Building on the roundup in today's paper:

The Ventura College women's basketball team opened its season with a 64-44 win over Los Angeles Southwest in the first round of the Vaquero Tournament at Glendale College on Friday.

Erika Ward scored 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and had four assists. Chanelle Brennan had 14 points and Kris King grabbed 10 rebounds.

Gabrielle Conn also contributed seven points and six rebounds and Amanda Padilla had eight points and five assists as Ventura, which had 19 assists as a team, opened up a 56-28 lead with 8:51 left in the second half.

VC plays Santa Ana today at 5 p.m. in a semifinal game of the three-day tournament.

Palomar 62, Moorpark women 33:The Raiders (2-3) didn't get their San Diego trip off to a good start against one of the top teams in the state.

Community College men's basketball

Long Beach City 76, Ventura men 69: Troy Watson scored 15 points, Pierce Brooks had 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks and Paul Batausa had six assists as Ventura (1-5) went two and out in the Irvine tournament.

Moorpark 69, Orange Coast 64:Dallas Rutherford scored 23 points, Matt Mazarei added 13 and Spenser Schulte 10 as Moorpark (1-3) won its first game of the season.

Building on the roundup in today's paper:

The Ventura College women's basketball team opened its season with a 64-44 win over Los Angeles Southwest in the first round of the Vaquero Tournament at Glendale College on Friday.

Erika Ward scored 23 points, including five 3-pointers, and had four assists. Chanelle Brennan had 14 points and Kris King grabbed 10 rebounds.

Gabrielle Conn also contributed seven points and six rebounds and Amanda Padilla had eight points and five assists as Ventura, which had 19 assists as a team, opened up a 56-28 lead with 8:51 left in the second half.

VC plays Santa Ana today at 5 p.m. in a semifinal game of the three-day tournament.

Palomar 62, Moorpark women 33:The Raiders (2-3) didn't get their San Diego trip off to a good start against one of the top teams in the state.

Community College men's basketball

Long Beach City 76, Ventura men 69: Troy Watson scored 15 points, Pierce Brooks had 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks and Paul Batausa had six assists as Ventura (1-5) went two and out in the Irvine tournament.

Moorpark men 69, Orange Coast 64:Dallas Rutherford scored 23 points, Matt Mazarei added 13 and Spencer Schulte 10 as Moorpark (1-3) won its first game of the season.

Mixed results in the second day of the "We Play Hard" men's basketball tournament at Ventura College today.

Moorpark College dropped to 0-3 with a 78-73 loss to No. 3 Antelope Valley. Two tough losses this weekend for the Raiders

In the other consolation semifinal, a 16-3 run allowed Pasadena City to pull within 72-70 of Ventura College with 6:39 to play.

But the Pirates (1-2) held on for their first win of the season, 88-82, over the Lancers. Troy Watson had 20 points and Jordan Harris had 17.

Ventura will play Antelope Valley in Sunday's consolation final at noon. AVC eliminated VC in the state quarterfinals in 2005 and state semifinals in 2007.

Oxnard trails Los Angeles Valley, 44-38, in the first semifinal. James Ennis has 10 points.

Here's my preview of the "We Play Hard" basketball tournament at Ventura College, which features all three local program.s

This weekend's "We Play Hard" men's basketball tournament, hosted by Ventura College, is a special treat for local community college fans.

For the first time in recent memory, all three local programs will play in the same tournament. Oxnard opens Friday's quarterfinals against powerful Antelope Valley at 1 p.m., Moorpark follows against Los Angeles Valley at 5 p.m. and Ventura hosts Orange Coast at 7 p.m.

"It should be a great atmosphere," said Ventura coach Will Cowen. "With everyone's budget the way it is, we should all try to stay local... It's better for everyone."

The Ventura College men's basketball team trails powerful Citrus, 45-32, at the half in its season opener at the VC Athletic Event Center.

Former Ventura center Randy Hunter leads Citrus with 10 points.

Playing without a pair of starters, the Moorpark College men's basketball team fell to host Los Angeles Harbor, 74-53, in its season opener Friday night.

