We're here at one of the state's finest venues, Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium, as the No. 11-seeded Ventura College women's basketball team opens its state championship defense against No. 6 Pasadena City. The game is being broadcasted on Homefieldsports.com and 1400 AM KKZZ Fillmore. I'll also be updating the game, plus as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

2011 Southern California regional quarterfinals

WOMEN
No. 6 Pasadena City 67, Ventura 56 FINAL Destinee LaFountain, a Royal High product, completed a standout freshman season with 24 points and 15 rebounds against All-State opposition. Rebecca Griffin added 14 points and Ja'Lisa Gatlin added 10 rebounds as Ventura (23-7) saw its season ended by Pasadena for the third time in five seasons.With 13 points and nine rebounds, Destinee LaFountain had a near-double double in the first half. Griffin and Ramirez added 9 and 6 points, respectively. Dominique Scott had 11 points and eight rebounds.
No. 2 San Bernardino Valley 51, No. 15 Santa Barbara City 46 FINAL
No. 1 Fullerton 69, No. 16 Chaffey 60 FINAL
No. 12 Southwestern (20-5) at No. 5 Orange Coast (22-8)

MEN
No. 1 Mount San Antonio 86, No. 8 Irvine Valley 68
No. 18 L.A. Southwest (17-12) at No. 2 Southwestern (23-2)
No. 16 L.A. Harbor 71, No. 3 Santa Monica 66
No. 4 Citrus 88, No. 13 Antelope Valley 63

Community College women's basketball
No. 11 Ventura (23-6) at No. 6 Pasadena City (23-4)
Southern California regional quarterfinal, Bracket II
Hutto-Patterson Gym, Pasadena, 7 p.m.
Radio: KKZZ 1400 AM, HomefieldSports.com.
League finish: Ventura, WSC North champion; Pasadena City, South Coast runner-up.
Head to head: Pasadena won 72-53 Dec. 19 in the final of the Rose City Classic.
Team Offense: Ventura 71.1 ppg (15th), Pasadena City 75.9 (5th).
Team Defense: Ventura 54.3 ppg (8th); Pasadena City 51.3 (4th).
Vs. Playoff teams: Ventura 7-6; Pasadena City, 8-3.
RPI: Ventura, 22nd; Pasadena City, 14th
Leading scorer: Ventura, Rebecca Griffin 15.6 ppg; Pasadena City, Dominque Scott 14.2.
Leading rebounder: Ventura, Destinee LaFountain 11.3 ppg; Pasadena City, Dominque Scott 10.3.

2011 Southern California regional women's basketball playoffs

Bracket I
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 16 Chaffey 81, No. 17 L.A. Pierce 75
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 9 Cypress 66, No. 8 Antelope Valley 49
No. 13 Riverside 68, No. 4 Cerritos 66
Saturday's quarterfinal: No. 16 Chaffey (19-10) at No. 1 Fullerton (27-2)
No. 17 Southwestern (20-5) at No. 5 Orange Coast (22-8)

Bracket II
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 15 Santa Barbara City 77, No. 18 L.A. Trade Tech 59
Friday's quarterfinals: No. 7 Canyons 88, No. 10 Mount San Jacinto 73
No. 3 Mount San Antonio 71, No. 14 Moorpark 59
Saturday's quarterfinals: No. 15 Santa Barbara City (21-10) at No. 2 San Bernardino Valley (26-2)
No. 11 Ventura (23-6) at No. 6 Pasadena City (23-4)

Quarterfinal winners advance to semifinals March 2. Semifinal winners advance to regional finals March 5. Regional final winners advance to state Final Four March 11-13 at Ventura College.

We're here at Mt. SAC Gym in Walnut for the Moorpark College women's basketball team's first postseason contest in five seasons. The No. 14-seeded Raiders open against the four-time state champion Mounties. The game is being broadcasted on Homefieldsports.com and 1400 AM KKZZ Fillmore. I'll also be updating the game, plus as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

2011 Southern California regional quarterfinals

WOMEN
No. 3 Mount San Antonio 71, No. 14 Moorpark 59 FINAL Deepika Kapil had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Sidney Dobner had 22 points as Moorpark threatened the four-time state champion. Jianni Jackson had 25 points and 17 rebounds and Kimmie Hawkins had 21 points and 14 rebounds for Mount SAC, which ended the game on a 13-1 run after a 58-58 tie with 3:24 to play. Moorpark lead 22-12, but Raiders went final seven minutes of the half without a field goal.
No. 9 Cypress 66, No. 8 Antelope Valley 49 FINAL
No. 7 Canyons 88, No. 10 Mount San Jacinto 73 FINAL
No. 13 Riverside 68, No. 4 Cerritos 66 FINAL

MEN

No. 8 Irvine Valley 63, No. 9 San Bernardino Valley 50 FINAL
No. 7 Saddleback 75, No. 10 Barstow 52 FINAL
No. 11 Mount San Jacinto (19-8) at No. 6 Riverside (19-10)
No. 5 Chaffey 66, No. 13 L.A. Trade-Tech 63 FINAL

Moorpark College women's basketball
Changing of the Guards: Moorpark College's Sidney Dobner and Deepika Kapil

