Ventura All Out of Magic at Buena

It was evident from the start.

This time there would be no surprises.

The Buena High girls’ basketball team, ranked No. 1 in the state, made certain of that in its 70-41 victory Thursday night over Ventura in a Channel League opener at Buena High.

Buena (14-0), which lost two of three games to its cross-town rival last season, overwhelmed the Cougars (11-3) by exploiting its distinct size advantage.

That helped the Bulldogs open a 13-4 lead in the first four minutes and stretch it to 32 points by late in the third quarter.

“We have to make up a lot for last year and Ventura is one team we have to overcome to win league,” said Buena guard Courtney Young, who scored 22 points. “So we came out very focused.”

Although she made four of eight three-point shots, Young was more excited about her passes underneath the basket to teammates Kelly Greathouse and Courtney LaVere.

Greathouse, a 6-foot-3 senior who has signed with North Carolina State, finished with 23 points and made 11 of 15 shots.

LaVere, a 6-2 junior, finished with 16 points that came mostly on layups.

With no player taller than 5-9, first-year Coach Ann Larson of Ventura said she did not expect it to be easy for the Cougars.

“It’s hard when the coach is the tallest person on the team,” Larson said.

Larson, who is in a good position to judge the Bulldogs as a former assistant, said it has the makings of one of Buena’s best teams.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a combination of players that they have on their team this year,” she said. “They have size. They have quickness. They have everything.”

Katy O’Brien had 15 points and Jenni Dooley scored 12 for Ventura, including three three-point baskets.

The game was delayed for 15 minutes in the fourth quarter when a Buena cheerleader fell on her head during a routine and was taken to Community Memorial Hospital.