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Cigar’s 33-Point Night Fuels Ventura’s Second-Half Surge Past ELAC

Behind a 33-point effort from sophomore Kam'Ron Cigar, the VC men's basketball team used a dominant second-half surge to pull away from East Los Angeles, turning a halftime deadlock into a 91–73 home victory Saturday in the second round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs. The No. 4-seeded Pirates outscored the Huskies 53–35 over the final 20 minutes behind an efficient scoring performance from Cigar and double-doubles from Snookey Wigington and Jerimiyah Smith. 

VC sophomore Kam'Ron Cigar lit up the scoreboard for 33 points to lead the Pirates to a 91-73 playoff win over East Los Angeles Saturday at the Athletic Event Center.
VC sophomore Kam'Ron Cigar lit up the scoreboard for 33 points to lead the Pirates to a 91-73 playoff win over East Los Angeles Saturday at the Athletic Event Center.
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February 28, 2026

Behind a 33-point effort from sophomore Kam'Ron Cigar, the VC men's basketball team used a dominant second-half surge to pull away from East Los Angeles, turning a halftime deadlock into a 91–73 home victory Saturday in the second round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs. The No. 4-seeded Pirates outscored the Huskies 53–35 over the final 20 minutes behind an efficient scoring performance from Cigar and double-doubles from Snookey Wigington and Jerimiyah Smith. 

Cigar proved to be the decisive factor, pouring in a game-high 33 points on 10-for-14 shooting from the field, including 3-for-7 from beyond the arc. The guard was perfect at the stripe, going 10-for-10 as Ventura converted 22 of its 25 free-throw attempts as a team. That accuracy at the line helped the Pirates steadily build separation in the second half, especially as No. 13 ELAC struggled to match that efficiency and finished 15-for-25 (60.0%) at the stripe.

The teams traded baskets through an even first half, with neither side able to create more than brief, single-digit cushions before heading into the locker room tied at 38. After halftime, Ventura's defense tightened and the Pirates began to control the boards, finishing with a 40–29 edge in total rebounds and a 12–7 advantage on the offensive glass. Those extra possessions, paired with sharper execution, allowed Ventura to string together key scoring runs that shifted the momentum firmly in its favor.

Playmaking from the backcourt was another turning point. Wigington orchestrated the Ventura offense with a team-high 11 assists to go along with 13 points and four rebounds. His ability to penetrate and find open shooters helped the Pirates generate quality looks, as Ventura finished 30-for-64 (46.9%) from the floor and knocked down nine 3-pointers.

Inside, Smith anchored Ventura's work on the glass, recording a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Baron Bellamy, meanwhile, contributed 11 points and seven boards and Tong Tong totaled six points and grabbed six caroms off the bench.

The Pirates advance to the Southern California Regional Finals for the first time since 2023, playing at home for the first time since 2008. The Pirates will host No. 5 San Diego City, who defeated No. 12 Saddleback, 79-70, on Saturday March 7.