2019-20 Ventura College Women's Basketball Team News
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WBB Continues Standard of Academic Excellence
January 17, 2021The VC women's basketball team continued to be the most recognized academic achieving community college women's basketball program in the country as a state-leading six members of the 2019-20 team were named Academic All-State by the California Community College women's Basketball Coaches Association in a press release Friday. The Pirates had three sophomores named to the state-wide list: Madison Kast, Cece Quintino and Emma Larson, while three freshmen also earned the honor: Yasmine Ahllamara, Alanna Jackson and Kimora Pooler. -
Pirate Athletics Lists 83 4-Year Transfers for 2019-20
August 31, 2020The Ventura College Athletic Department is pleased to report that they list 83 student athletes from 2019-20 who are slated to transfer to four-year institutions in the fall, as of August 31. Of those transfers, 60 plan on continuing their athletic careers at their new school, most of them with an athletic scholarship. The transferring student athletes will attend 58 different schools in 26 states around the country.
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Women's Basketball No. 2 on WBCA National Academic Honor Roll
August 11, 2020The Ventura College women's basketball team posted a program record 3.544 team grade point average for the 2019-20 academic year to receive the No. 2 national ranking on this year's Women's Basketball Coaches Association Academic Honor Roll. The team achieved a 3.386 GPA in the fall and overcame the disappointment of a cancelled state tournament and the challenges of a spring semester that moved completely online due to the coronavirus health crisis to shatter the program standard with a 3.723 in the spring, earning VC's 16th WBCA Academic Honor Roll appearance in the last 17 years.
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Women's Basketball Signs Three, Transfers Nine
July 17, 2020The VC women's basketball team has nine alumnae who are planning on transferring to four-year universities in the fall, with four planning to continue their basketball careers. This group adds to the long line of four-year transfers during the 30-year tenure of head coach Ned Mircetic. Since 1990-91, 164 Pirate alumnae have transferred to continue their education with 90 continuing their basketball careers at the four-year level.
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2019-20 VC Women's Basketball Review
April 22, 2020At the end of a roller coaster season, the VC women's basketball team had found its way back to the top with a berth in the CCCAA State Elite Eight with a regional final victory on March 7. Five days later, they found themselves in the middle of the emerging COVID-19 crisis that enveloped the country and the world. After a 21-7 overall record, the Pirates became Ventura College's first team to end their season without closure as they returned home from the cancelled state tournament.
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Women's Basketball Returns Home After Tournament Cancellation
March 12, 2020The Pirates' women's basketball team traveled to Lemoore Wednesday for the program's 19th CCCAA State Elite Eight, with aspirations of qualifying for the team's 16th Final Four, 10th State Finals appearance, and possibly winning the program's eighth state title. They came home Thursday, however, along with the other seven state championship hopefuls, after the CCCAA canceled the state tournament in response to the COVID-19 outbreak gripping the nation.
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CCCAA Basketball Championships To Be Played Without Spectators
March 10, 2020With the health and well-being of its student-athletes at the forefront of decision-making and out of an abundance of caution for fans and others due to COVID-19 concerns, the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) announced Tuesday that its upcoming men’s and women’s basketball state championship tournaments at West Hills College Lemoore will be played with only teams and essential staff in attendance. The Ventura College women's basketball team will play its state quarterfinal game as scheduled against Diablo Valley College at 3:00 pm Thursday at Golden Eagle Arena without spectators in attendance.
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Ventura Holds off Irvine Valley for Elite Victory
March 07, 2020The Ventura College women's basketball team built a 20-point lead with 1:43 remaining in the third quarter, then held off a furious charge by Irvine Valley in the fourth to post a 70-67 victory in the CCCAA Southern California Regional Finals Saturday night at the Athletic Event Center. The win advances the No. 3-seeded Pirates (21-7) to the program's state-record 19th State Elite Eight next weekend in Lemoore. Cece Quintino had a season-best 20 points and Talia Taufaasau recorded 16 points to send VC to the state tournament for the third time in the past four seasons.
