SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Ventura Outpoints Westlake

Charles Dixon and Steve Aylsworth stared into space and spoke in monotone after the Ventura High boys’ basketball team staged comeback after comeback before beating Westlake, 100-95, in overtime Tuesday night.

The two players were so blase about the second-round, Division II-A playoff game at Ventura, it was as if they had instead spent the rainy night at home reading mystery novels.

Fact is, neither Dixon, who had 31 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots for Ventura, nor Aylsworth, had 37 points and five steals for Westlake, had any emotion left.

Who would after 19 lead changes and 10 tie scores in this do-or-die matchup? Well, Dixon should.

The Cougars (16-9), a fourth-place team from the Channel League, fought back from a 13-point deficit in the second quarter to upend the Marmonte League co-champion Warriors (16-9).

“This is probably the funnest game I played in in my life,” Dixon said. “I think we’re just used to these kinds of games.”

Dixon, a 6-foot-6 senior center, should have been sighing. While he and Donte Lincoln, a 6-6 senior forward who had 27 points, dominated the low post, nobody could stop Aylsworth.

Aylsworth, Westlake’s 5-10 senior guard, scored 24 points in the second half as he repeatedly exploded into the key for twisting, acrobatic layups. He also had four three-point baskets.

Aylsworth scored seven of Westlake’s 11 points in the four-minute overtime, but he was suddenly helpless after teammate Jason Gaines, who had 13 points, missed a jump shot and Lincoln made two free throws with 36 seconds left to give Ventura a 97-93 lead.

Westlake had to keep fouling to save time, but the Cougars put the game away by making 12 of 15 free throws in overtime.

“I felt we had control in the beginning, but they came back,” Aylsworth said. “It was a great game. They played unbelievable.”

Westlake made 52% of their shots but sank only three of 12 shots in overtime. Ventura, which trailed 44-31, shot 56%.

Not bad for a team that was 4-19 last season.

“We’re just playing with confidence now,” Dixon said.