VC Continues to Struggle on Offense in Tournament Loss

When Dr. James Naismith invented basketball in 1892, he stated in rule No. 8 that, "A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket..." It seems simple enough, but the Pirates have found that very difficult lately, none more than in Sunday's 59-42 loss to Pasadena in the third place game of the Tom Gilcrest Invitational.  VC shot 15-72 for the game, a 20.8 percent clip, their lowest shooting total in 11 years.

VC (5-4) finished the 16-team tournament, dubbed the state's most difficult, in fourth place with a 2-2 record for the weekend.  Davina Del Castillo and Rhiana Dougan were named all-tournament.

After falling behind 4-0 early, Dougan's 3-pointer and a steal and lay-up by Katie Campbell gave the Pirates a 5-4 advantage. It was short-lived, however, and the Lancers scored on the next possession to retake the lead.  PCC led 18-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Neither team could find the basket well in the second period, as it took nearly three minutes of play for the score to change.  Ventura pulled back to within six, 25-19, on triple from Dougan and a lay-up by Kyleesha Green with an assist from Avery Brunk. Melissa Ohmie's lay-up off of a Green helper made it 29-21 for the Lancers at halftime.

Despite shooting 8-40 in the first half, the Pirates were still in the game.  When Sienna Brown and Campbell each hit 3-pointers, VC trailed 36-31 with 4:33 remaining in the third period. Green's two free throws in the final minute made it 41-35 after three.

The four-day tournament had taken its toll on the Pirates as the fourth quarter began.  The Lancers expanded the lead back into double figures before Brown scored the first bucket of the quarter at the 6:19 mark. It was nearly four more minutes before Ventura scored again, and by that time Pasadena had fully taken over the game.  The Lancers posted the 59-42 victory.

Brown had 10 points and six rebounds for Ventura and Dougan also tallied 10 points. Campbell scored nine points and Del Castillo pulled in 14 rebounds. Green had six points and four assists.

VC will regroup in the next week, retaking the hardwoods on Friday Dec. 9.  They will take on LA Trade Tech in the opening round of the LAVC-Buddy's All Star Classic at 3:00 pm in Valley Glen.