Basketball season opens up this weekend as the Moorpark College men visit Los Angeles Harbor Friday night and Ventura College and Oxnard College men play Saturday afternoon.

The Pirates host Citrus at 2 and the Condors visit Los Angeles Trade-Tech at 5.
Ventura is welcoming all alumni back for the game.

Former stars who have already RSVPed for the postgame event include Cedric Ceballos, Lester Neal, Brandon Jessie, Tony Walker, Kevin Tate, Stephane Brown, Alfred Kennedy, Chris Clayton and Steve Amar.

UPDATE: Please note that Oxnard is on the road. The first version of this post said differently.

Joey Ramirez has only been back with the Ventura College men's basketball team for a month.

But the Pirates have already restored one of his favorite traditions from his playing career.

Ventura will celebrate the official opening of practice Friday night with a Midnight Madness that will include a 3-point shootout, slam dunk contest and intrasquad scrimmage.

The exercise reminds the assistant coach, who played at VC from 1992-94, of his playing days.

"People were fighting for position and the community was there to watch it," said Ramirez. "It was intense."

Entrance is free to the public.

"It's a chance to get a sneak preview of the season," said head coach Will Cowen. "We're bringing it back because we we're trying to restore the program's traditions."

Ventura returns three sophomores, forward Jordan Harris, Jermiah Slowik and Justin Jimenez, from its Western State Conference North Division co-championship group.

The Pirates lost forward Randy Hunter, who transferred to Citrus College, but newcomers include All-CIF guard Paul Batausa of Ventura High and 6-foot-7 forward Pierce Brooks, a transfer from the University of San Francisco.

Oxnard returns a full backcourt in Ryan McLucas, who sat out last season with an injury, Nick Molina and Craig Lee. Key newcomers include forwards Omar Abraham and James Ennis, the former Ventura High star who was selected second team preseason All-American by Sporting News.

Moorpark may only returns one sophomore, but the Raiders are boosted by the addition of former Simi Valley star Mike Meza, a transfer from Azusa Pacific, and former Cal State Northridge guard Dallas Rutherford.

Moorpark College men's basketball coach Remy McCarthy has found his assistant. The Raiders have hired former Cal State Northridge director of basketball operations Ryan Dodd, who previously coached at Servite and St. John Bosco high schools.

"We really feel fortunate to have him available at this particular time of year," said McCarthy. "He's been at Cal State Northridge and anyone that knows Bob Braswell knows he's incredibly demanding."

Dodd won CIF and state basketball titles as a Servite High player, before walking onto the UCLA football team in 1992 and playing basketball at Cypress College in 1995-96.

"He's the kind of guy that's going to spend all his time in the gym," said McCarthy. "He's going to be able to recruit the Valley for us, which is critical.
"We're lucky as heck to have him."

The Moorpark College men's basketball team is still searching for a replacement for former assistant Mick Cady, who left because of a scheduling conflict.

"We are in the process," said Moorpark athletic director Howard Davis. "That's all I can tell you."

No embarrassment for the Moorpark College men's basketball team for bowed out of the postseason with a 67-47 regional quarterfinal loss at No. 13 Antelope Valley Wednesday.

The Mauraders went to powerhouse San Diego City and nearly won Saturday, falling 80-78 in overtime to a pair of buzzer beaters.

To advance, San Diego needed Nehemiah Simpkins' game-tying 3-pointer off a loose ball with 2.9 seconds left in regulation and Marquintice Davis game-winning left-hander with 0.8 seconds left in overtime.

Forward Malcolm Thomas, who Dave Roghan of JCHoops.com predicts will play in the NBA, had 30 points and 14 rebounds for San Diego City.

