Changing of the guard in Marmonte?

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers AGGRESSIVE PLAY—Newbury Park High defender Doris Park-Sherman, center, attempts to trap Agoura's Brittany Oster before she can pass the ball. The Panthers remain a favorite in league. Girls' basketball action this season in the Marmonte League is a lot like the famous Bob Dylan song—"The Times They Are AChangin'."

Oh, sure, powerhouses such as last year's league champion Royal and perennial contender Newbury Park are strong again, but it's the league's previous bottom feeders that have gotten off to quick starts and have kept the race for a league championship tighter than ever.

"The league is very competitive this year," Simi Valley firstyear head coach Lyndsay White said. "Teams that were not so good in the past, like Agoura and Calabasas, have played very well to start the season. We're hoping to be one of those teams that surprise people as well."

Calabasas, which finished last season winless in league, has a new coach in David Goosen and a new attitude after winning eight of its first 10 games. The Coyotes' win at home against Simi Valley was their first league victory in 19 games.

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers LAYUP—Westlake High's Taylor Ignoto drives to the hoop during a recent practice. "I feel the best basketball lies ahead for us," Goosen said. "Rather than resting on our laurels, the win against Simi Valley has given the team motivation to win more games."

For Calabasas to continue to play well, senior guard Haley Meadows will need to keep shooting the ball at a high percentage. Meadows scored 20 points and dished out six assists in the win against SVHS.

Other Coyotes that have contributed include point guard Jasmine Johnson, junior guards Roya Valikhani and Kari Ryser, and sophomore forward Victoria Wei. Juniors Ashley Oliver and Emily Cohen have been a force on the boards.

After finishing 6-8 in league a year ago, Agoura also got off to a promising start by winning eight of its first nine games.

According to head coach Steve Scifres, a huge reason for Agoura's success has been the play of freshman point guard Kylie Cunningham, who's averaging 18 points per game.

Cunningham "brings a confidence and toughness never before seen at Agoura," Scifres said. "She's incredibly intelligent, and she's one of the best players as far as knowing where to be on the court at all times."

Juniors Brittany Oster, Amanda Burch, Elizabeth Levy, Allie Lord and Sasha Borenstein, as well as senior Traci Cosmer and sophomores Samantha Fisher and Camille Mahlknecht, have also been a spark for Agoura, which played Calabasas in the final of the Providence Tournament Tuesday night.

Simi Valley, which went 4-10 in league play last season, is also 11 in the Marmonte after beating Moorpark at home.

The Pioneers are led by a starting lineup that features four seniors, including center Katie Musgrove and guards Yasmin Sharawy, Lyndsay Bergus and Brittney Hanley.

Breanne Metcalf, Stephanie Ung, Courtney Bevans, Brittney Reed and Kendall Valencia have also pitched in for SVHS.

The Pioneers' defense must improve. Simi Valley is 0-6 when it allows more than 50 points, and 3-0 when it allows less than 50.

Many teams in the Marmonte have improved, but whether they can catch Newbury Park or Royal is another story.

NPHS looks stronger than ever with senior point guard Sidney Dobner and senior forward DorisPark Sherman returning. With 500careergame winner Nori Parvin at the helm, the Panthers will be tough to beat.

"We don't have the height that we had a year ago, but we do have a lot of speed and defensive intensity," Parvin said. "I've also been impressed with the way we've shot our free throws."

Other Panthers that have played well early on include senior Jordan Bridges, Nataly Brambila, Lauren Hill, Kamryn Koga, Jasmine Polk and Hanna Burge.

Royal has gotten off to a quick start despite having a very young team that returns only three players—sophomore guards Kaity Lykins, Gabbi King and Chelsea Jacoby.

"We're underdogs this year, but our ultimate goal remains the same," said Lykins in a Simi Valley Acorn story earlier this month.

"We want to win league. It just feels different this year with so many new players."

Other key contributors for Royal include junior center Destinee La Fountain and senior guard Ali Mosier.

Thousand Oaks has won nine of its first 13 games and is 1-1 in league play after finishing tied with Moorpark for third place in the Marmonte a year ago.

The Lancers are led by Jenna Bandy, who's in her third year on the varsity squad. The junior guard is averaging 12.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game through the Lancers' first 12 contests.

Jannesa Martinez, Kira Gissell, Katie Deamer, Karina Alofaituli, Camilla Chun, Taylor Valdez, Nicole Packard and Nanice Kollee have also played well for TOHS.

Moorpark has struggled early and has only scored more than 41 points twice.

"I do want to be competitive in our league, and I do want to make the playoffs, but not everything is about wins and losses," said Hare in an earlier Moorpark Acorn interview. "We have a very young team, and I want to develop these girls as people as well."

Senior Kathy Ceja and junior Lauren Rohach have starred for the Musketeers.

Westlake is 0-2 in league play. Phone calls to Warrior head coach William Burr were not returned by press time.