Following a 3 p.m. shootaround at Wheeler Gym, Ventura College men's basketball captain Danny Benson pronounced the Pirates ready for their regional semifinal at No. 7 Riverside Saturday night.

"I feel like we're ready," said Benson. "We've practice hard all week. I feel like we're well prepared.

The team was informed head coach Ned Mircetic would not be joining the team after the conclusion of the shootaround.

"We've got to bring it back for coach Mircetic," said Benson. "We did it all through December without him. He's prepared us well and we want to practice again Monday."