Simi Valley Takes Fast Lane to Top of League

Most of the starting lineup for the Simi Valley High girls’ basketball team is too young to drive a car, but apparently qualified to drive to the top of the Marmonte League standings.

With a freshman and three sophomores starting, the Pioneers have their youngest team ever, and they’re making a lot of opposing coaches feel old.

“If I had any hair, I’d pull it all out right now,” said clean-shaven Coach Ollie Otis of Agoura, which lost to the Pioneers, 48-35, on Wednesday night at Simi Valley.

Sophomore point guard Teresa Cooper scored 23 points and senior forward Elise Metcalf added 17 points and nine rebounds for Simi Valley (13-4, 3-0 in league), which hosts Newbury Park (13-4, 3-0) on Friday for first place.

That Simi Valley is even in the race might be a surprise to some.

The Pioneers had to replace All-Ventura County players Jamie Sturdivant and Annmarie Turpin, who graduated after last season, and starting point guard Jennifer Barker, who tore her anterior cruciate ligament in early December.

“We wanted to go out and prove to people that we still have a lot, that we can play,” said Cooper, who has moved from shooting guard to replace Barker. “We play hard and want people to know it.”

Agoura knows it.

Forward Jennifer Lacy, one of the region’s top scorers and rebounders, was harassed by a sagging defense designed to stop her.

“If we were going to get beat, we were determined it would be from the perimeter,” Coach Dave Murphy said.

Lacy scored 16 points but made only seven of 22 shots.

Post players Sherice Gamble, Sarah Ripley and Metcalf spent the game attempting to muscle the 6-foot-1 Lacy, and guards Cooper and Joelle Murphy were always close enough to help.

It was only the second time Lacy had faced such a defense--both losses--but expects more of the same against Marmonte opponents.

“It’s frustrating, but you have to be patient and poised,” said Lacy, who had nine rebounds, eight below her average.

No one else scored more than five points for Agoura, which was 1-11 in league last season but defeated No. 10 Royal and Thousand Oaks to establish itself as a league contender.

The Chargers were within range of Simi Valley, closing to within 34-32 when Jamie Kogler hit a three-point basket with 2:35 left in the game.

The Pioneers closed with a 14-3 run.

Metcalf’s three-point play pushed the margin to 37-32, and Cooper made eight of 10 free throws and a three-pointer to finish it off.

“We’re going to be together for a long time,” Cooper said. “We’re doing well now, but we’re going to be awesome in the future.”