The VC men's basketball team opened the 2024-25 campaign with a solid 65-54 victory over San Diego Miramar Thursday in the We Play Hard Tip-Off Tournament at the Athletic Event Center. Bo Dolinsek netted 24 points in his Pirate debut to lead the way and Kevin Hymes poured in 13 points in Ventura's first game under head coach Derick Pugh.
Both teams were tentative in the early going as the Jets scored the first bucket of the night after three minutes of play. Kam'Ron Cigar followed with a bucket soon thereafter. Cyrus Smith and Jeremiah Wilson hit back-to-back threes to break a 6-6 tie and Ventura led 15-8 with 8:50 remaining in the first half.
Miramar went on a 6-1 run to pull to within 16-14 before a deuce by Dolinsek and a triple from Elijah Brown put down the Jet rally. Hymes' "and-1" extended the lead to 26-14 before Dolinsek scored inside and from beyond the arc giving VC a 32-16 advantage. Sky Clay had a steal and dunk to cap off the 20-2 Pirate run and Ventura led 36-18 at halftime.
Dolinsek connected for three straight buckets to open the second half for a 42-20 VC edge. The Jets then closed to within 44-31 before Isaiah Dudley grabbed a steal that led to a score to end the Pirate skid. Dolinsek and Hymes put together back-to-back field goals for an 18-point lead, 53-35, at the 8:30 mark.
Sophomore Gerard Bolden hit a trey for a 56-40 edge, and bucket by K. Cigar and Dolinsek stretched the margin back to 63-44. The Pirate lead expanded to as much as 65-40 late before Miramar made a run in the final minute of the 65-54 win.
Ventura returns to the hardwoods on Friday Nov. 1 hosting Antelope Valley at 6:00 pm at the Athletic Event Center.