HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

Don’t remind any Marmonte League coaches of the playoffs last season.

All four playoff entries from the league--Newbury Park, Westlake, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark--were eliminated in the first round, a stunning reversal of fortune for one of the best leagues in the region.

“In my lifetime at Westlake, I can’t remember that happening,” said 11th-year Coach Jim Benkert.

Don’t look now, but the four teams have qualified again for the Southern Section Division IV playoffs, which begin Friday.

Second-seeded Westlake (9-1) has the easiest draw, playing at home against Dos Pueblos (3-7), which was outscored this season, 238-115.

But Newbury Park (6-4), Thousand Oaks (6-4) and Moorpark (3-7) have difficult first-round games.

Newbury Park, which finished second to Westlake, hosts Righetti. Thousand Oaks plays at Hueneme and Moorpark plays at Channel League-champion Buena.

“I think Westlake is too strong to get knocked off in the first round, but the rest of us are battling,” said Coach George Hurley of Newbury Park. “I think Westlake has as good a chance as anybody to win this thing.”