Santa Monica’s Familiar Faces Leave Valley Feeling Estranged, 74-63

Valley College lost to the Valley.

Thanks to contributions from former Valley-area high school players, Santa Monica College defeated Valley College, 74-63, in a Western State Conference South Division men’s basketball game Wednesday night.

Damon Ollie, from North Hollywood High, scored 21 points, and former Campbell Hall standout Austin McKellar added 13 for Santa Monica (22-3, 4-1 in division play). Former Grant standout Ronald Patterson chipped in nine points for the Corsairs.

“I don’t know how it worked out that way,” said Ollie, who worked over Valley’s zone defense for 16 second-half points. “Kinda strange.”

Valley (18-9, 3-2) found the Corsairs’ defense to be a little weird.

The Monarchs had trouble with Santa Monica’s half-court trap. When they did settle into their half-court offense, the Monarchs couldn’t figure out the Corsairs’ zone defense.

“Our execution should have been better,” said Vernon Simmons, who scored 14 points for Valley. “That half-court trap messed us up.”

Valley made 11 of 27 shots (40.7%) in the first half and finished the game 22 of 50 (44%).

McKellar sank 11 of 13 free throws for Santa Monica, which made 18 of 21 in the second half, 27 of 36 in the game.

Valley converted seven of 12 from the line in the second half, 15 of 24 for the game.

“Hopefully, the second half of the [South Division] season will be a different story,” Simmons said. “We shouldn’t lose any games in my opinion.”

Valley, which trailed at halftime, 37-34, pulled to within 48-46 on Wil O’Neal’s alley-oop dunk with 12 minutes left. But Ollie scored on four of Santa Monica’s next five possessions to help forge a 59-51 lead.