Cuppari Lifts Westlake Past Kennedy

Joey Cuppari established his reputation in football as one of the top wide receivers in the region, but his status as a basketball player is just beginning to develop.

The 6-foot-1 guard turned in his best performance of the season, scoring 31 points and grabbing five steals, and Westlake High defeated Kennedy, 71-55, to win the Westlake boys’ tournament on Saturday night.

Cuppari, who scored 83 points in four tournament games, was selected the tournament’s most valuable player.

“There are some quality guards in the Marmonte League, but we think he’s the best,” said Gary Grayson, Westlake’s coach.

Cuppari scored 11 points in the second quarterand the Warriors (4-2) opened a 34-26 halftime lead. He had 12 points in the third quarter, when Westlake put away the Cougars (4-1).

The Warriors also received strong performances from forward Michael Seidman with 12 points, Jake DeGennaro with 13 points and five steals and Kevin Howard with 10 points and six assists.

Seidman, a highly regarded 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end in his first week on the basketball team, was particularly impressiveunder the basket. He finished with 13 rebounds.

Kennedy was led by center Nana Gbewonyo with 14 points, Sun Kim with 11 and Montel Duhon and Trenton Doss each with 10.

Moorpark 71, Saugus 63--Kevin Lawrence scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Moorpark (4-2) in the game for third place.

Andrew Carlson had 13 points, Todd Tomlinson scored 12 and Keith Donahue finished with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds for Moorpark.

The Musketeers, who trailed 15-13 after one quarter, went on an 11-0 run early in the second quarter to take the lead for good. Moorpark led by as many as 17 points in the second half.

Saugus (4-5) was led by Matthew Bradley with 27 points, including 21 in the second half.

Poly 72, Calabasas 64--Forward Ellis Richardson scored 33 points for Poly (2-4) in the game for fifth place.

Richardson scored 19 points in the first half, when Poly opened a 36-30 lead.

The Parrots, who stretched their advantage to 45-32 early in the third quarter on a basket by Richarson, got 12 points from Harold Berreondo and 11 from Gabino Quiroz .

Calabasas (2-3), which led only once, 21-20, early in the second quarter, was paced by Huton Ghoreishi with 18 points, Andy Corcoran with 16 and Jason Miller with 15.

Royal 72, Van Nuys 55--The Highlanders (3-4) broke open a close game in the fourth quarter behind reserve Jon Ventling and point guard Dusty Cruz.

Van Nuys (0-6) trailed, 50-45, after three quarters and closed within 52-49 on a basket by Phillip Troung early in the final period.

But the Highlanders pulled away behind Cruz, who finished with 14 points, and Ventling, who had 12. Christian Ronquillo scored 12 points for Royal.

Van Nuys was led by Jesse Keane with 19 points and Abe Morabbi with 15.