VC's Caleb Gilbert dropped 39 points Friday, leading the Pirates' men's basketball team to an 85-70 triumph over Victor Valley on the opening day of the Gregg Anderson memorial Tournament at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster. The sophomore shot 17-21 from the floor, 1-3 from three and 4-7 at the free throw line in the victory. Kai Johnson had 21 points and Caleb Geisendorfer added 15 for Ventura (4-4).
The Pirates led for most of the game, taking a lead on Geisendorfer's three on the second possession of the game. Gilbert scored seven on the next nine points for VC as they moved ahead 14-4 barely four minutes into play.
The Rams pulled to within 22-20 at the 8:03 mark of the opening half before Geisendorfer made a lay-up off a Gilbert assist and sank two free throws to move the Pirates back up by six. VVC continued their comeback, however, taking a 30-28 lead at the 3:52 mark. Victor Valley led 36-31 late before Derrick Young scored a bucket and Johnson completed a 3-point play to knot the score at 36. The rams scored the final bucket of the half to lead 38-36 at intermission.
VC trailed by as many as nine points, 60-51, with 9:40 remaining in the contest before making a 21-2 run to take control of the game. Johnson started things off with a jumper before Geisendorfer hit for two inside. Gilbert cashed in a dime from Johnson to answer a VVC free throw, then scored another lay-up on the next trip down the floor. Johnson's lay-up tied the game at 61 with 7:03 remaining before Geisendorfer netted another inside score. Gilbert scored off a Beckham Rutherford pass, and was fouled, completing a 3-point play, and the pair hooked up again for another "and-1" after a Ram free throw for a 69-62 VC edge at the 5:13 mark. Gilbert made it three consecutive 3-point plays on the next trip for the 72-62 lead with 4:24 remaining, essentially putting the game on ice.
The Pirates assisted 23 of their 37 field goals with Rutherford handing out seven dimes. Johnson dropped four and Dominik Contreras, Reese Widerburg and Geisendorfer each had three assists.
Gilbert added 16 rebounds to his career night as Contreras and Geisendorfer each pulled in eight caroms.
Ventura moves to the tournament semifinals on Saturday Dec. 2, facing Pasadena City College at 5:00 pm.