Buena Is Loaded, But Channel Could Change to Ventura

Buena is seeking its 21st Channel League girls’ basketball title in 22 seasons, is nationally ranked, might have its best talent ever . . . and could finish second.

Ventura (12-0), ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times, has won three tournaments, including the Buena tournament after a 60-57 championship-game victory over the host Bulldogs on Dec. 11.

Ventura is quick, plays solid defense and is the best team in the region at shooting free throws.

It has two Division I-bound players in guard Alex Gientke and forward Kristine Gleisberg. Point guard Katy O’Brien guided the junior varsity to a 24-0 record last season as a freshman.

Buena (10-4) has won 66 consecutive league games and never lost more than four games in a season under Coach Joe Vaughan, who is six victories shy of 600 in his career.

With a talented lineup, Vaughan has put together one of the Southland’s toughest schedules. The Bulldogs’ other losses have come against nationally ranked Canyon and Copperas Cove, both of Texas, and to South Dakota state champion Roosevelt, which won its 65th consecutive game.

Junior center Kelly Greathouse is averaging 22 points and 9.6 rebounds, junior transfer Courtney Young is contributing 14.4 points and sophomore forward Courtney LaVere is averaging 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds.

But this might not be just a two-team race.

The five teams have a combined record of 50-19 entering league play tonight.

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Channel Islands, Oxnard and Camarillo could again finish in a three-way tie for the Pacific View League girls’ basketball championship.

Each is ranked in The Times’ regional top 10 and has looked impressive in nonleague play.

No. 4 Channel Islands (14-0) has the region’s best record and has proven it can win tight games, outlasting Burroughs and Antelope Valley, both in overtime.

Monique Taylor is averaging 19.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.1 steals and Chenne Tuimoloau is averaging 14.1 points, 5.4 assists and is shooting better than 40% from three-point range.

Defense-minded Oxnard (9-5), ranked eighth, doesn’t score much but can repeat if it limits its league opponents to fewer than 40 points a game.

Senior Memory Rhone, averaging 10.2 points, leads the Yellowjackets. Senior Sara Wilkins is contributing seven points and seven rebounds.

No. 10 Camarillo (9-5) defeated No. 5 Newbury Park and then-No. 8 Crescenta Valley.

Forward Lauren Ferreira and guard Tanya Wismann have been the top scoring threats for Camarillo, which hosts Oxnard on Tuesday and Channel Islands on Jan. 13. Oxnard and Channel Islands don’t meet until Jan. 27.