Nearly 24 years to the day after clinching a tie for the Western State Conference title in 1991, head coach Ned Mircetic's first season at the helm of the Pirates' women's basketball team, VC 's 63-47 win at Santa Barbara on Saturday clinched at least a share of Ventrua's 25th straight conference title, known at VC as a "25-Peat". Brooke Zamora had 16 points and eight rebounds while Aubri Smith scored 15 points with eight assists to help secure the victory and the title.
On February 9, 1991, the Pirates defeated Moorpark, after falling to the Raiders' in their first meeting, to pull into a first-place tie. Four days later, February 13, 1991, VC traveled to Cuesta, and with a win, secured what is now known as the "1-Peat". 24 years and one day later, the Pirates have secured the "Peat" for another season.
Santa Barbara proved to be a worthy opponent Saturday night, fighting tooth and nail with the Pirates (23-5, 10-0). The Vaqueros held the early advantage, and led 10-7 with 12:57 remaining in the first half. Micaela Pericone-Kapp hit a bucket at the 12:09 mark to put the Pirates ahead 11-10 as part of an 11-0 VC run. Zamora hit a duece with 8:17 on the clock to put Ventura ahead 18-10, and the Pirates led 29-25 at halftime.
The Pirates opened the second half on a 10-2 run to create some breathing room. Zamora got things started with a trey from the top of the key off of an Aubri Smith assist, and Murray hit a bucket, followed by a triple from Pericone-Kapp. Aubri Smith connected on a lay-up to make the score 39-27 with 17:57 remaining in the game. Santa barbara kept up the fight, but the Pirates proved to be too much on this night, leading by as many as 20 points down the stretch before settling in of the 63-47 win.
Aubri Smith did most of her damage in the first half, hitting nine of her 15 points in the period while Zamora netted 10 of her 16 in the final stanza. Pericone-Kapp had eight points and five rebounds and Sandra Ortiz fought through an ankle injury for seven points. Madison O'Donnell led VC on the glass with nine boards.
The Pirates can clinch the title outright with a win at Oxnard College on Wednesday Feb. 18 at 7:00 pm. The Pirate men battle the Condors at 5:00 pm. Ventura will return home for their regular season finale against Moorpark on Saturday Feb. 21. The Pirates will also host their annual Barbeque Fundraiser on that day at the VC Sportsplex.