Oxnard College men's basketball
Eye-eyed Condor: Sharpshooter Marcus Falley

Ventura College men's basketball
Cowen ends interim assignment: Cowen leaves Pirates in ship shape
Ramirez hired: VC promotes Ramirez to head men's basketball coach

Community College women's basketball
No. 14 Moorpark (18-8) at No. 3 Mount San Antonio (26-3)
Southern California regional quarterfinal, Bracket II
Mt. SAC Gym, Walnut, 7 p.m.
Radio: KKZZ 1400 AM, HomefieldSports.com.
League finish: Moorpark, WSC North second; Mount San Antonio, South Coast champion
Head to head: Did not play this season.
Team Offense: Moorpark 67.3 ppg (24th), Mount San Antonio 73.7 (9th).
Team Defense: Moorpark 58.3 ppg (23rd); Mount San Antonio 51.7 (6th).
Vs. Playoff teams: Moorpark 5-8; Mount San Antonio, 11-3.
RPI: Moorpark, 24th; Mount San Antonio, 4th.
Leading scorer: Moorpark, Sidney Dobner 16.5 ppg; Mount San Antonio, Kimmie Hawkins 11.2.
Leading rebounder: Moorpark, Deepika Kapil 7.1 ppg; Mount San Antonio, Kimmie Hawkins 8.1.

We're here at Marauder Gym in Lancaster for the Oxnard College men's basketball team's first postseason contest in eight seasons. The No. 20-seeded Condors, boosted by the return of sophomore star Scooter Holmes, visit No. 13 Antelope Valley. The game is being broadcasted on Homefieldsports.com and 1400 AM KKZZ Fillmore. I'll also be updating the game, plus as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

2011 Southern California regional playoffs, first round

MEN
No. 12 Antelope Valley 100, No. 20 Oxnard 93 (OT)
No. 17 Long Beach City 82, No. 14 Glendale 73
No. 18 L.A. Southwest 93, No. 15 Compton 82
No. 16 L.A. Harbor 59, No. 19 Hancock 52

WOMEN
No. 16 Chaffey 81, No. 17 L.A. Pierce 75
No. 15 Santa Barbara City 77, No. 18 L.A. Trade Tech 59

LANCASTER -- Oxnard College forward Scooter Holmes is in uniform and will attempt to play tonight.

The No. 20-seeded Condors, who lost their last two games of the season with Holmes sidelined with an injury to his shooting hand, look like they will have their star sophomore for tonight's Southern California regional first-round playoff game at No. 13 Antelope Valley.

"I'm not thinking about the pain," said Holmes. "Pain is temporary."

An hour before tipoff at Marauder Gym, Holmes was the first Oxnard player in the team's blue road uniforms as the teams held a pregame shootaround.

"Scooter is so tough," said Oxnard coach Jason Cunningham. "He's played with plenty of (problems) before."

Community College men's basketball
No. 20 Oxnard (17-10) at No. 13 Antelope Valley (19-9)
Southern California regional playoffs, first round
Marauder Gym, 7 p.m.
Radio: KKZZ 1400 AM, Homefieldsports.com.
League Finish: Oxnard, WSC North third; Antelope Valley, Foothill fourth
Head to head: Did not play this season. Oxnard leads the series, 11-5.
Team Offense: Oxnard 83.8 (9th), Antelope Valley 79.1 (21st).
Team Defense: Oxnard 79.6 (79th); Antelope Valley 72.1 (35th).
Vs. Playoff teams: Oxnard 4-4; Antelope Valley, 4-9.
RPI: Oxnard, 32nd; Antelope Valley, 15th
Leading scorer: Oxnard, Marcus Falley 18.7 ppg; Antelope Valley, Shelton Boykin 11.7.
Leading rebounder: Oxnard, Codye Hatcher 9.4 ppg; Antelope Valley, George McGrew 7.9.

HomefieldSports.com will be broadcasting the locals three road Southern California regional playoff games this week.

Those interested can listen live to the No. 20 Oxnard College men's basketball team face No. 13 Antelope Valley tonight at 7 p.m., the No. 14 Moorpark College women's basketball team face No. 3 Mount SAC Friday at 7 p.m. and the No. 11 Ventura College women's basketball team face No. 6 Pasadena City Saturday at 7 p.m. on HomefieldSports.com and 1400 AM KKZZ Fillmore.

Eric Evelhoch will have the call.

Ventura College has just announced that assistant coach Joey Ramirez has been hired as the school's new men's basketball head coach.

Ramirez, the 1994 WSC North co-Most Valuable Player at Ventura, has been Will Cowen's assistant coach over the past two seasons.

"Joey's loyalty to Ventura College started as a player in our program," said Cowen, the school's athletic director. "He paid his dues as a very successful high school coach. He's been an outstanding teacher. Obviously, he was excellent as an assistant coach over the past two years.

"He's earned the position in every regard."

At Oak Park High, Ramirez was the Tri-Valley League Coach of the Year honors in 2007-08, having guided the Eagles to a league title and a 22-8 record.

Ramirez played at Santa Paula High.

