WHS wins with balance, options

SWAT TEAM—Westlake High’s Kirk Jones, left, blocks a shot by Agoura's David Weber. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers Ball hogs need not apply.

This season, the success of the Westlake High boys’ basketball squad has been predicated on a team-first mentality where any starter can serve as the go-to guy on any given night.

Entering Wednesday’s showdown against Simi Valley, the Warriors (11-7 overall, 3-2 in the Marmonte League) had three starters averaging double digits in scoring, although no one was scoring, on average, more than 12 points per contest.

“No superstars, just a lot of balance and scoring,” said Tom Donahue, Westlake’s eighth-year head coach. “We have a couple of guys that are really good shooters, and overall it’s a goodshooting team. . . .

“They play with good chemistry and take care of the basketball. Good chemistry usually equates to good scoring balance.”

ON THE MOVE—Agoura High defender Steven Wilson, left, tries to shut down Westlake guard Joseph Detweiler during the first quarter of the Warriors’ victory last Friday night at AHS. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers The Warriors’ senior-laden starting five consists of JJ Koss at point guard, Joseph Detweiler playing shooting guard, Devon Silber manning small forward, Mark Friedman at power forward and Kirk Jones in the middle.

Before Wednesday, Detweiler was leading the team with 11.4 points per game. He was followed by Silber (10.9), Jones (10.6) and Friedman (9.6). As a point guard, Koss has been more of a distributor than a pure scorer.

“We have our offensive sets, and we really like to spread the court,” said the 6-foot-3 Friedman, the team leader with 3.1 assists per game.

“Two of our shooters (Silber and Detweiler) can really spread the defense with their 3-point shots. Jones and I like to hit the glass to get rebounds.”

Westlake also has many interchangeable parts.

Donahue said most of the starters can play multiple positions. In addition, juniors Brennan Walker, Adrian Powditch and Angelo Jacobs, along with sophomore John Stuart, provide plenty of substitution depth and bulk in the paint.

“The guys off the bench have given us very good energy,” the coach said. “And they’ve been playing some tough defense as well.”

Senior Sam Greene and juniors Michael Topper and Ricky Davies complete the Warriors’ roster.

At the midway point of Marmonte competition, Westlake still feels like it has a shot to claim its first league crown since 1996. Early-season setbacks to Thousand Oaks—a two-point loss on Dec. 16—and a 56-40 defeat at Calabasas on Monday night haven’t curbed Donahue’s desire to finish on top.

“We’re right in the middle of it,” the coach said. “Every game is like a sprint in the Marmonte League race. We have to get them all if we expect to be champions.”

According to Friedman, the Warriors are playing with a tremendous amount of confidence. Most of the starters saw significant minutes last year and have used that experience to grow and improve as this season has progressed.

“The chemistry has been really good this year because we have so many returning players,” he said.

“We were able to experience a playoff game last season, and that was good for us. Our goal is to make it back to the postseason again.”

Before playoff reservations can be made, Westlake has some unfinished business to take care of.

“We have T.O. and Calabasas left on the schedule,” Friedman said, “and we expect to win those games.”