Ventura Gets Rare Victory Over Buena

VENTURA — When it was over, the Ventura High girls’ basketball team tried to downplay what it accomplished.

But it was difficult for the Cougars to hide their emotions.

In these parts, they had just slayed Goliath.

They fought their way back from a 12-point halftime deficit for a 60-57 victory Saturday night over cross-town rival Buena in the championship game of the Buena tournament.

It was a remarkable upset considering Buena (4-1), ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times and No. 7 in the nation, had won 20 of the previous 22 Buena tournaments.

The last time Ventura (4-0), ranked No. 2 in the region, won the tournament was in 1991.

Ventura coaches couldn’t remember the last time they defeated Buena, although they think it was in Channel League play in 1995.

“We finally got our respect and we proved our point that Buena’s awesome, but we can play basketball too,” Ventura guard Alex Gientke said.

Gientke, a senior who has signed with Santa Clara, played an important role in the comeback and was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

She scored 16 of her 23 points in the second half, including four three-point baskets in the third quarter, to help the Cougars trim the Buena lead to 46-39.

It wasn’t until Renee Jiminez hit a jumper with 1:16 remaining that Ventura went ahead for good, 58-57.

After two free throws by Katy O’Brien extended the lead to 60-57 with 23 seconds remaining, Buena had one last chance. But Kelly Greathouse missed a three-point attempt as time expired.

“It’s a big deal for our kids,” Ventura Coach Glen Gray II said. “I really thought the human spirit prevailed. When we were down in the third quarter we could’ve panicked, but we didn’t.”

Kristine Gleisberg had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Jiminez had 10 points for Ventura.

Greathouse had 25 points, Courtney LaVere had 17 and Courtney Young 10 for Buena.

Alemany 69, Newbury Park 59-- Trailing by two points, Alemany (4-1) unfurled its press in the second half, forcing 16 steals to run away with a victory in the game for third place.

The Indians were led by Nyasha Bralock with 21 points and Alma Sandoval with 13. Karina Siam added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Guard Kate Beckler made only two of 18 field-goal attempts and finished with seven points, but she had eight rebounds and five steals.

Bridget Harris finished with 18 points and Jessie Goddard 13 for Newbury Park (2-2).

Camarillo 55, Hart 48--Behind the shooting of Tanya Wismann and Lauren Ferreira, the Scorpions (3-2) opened up a 15-3 lead after one quarter and coasted to a victory for fifth place.