Westlake Pulls Even With Agoura, 53-44

It was but one play, yet it was the play.

With the Marmonte League title in the balance and the game absolutely up in the air, Westlake High’s Matt Smiley and Steve Aylsworth decided enough was enough.

With less than 2 minutes to play and Agoura ferociously clawing back from a 10-point deficit, Smiley batted away an attempted entry pass. Aylsworth scooped up the loose ball and launched it over his head downcourt, where as if on extra-sensory cue, Smiley streaked for an uncontested layup.

The play gave Westlake a six-point lead en route to a 53-44 victory at Agoura.

“They’re our prime-time players,” said Westlake Coach Greg Grayson, whose team (17-4, 10-3) jumped into a first-place tie with Agoura (13-9, 10-3).

“We just came together and looked for each other at the end,” said Aylsworth, who scored five of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. “That was the turning point right there.”

Smiley finished with 16 points.

The Chargers were led by Ben Richardson’s 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The key to the game was Westlake’s defense, which held Agoura to 19-of-55 shooting, only 34.6%. The Chargers scored only six points in the second quarter.

“You can’t shoot like that,” Agoura Coach Kevin Pasky said. “That was from indecision and people making mental errors.”

Despite the poor play, the Chargers closed to within 44-42 on Richardson’s turnaround jump shot with 2:33 to play.

Aylsworth hit two free throws to make the score 46-42 and then connected with Smiley for the key play.

Westlake can clinch at least a tie for first with a victory at home Friday against Simi Valley (19-4, 9-4). Agoura plays at Royal (15-7, 9-4) and also can clinch at least a tie for first with a victory.