VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS

Philip Mathews, former men’s basketball coach at Ventura College who this season led San Francisco (19-9) to its best record since 1982, has interviewed for the Oregon State job.

San Francisco has an 82-62 record in Mathews’ five seasons. The Dons qualified for the NCAA tournament in 1998 after winning the West Coast Conference tournament.

Mathews led Ventura to 10 consecutive winnings seasons and Western State Conference division titles. The Pirates were 298-56 and won state titles in 1987 and 1995.

Mitch Barnhart, Oregon State athletic director, interviewed Coach Bobby Braswell of Northridge on Thursday.

* Sophomore guard Shatasha Allen has been selected women’s most valuable player in the WSC Southern Division.

Other players from the region on the All-WSC team are forwards Kameelah Purdom and Leanne Bennett of Canyons, guard Marilyn Dubon of Glendale and forward Carrie Miller and guard Michelle Tompkins of Valley.

FOOTBALL

* Jeff Cortez, an assistant at Crespi High the last four seasons, has been hired as football coach at Paraclete.

Cortez, 27, coached Crespi’s defensive line for one season, was offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for two seasons and became assistant head coach in charge of quarterbacks and receivers last season.

He previously was an assistant at Verdugo Hills and Village Christian, his alma mater.

“The fact that they have been winning, have a lot of great athletes and strong support out there makes it a great opportunity,” said Cortez, who will teach at Paraclete.

Cortez, who teaches biology and coaches Crespi’s tennis team, replaces Steve Hagerty, who left to become an assistant at J.W. North in Riverside.

Hagerty led Paraclete to a 68-39 record in eight seasons, winning four league championships. The Spirits won Southern Section championships the last three seasons.

MOTORSPORTS

* Ron Hornaday Jr. qualified 26th for the SunCom 200 NASCAR Busch Series race on Saturday at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, with an average speed of 164.578 mph.

* Sean Woodside of Saugus qualified 26th for the Chevy Trucks 150 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race today at Phoenix International Raceway. Woodside averaged 124.719 mph.

* Bill Sedgwick of Acton qualified eighth for the NASCAR Winston West Series opener today at Phoenix International Raceway, with an average speed of 126.953 mph.

BASKETBALL

* The high school boys’ and junior college men’s Pump Discovery Shootout is today and Sunday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

SOCCER

* Senior Jenna Hunter of Nordhoff was chosen most valuable offensive player and senior Hebah Farraz of Calabasas was selected most valuable defensive player in the Frontier League. Peter Crystyl of Nordhoff was coach of the year.

* Junior Sara Silver-Hill of Westlake was selected most valuable offensive player and senior goalkeeper Katie Peck of Westlake was chosen most valuable defensive player in the Marmonte League.

Kim Warren of Agoura was coach of the year.

* Senior Natalya Dergan of Rio Mesa is offensive player of the year and junior Kimberly Valenzuela was defensive player of the year in the Pacific View League.

Stephanie Dietz of Oxnard was selected coach of the year.

* Cindy Verity of Oak Park was chosen most valuable offensive player and Kimberly Albert of La Reina was most valuable defensive player in the Tri-Valley League.

Alfredo Martinez of Carpinteria was selected coach of the year.