HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : Agoura Stumbles Into Westlake’s Speed Trap

THOUSAND OAKS — Sometimes, Steve Aylsworth’s legs are too quick for the rest of his body.

Several times in the fourth quarter of Westlake High’s basketball game against Agoura on Friday, Westlake’s point guard would lay sprawled on the floor after trying to outmaneuver the Charger defense.

But sometimes the quickness became a big advantage. Aylsworth converted two steals into three-point plays by simply outrunning Agoura players.

The plays came during a third quarter run which helped give Westlake a 75-63 victory and sole possession of first place in the Marmonte League.

Aylsworth finished with 26 points, but the most important were the six he scored on two fast breaks during an 11-0 run midway through the third quarter.

“Our whole team’s strength is our quickness,” Aylsworth said. “We were playing tough defense, got the steals, and I was able to get layups.”

The surge gave Westlake (13-1, 6-0 in league play) a 49-39 lead.

Agoura (8-7, 5-1) was plagued by poor shooting in the second half and couldn’t take advantage of seven Westlake turnovers in the fourth quarter.

The Chargers closed the gap to 53-47 early in the fourth quarter after consecutive baskets by Ben Richardson, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds, but came no closer.

Matt Smiley scored 18 points, Nick Alexander added 14 and Billy Miller had 12 for the Warriors.

Agoura’s Brian Laibow scored 17 points and Chris Driscoll added 10.

Richardson scored 11 of Agoura’s first 14 points as the Chargers took a 17-4 lead. Agoura kept the lead in double digits through the first quarter by making five three-point shots, three by Laibow.

“I told the team, if they continue to shoot 80% the rest of the game, they deserve to win,” Westlake Coach Gary Grayson said. “The same thing happened to us earlier against Royal and we recovered.”

Westlake trimmed the lead to 35-32 at halftime when Agoura’s shooters cooled.