2011 Southern California regional men's basketball playoff pairings
Bracket I
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 17 Long Beach City (14-11) at No. 14 Glendale (18-10)
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 9 San Bernardino Valley (17-11) at No. 8 Irvine Valley (21-7)
Saturday's quarterfinal: Long Beach-Glendale winner at No. 1 Mount San Antonio (21-5)

Bracket II
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 18 L.A. Southwest (16-12) at No. 15 Compton (16-10)
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 10 Barstow (22-6) at No. 7 Saddleback (24-6)
Saturday's quarterfinal: L.A. Southwest-Compton winner at No. 2 Southwestern (23-2)

Bracket III
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 19 Hancock (14-13) at No. 16 L.A. Harbor (14-12)
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 11 Mount San Jacinto (19-8) at No. 6 Riverside (19-10)
Saturday's quarterfinal: L.A. Harbor-Hancock winner at No. 3 Santa Monica (20-7).

Bracket IV
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 20 Oxnard (15-10) at No. 12 Antelope Valley (19-9)
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 13 L.A. Trade-Tech (18-9) at No. 5 Chaffey (19-7)
Saturday's quarterfinal: Oxnard-Antelope Valley winner at No. 4 Citrus (23-5)

Quarterfinal winners advance to semifinals March 2. Semifinal winners advance to regional finals March 5. Regional final winners advance to state Final Four March 11-13 at Ventura College.

2011 Southern California regional women's basketball playoff pairings

Bracket I
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 17 L.A. Pierce (18-10) at No. 16 Chaffey (18-10)
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 9 Cypress (21-9) at No. 8 Antelope Valley (21-9)
Saturday's quarterfinal: Pierce-Chaffey winner at No. 1 Fullerton (27 2)

Bracket II
Wednesday's first-round game: No. 18 L.A. Trade Tech (15-11) at No. 15 Santa Barbara City (20-10)
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 10 Mount San Jacinto (20-8) at No. 7 Canyons (22-7)
Saturday's quarterfinal: Santa Barbara-Trade Tech winner at No. 2 San Bernardino Valley (26-2)

Bracket III
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 14 Moorpark (18-8) at No. 3 Mount San Antonio (26-3)
Saturday's quarterfinal: No. 11 Ventura (23-6) at No. 6 Pasadena City (23-4)

Bracket IV
Friday's quarterfinal: No. 13 Riverside (17-12) at No. 4 Cerritos (23-6)
Saturday's quarterfinal: No. 17 Southwestern (20-5) at No. 5 Orange Coast (22-8)

Quarterfinal winners advance to semifinals March 2. Semifinal winners advance to regional finals March 5. Regional final winners advance to state Final Four March 11-13 at Ventura College.

The Road to Ventura begins this week and three Ventura County teams were placed at the starting line when the pairings for the Southern California regional playoffs were announced Monday.

The Oxnard College men's basketball team (16-10) earned the 20th and final seed of the men's field. The Condors will make their first postseason appearance in eight years Wednesday at No. 13 Antelope Valley (19-9).

With the No. 14 seed in the women's field, the Moorpark College women's basketball team (18-8) earned its first postseason berth in five years and will visit four-time state champion Mount San Antonio (26-3) in a regional quarterfinal Friday.

The WSC North champion and defending state champion Ventura College women's basketball team (23-6), in the postseason for the 21st straight year, was seeded No. 11 and will visit a familiar face, No. 6 Pasadena (23-4), in a regional quarterfinal Saturday at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.

The Lancers have beaten Ventura in each of the past five seasons, knocking the Pirates out of the playoffs in 2007 and 2009 and handing the Pirates their only losses in the 34-1 seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Since a 72-53 loss at Pasadena in the final of the Rose City Classic Dec. 19, Ventura has won 15 of 16 games, including the state's longest current winning streak at 13 games

The pairings introduce a potentially memorable matchup in the Bracket C semifinals, which could see archrivals Ventura and Moorpark or Mount San Antonio and Pasadena meeting March 2.

For the first time in decades, Ventura College will host the California Community College basketball championships March 11-13 in its new Final Four format. The school last hosted the women's tournament in 1993 and the men's tournament in 1972 and 1973.

Oxnard and Hancock will be vying for the WSC North title as the final round arrives today. With a win at Condor Center, the Ventura men can finish with the best record in the WSC North. I'll be updating as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

Men's schedule, 5 p.m.
Ventura 81, Oxnard 73 FINAL James Ennis had a career-high 36, including 21 points in the first 15 minutes, as the Pirates clinched the best record in the WSC North. Oxnard was led by 35 points from Malcolm Pope.
Hancock 75, Los Angeles Pierce 69 FINAL Second-place Hancock clinched the WSC North title because of Ventura's probation and Oxnard's loss.
Cuesta 89, Santa Barbara City 74 FINAL

Women's schedule, 7 p.m.
Ventura 95, Oxnard 44 FINAL Behind a school-record 20 3-pointers, Ventura completed the 17th perfect WSC North season in the past 24 years with a 95-44 win over Oxnard.
Santa Barbara City 70, Cuesta 51 FINAL
Los Angeles Pierce 83, Hancock 74 FINAL

Saturday's end-of-season clash between the Ventura College and Oxnard College men's basketball teams promises to be one of the more unique Western State Conference showdowns.

With a win, first-place Ventura (21-7, 9-2) can complete its two-year probation with the best record in the WSC North.

"All the teams will know who was the No. 1 team this year," said Ventura sophomore James Ennis.

