VC Overcomes Christmas Hangover to Advance in Optimist Tourney

Maybe it was too many presents, or too much Christmas ham, but the Pirates cooked their own goose for 20 minutes Monday night before breaking out in their 64-45 win over Rio Hondo in the first round of the VC-Optimist Club Holiday Tournament.  Makenna Murray had 17 points and seven rebounds while Amani White had an In-N-Out double-double with 15 points and 12 boards to lead the way.

It looked as if the Pirates (13-3) would make quick work of the Roadrunners, opening up a 4-0 lead in the opening minutes.  VC went cold, however, as Rio Hondo went on a 15-2 run, taking a nine point advantage with 1:16 remaining in the first quarter.  Kyleesha Green made a pair of free throws on the next possession to make the score 15-8 at the end of the period.

The Pirates' cold streak reached 19 straight missed shots before Rhiana Dougan hit a 3-pointer from the left corner to end the skid with 9:25 left in the half.  The Pirates remained close until Makenna Murray hit a trey with 1:32 on the clock to tie the score at 21-21.  After a Roadrunner bucket, Murray closed out the half with another triple and the Pirates held a 24-23 advantage at intermission. VC shot just 22 percent, 8-36, in the first half from the floor and 3-16 from behind the 3-point arc.

Things were very different as the second half began.  White scored inside, followed by a Murray trey and the Pirates opened up a 29-23 advantage less than two minutes into the third quarter. Aubri Smith assisted another Murray three, Carolyn Ruffino hit a pull-up jumper,  and White followed with back-to-back makes giving the Pirates a 38-23 edge, and a 17-0 run, with 5:25 left in the third period.  White and Murray continued to dominate play as VC opened up a 52-27 lead at the end of the quarter. The teams played out the final period and the Pirates came away with the 64-45 victory.    

Murray was 5-6 behind the 3-point stripe in the game, and White shot 6-8 from the floor while adding four blocked shots on the defensive end.  Kalmbach had nine points on 4-6 shooting and seven rebounds while Aubri Smith added eight assists and three steals.

VC will play Antelope Valley in one tournament semifinal Tuesday Dec. 29 at 7:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center.  Mt. San Jacinto and Orange Coast will play in the other semifinal at 5:00 pm.  Consolation games include LA Valley against El Camino at 1:00 pm and Southwestern vs. Rio Hondo at 3:00 pm.