After winning their division, Ventura College’s women’s basketball team ended their season March 13 with a lost in the state quarterfinals to Fresno City College, 70-64.

The Pirates were led by sophomore Jenelle Conklin who scored 15 points. Sophomore Indira Kaljo and freshman Michelle Santizo followed with 14 points each. Santizo rolled her ankle early in the game.

The Pirate defense could not hold off a streaky attack by Fresno, whose top scorer Lena Gipson finished with an impressive 34 points against a tough Pirate defense.

Kaljo was named an honorable mention for State Farm Coaches’ All-American junior college team March 17.

On the men’s side, a hard-fought season full of highs and lows ended March 8.

The Pirates lost to Bakersfield in the Southern California regional final by a score of 81-65. The lack of offense did not did not help ending the Pirates season with a record of 26-7.

Ventura fell behind early and trailed 42-26 at half. They were never able to get out of the hole they dug for themselves. The Pirates only shot 37% from the field and only made 20% of their shots from beyond the three-point line.

Kevin Menner led them team with a solid 24 points in 37 minutes, but it was not enough to overcome Bakersfield. It was a disappointing end to a season where the Pirates won the Western State Conference and only lost one game in conference play.

It was the final game under current head coach and Ventura College Athletics Director Greg Winslow. Winslow announced his retirement earlier this season.

Both Ventura teams showed promise this year, receiving high seeds in their perspective brackets.

The Pirate men’s team will possibly return nine players from this year’s team, with the women’s squad returning five players from this season division champion team.

Daniel Santos and Mike Caine contributed to this story.