MEN

Southern California regional quarterfinal

No. 13 Antelope Valley 67, No. 20 Moorpark 47 FINAL
Updates from Joe Curley in Lancaster
3:45 -- AVC seals the game with a 9-0 run.
8:30 -- Jones' steal and breakaway dunk pulls Moorpark within 49-42.
9:00 -- Sean Bryan's 3-point play pulls Moorpark within 49-40.
13:20 -- Cody's two free throws gives AVC its biggest lead, 41-34.
15:30 -- Shane Foster's jumper is followed by a 3-pointer by Bowman as Moorpark pulls within 35-32.
17:15 -- Singleton's 3-pointer and a Moton dunk gives AVC its biggest lead, 35-27.
18:25 -- AVC scores the first five points of the second half to open up its biggest lead, 30-25. But a technical foul allows Jones to get a pair of free throws for the Raiders and stem the big.
HALF -- Moorpark PG Dwight Jones has a game-high eight points at the half, followed by five points by BJ Wortham. AVC, with its long front line, is led by seven points by Jerome Moton and five blocks by Kyisean Reed, which is one block from the school record already. Both teams aren't having good days shooting. Moorpark is 10 of 29 (34.5 percent) and AVC is 9 of 25 (36 percent).
0:00 -- Taylor's layup was goaltended at the buzzer but it shockingly isn't called. AVC has an incredible eight blocks in the first half.
2:57 -- Moton's dunk evens the score for AVC, 23-23.
9:02 -- Braylin Bowman's 3-pointer pushes Moorpark ahead 20-16.
11:30 -- Jones' 3-point play and Rodgers move inside put Moorpark up 15-13.
13:00 -- Justin Taylor's drive ends a four-minute Moorpark drought to pull the Raiders within 11-10.
14:48 -- Antelope Valley responds with a 6-0 run to take a 9-8 lead.
16:52 -- Dwight Jones and Matt Mazarei splash 3-pointers as the Raiders open up an early 8-3 lead.

No. 14 Cuesta 63, No. 19 West Los Angeles 65 FINAL
0:00 -- West LA got a backcourt court with 1.8 seconds left in the first half and Schumacher banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Cuesta, which trailed by 12 points after 12 minutes, a 34-31 halftime lead.

WOMEN

Southern California regional quarterfinal

No. 15 Pierce 77, No. 18 Citrus 78 FINAL
-- Richardson missed a potential game-winning layup at the end.

No. 16 Cerritos def. No. 17 Santa Barbara City FINAL

The Moorpark College and Cuesta College men's basketball teams will represent the WSC North in the Southern California regional quarterfinals tonight.

No. 20 Moorpark (17-11) visits No. 13 Antelope Valley (20-14) while No. 14 Cuesta (24-10) hosts No. 19 West Los Angeles (16-15).

I'll be out in Lancaster covering the game with HomefieldSport.com's Danny Page. Your options to follow the game live are live play-by-play updates right here on the College Sports Blog, or our live radio broadcast from Marauder Gym at HomefieldSports.com

Mr. Page and I are planning on doing Ventura County Sports Night live via remote from Lancaster at 5 p.m, where I'm sure we'll be discussing plenty of issues from the CIF and CCCAA postseasons.

I should also have some updates live from San Luis Obispo on the blog, perhaps courtesy from Greg Murphy or Pete Schuler. Although it looks like the Cougars will also have Internet radio coverage on their site, live at 6:50 p.m.

Community College men's basketball

Mike Rodgers feature: For Rodgers, Seeing is Believing by Joe Curley

NCAA Division III

Cal Lutheran notebook: Knudsen's hot streak has come at good time for Kingsmen by Rhiannon Potkey

No. 20 Moorpark (17-11) at No. 13 Antelope Valley (20-14)
Southern California regional quarterfinal, Bracket IV
Maurader Gym, Lancaster, 7 p.m.
Internet radio: Homefieldsports.com
League Finish: Moorpark, WSC North third place; Antelope Valley, Foothill third place.
Head to head: Did not play.
Vs. Playoff teams: Moorpark 1-6, Antelope Valley 7-10.
Team Offense: Moorpark 77.6 (17th), Antelope Valley 70.3 (54th).
Team Defense: Moorpark 74.5.1 (65th), Antelope Valley 67.0 (34)
Game Facts: The Raiders squeaked into the field despite only one win over a winning team. Star guard Dwight Jones called it his "birthday present." But it's the same position as the 2005 Moorpark team which was seeded No. 20, and upset Cerritos and No. 3 Mount San Antonio on the way to the regional final. "It's the kind of thing you'll never forget," said Moorpark coach Remy McCarthy. "This is what basketball is all about." Moorpark has a tall task against an Antelope Valley team doubling as the state's Jekyll-and-Hyde team. Headlined by G Rod Singlton and PF Kyisean Reed, the Mauraders are talented, but inconsistent.

