Oxnard College men's basketball head coach Jason Cunningham, on the Condors' virtual season-ending 76-45 loss to rival Ventura Wednesday night at Condor Center:

"If John (Johnson) isn't playing well, it's almost humanly impossible for us to beat a good team."

Johnson was held to seven points by Ventura's Eric Gray and Prince Abidoye.

The Oxnard College men's basketball team will unveil new uniforms tonight at rival Ventura.

Head coach Jason Cunningham unveiled them as a surprise in a pregame meeting Saturday, saying, "What's the matter with you guys? Maybe these will pick you up a little."

Oxnard College men's basketball coach Jason Cunningham reaches to the Condors moving within a game of first-place Cuesta in the loss column with a 75-70 win over Los Angeles Pierce Wednesday night:

"Pierce is a scrappy team, they play hard... I told our guys that it didn't bode well for our chances, considering the way we've played against sub-.500 teams."

When Oxnard fell behind by 11 in the first half, it still didn't look good, until Jonathan Johnson and Marc Pajund started hitting 3s, combining for 27 first-half points.

"Somehow we got right back in it. J.J. hit a 3. Pajund hit a 3. I guess it just clicked and these guys picked it up."

Of course, Pierce didn't go away.

"They fought to get back in the game, but we hit our free throws down the stretch."

(on Hancock handing Cuesta its first loss in WSC North play, rather than Oxnard)

"I was very upset about it. We truly felt that we had the talent and were good enough to beat them."

(On Saturday's trip to local rival Ventura)

"We know (the rivalry) from the three times we played them last year. It's going to be the same thing. We're going to play well for 20 minutes and the second half is a crapshoot.

"That's the scary thing. Even this week, I was more worried about playing (last-place) Pierce than (second-place) Ventura.

"We know the rivalry. We know these kids know each other. When we got into the van after the game tonight, we've got (Ventura's Will Faiivae) texting our guys talking about the game."

(On his memories from the three games against Ventura last season)

"Remember what I told you before the game over there (in conference). 'We're going to win tonight.' At halftime, when we were up by 20 (points), you could hear a pindrop over there."

The Cuesta College men's basketball team has edged out in front in the Western State Conference's North Division race.

In a first-place showdown of the two teams who opened WSC North play 2-0, the host Cougars (18-7) rolled over Santa Barbara City Wednesday night, 96-70, by jumping out to a 53-29 halftime lead.

Freshman guard Tom Schumacher, whose 23- and 15-point second halves led to wins over Ventura and Moorpark, exploded for a career-high 37 points, including 7-for-10 shooting from 3-point land.

Ventura coach Ned Mircetic isn't quite ready to call Cuesta the team to beat.

"It's too early to call," said Mircetic. "Right now they're 3-0 and they beat up on Santa Barbara pretty well, which is impressive considering how well Santa Barbara was playing.

"But I'm trying not to get caught up in the rank order... We've got Moorpark Saturday night and that's all that's on my mind."

The WSC North men's basketball race may be its most competitive in years.

The conference campaign's first three games Wednesday were decided by a combined seven points.

Veteran coaches like Remy McCarthy of Moorpark and rookie coaches like Jason Cunningham of Oxnard had already agreed that a 9-3 season may be enough to win the division.

"It'll be three losses that wins this league," said McCarthy Tuesday.

When the Star published the local schedule today, it included a community college men's basketball game between Oxnard and No. 4 Riverside tonight at Condor Center.

According to Oxnard coach Jason Cunningham, that game was canceled earlier this season, at Riverside's request, because the Tigers had played too many preseason scrimmages.

That disappointed Cunningham and the Condors, who would have loved a chance to take down a top team in the Condor Center.

But, in return for canceling the game, Riverside coach John Smith offered to visit Oxnard in each of the next two seasons.

"It's a good situation for us," said Cunningham. "They're usually ranked up there and we'll get a chance to beat a top team at home."

Despite losing coach Jeff Theiler and 7-foot center Josh Crawford, The Oxnard College men's basketball team doesn't look like missing a beat.

Assistant coach Jason Cunningham has taken the reins and isn't missing a beat. A stellar sophomore group revolves around point guard Jonathan Johnson and shooting guard Ryan McLucas.

"Jon John(son) has slimmed down and improved his jump shot," said Cunningham. We want to get more out of him defensively."

The Condors already get plenty out of McLucas defensively.

"He allows us to come into every game with the belief that we can win," said Cunningham. "He changes every game with the ability to defend the other team's best player."

High-scoring forward Bernard Burrell, who missed nearly all of last season with a back injury, is ready to go.

"For us, it' s a blessing," said Cunningham. "His leadership helps everyone else on the floor. When he's on the floor the ball never stagnates."

Stepping in for Crawford is 6-foot-11 center Matt Dewaal, who is already getting Division I recruiting interest.

"Matt is obviously an X-factor of a guy," said Cunningham. "If he can be a presence for us and rebound, we can be a very good team.

"We have a very powerful four guys there."