After losing in overtime, 93-91, Wednesday night at Los Angeles Pierce, Oxnard (16-8, 8-3) probably must win to make the postseason.

"This is not how this season is supposed to play itself out," said Oxnard coach Jason Cunningham after the Condors lost Wednesday without injured star Scooter Holmes.

At 8-3, Oxnard and Hancock enter the final day of the regular season tied for second place. Since Ventura is ineligible for the WSC North championship, a tiebreaking procedure may be needed to determine the division's automatic postseason berth.

The conference's basketball bylaws state that the coaches survey the teams' postseason criteria and determine which would be the higher seed.

"We can only send one automatic qualifier and the league decides that," said Moorpark coach Remy McCarthy. "The coaches will vote."

With an 86-77 win over visiting Cuesta Wednesday night, the Moorpark College men's basketball team finished its season 9-17.

Although the win total is the program's lowest since 1992, coach Remy McCarthy was proud of his young team.

"It's awfully hard for me to be upset with these guys in any way shape or form," said McCarthy. "I've got nothing but praise for my guys. I know it's a bottom-line industry, but these guys never quit working and nobody turned on each other.

"We're looking forward to having the majority of them back next year."

With returning freshmen like Jamal McClerkin and Coltrane Powdrill, who combined to average 36 points per game, the Raiders look loaded for 2011-12.

While the Ventura College women's basketball team only returned one sophomore, forward Ariel Hale, from its 2010 state championship team, another familiar face has rejoined the Pirates in recent weeks.

Suzie Faanono, who is redshirting this season because of illness, returned to practice last month and has been helping prepare the current team for the postseason.

"It feels really good to be back," said Faanono. "But I'm not here to show off my skills. I'm here to help out.

"It's been really hard. I really wanted to play this year... I'm playing next year for sure."

The Pacifica High product was a key reserve as a freshman, scoring 16 points in the three state tournaments games combined.

"She brought skill, she brought intelligence and she brought a calmness to the locker room," said Ventura coach Ned Mircetic. "She brings a complete presence to the team and I'm real happy she's healthy and back playing the game."

The big game tonight is at Brahma Gym, where the Oxnard College men's basketball team can pull even atop the WSC North with county-rival Ventura by beating Los Angeles Pierce. I'll be updating as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

Men's schedule, 5 p.m.
Los Angeles Pierce 93, Oxnard 91 (OT) FINAL Torey Phillips' layup with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime lifted the host Brahmas. Marcus Falley had 31 points, Malcolm Pope had 27 points and Codye Hatcher had 18 points and 15 rebounds. Pierce has 9 3s at the half. Oxnard star Scooter Holmes did not play.
Moorpark 86, Cuesta 77 FINAL Coltrane Powdrill had 24p oints, Jamal McClerkin had 17 points, Kyle Olandt had 13 points and Andre Fowler had 12 points for Moorpark.
Hancock 36, Santa Barbara City 17 HALF

Women's schedule, 7 p.m.
Moorpark 76, Cuesta 52 FINAL Dee Kapil had 27 points and nine rebounds, Sidney Dobner had 17 points, six rebounds, eight assists and five steals and Ashley Samson added 15 points as the Raiders clinched second place in the WSC North in their regular season finale.
Oxnard at Los Angeles Pierce
Hancock at Santa Barbara City

The Ventura College and Moorpark College women's basketball teams enter the final week of the regular season in the Southern California coaches' poll.

Ventura is steady at No. 10 and Moorpark rises two places to No. 13.

Ventura is also No. 14 in the final state coaches' poll. Click the jump to view it.

CCCWBCA South Region Poll
February 14, 2011
Rank PrevCollege W-L Pts
1 1 Fullerton College (7) 25-2 119
2 2 San Bernardino Valley College (1) 24-2 113
3 3 Mt. San Antonio College 25-3 104
4 4 Cerritos College 21-6 90
5 5 Pasadena City College 21-5 86
6 7 Orange Coast College 22-6 79
7 6 College of the Canyons 20-7 69
8 9 Mt. San Jacinto College 20-7 65
9 8 Antelope Valley College 19-9 56
10 10 Ventura College 22-6 55
11 11 Cypress College 16-10 31
12 13 Southwestern College 18-6 25
13t 12 Chaffey College 16-11 17
13t 15 Moorpark College 17-8 17
13t 14 Riverside Community College 16-12 17
( ) - Number one votes
t - tie
Dropped Out (previous rank): none
Also Received Votes (alphabetical order): Grossmont College, Los Angeles Pierce College, Los Angeles Valley College

If Oxnard wins Wednesday night at Pierce, the Condors will pull even atop the standings with Ventura ahead of the team's end-of-season showdown Saturday at Condor Center. Moorpark wraps its season up Wednesday against Cuesta at Raider Pavilion.

