Tough Preseason Prepares Citrus Basketball

The men's and women's basketball teams finished , each winning two games in their respective tournaments last weekend.

The men's team suffered its first setback of the season, as they fell to Antelope Valley College 80-75 in the Championship game of the Wells Fargo tournament.  Thursday night, Citrus (12-1) bounced back and escaped with a 77-74 win over Ventura College.

Citrus head coach Chris Victor said that while the team was down after their loss to Antelope Valley, they didn't let the loss get to them. 

 "We were able to come back, to learn from our mistakes," he said. "We had couple of great days of practice and were able to come back to get this win. "

 Garrett Jefferson led four Owls in double figures with 14 points, three rebounds, and a steal.   DJ Shelton tallied 12 points, three rebounds, and assist and two steals.  Hakeem Washington had 11 points four rebounds two assists and a steal.

Ventura (10-4) kept the game close, tying the game 68-68 on a 3-point play by James Innis.  Shelton failed to convert his three point play opportunity in the previous possession which would have made the score 69-68.

Donnell Phifer hit four of the final eight free throws in the final minute to seal the victory for the Owls.

"Ventura is a good team. They're a top ten team in the state," Victor said. "We know we are in for a battle so we had to focus on playing tough, playing hard and playing the complete 40 minutes."

Citrus heads to its holiday tournament Tuesday December 28 as they host LA Harbor College. Tip off time is 7pm.

The ladies head into division play on a low note dropping a 59-56 decision to Riverside City College Friday night.  Riverside shot only 25 percent in the first half, making only 8 of 23 attempts. Citrus was not that much better, shooting 10 of 23 from the field, but had enough to lead 26-19 at the half. 

However, Riverside overcame that deficiency and outscored Citrus 40-30 in the second half to claim the victory.

Brianna Byrd led all scorers, pacing Riverside with 23 points, eight rebounds and two steals.  Neka Hunter tallied 17 points, six assists, a block and five steals.

Ariel Marsh led three Owls in double figures, scoring 19 points, three rebounds and two assists.  Jasmyne Randolph and Shelly Gupilan each chipped in 14 points for the Owls in the losing effort.  Jasmine Cox added six points, 10 rebounds a block and a steal.

For the third time in four tournament appearances this season, Citrus was able to once again win the consolation game as they won Sunday night against Laney College 79-72 in the Moorpark Tournament.  They dropped the first round game 56-71 to Antelope Valley.  They then bounced back to easily dispatch Santa Ana college 60-48 Saturday night.  Marsh would be named on the all-tournament team for her efforts last weekend.

The women's team are off until their first divisional game Wednesday, Jan. 5 as they host Bakersfield College.  Tip off time is 7 p.m.