KEY CONTESTS AWAIT EAGLES, PANTHERS : POSTSEASON PLAY UNDER WAY.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Daily News Staff Writer

Newbury Park is gearing up for participation in the postseason for the first time since the 1980s.

Meanwhile Oak Park's high-tempo offense is being tested by a first-round opponent that prides itself on defense. And Simi Valley High School hopes its young players are ready for the pressure of the Southern Section boys' basketball playoffs.

In case you haven't noticed, the playoffs are here.

``It's just exciting to still be playing right now,'' said Newbury Park guard Daniel Bobik.

After winning a share of the Marmonte League championship, the Panthers (17-8) get to host Burroughs of the Foothill League tonight in a first-round Division II-A game. Simi Valley is at home against Highland in a Division I-AA game, Oak Park hosts Crespi in Division IV-AA, Royal takes to the road against Rio Mesa in Division I-A, Moorpark is home against Agoura in Division II-A and Calabasas travels to Dos Pueblos in a Division III-AA game.

Here's a closer look at tonight's games:

Burroughs at Newbury Park: The Panthers are approaching this game as if they were playing Marmonte League foe Channel Islands. Much like the Raiders, the Indians (14-12) play an up-tempo game to offset their lack of size.

``The same sort of adjustments we'd make against Channel Islands are the type of things we'll do against Burroughs,'' Newbury Park coach Steve Johnson said.

The key all year for the Panthers has been good defense, avoiding turnovers and getting the ball to scorers Daniel Bobik, Brian Bobik and Mike Bowers.

In the middle, 6-10 Jim Newton has been an asset by controlling the boards and providing excellent interior defense.

Guard Luther Staine has been an unsung hero for Newbury Park, clamping down defensively and hitting a number of key shots throughout the year.

``He's played extremely well for us,'' Johnson said.

A key could be the Newbury Park fans, who have been the loudest and craziest in the area this year.

``They've given us a big lift,'' Johnson said.

Crespi at Oak Park: The Eagles (18-6) begin their annual quest to extend their season beyond the quarterfinals, where they've stalled the last four years.

On paper, Crespi (10-15) doesn't figure to offer much trouble in the first round. But looks can be deceiving.

``They play with a lot of pride and they make you work,'' said Oak Park coach Rob Hall.

The Celts' only hope is to contain the Eagles uptempo offense, which averages over 70 points per game. They're fighting an uphill battle. Oak Park has four legitimate scorers - Randy Gastwirt, Danny Wasserman, Josh Rattray and John Murphy - and with Murphy controlling the boards on the defensive end the Eagles love to get out and run.

``The key will be our defense and rebounding,'' said Hall, who likes his chances as long as Murphy is on the floor snatching rebounds. The 6-foot-4 junior averages 14 rebounds per game.

Highland at Simi Valley: The Pioneers are considered dark horses to make a serious run in a division that includes perennial powers Long Beach Poly and Los Alamitos.

But first Simi Valley hosts Highland, which finished in third place in the Golden League.

Pioneers coach Dean Bradshaw is concerned about the Bulldogs (7-19), but more than anything he is focused on his own players and their level of success at this stage.

Consider him content.

``I'm very pleased with how we're playing right now,'' Bradshaw said.

That's because the Pioneers' talented core of young players - freshmen Branduinn Fullove and Brett Michel and sophomore Rafael Berumen - have developed to the extent that nobody considers them youngsters anymore.

``They've played a full year so they know what it's all about,'' Bradshaw said.

The leader of the team is point guard Ronnie Noel, the lone senior in the starting lineup and someone Bradshaw is comfortable with running the show. His young teammates may get the most attention, but Noel has been pivotal.

``He's handled things extremely well all year,'' Bradshaw said. ``He's just a great leader.''

The key tonight will be the inside effectiveness of Berumen. When the Pioneers get the 6-8 center involved offensively, three things tend to happen: He scores, forces opponents into foul trouble and creates better opportunities for Simi Valley's outside players.

Calabasas at Dos Pueblos: The Coyotes (6-13) slipped into the playoffs after finishing fourth in the Frontier League. They draw a tough first-round opponent in the big, athletic Chargers (18-8), the Channel League champions.

``We don't match up very well with their athletic ability,'' Calabasas coach Bill Bellatty said.

The Coyotes must get Ryan Coleman and Bobby Baumann to play their typical games. Between the backcourt mates, they average 40 points per game.

``We'll just play our game and do the things we do best,'' Bellatty said.

Agoura at Moorpark: An intriguing area matchup. The Musketeers (17-10) finished in third place in the Frontier League after a somewhat disappointing regular season but they've got the type of talent that scares anyone.

Forward Kevin Lawrence is one of the top front court players in the area and Keith Donahue is a talented scorer.

Agoura (10-12) is led by forwards Marcus Helfman and John Barry.

Royal at Rio Mesa: Despite a fifth-place finish in the Marmonte League, Royal (15-11) has an excellent chance to make a move in the playoffs.

Rio Mesa (17-6) was the second place team in the Channel League but the Highlanders match up pretty well against the Spartans.

Royal played a terrific second half against Simi Valley - cutting a 33-point third quarter deficit to one point late in the game before fading late. The Highlanders also beat Simi Valley earlier in the year, so they've shown the ability to compete against talented opponents.

Royal is dangerous as long as Ryan Nielsen and Nick Flanagan are on the floor. Both players can carry a team.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1) Forward Kevin Lawrence of Moorpark High School is one of the top front court players in the area.

Jeremy Greene/Special to the Daily News

(2) FLANAGAN

(3) BERUMEN