Another Chance for Ventura to Have Final Word : JC playoffs: Pirates reach third consecutive State championship game by beating Sequoias, 74-68.

This was an inside job but the main suspects were no secret.

Ventura College scored 24 baskets from the lane, a piece of work that powered the Pirates to a 74-68 victory over Sequoias in a semifinal game of the State championships Friday night at the Bren Events Center.

Ventura (36-1) will face West Valley (32-2) in the title game tonight at 7:30. The Pirates have lost the State championship game the last two seasons.

West Valley, No. 1-seeded in Northern California, will make its second title appearance. The Vikings were runners-up to Cerritos in 1992.

The Pirates seldom attempted long-range shots against Sequoias (27-8) and relied--maybe survived is a better word--on a barrage of layups, putbacks and short jumpers.

Guard Gerald Zimmerman, who scored 17 points, and center Curtis Ganes, who had 13 points, each accounted for five baskets inside the lane. The Pirates made only three of 17 three-point shots (17.6%).

And, as has been the case all season, they shot horrendously from the free-throw line, making only seven of 17 (41.2%).

“Our outside guys weren’t moving,” said Philip Mathews, Ventura coach. “It was not an artistic win at all.”

Sequoias had several chances to tie the game in the final seconds but couldn’t find the hoop. The Giants came within 71-68 with 1 minute 33 seconds left when Kevin Deal sank a three-point shot.

Rafer Alston converted the front ends of two one-and-one free-throw opportunities and Zimmerman added another free throw for the Pirates’ final three points.

Mathews said Sequoias dictated the pace.

“They played their tempo,” Mathews said. “They took 15, 16, 18 seconds off the shot clock every time and they hit most of those shots. When a team does that, it’s hard (for the opponent) to stay in the game.”

Ventura controlled the first few minutes, jumping to a 10-5 lead, but Sequoias went on a 15-3 run minutes later to take a 27-18 lead with 6:46 left in the half.

Guard Glenn Lyles led the surge with six points and center Donovan Lucas contributed the last five points of the blitz. Lyles finished with 12 points and Lucas had 13.

The Pirates pulled to within 35-34 just before the half on a baseline drive by Zimmerman, but Kevin Deal sank a three-point basket at the buzzer to give Sequoias a 38-34 advantage.

Joe Wyatt had 17 points for Sequoias. Hakeem Ward had 10 rebounds for Ventura.