Hot Shooting, Strong Bench Play Propel VC Past Long Beach

The Pirates used a hot shooting touch and strong play off the bench to blow past Long Beach City College 85-67 Friday in the consolation semifinals of the Irvine Valley Classic.  Isiah Reyes had a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists off the bench for Ventura (4-4) and Cordel Hankerson netted 15 points, including three 3-pointers, with 14 rebounds.  The Pirate bench outscored the Vikings 47-10 in the game.

The game was tight through the early going with both teams holding slim edges.  Vida Faniel had an old fashioned 3-point play followed by another lay-up midway through the first half to give VC a 21-17 lead.  Faniel scored another bunny with an assist by Reyes and Hankerson hit a triple off of a helper by Isaac Ramirez to complete a 10-2 run as Ventura led 26-19 with 7:13 remaining in the half.

The Vikings closed to within 31-28 with 3:36 left to play when VC went on another run.  Trevor LaCount started it off with a free throw, followed by a Calvin Young lay-up.  After a LBCC field goal, Reyes countered with a trey and Ryan Sells connected from long range, as well.  Young followed with a steal and lay-up to make it 42-30 with 59 seconds remaining, and the Pirates led 42-32 at intermission.

The second half began much the same as the first, with both teams taking the upper hand.  The VC advantage fluctuated between nine and 14 points until a Reyes charity toss, a Young 3-pointer, and a lay-up by Deryck Harvey made it 72-55 with 6:19 on the clock.  LBCC got back to within 12, but a Reyes deuce and triple from Hankerson stretched the lead to 77-60 at the 4:21 mark.  Ventura rode the momentum to the 85-67 win.

Young and Sells scored 13 and 10 points, respectively and Faniel had nine points and 10 boards. Harvey contributed seven points with four rebounds and Trevor LaCount pulled in six caroms. Eddie Cowan had five assists.

The Pirates will play Cuyamaca College in the consolation finals of the tournament in Irvine Saturday Nov. 19 at 12:00 pm.