Ventura jumped on Santa Barbara High early, building a 16-6 first-quarter lead en route to a 61-44 girls basketball victory that clinched a share of the Channel League championship on Thursday night at Tuttle Gym.
It was the fourth straight title for the Cougars, who improve to 6-0 in league. The Dons fall to 5-2.
Ventura was able to break Santa Barbara’s full-court press and get the ball inside to 6-1 Barbara Rangel and 6-foot Aubrey Knight easy baskets. Both players recorded double-doubles, with Rangel scoring 21 points (12 in the first half) and grabbing 10 rebounds and Knight going 16 and 12.
“We practiced and practiced all week to get ready for what they were going to do since we had no other games,” Rangel told the Ventura Star. “I think it definitely helped us because we were prepared for their press and everything else they did.”
Santa Barbara coach Andrew Butcher was hoping for a better start from his team.
“The first half was dismal for us,” he said. “We wanted to defend the post from behind because we are too tiny to front the post, and several times we got caught on the high side. They are not the type of team you want to fall behind because you know it’s going to be tough coming back.”
Amber Melgoza, who was held to nine points in the first half, scored 29 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead the Dons (19-5). Kimberly Gebhardt had six points and five rebounds.
After falling behind 34-18 by halftime, the Dons played even with the Cougars (20-5) in the second half.
