Oaks Christian boys basketball surges in 2nd half to beat Westlake

THOUSAND OAKS — Westlake boys basketball senior forward Axel Ostergard got the ball after an Oaks Christian miss and pushed the pace down the floor. At halfcourt, he tried a behind-the-back dribble to avoid Lions defenders.

Except this time, he lost control of the ball.

Seconds later, Lions sophomore guard Brady Sullivan sprinted to the ball, grabbed possession and glided into a wide-open layup. The visitor side in the Warriors gym erupted as the layup put the Lions’ late run in the third quarter.

It would be the difference-maker as Oaks Christian defeated Westlake, 54-43, in a defensive battle for first place in the Marmonte League.

“We got a lot of stops,” Oaks Christian head coach Mark Amaral said after his team improved to 19-4 overall and  4-1 in league. “We usually turn defensive stops into transition baskets. We just didn’t get anything transition-wise. But conversely, I thought we guarded really well.”

Sullivan has powered Oaks Christian’s offense all season long. He finished with 19 points and made timely shots in the fourth quarter to help solidify the win.

A sophomore, Sullivan is still growing as a player and offensive scorer. It’s been clear to Oaks Christian that he can score, but Amaral said he can improve and develop.

“With Brady (Sullivan), because he naturally can score, he needs to be able to trust it a little bit,” Amaral said. “Like trust his teammates, who’ll get it back to him and not have to try to attack on the first side. And I thought he did a better job of that tonight.”

The Lions’ zone defense led to Westlake (15-8, 3-2) having trouble on the offensive end. Oaks Christian hasn’t run it much this season. Westlake tried to adjust but was forced into some tough outside shots.

Ostergard dropped 23 points on the night with five 3-pointers.

“When teams are really good in penetration, and we’re disadvantaged having to help, the zone sometimes gets people to stand around a little bit and take some penetration away, ” Amaral said. “You’re always guarding an area, and I thought that helped us a little bit.”

It wasn’t all clear skies for Oaks Christian throughout the game. Both teams combined for just 35 points going into halftime. Turnovers and simple mistakes plagued the Lions. It came in stretches, particularly towards the end of the fourth quarter.

Closing out games hasn’t been a strong suit for Oaks Christian this season. Amaral said it’s an issue he hopes will be resolved soon, with this game being another lesson.

“It’s just some of the discipline plays on both ends of the floor, ” Amaral said. “These kids are young, and they’re aggressive … We’re in the same situation up nine with two minutes to go against Calabasas, and we were shooting it early and not playing right. And, obviously, lost. So, good lesson for tonight. Similar situation.”

Oaks Christian plays Calabasas next for a chance at redemption, with Westlake moving on to play Newbury Park. Both games will be played Tuesday, Jan. 20.