The VC women's basketball team operates under a charge to "improve a little bit every day." They did just that Sunday, improving over their performances from the previous two days, taking third place at the LA Valley-Russell Classic. The Pirates (8-5) used solid defense and stingy ball security on offense to take a 61-49 decision from the host Monarchs.
The Pirates first improved by getting off to a strong start. After getting blitzed four of the previous five games early, VC took an 8-4 lead in the first five minutes. The Monarchs scored the first two buckets of the game, but Ventura responded with a deuce and triple from Makenna Murray, the latter from an assist by Aubri Smith. Micaela Pericone-Kapp hit a 3-pointer with 15:11 on the clock to give the Pirates the early four-point advantage. Felicia Magana hit a drive and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions to make it a 13-4 lead for Ventura with 12:13 on the clock before the Monarchs got untracked.
The Pirate offense, which has been consistently inconsistent this season, took a four minute hiatus, allowing LAVC to close to within 13-10. However, the VC defense held Valley scoreless for another five minutes to hold the lead. Another bucket by Murray extended the advantage to 15-10, and Magana answered a Valley 3-pointer with her own long-ranger to maintain the advantage. Brooke Zamora connected for an old-fashioned 3-point play at the 3:33 mark, but the Monarchs hit a three to make it 21-19 with 3:01 remaining.
VC outscored LA Valley 11-5 down the stretch to go into halftime with a 32-24 advantage.
Valley opened the second half with a 3-pointer, but Zamora answered in the pain over the shoulder for two. The teams exchanged another set of scores before Ventura went on an 11-2 run over seven minutes to take control of the game. With the Pirates ahead 36-29, Aubri Smith hit a pair of charity tosses and Murray stopped an popped on the break for a bucket. Aubri hit Carolyn Ruffino for a corner three, and Madison O'Donnell took a charge on the defensive end to turn the ball back to VC. Free throws from Murray and O'Donnell, and a deuce from Pericone-Kapp made the score 47-35 midway through the second half.
LAVC scored the next seven points, but the damage had been done. Aubri Smith converted a steal and pass from Murray for a fast break lay up, then hit one of two free throws following another break. Following a bucket by the Monarchs, Pericone-Kapp closed a waning shot clock with a 3-pointer to make it 53-44 at the 5:24 mark. Zamora scored on a dribble drive and O'Donnell converted Pericone-Kapp's assist to seal things up. VC was 4-4 at the foul line to close the 61-49 victory.
Aubri Smith was named to the all-tournament team with her best game to date for the Pirates. She had 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and no turnovers from her point guard spot, playing 35 minutes. Pericone-Kapp also had 13 points, connecting on three 3-pointers, and five rebounds and Murray chipped in an even dozen in the scoring column. Zamora had nine points and Magana had eight big points off the bench. O'Donnell grabbed six boards and took two charges in the game.
As a team, VC limited itself to nine turnovers in the game while taking the ball away from the Monarchs 21 times.
Ventura will host San Diego Mesa at home on Friday Dec. 19 at 6:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center, and host Long Beach City College on Saturday Dec. 20 to complete their pre-Christmas schedule.