WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: The double-double twins were at it again Saturday. Brooke Dixon and Adrianne Sloboh both achieved the statistical milestone for the second straight game as No. 4 Ventura was all over No. 1 Long Beach 74-48 in the semifinals of the LAVC-Russell Classic at Los Angeles Valley College. Dixon scored 17 points with 10 rebounds while Sloboh netted 14 points with 11 boards in the win while Micaela Pericone-Kapp came off the bench for 15 points. Adrianna Vega netted 12 points and Lisa Marie Sanchez handed out nine assists in the victory for VC (10-2).
Long Beach scored right off the tip, but Makayla Morrison, in as a quick sub, answered with a pair of free throws after getting fouled on a fast break. Vega hit a 3-pointer on the next possession to give the Pirates a lead they would never relinquish. VC went on a 13-3 run over the next seven minutes to take control of the contest. Dixon started the run with an old fashioned 3-point play and Sloboh connected for three baskets in the run. Vega also splashed another trey. The Vikings scored a bucket with 9:20 remaining to close to within 20-11, but they would get no closer, scoring just two more times to close the half. Pericone-Kapp launched back-to-back triples to break the game wide open and Vega scored from long range to make the halftime score 36-15.
The Pirate backcourt of Sanchez, Cynthia Hernandez, and Vega all scored field goals to begin the final period, and Pericone-Kapp and Hernandez dashed all Viking hopes with a pair of 3-pointers midway through the half. Vebntura led 61-29 at the 11:03 mark, and a pair of Dixon charity tosses, followed by another basket inside by the Pirate forward on a sweet spin move gave the Pirates their largest advantage, 65-31 with 9:39 remaining. Ventura rode the momentum to the 74-48 victory.
Pericone-Kapp added five rebounds to her solid outing while Hernandez offset a tough shooting night with four assists. The Pirates outrebounded the taller Viking squad 42-23 in the game, and also handed out 17 assists as a team.
Ventura advances to the tournament championship game for the third year in a row, and will take on host Los Angeles Valley, who defeated Cerritos 81-54. The Monarchs are coached by Pirate alumna Monica Hang '02, who is assisted by Kristen DeSimone '99, Sandy Perry '07, and Eja Wong '08. tip-off is schedule for 4:00 pm on Sunday Dec. 15.