(Interstat) — A matchup of teams on opposite trajectories will unfold Saturday when the Ventura College Pirates visit the Los Angeles Valley College Monarchs in a California community college men’s basketball game.

The Pirates (12-3) enter riding a five-game winning streak, most recently edging Sequoias 78-76 on Tuesday. The Monarchs (5-7) have lost three straight, including a 62-48 defeat at Irvine Valley on Tuesday.

Ventura’s surge has been fueled by standout forward Jerimiyah Smith. Over his last five games, Smith is averaging 24.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest. He posted a 40-point, 13-rebound effort in an overtime win at Bakersfield on Dec. 11 and recorded a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double against Sequoias. Support comes from Kam’Ron Cigar (21 points vs. Sequoias) and Snookey Wigington.

Los Angeles Valley will counter with forward Sean Morgan, who nearly had a double-double with 9 points and 9 rebounds in the loss to Irvine Valley. Morgan’s season high was a 16-point, 9-rebound performance in a win over Rio Hondo on Dec. 6. The Monarchs have struggled offensively during their skid, failing to score more than 62 points in any of the three losses.

Ventura’s record includes several tight victories and high-scoring affairs, such as a 122-114 double-overtime win over Los Angeles Southwest in November. The Pirates’ three losses have come by an average of 7.3 points.

Los Angeles Valley’s results show a pattern of defensive struggles in losses, allowing an average of 81.3 points in their seven defeats, compared to 62.8 points in their five wins.

The game will be the first of the new calendar year for both programs. Ventura begins a stretch of three straight road games, while Los Angeles Valley opens a two-game homestand before heading into conference play.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, on the campus of Los Angeles Valley College in Valley Glen.