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Taufaasau Earns All-State Honors
March 04, 2020Ventura College sophomore Talia Taufaasau has been named second team All-State by the California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The 5-foot-7 point guard earned third team All-State honors a year ago, making her the 11th player in program history to earn the honor for two seasons.
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Pirates Survive and Advance With Win Over Hancock
February 29, 2020Playoff basketball is just different. With periods of agony and moments of ecstasy culminating in heartbreak or jubilation, the only appropriate mantra is survive and advance. The No. 3-seeded Pirates' women's basketball team experienced all of those emotions Saturday as they survived and advanced with a 73-62 victory over No. 19 Allan Hancock in the CCCAA Southern California Regional Semifinals at the Athletic Event Center. Talia Taufaasau had 15 points, Victoria Maciel scored 13, including three big 3-pointers, and Madison Kast netted 11 as VC (20-7) advanced to the State Sweet 16 for the 23rd time in the 30 year tenure of head coach Ned Mircetic.
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Five Pirates Earn All-WSC Accolades
February 26, 2020Five members of the Pirates' women's basketball team have been named All-Western State Conference for the 2019-20 season, as voted upon by the WSC North Division coaches. Talia Taufaasau, Cece Quintino and Madison Kast were all named first-team All-WSC while LaDaesha Merriweather and Kimora Pooler each earned Honorable Mention All-WSC honors.
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Pirates Earn No. 3-Seed in SoCal Regional Playoffs
February 23, 2020Once again, a road to the State Tournament will lead through Ventura. The Pirates' women's basketball team has earned the No. 3 seed in the CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoffs, and will host a regional semifinal on Saturday Feb. 29 at 7:00 pm. VC (19-7) will face off against Wednesday's winner between No. 14 Long Beach (20-8) and No. 19 Allan Hancock (13-15). Ventura earned its 10th Top-4 Seed since 2008.
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Pirates Eye Post-Season With Win in Finale
February 19, 2020The stakes were definitely high for the Pirates' women's basketball team Wednesday night in their regular season finale - win and they're in, lose and jump on the bubble. VC chose the former with a solid 72-57 victory over visiting Allan Hancock College at the Athletic Event Center. Talia Taufaasauled the way with 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks and Cece Quintino had 16 points for Ventura (19-7, 5-3). With the victory, the Pirates secure a good spot in the upcoming CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs.
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Ventura Can't Find Shooting Touch in Loss
February 15, 2020The Pirates' women's basketball team had a difficult time finding the bottom of the net Saturday, falling at Moorpark 69-54. VC shot just 34 percent in the game (21-62) and connected on 21 percent of their 3-point attempts (4-21) in the setback. Cece Quintino led Ventura (18-7, 4-3) with 14 points and six rebounds while Madison Kast netted 10 points. Talia Taufaasau had nine points and five assists for the Pirates.
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Pirates Bench Comes Up Big In Come-Back Win
February 12, 2020Things did not look good for the Pirates Wednesday in Santa Barbara. Early in the second half the Vaqueros hit four straight 3-pointers to build a 54-40 lead before the VC reserve team of Victoria Maciel, Alyssandra Lacanilao, Kimora Pooler, Alaina Garcia and Emma Larson staged a comeback. The quintet outscored SBCC 16-2 over the next six minutes, and erased a seven point deficit in the fourth quarter, leading Ventura (18-6, 4-2) to a 77-68 victory over Santa Barbara.
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Women's Basketball Back on Track Against Oxnard
February 08, 2020The VC women's basketball team used a decisive 20-4 run over a seven minute period midway through the first half to pull away from Oxnard College, posting an 84-60 victory over the Condors Saturday night at the Athletic Event Center. Madison Kast had 21 points on just 12 shots to lead Ventura (17-7, 3-2) while Yasmine Ahllamara totaled 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Kimora Pooler had 12 points and nine rebounds while Talia Taufaasau netted 12 points.