Round 12 scores, Saturday
Ventura 71, Los Angeles Pierce 60
Oxnard 105, Santa Barbara City 67
Hancock 78, Moorpark 47

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Ventura 21-7 .750 9-2 .818
Oxnard 16-8 .667 8-2 .800
Hancock 12-13 .480 7-3 .700
L.A. Pierce 7-16 .304 4-6 .400
Santa Barbara City 7-18 .280 3-7 .300
Moorpark 8-17 .320 3-8 .273
Cuesta 11-16 .407 2-8 .200

Round 13 schedule, Wednesday
Cuesta at Moorpark
Oxnard at Los Angeles Pierce
Hancock at Santa Barbara City

Round 14 schedule, Saturday
Ventura at Oxnard
Santa Barbara City at Cuesta
Los Angeles Pierce at Hancock

Ventura has clinched its 21st straight WSC North title. If the Pirates win at Oxnard Saturday, they'll complete an unbeaten conference campaign for the 17th time in 24 years. Moorpark has the inside track on the runners-up place and a playoff berth. Pierce and Santa Barbara City are still jockeying for playoff positioning.

Round 12 scores, Saturday
Ventura 94, Los Angeles Pierce 70
Santa Barbara City 65, Oxnard 52
Moorpark 79, Hancock 64

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Ventura 22-6 .786 11-0 1.000
Moorpark 17-8 .680 8-3 .727
L.A. Pierce 16-10 .615 6-4 . 600
Santa Barbara City 18-10 .643 5-5 .500
Hancock 9-15 .375 3-7 .300
Cuesta 5-18 .238 3-7 .300
Oxnard 5-16 .238 0-10 .000

Round 13 schedule, Wednesday
Cuesta at Moorpark
Oxnard at Los Angeles Pierce
Hancock at Santa Barbara City

Round 14 schedule, Saturday
Ventura at Oxnard
Santa Barbara City at Cuesta
Los Angeles Pierce at Hancock

It's now a two-team race in the WSC North men's campaign, as Ventura clings to a half game lead on second-place Oxnard ahead of next Saturday's season-ending showdown. While the Ventura women have clinched their 21st straight WSC North title outright, Moorpark, Pierce and Santa Barbara City are still jockying for postseason position. . I'll be updating as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

Men's schedule, 5 p.m.
Ventura 71, Los Angeles Pierce 60 FINAL At the half, James Ennis has a game-high eight points and Mike Melonas and Deon Garrett have six points apiece.
Oxnard 105, Santa Barbara City 67 FINAL At the half, Gary Johnson has 15 points and eight rebounds, Marcus Falley has 10 points and Codye Hatcher has six points, eight rebounds and five blocks.
Hancock 78, Moorpark 47 FINAL

Women's schedule, 7 p.m.
Ventura 45, Los Angeles Pierce 36 HALF At the half, Rebecca Griffin has 17 points for Ventura. Pierce's Amari Hampton has 14 points.
Oxnard at Santa Barbara City
Moorpark 79, Hancock 64 FINAL Dee Kapil has 24 points and 14 rebounds, Ashley Samson had 24 points and Sidney Dobner added 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Charnae Thomas added five steals.

Round 11 scores, Wednesday
Ventura 88, Santa Barbara City 65
Oxnard 82, Moorpark 79
Hancock 108, Cuesta 90

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Ventura 20-7 .741 8-2 .800
Oxnard 15-8 .652 7-2 .778
Hancock 11-13 .458 6-3 .667
L.A. Pierce 7-15 .318 4-5 .444
Santa Barbara City 7-17 .292 3-6 .333
Moorpark 8-16 .333 3-7 .300
Cuesta 11-16 .407 2-8 .200

Round 12 schedule, Saturday
Los Angeles Pierce at Ventura
Oxnard at Santa Barbara City
Moorpark at Hancock

Round 11 scores, Wednesday
Ventura 68, Santa Barbara City 52
Moorpark 82, Oxnard 48
Cuesta 88, Hancock 83

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Ventura 21-6 .778 10-0 1.000
Moorpark 16-8 .667 7-3 .700
L.A. Pierce 16-9 .640 6-3 . 667
Santa Barbara City 17-10 .630 4-5 .444
Hancock 9-14 .391 3-6 .333
Cuesta 5-18 .217 3-7 .300
Oxnard 5-15 .527 0-9 .000

Round 12 schedule, Saturday
Los Angeles Pierce at Ventura
Oxnard at Santa Barbara City
Moorpark at Hancock

Things looked bleak for the Ventura College women's basketball team in December.
A 5-4 start combined with a Western State Conference North Division race with three other ranked teams put its streak of 20 straight WSC North titles in jeopardy.

"I know that this is the year that a lot of people thought we could finish third or fourth in the league," said Ventura coach Ned Mircetic. "We had a rocky beginning part of the year. There were a lot of growing pains early on."

But the No. 10-ranked Pirates grew together, found a rotation that worked and ripped off 16 wins in 18 games, including its last 11 straight, to clinch its 21st straight WSC North title outright with a 68-52 win over visiting Santa Barbara City Wednesday.

"I've said this and I mean it, every win is special," said Mircetic. "And for this group to be Western State Conference championships is really special."

"They have overachieved with a group of freshman that stumbled their way through the early part of the season... They're really learning their way around the game of basketball."

Center Destinee LaFountain, averaging 13.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, is on pace to become the first Ventura player to average a double-double since
Nicole Ellis in 1993.

The 6-foot-1 freshman from Royal High is the reigning WSC North Player of the Week.
Guard Rebecca Griffin is averaging 15.2 points and 4.0 assists per game. Guard Stephanie Ramirez is averaging nearly 10 points and shooting nearly 56 percent in WSC North play. Regan Mew and Ariel Hale have developed into vital two-way players. Carlotta Kloppenburg buried six 3s Wednesday.

