SOUTHERN SECTION : BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : 4-A DIVISION : Hawking’s Assists Spark Simi Valley

It was a big day for the good-hands folks in the Hawking family.

First, Butch Hawking, Simi Valley High’s junior point guard, handed out a school-record 16 assists in Simi Valley’s 91-70 win over Claremont in the first round of the Southern Section 4-A Division playoffs Friday night.

Second, Coach Bob Hawking--Butch’s father--shed one of the five bulky, blue rings he was wearing on his right hand.

“It’s just a little symbolism,” the elder Hawking said of the plastic jewelry. “Five rings, five wins to the finals. I take one off with each win, and if we take all five games we’ll replace it with a CIF championship ring.”

In a second-round game next Tuesday, Simi Valley (25-1) faces Ramona, which defeated Moreno Valley, 62-54, Friday.

The ring ritual was one that Hawking was unable to complete last season when the team lost in the 4-A final to Muir.

“They’re just sizing rings, but if we get it right this year, each kid can replace them with the real thing,” Hawking said.

It was the size of Simi Valley center Don MacLean that accounted for the way the Pioneers manhandled Claremont inside. MacLean tied his career high with 35 points, including 21 in the first half as Simi Valley took a 52-39 halftime lead.

Junior forward Shawn DeLaittre scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half.

The 6-10 MacLean made 14 of 20 shots--including a string of eight straight over the first two quarters--as Hawking passed inside to MacLean, who scored almost at will over Claremont’s 6-5 senior center, Noel Matthews.

Matthews and his brother, Jason, who combined for 47 points, did most of their damage from outside. Jason, a junior, scored 12 of his 22 points in the third quarter while Noel (25 points) was on the bench with four fouls. Claremont (10-12) cut Simi Valley’s lead to 64-57 when Jason Matthews hit three straight jumpers at the end of the quarter.

Simi Valley turned four Claremont turnovers into 10 straight points to blow open the game with six minutes remaining. Travis Bice, who had 16 points, was intentionally fouled on a layup with 5:57 left. Bice made both foul shots, and MacLean scored seconds later as Simi Valley maintained possession, giving the Pioneers an 80-59 lead.