BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Fairfax Thwarts Simi Valley in Final

For Simi Valley High, Saturday night’s 55-34 loss to Fairfax in the championship game of the Chaminade tournament was a lot like those old TV Westerns. All the Pioneers could do was form the wagons in a circle and weather the attack.

Fairfax’s stifling man-to-man defense made every Simi Valley pass an adventure and challenged all the Pioneer shots. Simi Valley (8-5) converted only three baskets through three periods and just eight for the entire game in shooting 26% from the field. The Pioneers attempted only 31 shots and had 20 turnovers.

Fairfax (12-2) jumped to an 8-0 lead, but Simi Valley closed to within 19-16 in the second period. Fairfax then went on a 13-2 run to close the half and lead by 14 at intermission.

Fairfax outscored Simi Valley, 10-2, to open the third quarter and led, 46-21, after three periods.

Steve Carnes, who along with teammate Kenny Hood was named to the all-tournament team, was the only Pioneer to reach double figures with 10 points.

In other Chaminade tournament games:

Santa Monica 44, Chaminade 37--Chaminade’s slow-down offense worked for a half but unraveled behind 11 second-half turnovers and poor shot selection, enabling Santa Monica (8-3) to take third place. Colin Havert led Chaminade (5-6) with 16 points.

Granada Hills 60, Marshall 55--Adrian Sellers scored 20 points to lead Granada Hills (8-6) to the consolation title. Aaron Lattimore and Sagy Koren added 14 and 12 points for Granada Hills.