BOYS' BASKETBALL: DIACOS NOT ENOUGH FOR CAMARILLO SCORPIONS FALL SHORT IN SIMI VALLEY TOURNEY.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Staff Writer

Mike Diacos transferred from Oaks Christian of Westlake Village to Camarillo over the summer, instantly transforming the Scorpions from a pretender in the Ventura County basketball landscape to a contender.

The senior point guard showed glimpses of his immense potential Friday night against Dos Pueblos of Goleta, finishing with 14 points, but his efforts ultimately came up short in a 72-57 loss in the SimiValley Tournament semifinals.

``Mike is one of those kids who can flat out play,'' Camarillo coach Mike Prewitt said. ``He's a true point guard. He'd rather pass to an open teammate than take a shot.

``Let's be honest about things, he's a complete player. It's been a good beginning so far and we expect a better ending.''

It wasn't a good ending for Diacos or Camarillo on Friday, though. The Scorpions had no answer for Julyan Stone, particularly in the second half, and that proved costly.

The 6-5 senior picked up his third foul in the opening seconds of the third quarter but stayed in the game and finished with ninepoints over the next eight minutes to give Dos Pueblos a 53-48 lead entering the fourth quarter.

STONERIDGE TOURNAMENT

Local products Craig Brackins (Lancaster high school) and Matt Hornbuckle (Oaks Christian of Westlake Village) scored eight of the last 11 points for Brewster Academy as they held off a late charge from tournament host Stoneridge Prep of Simi Valley in a 104-97 victory at Calabasas high school.

Stoneridge Prep had leads of 20 to 11points and led 48-42 at halftime, but were undone by a 17-5 Brewster Academy run to start the second half.

P'Allen Stinnett and Brackins scored 27and 18 points, respectively, to lead Brewster Academy.

Charles Boozer, the younger brother of Utah Jazz foward Carlos Boozer, scored 26points for Stoneridge Prep. JP Olukemi added 20 points for Stoneridge Prep.

In an earlier game Boys to Men Academy defeated South Kent 48-39. Calvin Haynes (Taft of Woodland Hills) scored 16points, inculding four three-pointers for South Kent.

--Jacob H. Pollon

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