Opponents have targeted Jackson and Simi Valley

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No one said things were going to be easy for Lorne Jackson during Marmonte League play this season. And never was that more evident than on Monday, when the senior guard from Simi Valley and his teammates received a scare -- a reality check they won’t soon forget -- from a determined Westlake group.

Trailing by 17 points at halftime and down 17 again with six minutes left in the fourth, Jackson finally decided to take things into his hands, guiding the Pioneers back from what looked like certain defeat to an 88-86 victory in overtime. He scored 25 of his 37 points in the second half, including 14 in the extra session, and had nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.

‘We have a big target on our backs. Teams are bringing their A game when they play us,’’ Jackson said while warming up for practice Tuesday afternoon. ‘We didn’t think we’d breeze through league play, but also didn’t think things would be this tough. Obviously, we can’t overlook anyone. This thing is far from over.’’

Perhaps the close call was good for the Pioneers, No. 10 in The Times’ rankings. Things certainly don’t get easier anytime soon, not with league games against Newbury Park on Wednesday and a showdown with perrennial front-runner Thousand Oaks looming Friday. Jackson & Co. had better be prepared or they could find themselves on the losing end next time around.

--Sean Ceglinsky