Varsity boys open season in Simi tournament

The Santa Paula varsity boys basketball squad started their season at the Simi Valley Tip-off Classic Tournament last week. In the opening game the Cards lost a close game to Chaminade 68-63. Chepe Lara led Santa Paula with 28 points and 16 rebounds. Ben Kolbeck had 9 points, Johnny Carrillo and Eddie Marin each had 8, Daniel Kolbeck was held to 4 points and Andrew Carrera and Richard Hernandez both added 3 points.The Cards came back in the second game to beat Royal High School 62 to 34. Lara had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Daniel Kolbeck had 17 points and 15 rebounds, Ben Kolbeck, Carrera and Hernandez each had 6, Carrillo tossed in 3 and Marin and Daniel Cardoza both added 2 points.Next, Santa Paula met up with Santa Clara. In a very close contest, the Saints slipped past the Cardinals 57-56. Lara scored 20 points in this contest and had 12 rebounds. Marin added 11 points. Daniel Kolbeck had 8 points and 10 rebounds, Carrera had 7 and Carrillo had 6 points.In the final contest of the tournament for the Cards, they lost to Monroe 55-50. Lara hit for 25 points, 18 of them in the first half and had 11 rebounds. Richard Hernandez tossed in 8 points. Ben Kolbeck and Marin both had 5.