Marmonte girls' basketball update

The girls' basketball teams at Royal, Westlake and Newbury Park high schools are all off to fast starts in Marmonte League play.

All three squads carried 2-0 league records into winter break. The Marmonte schedule is set to resume on Jan. 3.

Entering the week, Royal (113, 20) may have been playing the best basketball in the area. The Highlanders are led by seniors Kris King and Erika Ward, the second and thirdleading scorers in the league.

Westlake (5-5, 2-0) already has a pair of quality wins against Agoura and Thousand Oaks. The Warriors are playing in this week's Bell-Jeff Tournament.

Newbury Park (3-11, 2-0) struggled early in the season but rebounded in time to post a pair of early victories against Agoura and Calabasas.

Of the Panthers' 11 losses, four have come by five points or less and another was by forfeit when the team's bus got diverted from its destination following a freeway closure.

Thousand Oaks (7-7, 1-1) has received outstanding play from sophomore guard Jenna Bandy, who's averaging 13.8 points per game.

Simi Valley (4-7, 1-1), Agoura (6-9, 1-2), Moorpark (7-7, 0-2) and Calabasas (9-6, 0-3) round out the standings. - Stephen Dorman