The Ventura College Pirates made sloppy joes look sparkling clean; the Pirates were clumsy, mediocre offensively and struggled to keep the ball out of the opposing team’s hands, but they still manage to turn sloppiness into a success.

According to Pirates’ forward Chanelle Brennan, the team is always prepared for any obstacles that might stand in their way.

“We practice really hard and do a variety of things in practice,” Brennan said. “We’re always ready for things [and] up for the challenge.”

So maybe the Pirates don’t practice turning the ball over, but they always manage to come through even when they do not play their best ball.

The Pirates proved this in a 61-53 victory over San Bernardino Valley College in the Southern California Regional Finals on March 6 at the Ventura Athletic Center.

Brennan led the Pirates with 20 points, while sophomore forward Kris King followed suit with 16 points.

Pirates head coach Ned Mircetic did not hesitate to downplay a pesky Wolverines squad.

“San Bernardino is a very talented, well-coached team,” Mircetic said. “They are always well prepared and always play hard.”

The Wolverines (25-6) certainly put up a fight, only trailing the Pirates 23-19 at the half, and giving the front court loads of trouble defensively.

However, the Pirates (31-1) extended the lead to double digits 40-30 after Gabrielle Conn hit a jumper with under nine minutes to play. Up by as many as 11 points at one time, the Pirates never looked back.

Six players will make their second appearance in a Pirates uniform at the State Tournament.

One of the six sophomores, starting shooting guard Erika Ward, is excited to be back in the hunt for a state championship.

“We’re going back to state,” she said. “That’s what all us sophomores have wanted to do.”

Brennan believes the State Tournament is going to be a time for the Pirates to show why they have won 65 out of their last 67 games.

“It’s our time to shine…and go to state and show them what we have,” she said.

Mircetic expects nothing different from his team during the State Tournament.

“What you’ve seen in the past is what you’ll see on Thursday night,” he said.

The State Tournament will be held at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks from March 11-14. The tournament begins with the quarterfinals Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m.