Girls’ basketball: ‘Vanilla’ Ventura is off to a 10-0 start

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Last year, it was all about the Kali Bennett show at Ventura. The 6-foot-5 center was one of the most dominating players in Southern California -- so dominant that she’s still managing to get into a HS sports blog even though she’s hooping it up at Washington.

But even though their all-time leading scorer and rebounder has hit the college trail, the Cougars are doing fine. Following a 54-43 victory over Santa Monica in the opening round of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions, Ventura improved to 10-0. So, it wouldn’t be a total shocker if this team earns itself an early Christmas present by winning one of the most prestigious girls’ basketball tourneys in the state.

‘Unlike previous years, there are no real standouts on this team,’ Ventura Coach Ann Larson said. ‘We’re a very vanilla group.’

Seniors Victoria Grubaker, Jordan Clegg and junior leading scorer Nicole Frank have obviously played a huge role in picking up the leadership reigns, but three sophomores have also made an impact. Maddie Fahan, Amy Pupa and Kristen Wilson, Larson’s daughter, have put up some encouraging performances and could see even more playing time as the season continues.

‘They’ve done a good job coming off the bench and they’re getting their feet wet,’ said Larson, whose Cougars will play Hart -- a team they’ve beaten earlier -- in the second round tonight at 7:30. ‘I just hope we haven’t peaked too early. We still have a long way to go.’

-- Austin Knoblauch