Ventura and rest of county prepares for Kiwanis showdown

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Once a year, right around this time in fact, several of the top boys’ basketball programs from the 805 area code get together by the beach for the Ventura Kiwanis tournament, an event that’s become a good measuring stick for teams seeking to find out just how good they are before league play begins in the new year.

Ventura has to be considered as one of the favorites, not because the Cougars host the tournament but because of the fact they boast one of the area’s most potent one-two combinations. James Staniland and James Ennis, a senior tandem, have combined to average more than 37 points and 13 rebounds a game this season.

Westlake and, perhaps, Santa Clara could provide a challenge. Can’t overlook Pacifica or Buena either, both could end up posing problems in what is shaping up as one of the more wide-open fields in recent memory. Tournament play begins Wednesday at Ventura High and runs through the weekend. Let the games begin.

-- Sean Ceglinsky