time Southern Section Division IV player of the year. The left-handed Cole is a superior athlete who gladly gave up personal statistics to help Santa Clara to a 27-4 record. He plays excellent defense and rarely commits a turnover.

Randy Martinez, Ventura: An intelligent player who uses his body well to gain position, Martinez was a rock for the Cougars. He averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds as Ventura posted a 20-6 record and finished third in the Channel League. Martinez, an award-winning artist, is being recruited by Cal Lutheran.

Isaiah Mustafa, Santa Clara: A two-year starter, Mustafa follows in the tradition of excellent defensive players at Santa Clara. A rangy athlete who jumps well, he takes immense pride in shutting down his opponent. Mustafa was the team’s second-leading scorer with an average of 13.0 points and third-leading rebounder with an average of 6.0. His shooting touch improved greatly from last season.

Joey Ramirez, Santa Paula: Ramirez is the primary reason the program has done an about-face. A perennial losing team, the Cardinals were 20-6 this season and advanced to the semifinals of the Division III-A playoffs. Ramirez, a red-hot scorer who averaged 22.2 points a game, was tri-most valuable player in the Frontier League. He averaged 7.0 assists and 3.0 steals a game.

Tim Sebek, Nordhoff: A prolific player in every respect for four years, Sebek finished his career with his best season, averaging 24.6 points a game. He was tri-most valuable player in the Frontier League. A swingman who often dominated games, he also averaged 11.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.7 steals. Sebek has set every meaningful record at Nordhoff, where his father Dick is coach.

GIRLS’ FIRST TEAM

Jamie Arundell, Fillmore: No other player in the Frontier League has skills comparable to Arundell, a post player who can bring the ball up the court with the best point guards in the league. Arundell led county players with an average of 16.5 rebounds a game and was second with a scoring average of 26.2 points. The junior center already is being recruited by Division I colleges and might be converted to off-guard.

Michelle Giordano, Buena: A sophomore who is beginning to develop into a dominant player, Giordano led the Bulldogs in scoring (15.4 ppg), rebounds (7.9) and blocked shots (54). She was the most valuable player of the Channel League and of the Simi Valley tournament. Giordano is perhaps the best weakside defensive player ever at Buena, but her specialty is shooting accuracy: She hit 54% from the field and made 82% of her free throws.

Lauren Goldstine, Westlake: Goldstine, a three-year starter at center for the Warriors, is the county’s all-time leading rebounder with 1,247. She had 374 this season--breaking her school record of 373 set last season--for an average of 13.4. She also led the team with a 22.7 scoring average. Goldstine, who will attend UC Santa Barbara on a basketball scholarship, carries a 4.0 grade-point average.

Shawanda Hotchkiss, Channel Islands: Although Channel Islands was not as strong as in recent seasons, Hotchkiss was a pleasant surprise, emerging as one of the county’s best guards. The sophomore is extremely athletic, has a quick release on her shot and can drive to the basket. Hotchkiss made a last-second shot to give the Raiders a win in the first round of the Southern Section playoffs.

Marion Jones, Thousand Oaks: Jones missed 14 games because of a wrist injury, but in the 18 games she played she was spectacular. A junior who is the nation’s fastest high school girls’ sprinter, Jones averaged 15.0 points, 9.9 rebounds and shot 61% from the field. She returned from the injury in time for the playoffs, helping the Lancers to the Southern Section Division I-A championship.

Denise Rea, Ventura: A two-time all-county selection, Rea rebounded from a lingering illness early in the season to lead Ventura to the Southern Section Division II-AA semifinals. The savvy forward possesses a wealth of big-game experience. She averaged 13.4 points and 9.8 rebounds, both team highs. Rea probably will attend Ventura College.

Tara Sanders, Santa Paula: Recognized primarily for a deft shooting touch, Sanders was second in the state with 62 three-point baskets. Perhaps more impressive is that she made 51% of her three-point attempts. The senior guard was chosen most valuable player of the Frontier League after helping Santa Paula to the league title and an overall record of 19-7. Sanders averaged 20.6 points, 4.1 assists and 3.2 steals.

Sasha Scardino, Thousand Oaks: A repeat all-county selection, the 5-8 Scardino makes up for a lack of height by positioning herself well and playing with tremendous enthusiasm. Scardino averaged 8.8 points and 8.9 rebounds. For a post player, she runs the court extremely well, often leading the fast break. Scardino will attend UC Santa Barbara.

Wendy Ward, Ventura: A three-year starter at point guard, Ward gave Ventura maturity in the backcourt. She averaged a team-high 6.7 assists and also scored 8.0 points a game. Ward might have been the best guard in the county at bringing the ball upcourt under pressure and avoiding turnovers. She is perhaps the best girl athlete at Ventura, excelling in track and volleyball in addition to basketball.

1991-92 STATISTICAL LEADERS: C12

ALL-VENTURA COUNTY SECOND TEAM: C12

ALL-VALLEY TEAM: C12