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Turnovers, Poor Shooting Plague Ventura in Loss
February 01, 2020Looking for a rebound, the Pirates' women's basketball team found a trap game instead. Coming off of Wednesday's emotional loss, VC headed to Allan Hancock College to face the well-rested Bulldogs and gave up 16 points off of turnovers and shot 37 percent from the field in dropping the 74-64 decision in Santa Maria. Madison Kast had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead Ventura (16-6, 2-2) and Talia Taufaasau scored 16 points with four boards. Cece Quintino contributed 11 points.
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Women's Basketball Falls in First Conference Loss
January 29, 2020A slow start to the second half cost the Pirates' women's basketball team in their 71-62 loss to Moorpark Wednesday at the Athletic Event Center. VC (16-5, 2-1) played the Raiders close to even for three quarters, but were outscored 20-13 right after halftime. Madison Kast had another solid outing offensively with 13 points and Cece Quintino netted 12. Kimora Pooler pulled in 12 rebounds.
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VC Women's Basketball Honors 2020 Favorite Teachers
January 26, 2020Each year, the members of the sophomore class of the Ventura College women's basketball team each select a "Favorite Teacher" based on their own personal criteria. 2019-20 is the 15th year in which the team has honored their favorite teachers, and 84 awards have been presented, including this year. On Saturday January 25, VCCCD Board member Josh Chancer, VC President Dr. Kim Hoffmans, VC Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Damien Peña and Dean of Health, Kinesiology, Athletics and Performing Arts Dr. Tim Harrison helped the team honor the latest class of Favorite Teachers. These instructors, through their skill, expertise, thoughtfulness, and humanity have earned the distinction of being named the team's 2020 "Favorite Teachers".
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Ventura Runs Past Santa Barbara, 94-65
January 25, 2020After a slow start, the VC women's basketball put things into high gear racing past Santa Barbara 94-65 Saturday night at the Athletic Event Center. VC trailed 17-8 with 3:07 left in the first quarter before outscoring SBCC 86-48 the rest of the way. Madison Kast led five Pirates in double-figures with 18 points and Kimora Pooler totaled 16. Alaina Garcia and Talia Taufaasau each netted 12 and Yasmine Ahllamara scored 11 points in the win for Ventura (16-4, 2-0).
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Pirates Use Balanced Attack to Down Condors
January 22, 2020Finally playing their long-awaited Western State Conference opener, the VC women's basketball team used a balanced attack to defeat Oxnard 95-52 Wednesday evening at the Condors' Nest. Madison Kast led five players in double-figures with 16 points while Yasmine Ahllamara and Kimora Pooler each totaled 15 on the night. Talia Taufaasau netted 13 points while Cece Quintino put up an even dozen. Quintino handed out seven assists and LaDaesha Merriweather grabbed 11 boards for Ventura (15-4, 1-0).
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VC Women Fall in Final Non-Conference Test
January 11, 2020The Pirates' women's basketball team dropped a 72-61 decision to visiting Los Angeles Trade Tech Saturday night at the Athletic Event Center. The Pirates, who yielded more than 60 points for just the second time all season, made just 27 percent of their field goal attempts with 12 turnovers in the first half resulting in a 13-point deficit. Yasmine Ahllamara came off the bench to spark a better second half with 19 points and Talia Taufaasau totaled 11 points for Ventura (14-4). Cece Quintino handed out eight assists and Kimora Pooler had 13 rebounds in the loss.
