Simi Is Primed to Claim Its Own Trophy, 90-69

Don MacLean and Shawn DeLaittre scored 25 points each as Simi Valley High coasted into the finals of its own basketball tournament Friday night with an easy 90-69 victory over Saugus.

The victory earned the Pioneers (3-0) a spot in tonight’s 8 p.m. championship game against Glendale, which defeated Alemany, 64-53.

MacLean scored 14 points in the first half in leading Simi to a 46-32 lead after two periods. But the 6-10 center was forced to the bench after picking up his fourth personal foul with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter and Simi Valley ahead, 50-40.

“MacLean got a couple of tough calls early,” Simi Coach Bob Hawking said. “I thought a couple of those calls were questionable, but he still had to miss the rest of the third quarter. Other than that, I thought Don played all right.”

But Simi Valley got a lift from DeLaittre, who scored nine of his 25 points in the third quarter with MacLean on the bench.

MacLean returned in the fourth quarter and scored nine points. His three-point play with 4:25 remaining in the game put Simi Valley ahead, 76-52, and the Pioneers coasted the rest of the way.

In the other semifinal game, Glendale forward Jeff Sofro scored 17 points and guard Mike McDowell added 16 as the Dynamiters reached the finals with a win over Alemany.

Glendale (2-0) took a 17-10 lead after the first quarter and Alemany never came within five points the rest of the game.

Alemany made just one of seven field goal attempts to open the third quarter, allowing Glendale to stretch its lead to 43-29 with four minutes remaining.

Alemany (3-1) made a small comeback in the fourth quarter to make it close. Two consecutive baskets by Dave Swanson pulled Alemany to within six points, 55-49. Guard Dave Berganio then stole the ball at midcourt for Alemany and was headed for a layup when he suddenly turned in midair and dished off a wild pass to a surprised teammate, who dropped the ball.

Glendale took advantage of the blown opportunity and Alex Berry quickly hit a jump shot that stretched the lead back to eight points.