Pirates in regionals

The Orange Coast College women’s basketball team, which won the Orange Empire Conference with the first unbeaten conference campaign in the program’s 30 seasons, is the No. 4 seed in the Southern California regional playoffs.

The Pirates (28-3), who have won 17 straight and 26 of their last 27, receive a first-round bye and will play host to No. 13-seeded San Bernardino Valley (19-9) Friday at 7 p.m.

The Pirates are led by Orange Empire Most Valuable Player Courtney Ford, as well as all-conference guards Rachael Maulit and Robin Smith.

If victorious, OCC would likely meet No. 5-seeded Fullerton on March 3. The Pirates have beaten the Hornets twice this season.

The OCC men (16-14), seeded No. 15, play host to No. 18-seeded Los Angeles Southwest (17-13) Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Pirates finished 7-5 in the Orange Empire Conference, tied for third with Santa Ana.

If victorious, OCC would play at No. 2-seeded Ventura Friday.