Improved Effort Not Enough for VC at Gilcrest

The Pirates' women's basketball team showed improvement on Saturday, but it was not enough as they dropped a 76-65 decision to Los Angeles Valley Saturday on the final day of the Tom Gilcrest Invitational at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia. Alexa Coubal continued to lead VC with 22 points and 11 rebounds while Tiernan Phillips netted 12 with seven boards. Amari Hurt scored eight points off the bench and Mykah Johnson added seven points with eight caroms.

Coubal scored six of the Pirates first eight points, and a bucket by Sam McKenzie knotted the score at 10 midway through the first quarter. The Monarchs then went on an 8-0 run before Johnson's three ended the Pirate skid at the 1:58 mark. Coubal's bucket narrowed the gap to 20-15, but LAVC converted on a 4-point play on the next trip down the floor for a 24-15 count after 10 minutes of play.

Elena Ferrara hit a three and Coubal scored an old-fashioned 3-point play to open the second period as the Pirates pulled to within 24-21. Phillips scored consecutive baskets for the Pirates, and Hurt scored inside to keep VC within 30-27 with 4:05 on the clock. Valley then hit two straight 3-pointers to add to the VC deficit as the Pirates trailed 40-29 at halftime.

Throughout the second half, every charge the Pirates made was met by an equal response by Valley. Coubal scored eight of Ventura's first nine points of the third quarter, but the Monarch had an answer for each score and VC still trailed 47-38 midway through the stanza. LAVC hit two more three's soon thereafter to stretch the lead to 55-42 and the Pirates trailed at the quarter break 58-45.

Coubal and Daphné LeBrun scored inside to begin the final period, cutting the deficit to nine, but the Monarchs again had an answer with consecutive scores to boost their advantage. LAVC led 74-57 with 1:47 left to play before Hurt hit a pair of free throws and Alexis Howery connected twice from range to set the final margin.

LeBrun added five rebounds, four assists and two steals to the effort while McKenzie also grabbed a pair of thefts.

The Pirates next take the floor on Thursday Dec. 7 at the LAVC-Buddy's All-Star Classic in Van Nuys. VC tips off against Long Beach at 1:00 pm to open the bracket.