I spoke to seven of the Great Eight head coaches to compile my preview capsules.
Returning to the Great Eight for the first time in five years is the state's most successful program — five-time champion, seven-time finalist, 12-time participant Ventura.
Ventura (29-5)
No. 3 South
- Location: Ventura
- Nickname: Pirates
- Head coach: Ned Mircetic (18th year)
- How it got here: Seeded No. 4 in regional, def. No. 13 Irvine Valley 86-37, def. No. 5 Saddleback 67-51.
- Conference finish: Western State North, champion (12-0)
- RPI: 10th
- Vs. Great Eight: 2-4
- Team offense: 75.8 points per game (7th)
- Team defense: 52.5 ppg (6th)
- Leading scorers: SG Indira Kaljo 16.6 ppg, SF Jenelle Conklin 11.8 ppg.
- Leading rebounders: Kaljo 6.7 rpg, PG Michelle Santizo 5.6 rpg.
- Great Eight history: Record 12th appearance, but first since ‘03. State champions in '96, ‘97, ‘00, ’01, ’02 and finalists for seventh straight years from ’96 to ’02. ’93.
- Note: Ventura is 9-0 all-time at Spanos Center with three straight state titles.
- Strengths: Versatility, depth and tenacity.
- Weaknesses: Lack of athleticism.
- Mircetic says: “We’re going to do the only thing we can do, and that’s play as hard as we can for 40 minutes.�
- Scouts say: “They throw a lot of different things at you, so you have to be prepared.�
- Outlook: The road to Sunday’s final may be just too tough to finish the job, but these Pirates have already achieved the season’s goal by putting the program back in the season’s final weekend after a five-year absence.
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