Ventura Reins In Campana but Rally Falls Short, 73-66

It seemed that the only way Ventura High was going to stop San Marcos’ Carlo Campana from sinking three-point baskets Wednesday night was to grab him by the jersey.

Ventura’s Dan McCashin did exactly that. And not only did the tactic work, it triggered a valiant rally by the Cougars, who battled back from a 20-point third-quarter deficit only to lose, 73-66, in a Channel League game at Ventura.

Campana, a 6-foot-1 senior forward who finished with a game-high 27 points, helped the Royals to a huge lead with six three-point baskets in seven attempts.

However, with San Marcos leading, 52-32, midway through the third quarter, McCashin drew an intentional elbow from a frustrated Campana after grabbing him by the numbers.

McCashin made two free throws and Campana--frustrated thereafter--did not score another field goal.

From there, Ventura (11-4, 2-2 in league play) launched a 19-8 run to pull to within 60-51. The Cougars eventually drew within 65-62 with two minutes to play, but San Marcos made eight free throws in the final minute.

“I’m happy about the way we came back,” Ventura Coach Dan Larson said. “But we dug too big a hole in the first half.”

San Marcos (12-2, 4-0) came out firing from long range, sinking five three-point baskets in as many attempts en route to a 17-2 advantage. Campana, who clapped his hands above his head whenever he wanted the ball, made four three-point baskets and finished the first half with 20 points.

By that time, San Marcos led, 40-25.

In the third quarter, the Royals led, 47-30, before Campana missed his first three-point attempt after six consecutive hits.

Campana winced in pain because of a sore back muscle. But he was even more bothered by McCashin’s shadowing technique. After Campana retaliated with an elbow, Coach Jeff Lavender pulled him from the game and Campana stretched out on the floor near the corner of the gym for the remainder of the quarter.

“We were just going at it all day,” Campana said. “He was grabbing my shirt and I just got fed up, that’s all. I should have walked away from it.”

Campana scored only two free throws after that point. However, Ventura’s efforts to stop Campana freed San Marcos center Rob Ramaker, who scored nine points in the second half to finish with 18.

Ventura rallied behind center Randy Martinez (17 points) and reserve forward Anthony McCurtis (14). Each player scored eight points in the final period.