Panthers Heard Loud and Clear

NEWBURY PARK — After crushing Channel Islands High, 87-53, Wednesday, members of the Newbury Park boys’ basketball team did something that was out-of-this-world crazy.

They picked up their towels, grabbed their water bottles, shook hands with the vanquished and walked off into the locker room.

No shouts, no taunts, merely a few smiles came from the Panthers, who improved to 13-7 overall and 7-2 in the Marmonte League with the win over visiting Channel Islands (14-5, 4-5).

The Panthers’ quiet celebration was surprising, considering they have had two winning seasons since 1981.

“Every year we’ve been terrible and we’re always picked to be the league doormat,” said junior Daniel Bobik, who scored 19 points for Newbury Park.

Not the most gracious host, Newbury Park, the 10th-ranked team in the Times’ regional poll, out-gunned and stunned Channel Islands, the Times’ seventh-ranked team.

The Channel Islands press posed absolutely no threat, never a good sign for the Raiders. Newbury Park actually was the aggressor, forcing seven turnovers in the first quarter.

The Panthers also looked good on offense, getting several transition baskets and decent post play from Jim Newton, who finished with eight points.

“They pass well, they shoot well, they’re very unselfish,” said Channel Islands Coach Gary Abraham, whose Raiders made only 13 of 46 shots (28.3%) in the first three quarters. “We were far from that tonight.”

Newbury Park, which led by as many as 38, hasn’t been in first place this late in the season since 1981, when the Panthers won the Marmonte League and were 25-0 before losing in the sectional semifinals.

The Panthers still have five league games left, including two huge home dates--Royal on Friday, Simi Valley next Wednesday.

If they can get by those, then “there would be a celebration,” Bobik said. “I don’t know what it would be, but it’d be a lot of fun.”