We Play Hard!

Ventura 75, Los Angeles Valley 53

@ Ventura Crossover

December 28, 2007

Box Score

     There was good, bad, and ugly in the Athletic Event Center Friday night, and those who could squint like Clint Eastwood could appreciate the Pirates' 75-53 victory over Los Angeles Valley on the first day of the Ventura Crossover.  Indira Kaljo led the Pirates with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists as VC worked its way to a 20 point lead, only to fail to put away the visiting Monarchs until the closing minutes of the game.  But despite the 21 turnovers, numerous offensive fouls, 41 percent shooting in the first half, and 58 percent shooting from the free throw line for the game, Ventura used a strong rebounding advantage (47-26) to post the 22 point win.

     After a slow start for both teams the score was tied at 5-5 with 15:17 remaining in the first half.  Then the long-range bombers went to work for Ventura (14-4), with Kaljo hitting two 3-pointers within a minute to put the Pirates up 11-5.  A Michelle Santizo rocket followed by another successful Kaljo launch put the Pirates up 17-9 at the 10:55 mark.  Lay-ups by Santizo and Kaljo on successive possessions soon afterward gave VC a 21-11 advantage with 9:50 remaining in the period.  But as quickly as the Pirates heated up, they cooled down, managing just two free throws over the next three minutes.  Fortunately LA Valley (10-9) was even colder as they scored  but two points over the same period.  Julie Heurung connected for four of VC's next five points, giving them a 28-18 advantage with 4:18 on the clock.  The Pirates outscored the Monarchs 9-1 over the final five minutes of the stanza, finalized by Christine McPherson's offensive rebound and putback at the buzzer, giving Ventura a 36-19 halftime lead.

     Following Jessica Jameson's post bucket to start the half, Jenelle Conklin briefly took over for the Pirates, grabbing three steals that led to two fast break lay-ups for herself, and one for Kaljo as the Pirates jumped out to a 44-24 lead  with 16:26 left in the game.  Randi Hicks' old-fashioned 3-point play at the 15:24 mark gave VC a 22-point cushion and the game seemed well in hand.  The Monarchs did not give up however, and the Pirates failed to take advantage of the game's situation, allowing LA Valley battled back into the contest.  A Monarch 3-pointed followed by a bucket off of a offensive rebound after a missed free throw pulled the Monarchs back to within 54-40 with 10:30 on the clock.  LA Valley would pull back to within 13 points, 55-42 a minute later, and kept the margin within sight, closing it to 11 points, 59-48, with 6:04 remaining in the contest.  Ventura closed the game with a 16-5 run from that point forward, coming away with the 75-53 triumph.

     Kaljo led the VC offense with help from Heurung, who posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.  Conklin finished with 10 points and five steals while Santizo netted nine points with five assists.  Jameson finished with five boards for the Pirates.

     Ventura faces another stern test on Saturday, hosting Southern California's #1-ranked Orange Coast College (tied in the poll with Mt. SAC) for the second day of the Ventura Crossover.  The Pirates-Pirates match-up will tip at 7:00 pm following the LA Valley-Antelope Valley contest at 5:00 pm.  This will be the first meeting between VC and OCC since Coast ended Ventura's string of seven consecutive state finals appearances with a state semifinal win in 2003 in San Diego.

     Ventura's Annual Barbeque Fundraiser will be Saturday January 5 as VC hosts North #2 Foothill.