Community College basketball

Men's SoCal playoff field: Moorpark, VC men given road assignments by Joe Curley.

Women's SoCal playoff field: Seeding less than perfect for VC by Joe Curley.

From around the state:

Fresno Bee: Fresno City squads to host playoff openers

Long Beach Press-Telegraph: Cerritos surprised to open playoffs on road

Pasadena Star-News: The road to a state title runs through PCC, Mount SAC

San Gabriel Valley Tribune: Rio Hondo women reach postseason

Moorpark College men's basketball coach Remy McCarthy on squeaking into the Southern California regional playoffs as the No. 20 and final seed and playing No. 13 Antelope Valley in the regional finals:

"We're in it, baby."

(on getting a second chance after almost seeing the bubble burst Saturday with a 81-79 loss to Oxnard)

"It absolutely is. There's no doubt about it. It's a chance for redemption. We didn't like that feeling we had Saturday night. We have a way to alleviate it. We just have to go do it.

(On AVC)

"They beat San Bernardino Valley three times and they won at Riverside. They're a good team. They've got a coach with a lot of state tournament experience. He's been to two state finals and won one.

"We've absolutely got our hands full."

(on the field)

"There's a number of teams that can win it, including Antelope Valley, by the way.
If I'm going to give you a team to watch, it's San Diego City -- another team in our bracket by the way -- because of Malcolm Thomas. He's a major force."

"He can dominate a game."

(more parity)

"(Defending state champion) Citrus has been consistently good all year but they haven't been blowing anybody out and they lost to Santa Monica. That tells you everything you need to know."

(on Moorpark making the regional final last time it was in this position as a No. 20 in 2005, upsetting Cerritos and Mount SAC along the way)

"Exactly."

Antelope Valley College men's basketball coach Dieter Horton told the Antelope Valley Press Monday that he was concerned with Moorpark's pressing style ahead of the teams' regional quarterfinal Wednesday in Palmdale:

"It's not conventional. It forces you into tough decisions."

"The key is we can't turn the ball over... Our guards have to handle the ball. If they don't turn the ball over then we're fine, if they do then it will be a long night."

The Ventura College men's basketball team has been seeded No. 10 in the Southern California regional playoffs and will play a regional semifinal at No. 7 Riverside Friday night.

The Moorpark College men's basketball team was the final team into the field at No. 20. The Raiders will play a regional quarterfinal game at No. 13 Antelope Valley Wednesday night.

Here's one way the early Southern California regional playoff projection by Ventura College assistant coach Jon Wyers might look in bracket form.

Note: The games in parenthesis are Wednesday's regional quarterfinals. The winners of those games will visit the Top 4 seeds in regional semifinals on Saturday. The other regional semfinal games (pitting the No. 5 through No. 12 seeds will be played on Friday.

Bracket 1
(No. 17 Moorpark at No. 16 Victor Valley) at No. 1 Citrus
No. 9 Cuesta at No. 8 Antelope Valley

Bracket 2
(No. 18 Los Angeles Trade Tech at No. 15 Los Angeles Valley) at No. 2 Saddleback
No. 10 Ventura at No. 7 Bakersfield

Bracket 3
(No. 19 West Los Angeles at No. 14 Riverside) at No. 3 San Bernardino Valley
No. 11 Miramar at No. 6 Chaffey

Bracket 4

(No. 20 Cerritos at No. 13 Fullerton) at No. 4 San Diego City
No. 12 Los Angeles City at No. 5 Mount San Jacinto

Postscript: If you compare the previous post's rankings with this post's brackets, you'll notice some teams have been shifted around to avoid conference matches. No. 3 San Diego City and No. 4 San Bernardino Valley have been switched for each other, as have No. 11 LA City and No. 12 Miramar and No. 18 West LA and No. 19 LA Trade Tech.