Pirates Drop Final Game to Gilcrest Tourney Hosts

Kylie Gallick had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds and Mya Victor scored 10 points with four steals and four blocked shots, but the Pirates' women's basketball team dropped a 66-48 decision to Sequoias on the final day of the Tom Gilcrest Invitational in Visalia Saturday. VC trailed 31-28 at halftime when Sofia Torres-Reyes, who had eight first half points, was sidelined with an injury further depleting the VC back court. The Giants also shot a phenomenal 13-25 from 3-point range in the game.

COS opened the game with a pair of long-range bombs, but Torres-Reyes triple at the 7:39 mark of the first quarter gave VC an 8-6 lead. Alyssandra Lacanilao followed with another three as the Ventura margin stretched to five points. A steal and lay-up by Maddie Ozbourn and free throws by Torres-Reyes and Victor put the Pirates ahead 15-13 at the end of the first quarter.

The Giants hit another three to open the second period, but a mid-range jumper by Torres-Reyes, a two by Victor, and a 3-pointer by Sam Martinez stretched the Pirate advantage to 22-16 with 6:21 remaining in the half. Sequoias went on a 9-0 run over the next five minutes to re-take the lead before Ozbourn ended the skid with a pair of free shots. Gallick scored twice in the final minute of the half as VC trailed 31-28 at intermission.

With Torres-Reyes out of the game, and the Pirates already missing three other guards, the Giants began to pull away form Ventura early in the third. COS scored the first nine points of the period, and scores from Gallick and Victor limited the margin to 10 points on two occasions. Sequoias answered with two more 3-pointers as VC trailed 57-38 at the quarter break.

Despite the disadvantages, Ventura continued the fight over the final 10 minutes. Martinez had a rebound and putback, and Sea'Ana Egizi had a nice drive across the middle finishing with a runner off the glass. Gallick hit four free throws down the stretch as VC fell by a final count of 66-48.

Lacanilao came in with a 9-point performance with two assists and a pair of steals. Ozbourn and Martinez grabbed five and four rebounds, respectively.

Ventura will next match up against Fullerton on Thursday Dec. 9 to open the LA Valley Buddy's All-Star Classic in Valley Glen. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 pm.