Boys’ basketball: Ventura remains old school

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Ventura Coach Dan Larson has been relying on neighborhood kids and old-fashioned values in helping the Cougars (27-2) reach the Southern Section Division 2AA semifinals, where they will face Compton on Friday at Ventura College.

Another example of Ventura’s philosophy happened on Tuesday during the team’s 67-53 quarterfinal win over Villa Park.

Nick Rudolph picked up a technical in the first quarter. Larson has a rule that players have to sit out the rest of the game after a technical unless it’s for holding onto the rim. Rudolph didn’t play the rest of the game.

Larson tries to teach self control, and even if it’s the playoffs, he’s not changing.

-- Eric Sondheimer