Is Reign Over for Ventura?

Random thoughts from oxygen-starved brain cells. . . .

Don’t be shocked if Ventura College’s streak of 10 consecutive Western State Conference Northern Division men’s basketball titles ends this season.

The Pirates, two-time defending state champions, were 15-6 going into their division opener against Hancock on Wednesday. Ventura, ranked seventh in the state, hasn’t lost that many games in one season since finishing 33-5 in 1991-92.

This season, Cuesta looks ready to win the division title. The Cougars were 20-4 and ranked 10th in the state before playing host to Moorpark on Wednesday. They had scored 100 or more points in nine games.

Both teams will try to draw first blood when they meet at Ventura on Saturday night at 7. . . .

Cuesta is pretty tough, especially when its bus breaks down on the way to a game.

Last Saturday, the start of the Cougars’ interdivisional game with Valley was delayed 75 minutes because of mechanical problems on the trip from San Luis Obispo.

Once at Valley, the Cougars ran on all cylinders. They beat the Monarchs, 93-52. . . .

Speaking of routs, anybody at Pierce call 911 yet?

The Brahmas have been lit up more times this season in women’s basketball games than cigars at Red Auerbach’s house.

Their latest drubbing came courtesy of Canyons, 146-48, on Monday. Before that, they suffered these indignities: Valley, 109-54; Ventura, 124-33; Canyons, 135-64; San Bernardino, 124-51.

Seriously, though, this shows the imbalance among some junior college women’s programs and the no-mercy mentality of some coaches.

Granted, Pierce (1-22, 0-6 in the WSC South Division) should have fielded a more competitive team or perhaps skipped the season. But there’s no justification for vastly superior opponents to humiliate the Brahmas.

The arguments supporting out-of-control routs date to the days of peach baskets, but none are convincing. The argument for considering the feelings of the clearly overmatched is called common decency. . . .

Note to the Pepperdine sports information gang: Right was wrong.

The men’s volleyball media guide mentions more than once that sophomore outside hitter George Roumain broke a bone in his right hand in a match last January and played the rest of the season wearing a soft cast.

But a photo in the guide shows Roumain wearing the cast on his left hand while spiking a ball against USC in March.

Just trying to keep you on your toes. . . .

Now, let’s clean our house.

Contrary to an erroneous report in this section--but not in this space--The Master’s men’s basketball Coach Bill Oates needs two more victories to reach 700 in his 34-year career.

Oates, who won his 100th game--against 23 losses--with the Mustangs on Tuesday, could reach the milestone at home against Christian Heritage on Feb. 1. . . .

New Cal State Northridge football Coach Jim Fenwick already is reaping dividends from his knowledge of junior college talent in the region.

Wide receiver Eric Carpenter, who played for Fenwick at Valley the past two seasons, and Glendale safety Kenny Knoop are solid players who will help the Matadors. . . .

Valley might have lost Fenwick but don’t look for the Monarchs to falter next season.

Offensive coordinator Gary Barlow, the team’s interim coach, should be a leading candidate to take over the program.

Barlow turned Valley into a scoring machine with his run-and-shoot scheme. . . .

All dressed up in your youth team’s basketball jersey and no place to go?

Try the Moorpark College gym Saturday evening, when the Raiders play host to Oxnard in a WSC doubleheader. Admission is free for players and coaches wearing their team jerseys.

The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m., the men’s at 7:30.