Ventura Hits High Gear in 111-83 Rout

Out was in Wednesday night at Ventura College.

The host Pirates outrebounded, out-hustled and outshot Rancho Santiago to knock the Dons out of the Southern California regional of the state junior college basketball playoffs, 111-83.

Ventura (34-1), seeded No. 1 in the regional, advanced to a third-round game Saturday against Compton, which defeated San Bernardino, 85-78. Game time will be 5:30 p.m.

“We played a very good game for the second game in a row,” Ventura Coach Philip Mathews said. “This team is rising to a new level of play.”

The Pirates picked a perfect time for that. Against Rancho Santiago (20-13), Ventura dominated every facet of the game. But perhaps most damaging was Ventura’s relentless effort on the boards. The Pirates outrebounded Rancho Santiago, 56-32.

“They are so effective in that they shoot the ball so well,” Rancho Santiago Coach Dana Pagett said. “And they are such a physical team and a good defensive team. You put those things together and it’s hard to come back.”

Ventura gave the Dons a small and short-lived opportunity to catch up in the second half.

After taking a 57-43 lead at the half, Ventura allowed the Dons to pull within eight points, 65-57, with 16 minutes 38 seconds to play. But after the teams traded baskets several times, the Pirates went on an 8-0 run to open a 22-point lead, 86-64, with 9:57 remaining.

Forwards Brandon Jessie, who finished with a team-high 27 points, and Calvin Curry, who had 24 points, led the Ventura attack. Jessie also led all rebounders with 14 and Curry had four three-point baskets.

Sophomore forward Ruben Oronoz almost single-handedly kept Rancho Santiago in the game, scoring 17 points in the first half and 15 in the second for a game- and career-high 32 points. Oronoz had five three-point baskets.

“Ruben did an excellent job and (center) Fred Amos had a good game for us,” Pagett said. “Their play practically kept us in the game in the first half.”

But unfortunately for the Dons, two against five won’t win too many games. And the Pirates had several guys in high gear.

Point guard Joey Ramirez finished with 19 points and guard Stephane Brown had 17 points and a team-high seven assists for Ventura.

Ventura’s point total was the most given up by Rancho Santiago this season. Conversely, it was the second consecutive 100-point performance for Ventura. The Pirates beat San Diego City, 129-90, in the first round of the regional last Saturday.