The Thousand Oaks girls basketball team makes the bus rides home from away games a very loud adventure. Most of the time, the noise is created by countless requests to go to Toppers Pizza.
“The one thing that is non-negotiable is positivity, communication and energy,” Thousand Oaks head coach Ashley Ontiveros said. “We try creating that fun environment. We all laugh and joke but when we step on that floor we’re getting down to it.”
The Lancers have been on an upward climb the last few seasons and it’s led to many pizza-worthy performances. They’re currently in second place in the Marmonte League and are striving for their first playoff appearance since 2019.
Thousand Oaks can measure its success in wins — it achieved its first league win since 2020 last season — but has also seen a change in culture.
“Right now everyone is realizing that we can still be a family and do this together to be competitive,” said Ontiveros, who is in her fourth season as head coach.
“It’s not all about one person. That’s something I think the girls pride themselves on is we’re doing this as a team. If we win or lose, it’s not because of one player. We’re in this together.”
@haleymsawyer @WHS GBB beat Thousand Oaks 61-37 on Monday night. Mathis Dritz: 26 pts, 13 reb Taylor Swanson: 17 pts, 8 reb #womensbasketball #basketball #sports #sportsreporter #journalism #reporter #girlsbasketball #highschoolbasketball #westlake #thousandoaks
Junior guard Jillian McGillivray, who is receiving attention from Division III schools, leads the team in scoring with 12 points per game and chips in an additional 4.6 rebounds per game. She affects the Lancers with more than just her stat line.
“She’s that floor general,” Ontiveros said. “She’s constantly talking, constantly coaching up these younger girls. I see her pulling them aside during practices or games and trying to encourage them, trying to help teach them.”
There is plenty of young talent on Thousand Oaks’ roster that’s ready to be shaped. Sophomore Ava Seeger is a 6-foot-1 big who leads the team in rebounding with 8.5 rebounds per game and is the second-leading scorer with 11.9 points per game.
“Last year she didn’t get a lot of playing time but she has turned everything around,” Ontiveros said.
Raquel Daringer and Dori Lawrence are multi-sport freshmen who bring all-around athleticism. Ontiveros lauds them for their aggression.
For as much new talent as the Lancers have, there are still upperclassmen like Amanda Wang, Morgan Casillas and Hailey Lauritzen who have personally seen how far Thousand Oaks has come since they first joined the program.
“They’re just so glad to be a part of it because they’ve seen us at our worst and now they’re seeing us be competitive,” Ontiveros said. “It’s pretty exciting for them to hear and witness all of this.”
The Lancers have six games left on their schedule as of Tuesday afternoon. That’s plenty of more opportunities for Toppers Pizza — but they know they’re capable of playing for more.
“Every year it’s been more progress,” Ontiveros said. “We’re trying to make a name for ourselves again, put TO back on the map as a solid program.”