"I'm really happy for them," said Mircetic. "They've achieved beyond their abilities. But they are champions, so they can say whatever they want."

After suffering its two-game losing streak to fall out of first place in the WSC North, the Oxnard College men's basketball team rebounded with wins over Cuesta (105-89) and Moorpark (82-79) Saturday and Wednesday, respectively.

The obvious factor was the return of reserve guard Malcolm Pope, who returned after missing the two losses with an academic issue. The freshman from New York City had a game-high 25 points off the bench Wednesday night.

"I was trying to get to the basket the whole second half," said Pope.

Pope has provided a big lift to Oxnard's second unit in big games, especially offensively.

"He's so good you don't have to run a play for him," said Oxnard coach Jason Cunningham.

While the WSC North men's race looks like its heading to the inevitable Ventura at Oxnard clash on Feb. 19, don't look to Ventura sophomore James Ennis to provide a subplot.

Ennis, who transferred from Oxnard to Ventura in the offseason, has said his move had nothing to do with the Condors or Oxnard coach Jason Cunningham.

"I have nothing against the Oxnard coach," said Ennis last month. "He's a good coach."

Ennis, the reigning WSC North Player of the Week, has been playing some of his best ball recently, scoring 20 or more points in six straight games while shooting better than 62 percent.

The WSC North women's race still features the Top 2 scorers in the state in Los Angeles Pierce freshman Monica Jackson (27.8 points per game) and Hancock freshman Camille Zumbro (26.2 ppg).

It also has three of the Top 9, when Pierce's Amari Hampton (18.6 ppg) is included, and four of the Top 18, when Moorpark's Sidney Dober (16.6 ppg) is included.

Dobner, a Newbury Park High product, is No. 9 in the state in assists (5.7 per game), LaFountain is No. 8 in blocks and No. 12 in rebounds.

Another cross-county rivalry is in the spotlight as the Oxnard men continue to chase the VC men. The Ventura women can also clinch its 21st straight WSC North title outright with a win over visiting Santa Barbara City. I'll be updating as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

Men's schedule, 5 p.m.
Ventura 88, Santa Barbara City 65 FINAL James Ennis had 26 points, Austin Ramljak had 16 points and Deon Garrett added 12 points as the Pirates stayed atop the WSC North standings.
Oxnard 82, Moorpark 79 FINAL Malcolm Pope had 25 points and Marcus Falley had 12 second-half points as the Condors survived a relentless assault by Moorpark to keep pace. Coltrane Powdrill had 21 points, Alex Romero had 20 points and Andre Fowler had 19 points for Moorpark.
Hancock 108, Cuesta 90 FINAL

Women's schedule, 7 p.m.
Ventura 68, Santa Barbara City 52 FINAL Carlotta Kloppenburg and Stephanie Ramirez combined for nine 3s as the Pirates took over a game that was tied 26-26 in the second half. After falling to Santa Barbara in the Visalia tournament in December, Ventura clinched its 21st straight WSC North title by sweeping the Vaqueros in WSC North play.
Moorpark 83, Oxnard 48 FINAL Deepika Kapil had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Ashley Samson had 20 points and Sidney Dobner added 16 points for Moorpark. Nikki Tauau had 19 points and Darnisha McGee and Danielle Hernandez added 12 points apiece for Oxnard.
Cuesta 88, Hancock 83

Round 9 scores, Wednesday
Ventura 93, Cuesta 80
Hancock 82, Oxnard 75
Los Angeles Pierce 84, Moorpark 79

Round 10 scores, Saturday
Ventura 77, Moorpark 64
Oxnard 105, Cuesta 89
Los Angeles Pierce 65, Santa Barbara City 63

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Ventura 19-7 .731 7-2 .778
Oxnard 14-8 .636 6-2 .750
Hancock 10-13 .435 5-3 .625
L.A. Pierce 7-15 .318 4-5 .444
Santa Barbara City 7-16 .304 3-5 .375
Moorpark 8-15 .348 3-6 .333
Cuesta 11-15 .423 2-7 .222

Round 11 schedule, Wednesday
Moorpark at Oxnard
Santa Barbara City at Ventura
Hancock at Cuesta

Round 9 scores, Wednesday
Moorpark 84, Los Angeles Pierce 73
Hancock 86, Oxnard 65
Ventura 62, Cuesta 54

Round 10 scores, Saturday
Ventura 63, Moorpark 57
Cuesta 58, Oxnard 45
Los Angeles Pierce 83, Santa Barbara City 82

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Ventura 20-6 .769 9-0 1.000
Moorpark 15-8 .652 6-3 .667
L.A. Pierce 16-9 .640 6-3 . 667
Santa Barbara City 17-9 .654 4-4 .500
Hancock 9-13 .409 3-5 .375
Cuesta 4-18 .182 2-7 .222
Oxnard 5-14 .263 0-8 .000

Round 11 schedule, Wednesday
Moorpark at Oxnard
Santa Barbara City at Ventura
Hancock at Cuesta

Lindsay Goldblatt was just 23 years old, three years removed from her playing days at Raider Pavilion, when she took over as Moorpark College women's basketball coach in April 2007.

