The VC women's basketball team built a strong lead in the first half and maintained it down the stretch in their 76-57 victory over Napa Valley Thursday on the opening day of the 25th VC-Kiwanis Club Classic. Alexa Coubal had a strong double-double with 25 points and 17 rebounds and Sam McKenzie totaled 16 points and five boards in the win. Elena Ferrara recorded 11 points and Daphné LeBrun scored nine points with five assists for Ventura (4-0).
The Pirates led wire to wire, as McKenzie scored the first bucket of the game just 11 seconds in. Coubal had an offensive rebound and putback soon thereafter, and LeBrun's three made it 8-2 less than three minutes into the contest. Ferrara hit a deuce and a trey, and McKenzie followed with a lay-up off of LeBrun's assist to stretch the lead to double digits, 15-4, midway through the first quarter. Tiernan Phillips converted an old-fashioned 3-point play, and Coubal's charity shot late gave the Pirates a 23-11 margin at the end of the period.
Ventura took full control of the game with a 15-4 run to begin the second quarter. Phillips started the run with a lay-up and Coubal followed with a pair of charity shots. Phillips then answered a Storm score with a jumper off of LeBrun's dime and McKenzie had a steal and lay-up to make it 31-13 with 8:02 left in the first half. McKenzie's jumper on the next possession prompted a Napa Valley timeout. Following a NVC score, McKenzie made it six straight points to stretch the lead to 20, 35-15, and Phillips followed with another inside make. Coubal ended the run at the 6:18 mark with a close bucket for a 39-15 edge. Ferrara's 3-pointer gave the Pirates a 25-point lead, 42-17, and VC led 44-25 at halftime.
The Storm came alive a bit in the third period, but VC was able to add to their lead early. LeBrun hit from range and McKenzie scored inside to begin the half, and Amari Hurt's jumper at the 5:53 mark made it 55-30 for Ventura. Napa went on a 7-0 run soon thereafter, but Ferrara's triple and a free throw by Alexis Howery slowed the surge. Ventura took a 62-42 advantage into the final 10 minutes of play.
Coubal scored twice to begin the final stanza, and McKenzie's drive and score gave VC a 68-45 advantage with 7:16 remaining. The Storm went on a mini-run to pull within 15 points, 69-54, at the 4:35 mark before back-to-back field goals by Coubal and McKenzie provided the finishing touches on the result. Dani Henley made a late 3-pointer to complete the final 76-57 count.
Phillips ended the game with nine points and eight rebounds. Leslie Salazar grabbed nine caroms.
Ventura continues play in the VC-Kiwanis Club Classic on Friday Nov. 17, hosting West Hills Lemoore at 7:00 pm. Napa Valley will take on Antelope Valley at 5:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center.