Ventura and Valley Make Opening Statements Tonight

Ventura College will make a fifth consecutive appearance in the state women’s basketball tournament when the Pirates play Oakland Merritt at 8 tonight at Concordia University in Irvine.

Ventura (30-3), state champion in 1996 and ‘97, and runner-up to San Jose last season, is seeded first among four Southern California teams. Sierra (33-1), ranked first among Northern California teams, plays Valley today at 4 at Concordia.

Winners advance to the semifinals Friday at Concordia. The championship game is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bren Events Center at UC Irvine.

Ventura, which doesn’t have a player listed among state statistical leaders, is more balanced this season than in years past. Only one starter, forward Kristin De Simone, remains from last season.

Yet, the Pirates have won 165 of their last 174 games.

“This year’s team is the nicest group I’ve ever coached,” Coach Ned Mircetic of Ventura said. “About seven or eight players have stepped up for us this year. Each night it’s somebody different.”

Valley (23-13), which enters the eight-team tournament seeded last, will rely on experience and momentum. Sophomores Maricela Rodriguez and Porsche McAllister, and freshman Tynisha Howze have guided the Monarchs to six consecutive victories.

Rodriguez is averaging 15 points. McAllister averages 9.1 assists to lead the state. Howze ranks fourth in rebounds, averaging 12.

Andria Pruitt of Sierra averages 19.1 points.