After three improving seasons, Goldblatt, now 26, has the Raiders competing in the Western State Conference's North Division and on the cusp of its first postseason berth in five years.

"I don't feel like I'm a veteran, by any means," said Goldblatt. "But I feel like I'm getting the hang of this."

Moorpark (15-7, 6-2), which debuted this week at No. 14 in the Southern California coaches' poll, moved into sole possession of second place Wednesday with a 84-73 win over visiting Los Angeles Pierce.

"It's nice to see all of our hard work as coaches being displayed as wins," said Goldblatt. "It starts with the girls. These girls work so hard."

Point guard Sidney Dobner had 24 points, 10 assists and four steals, Ashley Samson had 22 points and Dee Kapil had 17 points.

The No. 10-ranked Ventura College women's basketball team (19-6, 8-0) may be coming to Raider Pavilion Saturday night looking to clinch a share of its 21st straight WSC North title, it may be in for its toughest test of the campaign.

"I saw them against Santa Monica, they were nearly flawless in the first half," said Ventura assistant coach Robin Hester. "We know what we're up against."

Moorpark is 9-1 at home, beating teams by an average of 18.4 points per game.

"We like our home court, for sure," said Goldblatt. "Our offense seems to be doing well at home."

Ventura College women's basketball coach Ned Mircetic returned to practice Thursday after a week's absence due to illness.

Despite Mircetic's absence, the Pirates extended their winning streak to nine games with wins over Hancock Saturday and Cuesta Wednesday.

"I'm proud of the fact that we've faced adversity and we were able to do what we needed to do," said Hester. "I can't say that we've played great, but when the time came, we were able to make the plays that we needed to make to win the game.

Cuesta pulled within 57-54 with 1:04 to play Wednesday, but the Pirates survived behind a pair of clutch steals and free throws by Rebecca Griffin and a key assist by Regan Mew.

"It doesn't matter who the head coach is," said Hester. "Ultimately, it's the players on the floor that win the game."

The games were just the second and third games Mircetic has missed since his first job at Oxnard College in 1982.

The spring season arrived last week with the first softball games of the year. Baseball arrives today as the defending WSC champion Oxnard College baseball team visits East Los Angeles, Ventura travels to Porterville and Moorpark is at Bakersfield.

As teenagers go, never mind basketball stars, Nikki Tauau is thoughtful and humble.

Compliment her on a game well played and the former Pacifica High forward will deflect the words to her Oxnard College teammates. Marvel at that humility, and she'll mention those responsible for her upbringing, including her grandmother, Fepineia'i.

"She has that affect on me," said Tauau. "She makes me want to better myself."

That strong connection is what makes Tauau's sophomore season, during which she's averaged 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, even more impressive.

Tauau was in West Valley City, Utah last month, visiting family for the holidays, when Fepineia'i, who suffers from a neurological condition, was rushed to the hospital.

"It was the day I was supposed to come back for practice," said Tauau. "I just couldn't find the strength to leave her. My heart was with her."

Tauau stayed by her grandmother's side for weeks, only leaving to go for a run or do some dribbling drills in the snow.

She returned to the Condors Jan. 14 after Fepineia'i, who is now on hospice, told Tauau to go home and finish school.

"She's the reason why I push myself to be a better person," said Tauau. "She's always wanted the best for us."

Upon her return last week, Tauau had 22 points and 11 rebounds against Santa Barbara City and 28 points and nine rebounds against Los Angeles Pierce.

Despite going nearly a month without shooting a basketball, she made 12 of 16 free throws against the Vaqueros and 5 of 6 3-pointers against the Brahmas.

"It was difficult," said Tauau. "I would have loved to have the chance over break to get into better shape... Coach (Phil) Sherman expects me to play 40 minutes, I could use that extra push in my step."

But, if anything, the past month has reinforced Tauau's priorities.

"Being away from my grandmother, it just gives me that drive to keep playing," said Tauau. "I feel like I do it all for her."

Nearly six weeks before Ventura College hosts the California Community College basketball championships, a few CCCAA administrators were in town Jan. 27 for a site visit.

"We wanted to come by and see how an actual game is run, said George Mategakis, the Commission on Athletic's Director of Championships.

Between games of the Oxnard-Ventura doubleheader, Mategaskis and Jim Stephens, the championships' event manager, could be seen measuring the "VC" center-court logo.

"We want to dress up the place," said Mategaskis.

With eight former Ventura College and Moorpark College women's basketball players on the roster and the coaching staff, the Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team had roared out to a 16-0 start this season, topping the California Collegiate Athletic Association at 12-0.

This week, the Otters were ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II West Regional rankings.

But they also took a hit when former Royal High and Ventura College star Erika Ward was diagnosed with a torn ACL last month.

"With what she brought defensively and with her big shots, it's obviously a big loss," said Monterey head coach Renee Jimenez, the former Ventura High and Ventura College player. "I think everybody knows that they need to step up more.

Ward, who had started the first 15 games, was the team's third-leading scorer at 8.3 points per game. She may be unable to play the rest of the season, but Jimenez said Ward's season isn't over.

"We gave her a coaching notebook today," said Jimenez. "She's one of our smartest players. We need her now more than ever. We need her brain."

