Oxnard’s Curtis Commits to Trojans

Oxnard High center Nicholas Curtis, an All-Ventura County basketball selection last season, has committed to USC.

The 6-foot-8 Curtis is averaging 19.7 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocked shots for Oxnard (21-3), ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times.

“USC just had everything I was looking for,” Curtis said. “I like the coaches. It’s close to home. It has good academic programs and I should have a chance to play.”

Curtis took official recruiting trips to Washington State and San Francisco and unofficial trips to USC, Nevada Las Vegas, California, UC Santa Barbara and Pepperdine. He also considered Xavier and Oregon.

* The Foothill Conference women’s basketball game between Antelope Valley College and Barstow, postponed on Jan. 18 because of electrical outage concerns, will be played at 7 p.m. Monday at Antelope Valley.

It will be the Marauders’ last game before competing in the Foothill Conference tournament on Feb. 15-17.

FOOTBALL

* Keith Jarbo, a dual-sport athlete at Burroughs High, has committed to Brown University for football.

Jarbo, 6 feet 3, chose Brown over Pennsylvania, Yale and Princeton.

Last season, he had 34 catches for 508 yards and four touchdowns, and intercepted three passes. As a junior, he had 43 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns, and intercepted five passes.

Jarbo was the Foothill League player of the year in basketball last season. He is averaging 16.6 points and 10.5 rebounds this season.

BASEBALL

* Three California freshmen from the San Fernando Valley had impressive college debuts last weekend.

Outfielder Brian Horwitz from Crespi went four for 10 to help the Golden Bears sweep Santa Clara in a three-game series.

Third baseman Conor Jackson from El Camino Real had three hits in the opening game, and pinch-hitter Jeff Dragicevich from Westlake singled in his only at-bat.

* Mike Alvarado, a backup junior infielder at Hart, has transferred to Chatsworth.

MOTOR SPORTS

* Cory Kruseman of Ventura captured the 30-lap main event for SCRA sprint cars Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix.

Troy Rutherford of Ojai, Troy Cline of Santa Clarita and Jimmy May of Ventura finished fourth through sixth, respectively. Rip Williams of Yorba Linda was second and Steve Ostling of Corona was third.