Last season, Ventura College men’s basketball didn’t have the record it wanted. The pieces were there, but something was missing. Fast forward to this year, and the Pirates are league champions and a serious playoff contender. So what changed?
According to assistant coach Kane Daniels, it started with one thing: culture.
“The focus was the culture,” he said. “Conditioning is something they took pride in.”
Practices were intense. Players were pushed to embrace hard work and stop avoiding uncomfortable situations.
At the start of the season there was an adjustment period with a new system, and it took some time for everyone to get comfortable with it. But little by little, the players bought in and started to fully embrace the change.
Now, he describes them as mentally tougher and ready for challenges. The goal became clear. Coach Kane said, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
That mindset showed up in their playoff opener.
In the second round of the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs, the Pirates were in a close game at halftime against East Los Angeles. But in the second half, everything clicked. VC dominated the final 20 minutes, pulling away for a 91–73 win at home. Sophomore Kam’Ron Cigar led the way with 33 points, and the team outscored the Huskies 53–35 after the break. It wasn’t just talent it was discipline and energy.
The turnaround didn’t happen overnight. According to Coach Kane, it came down to daily habits: staying focused, keeping a positive mindset, learning from each other, and embracing hard work every single day.
What this season taught the team was simple but powerful: stay consistent and stay mentally tough.
From a season that didn’t meet expectations to a league championship and playoff run, VC men’s basketball proved that changing the culture can change everything. And if their first playoff game is any sign, they’re not done yet.
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