The cross-county rivalry is the signature game of Round 10 of the WSC North basketball campaign. I'll be updating as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

Men's schedule, 5 p.m.
Ventura 77, Moorpark 64 FINAL James Ennis scored 26 points, Corey Hall had 12 points and Brandon Edwards added 10 points for first-place Ventura (19-7, 7-2), which won its fifth straight game. Moorpark (8-15, 3-6) was led by 17 points by Coltrane Powdrill, 14 points from Alex Romero and 11 points from Andre Fowler.
Oxnard 105, Cuesta 89 FINAL
Los Angeles Pierce 65, Santa Barbara City 63 FINAL

Women's schedule, 7 p.m.
Ventura 63, Moorpark 57 FINAL Destinee LaFountain had 11 points and 21 rebounds and Rebecca Griffin had 10 points and seven assists as the Ventura College women's basketball team clinched a share of the Western State Conference's North Division title for the 21st consecutive season. Ja'Lisa Gatin and Carlotta Kloppenburg added 10 points apiece as Ventura (20-6, 9-0) won for the ninth straight game. Moorpark (15-8, 6-3) had its five-game winning streak snapped despite 21 points from Sidney Dobner, 14 points from Ashley Samson and 13 points and 11 rebounds from Deepika Kapil.
Cuesta 58, Oxnard 45 FINAL
Los Angeles Pierce 83, Santa Barbara City 82 FINAL Monica Jackson's buzzer beater lifted the Brahmas.

Round 9 of the WSC North basketball campaign arrives tonight. I'm in Santa Maria at Joe White Memorial Gymnasium to see how the Condors bounce back from their loss last week at Ventura, but I'll be updating as many scores as we can find here on Twitter.

Men's schedule, 5 p.m.
Hancock 82, Oxnard 75 FINAL Oxnard fell out of first place with its second straight loss, despite 35 points from Marcus Falley, 10 points and 11 rebounds from Codye Hatcher and 10 points from Steven Powell. Hancock forward Ali Langford had 21 points and 7 rebounds and Jordan Dina added 19 points.
Ventura 93, Cuesta 80 FINAL James Ennis had 25 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals to push the Pirates back into first place in the WSC North by a half game. VC outrebounded the Cougars 43-22, led by Mike Melonas' 11. Cuesta star Malte Kramer was limited to 12 points on eight field goal attempts.
Los Angeles Pierce 84, Moorpark 75 FINAL (OT) The Brahmas scored all nine points in overtime. Moorpark's Jamal McClerkin made two free throws in the final minute of regulation to force overtime.

Women's schedule, 7 p.m.
Hancock 86, Oxnard 65 FINAL The Condors fell despite 37 points and 16 rebounds from sophomore Nikki Tauau. Hancock's Camille Zumbro had 29 points.
Ventura 62, Cuesta 55 FINAL Rebecca Griffin and Candace Sakuda make free throws down the stretch in a one-possession game as the Pirates hold off host Cuesta to improve to 8-0 in the WSC North. Ventura improved to 2-0 without head coach Ned Mircetic, who is battling the flu. Destinee LaFountain had 14 points and 15 rebounds, Rebecca Griffin had 13 points, Stephanie Ramirez had 12 points, Candace Sakuda had 11 points for the Pirates.
Moorpark 84, Los Angeles Pierce 73 FINAL Sidney Dobner had 24 points, 10 assists and four steals, Ashley Samson had 22 points and Dee Kapil had 17 points for the Raiders, who took sole possession of second place with the win.

Round 7 scores, Wednesday
Ventura 95, Oxnard 71
Hancock 78, Los Angeles Pierce 70
Santa Barbara City 70, Cuesta 67

Round 8 scores, Saturday
Ventura 91, Hancock 77
Moorpark 71, Santa Barbara City 69
Los Angeles Pierce 87, Cuesta 76

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Oxnard 13-7 .650 5-1 .833
Ventura 17-7 .708 5-2 .714
Hancock 9-13 .409 4-3 .571
Moorpark 8-13 .381 3-4 .429
Santa Barbara City 7-15 .318 3-4 .429
L.A. Pierce 5-15 .250 2-5 .286
Cuesta 11-13 .458 2-5 . 286

Round 9 schedule, Wednesday
Oxnard at Hancock
Ventura at Cuesta
Los Angeles Pierce at Moorpark

Round 7 scores, Wednesday
Ventura 84, Oxnard 22
Santa Barbara City 83, Cuesta 70
Los Angeles Pierce 79, Hancock 70

Round 8 scores, Saturday
Ventura 84, Hancock 62
Los Angeles Pierce 61, Cuesta 53
Moorpark 76, Santa Barbara City 68

Standings OVR DIV
Team name W-L Pct. W-L Pct.
Ventura 18-6 .750 7-0 1.000
Moorpark 14-7 .667 5-2 .714
L.A. Pierce 15-8 .652 5-2 . 714
Santa Barbara City 17-8 .680 4-3 .571
Hancock 8-13 .381 2-5 .286
Cuesta 3-17 .150 1-6 .143
Oxnard 5-12 .294 0-6 .000

Round 9 schedule, Wednesday
Ventura at Cuesta
Oxnard at Hancock
Los Angeles Pierce at Moorpark