Both high school scrimmages combined for four dramatic overtimes and Pacifica High's Eric Davis produced a memorable performance in the slam dunk contest, but they weren't the primary attraction at Ventura College's Midnight Madness basketball event late Saturday

The matchup of Ventura College sophomores Zalmico Harmon and Joseph Soto, who will comprise one of the top backcourts in the state this winter, was the show.

"Just another day at practice," Soto said. "We both know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so it's always a battle."

Harmon's Black team beat Soto's Orange team in the scrimmage. But the third member of Ventura's Big 3, Najee Salaam, was a big advantage for the Black. Both guards looked significant improved over the offseason. Soto's 16 points, including four 3-pointers, led the night.

"He wasn't missing," Harmon said.

Basketball season may be a month away, but the teams will begin official practices this month.

Local basketball fans can get a first look at Ventura College men's basketball team Saturday night, when the Pirates will host their annual Midnight Madness event.

Ventura High will scrimmage Pacifica High at 10 p.m. Camarillo High will scrimmage Santa Paula at 10:45 p.m. A slam dunk and 3-point contest will follow before VC plays a midnight instrasquad scrimmage.

Ventura returns stars Zalmico Harmon, Joseph Soto and Najee Salaam off the team that went 19-12 and reached the regional semifinals a year ago.

The Ventura College men's basketball team will be holding its annual Midnight Madness event Friday night at the VC Athletic Event Center.

Doors open at 10:30 p.m. Admission is $5. The event includes a slam dunk contest, a 3-point shooting contest and an intrasquad scrimmage.

The Buena High, Ventura High, Oak Park and Santa Clara boys' basketball teams will also scrimmage.

The Ventura College men's basketball team will host its annual Midnight Madness event tonight, beginning at 10.

Buena, Ventura and Santa Clara highs will take turns scrimmaging each other until VC's intrasquad scrimmage at midnight.

Dunk and 3-point contests are also scheduled.

-- I counted 106 people in the gym, besides players, officials and staff, during the national anthem at 11:59 p.m., prior to the tipping off of the Ventura College men's basketball team's Midnight Madness.
12:03  Guard Troy Watson, a Chicago native who played the Pirates two years ago, was just introduced to the crowd alongside his teammates. He's an interesting addition to the team.
12:04 --  PA announcer Ric Ruffinelli just handed the microphone to head coach Will Cowen, whose first comments of the 2009-10 season include "We really have the commitment here renewed to bring all the great traditions of this program back."
12:05 -- Looks like the proceedings include five 5-minute scrimmage periods. We'll be here for about 90 minutes. We'll see how many fans are still here at 1:30 a.m.
12:07 -- The opening scrimmage pits a Black team of Paul Batausa, Justin Jimenez, Jeremiah Slowik, Jordan Harris and Pierce Brooks against a White team of Nolan Smith, Jon Keen, Moises Barrera,Randy Gonazales and Eysan Toole.
12:13 a.m. -- The Black team wins, 11-4. Batausa, who became the first Ventura High product to play for VC tonight in more than a decade tonight, drilled a 22 footer.
12:29 a.m. -- Former Ventura College assistant coach Jon Wyers is here with his Villanova Prep assistant and former VC guard Andre Jamerson.
12:30 a.m. --  Jon Keen, a 6-foot-5 wing from Hawaii, looks pretty explosive in the open court. He's snuck away for a couple breakaway buckets. Batausa and Harris have buried a couple 3-pointers.
12:32 a.m. -- Done with three of the five short scrimmages. The head count in the gym is now 138.
12:43 a.m. -- University of San Francisco transfer PIerce Brooks tips in at the buzzer to win the fourth scrimmage, 12-10.
12:55 a.m. -- Troy Watson, Jon Keen, Jordan Harris and Jeremiah Slowik will compete in the dunk contest.
12:56 a.m. -- Watson throws down with one hand for a 9. Keen has a pretty catch and flush for a 9. Harris goes the length of the court Jordan-style for a 9.5.
12:57 a.m. -- Watson only get a 9 for a sick double pump flush. Watson then brings it down to his ankles and back up behind his head for the 10 that clinches the competition.
1:01 a.m. -- Batausa's gotta be the favorite in the upcoming 3-point shootout. Or maybe Slowik.
1:03 a.m. -- Looks like Batausa, Brooks, Barrera and Bradish will shoot.
1:05 a.m. -- Barrera beats Batauta, 14-9, in the first round. Brooks beats Bradish, 8-7 in the second round.
1:07 a.m. -- Ramirez ends the proceedings with "Thank you for coming and don't forget what's on that wall."