Sophomore guard Carter Alexander posted a career-high 32 points Wednesday but it was not enough as the Pirates' men's basketball team dropped an 81-73 decision at Los Angeles Valley. The Camarillo high School product was 12-18 from the floor and 6-6 at the free throw line in the setback. Blake Berry added 10 points for the Pirates, who committed 24 turnovers against the Monarchs in the contest.
The Pirates (5-9) slowly but steadily built a nice lead early in the contest. Berry assisted an Alexander jumper for a 6-5 VC advantage and Alexander scored his ninth and 10th straight points with a pair of free throws with 15:24 remaining in the first half to double up LAVC, 10-5. The Monarchs scored five straightt o tie, but Reese Widerburg's three extended the VC margin to 17-13 with 13:21 on the clock. After Alexander's steal, Beckham Rutherford scored a lay-up at the 10:52 mark to extend the Pirate lead to 10, 23-13. Widerburg dropped a dime to Alexander to maintain the advantage, 30-20, with 6:44 left in the period before Valley ended the half on an 18-5 run. The Monarchs led the Pirates 38-35 at the break.
Dominik Contreras made a 3-pointer early in the second half to put Ventura back ahead, 42-40, and Alexander made a pair of free shots to extend the lead to five, 50-45, with 15:35 left to play. The teams continued to battle as Berry's triple changed the lead back to the Pirates, 58-56, and Alexander made two more charity shots for a 60-56 margin midway through the half. Widerburg made two free throws with 4:55 remaining to give VC a 69-68 edge before the Monarchs took the lead for good on the next possession. Widerburg made a jumper at the 1:35 mark to pull Ventura to within 75-73, but LA Valley hit all their free throws in the last minute to set the final margin.
Caleb Gilbert was nails on the glass with a game-high 15 rebounds and Derrick Young pulled down seven boards. Berry handed out four assists while Alexander and Rutherford each dropped three dimes. Widerburg contributed three blocked shots defensively.
Ventura returns home on Wednesday Dec. 20 to complete their pre-Christmas schedule against Los Angeles Harbor. Tip-off against the Seahawks is slated for 5:00 pm in the first game of a double-header that also features the VC women playing East Los Angeles at 7:00 pm.