1993-94 TIMES ALL-VENTURA COUNTY BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM : PLAYER OF THE YEAR : Hartman Improved and Team Followed

The year-round commitment Jason Hartman made to basketball came full circle, exactly as he mapped it out.

The Thousand Oaks High senior with the rugged playing style and pleasant disposition once again led his team to a Marmonte League championship. And once again he is a member of The Times’ All-Ventura County team.

What about some gravy, a payoff for 12 months of diligence?

Hartman is the player of the year, following in the footsteps of teammates Paul Foster (1993) and Chris Loll (1991). Other winners have included Washington Bullets’ forward Don MacLean (Simi Valley, 1988) and UCLA guard Shon Tarver (Santa Clara, 1989 and ‘90).

After the 1992-93 season, in which he helped Thousand Oaks to a 27-3 record, Hartman played all summer for Los Angeles-based Team Avia against some of the top competition in the nation. His game--as well as his confidence--stepped up dramatically.

The improvement was duly noted by college recruiters and Hartman committed to Washington during the early-signing period.

The improvement also made Hartman the county’s dominant player.

Despite a midseason hand injury that curtailed his scoring, he averaged 18.9 points a game. Equally adept at driving the lane and shooting from long-range, Hartman displayed great offensive versatility.

He was also the league’s best on the boards, averaging 11.1 rebounds. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward was an intimidating presence, and he was not shy about throwing his weight around.

“I love a physical style,” he said. “I became more physical over the summer and it carried right over into the season. I’m sure I’ll be the same way at Washington.”

Thousand Oaks had won three consecutive league titles with Loll and brothers Paul and Nick Foster leading the way. This year it was Hartman’s turn and he transformed an inexperienced Lancer team into a league champion that finished with a 21-7 record.

“Jason’s leadership really emerged this year,” Coach Ed Chevalier said. “He asserted himself and did what it took for us to win.”

Thousand Oaks began the league season with two defeats, and after the second Hartman sat on the bench with tears of frustration in his eyes. He vowed to spearhead the changes necessary for the team to succeed.

The Lancers won 10 of their next 13 games to rack up their fourth league title in a row and advance to the second round of the Southern Section Division I-A playoffs.

From Hartman’s standpoint, the circle was complete.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM

Steve Aylsworth / G

Sophomore / Westlake

He started the season as the sixth man but ended up leading the Warriors in scoring (16.3 per game), assists (4.3) and steals (2.5). At 5-10, he was the shortest player on a 16-7 team. Aylsworth was at his best late in several key Marmonte League games.

Damian Cantrell / F

Senior / Santa Clara

Cantrell was the county’s most-improved player, going from sixth-man status as a junior to the driving force behind Santa Clara’s surge into the state playoffs. Cantrell, 6-4, was Frontier League tri-player of the year, averaging 22.5 points and 8.4 rebounds.

Manuel Escamilla / G

Junior / Santa Paula

Escamilla led the county with 78 three-point baskets. In his first varsity season, the 6-1 sharp-shooter paced Santa Paula to a 17-9 record and a second-place finish in the Frontier League. Escamilla was named tri-player of the year in the league.

Jason Hartman / F

Senior / Thousand Oaks

Hartman, The Times’ player of the year, is a returning member of the all-county team. Thousand Oaks won the Marmonte League championship all four years Hartman played for the Lancers. The 6-8 forward will continue his career at Washington.

John-Ryan Kern / F

Senior / Ventura

Kern, son of former Ohio State quarterback Rex Kern, was a bright spot in Ventura’s disappointing 10-14 season. He played three positions depending on the needs of the team, and averaged a team-high 17.2 points while playing outstanding defense.

Robbie Knight / F

Senior / Buena

Knight led Buena in scoring and rebounding, averaging 19.9 points and 9.5 rebounds. In a rebuilding season, Buena counted on Knight for clutch play and he responded. The team finished second in the Channel League and upset Thousand Oaks in the playoffs.

Peter Lauer / G

Senior / Thousand Oaks

Lauer, a three-year starter, provided a young Lancer team with experience. The 6-1 off-guard was the team’s best pure shooter and averaged 16.8 points. Lauer also led the team with 111 assists, becoming a well-rounded player who made few mistakes.

Mark Sebek / G

Senior / Nordhoff

Sebek, whose father Dick is the Nordhoff coach, led the county in scoring (24.5 points) and rebounding (11.2) despite playing for a team that was 8-16. The 6-2 three-year starter made 63 three-point shots and was Frontier League tri-player of the year.

Nathan Simmons / F

Senior / Simi Valley

Simmons was a solid rock in the Pioneers’ tumultuous season. The rugged 6-3, 180-pound Simmons, who also was an all-county football player, led the team in scoring with a 14.5-point average. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals.

Shawn Williams / G

Junior / Oak Park

Williams was the best of a talented group of players who led the team to its finest season. The Eagles were 22-3 and won their first Tri-Valley League title. The 6-3 Williams was the league’s most valuable player, averaging 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Times All-Star Basketball Rosters All-Ventura Boys

FIRST TEAM

P Player School Yr G Steve Aylsworth Westlake So. F Damian Cantrell Santa Clara Sr. G Manuel Escamilla Santa Paula Jr. F Jason Hartman Thousand Oaks Sr. F Robbie Knight Buena Sr. G Peter Lauer Thousand Oaks Sr. F John-Ryan Kern Ventura Sr. G Mark Sebek Nordhoff Sr. F Nathan Simmons Simi Valley Sr. G Shawn Williams Oak Park Jr.

Coach of the Year: Lou Cvijanovich, Santa Clara

SECOND TEAM

P Player School Yr F Sean Britt Rio Mesa Sr. F Eric Carlsen Royal Jr. G Jewells Eubanks Oxnard Sr. F Ryan Garth Oak Park Sr. G Micah Hansen Moorpark Sr. C Scott Ireland Newbury Park Sr. G George Jones Hueneme So. G Kevin Nathaniel Camarillo Sr. C Vernon Simmons Simi Valley Sr. F Rod Tepesano St. Bonaventure Sr.

All-Valley Boys

FIRST TEAM

P Player School Yr G Charles Adams El Camino Real Sr. G Trenton Cross Reseda Sr. C Pharoah Davis Highland Sr. F Al Lairson Palmdale Sr. G Arthur Lee N.Hollywood Jr. C Alex Lopez Campbell Hall Sr. G Greg Minor Canyon Jr. C Damon Ollie N.Hollywood Sr. G Richard O’Neill Crescenta Vly. Sr C Cody Patterson Hart Sr.

Coach of the Year: John Goffredo, Crescenta Valley

SECOND TEAM

P Player School Yr G Brock Jacobsen Crescenta Vly. Jr. F Ricky Steele Taft Sr. F John George Littlerock Jr. C Eddie Miller Chatsworth So. G Brian Laibow Agoura So. C Lamarr Thompson Sylmar Sr. F Jason Collins Har.-Westlake Fr. G Jerome Payton Palmdale Sr. F Jelani Janisse Kennedy Jr. G Kenyatta Niles Monroe Sr.