Channel League winter sports breakdown

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Here’s how things may turn out in the Channel League this season. And if you don’t like my predictions, feel free to let me know in electronic ink. It’s your right -- no, your duty -- as a blog reader to comment. Anyway, here we go:

BOYS’ BASKETBALL -- Ventura is the best team west of the Conejo Pass, and that little tidbit shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s a hardcore Varsity Times Insider page-clicker. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if Roberto Nelson and the rest of the boys over at Santa Barbara are going to challenge the Cougars. The Dons haven’t quite lived up to expectations and now they’ve got to worry about a talented San Marcos team that’ll likely challenge them for second. Heck, the Royals even have a good chance at the league title if Ventura falters.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL -- It looks as if my colleague, Martin Henderson, is going to put Ventura into The Times’ top-25 rankings next week, and the Cougars definitely belong there. Ventura is the best girls’ basketball team in the Southern Section north of the 34th parallel (OK, maybe St. Joseph and Cajon are a little better) and the Cougars are a shoe-in for the league title. Dos Pueblos will do its best to keep the Cougars on their toes.

BOYS’ SOCCER -- Thanks to its 2-0 victory over defending champion Santa Barbara on Thursday, undefeated Ventura looks like it’s going to roll to what should be the school’s third league title of the winter sports season. Eric Turner and Sal Mora are goal-scoring machines, and the Ventura defense has posted 14 shutouts in 18 games (that’s, like, really good). Santa Barbara’s stingy defense coupled with a scoring touch provided by Vince Alvarez always make it a threat. Also, Buena is no skip on the pitch, either.

GIRLS’ SOCCER -- At 13-3-4, Buena looks destined to take home the title again, and it’ll do it with players like Sidney Garza and Jazz Strozier contributing like they did in the Bulldogs’ 2-0 victory over Dos Pueblos on Thursday. Of course, Saturday’s nonleague game against Valencia (weather permitting) will show just how good this team really is. Dos Pueblos, San Marcos and Ventura figure to be in the playoff hunt.

GIRLS’ WATER POLO -- Dos Pueblos proved last weekend they’re one of the best teams in Southern California and it’s my pick for the league title. However, 2007 Division II semifinalist Santa Barbara won’t be easy to beat. Also, Ventura has a very strong team led by junior Alexis Lee, who notched 92 goals last season en route to All-Channel League first-team honors.

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image from www.calliebowdish.com