BOYS’ BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK

Who’s the hottest team in the region? It might be Oak Park.

The Eagles (12-6) have won seven games in a row and 11 of 12, including victories over Alemany, Dos Pueblos, Grant, Lancaster and Camarillo, large schools with a combined record of 50-30.

Oak Park has done it with defense. In the last 12 games, the Eagles have surrendered an average of 45 points.

“It’s not easy to hold teams below 50 points night in and night out,” Oak Park Coach Rob Hall said. “It’s our solid man-to-man defense. No tricks, no gimmicks.”

Oak Park has dominated inside with center Jeremy Murphy, averaging 15.7 points and 10 rebounds, and forward Jason Adams, averaging 12.3 points and 11.7 rebounds. They give Oak Park unique balance in the post.

“Adams is extremely quick and strong,” Hall said. “Murphy is strong and has a nice outside touch.”

It’s a combination St. Bonaventure Coach Gil Kim must contend with. The Seraphs host Oak Park on Friday in a game that will go a long way toward deciding the Tri-Valley League title.

“Adams is agile,” Kim said. “And Murphy is a brute.”

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Perhaps the biggest surprise of the Frontier League season is that Santa Paula is contending for the title without its top two scorers, Ryan Frutos and Ernesto Lopez.

Frutos injured an ankle Jan. 6 against Oak Park. The senior is the top scorer among players at Ventura County small schools, averaging 21 points. He is expected to return this week for league games against Nordhoff and Santa Clara.

Lopez, the team’s leading rebounder who averages 14 points, hurt his ankle in a league victory over Malibu. He also is expected to return this week.

Paul Bustos has helped pick up the slack for Santa Paula, along with brothers Alex and Luis Rico.