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Pirates Pulla Away From West Hills to Begin New Year
January 03, 2020In their first game of the new year, the Pirates' women's basketball team pulled away from West Hills-Lemoore on the road Friday evening, 56-34. The VC defense, ranked No. 2 in the state, held the Golden Eagles 13 points below their season average in the victory. Talia Taufaasau led Ventura (14-3) with 16 points, six assists four rebounds and two blocked shots. Cece Quintino had 15 points with six dimes and five boards. Victoria Maciel totaled 10 points in the VC win,
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VC Falls to Mt. San Jacinto in Optimist Classic Finale
December 29, 2019In a battle between two of the state's top-ranked defenses,the Pirates' women's basketball team came up on the short end of a 52-46 decision against Mt. San Jacinto Sunday evening in the final of the VC-Optimist Club Holiday Classic. The Pirates, the state's No. 2 defense, and the Eagles, ranked No. 9 defensively, held each other below 23 percent shooting on the night. MSJC's decisive 71-48 edge on the boards proved to be the difference in the contest. Talia Taufaasau had 14 points, four assists, three blocks and two steals to lead Ventura (13-3).
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Second Half Surge Lifts Pirates In Optimist Classic
December 28, 2019The Pirates' women's basketball team overcame first half foul trouble and a shaky second quarter to pull away from No. 9-ranked Irvine Valley 62-51 Saturday night in the VC-Optimist Club Holiday Classic. Ventura, ranke No. 4 in the state, had three starters sitting with foul issues for large portions of the second quarter in which they managed just seven points, but they pulled out the victory with a 40-point final half. Talia Taufaasau had 17 of her 23 points in the second half to lead VC (13-2) while Madison Kast and Alyssandra Lacanilao each added 10.
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Women's Basketball WSC Schedule Updated
December 26, 2019In an unprecedented step, the Western State Conference has updated the WSC North Division women's basketball schedule for the 2020 season due to the loss of two teams mid-season. The conference made the determination after LA Pierce and Cuesta cancelled their seasons earlier this month. The new conference schedule will begin Jan. 22 instead of Jan. 8. VC had added games at West Hills-Lemoore and at home against LA Trade Tech to make up two fo the four lost games.
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Poor Shooting Costs Pirates in Loss
December 21, 2019For the second night in a row, a sub-par effort led to a loss for the Ventura College women's basketball team. The Pirates shot just 29 percent from the floor, 20 percent from three, in falling to visiting College of the Canyons 67-57 at the Athletic Event Center. Talia Taufaasau netted 20 points with seven rebounds and four assists to lead VC (12-2) and Madison Kast scored 18 with seven boards. Kimora Pooler hauled in 13 rebound and LaDaesha Merriweather had 10 boards.
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VC Suffers First Loss of Season at Glendale
December 20, 2019The Pirates picked a bad day to have a bad day. Playing a Glendale team riding an 11-game winning streak, the Pirates' women's basketball team committed 20 turnovers and shot 19 percent from three, 4-21, including a 1-10 mark in the fourth quarter, in falling to the Vaqueros 57-50. Talia Taufaasau had 14 points and three assists for Ventura (12-1), and Madison Kast totaled 10 points with seven boards. Alaina Garcia came off the bench with eight points and Kimora Pooler pulled in 10 rebounds.
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Ventura Claims Buddy's Classic Crown Over LA Valley
December 15, 2019For the fourth time this season, the Pirates' women's basketball team played for a tournament championship, and for the fourth time they brought home the hardware. Talia Taufaasau had another MVP performance with 22 points, six assists, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal and all-tournament selection LaDaesha Merriweather was dominant on the boards, pulling in 15 rebounds to help lead VC (12-0) to a 66-44 win over host LA Valley College to claim the Buddy's All-Star Classic title. Madison Kast had 15 points while Cece Quintino netted 10 in Ventura's victory.
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Pirates Blitz San Francisco From Long Range
December 14, 2019A night after the Pirates controlled the paint they lit the basket up from afar, hitting 12 3-pointers in their 67-55 victory over San Francisco Saturday in the semifinals of the Buddy's All-Star Classic at Los Angeles Valley College. Talia Taufaasau hit four triples en route to a season-high 25 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Cece Quintino and Madison also hit double figures with 10 points each and LaDaesha Merriweather pulled down 10 rebounds. The Pirates (11-0) were 12-18 from 3-point land on the night with six different players hitting from range.
