Santa Barbara High pulled away in the second half for a 76-58 win over Oxnard High on Wednesday night in Oxnard.
With the win, the Dons improved their Channel League-best record to 11-1. If they win their home contests with Ventura on Friday and Rio Mesa on Monday, they will be crowned the league champions.
The first quarter was a battle on Wednesday, as Santa Barbara High built up a 10-point lead but the Yellow Jackets rattled off a 10-0 run to tie the game up.
However, Levi Oakes gave his team the lead back with 12 of his game-high 24 points coming in the opening quarter. At the end of the first half, the Dons were up 38-31.
The Santa Barbara High defensive intensity reached a new level in the third quarter, holding Oxnard to just 11 points to pull away for a 61-42 lead with one quarter to play. From there, the Dons cruised to the win.
“We forced turnovers and disrupted their offense, which led to transition baskets for us on offense. It was one of our best defensive quarters of the year,” Santa Barbara High head coach Greg Zuffelato said of the third quarter.
“I couldn’t have been prouder of our guys tonight. It took a few quarters to get a comfortable lead, but we gave everything we had from beginning to end. It was one of our best efforts of the year and we need it playing against one of the toughest teams to beat at home.”
While Oakes led the way with 24 points, Owen Horn added 14 points while guarding the top Oxnard offensive threat.
Villanova Prep 57, Laguna Blanca 42
The Owls dropped a league matchup with Villanova Prep on Wednesday in Santa Barbara.
Holden Pak paced the Laguna Blanca offense with 17 points, while Luke Popovich scored nine points and dished out five assists.
Meanwhile, Oliver Archibald pulled down 12 rebounds and Max Miller ended the night with seven points.
Girls Basketball
The Carpinteria High girls basketball team cruised to a 44-24 non-league win over Del Sol on Wednesday in Carpinteria.
The Warriors (14-7, 6-2 Citrus Coast) will now look ahead to a matchup with Channel Islands on Friday.
Carpinteria’s defense took center stage in the first half, holding Del Sol scoreless in the first quarter and allowing just four points in the second to build up a commanding 35-4 lead.
The Warriors then substituted freely throughout the second half and rolled to the win. Amalia Castaneda led a balanced Carpinteria attack with 16 points.
“The game provided good momentum going into our last three games,” Carpinteria High head coach Henry Gonzales said. “We want to make sure we are playing our best basketball going into the playoffs.
“I was very happy with our mental approach and effort. This was a solid team effort.”
