BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Channel Islands Wins With Flair

The Channel Islands High girls are not interested in good theater, and they’re a little perturbed at playing these nail-biting basketball games. Give them a blowout filled with ennui rather than a dramatic finish any day.

“I just don’t feel the games should be this close,” Channel Islands Coach Don Salado said after Thursday night’s 56-51 victory over host Simi Valley.

“I feel we have better athletes than anyone else or they wouldn’t have picked us as the top team in the (Marmonte) League,” he added.

Salado had to be pleased with his team’s late free-throw shooting, which proved to be the difference. Channel Islands (12-2, 3-0) made 13 of 20 free throws in the final quarter.

After the Pioneers (9-6, 1-1) pulled to within 52-51 with just over a minute to play, Raider guard Shawanda Hotchkiss made one of two free throws. Teammate Mickie Liufau added three of four from the line in the final minute to clinch the victory.