Joe Zamora thinks that the Channel League boys basketball race is wide open this year, but he also got to see what defending champion Ventura has to offer as the host Cougars downed the Chargers 56-47 on Wednesday.
“It was a good game. We knew it would be a tough battle, and it was really physical both ways,” said the coach. “They’re very talented. They’re deep, they have some big kids coming off of the bench and they’ve got some shooters.”
Matt McClenathen scored 21 points and pulled down seven rebounds, but the Cougars broke a tie heading into the fourth and won the period 19-10.
“It was a good lesson for us, because now we know we’ve gotta play 32 minutes. I’m not hanging my head, because my guys left it all on the court,” said Zamora, who highlighted the play of Robbie Mestas, Eric Arroyo and Cameron Nelson.
Ventura was remarkably balanced, with only one player in double-figures (Trent Reeves had 10).
DP (7-9, 0-1) hosts Santa Barbara on Friday.
VENTURA 56, DOS PUEBLOS 47
DOS PUEBLOS — Prichard 2, Arroyo 5, Miranda 5, McClenathen 21, Nelson 3, Larinan 5, Mestas 6. Totals 18 7-13 47.
VENTURA — Reeves 10, Houck 8, Wilson 3, Thomas 7, Gwin 4, Rudolph 2, Koevenig 2, Neary 3, Garrett 9, Anderson 8. Totals 18 14-19.
DOS PUEBLOS…12 14 11 10 — 47
VENTURA…8 17 12 19 — 56
3-point goals — DP 4 (Arroyo, Miranda, McClenathen 2). V 6 (Reed 2, Houck 1, Wilson 1, Neary 1,Koevenig 1). Total fouls — DP 17, V 11.
