TOP SPORTING EVENTS: FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 5

Three intriguing basketball games are on tap Saturday, February 25.

Long Beach State at UCSB women, 2 p.m.: The Gaucho women, winners of four of their last five games, are starting to look dangerous in the Big West Conference. They knocked Cal State Northridge out of first place on Thursday night, rolling to a 61-44 victory over the Matadors at the Thunderdome. “It was as solid a game as we’ve played all year long,” UCSB coach Carlene Mitchell said. The Gauchos, who made a season-high 51 percent of their shots, were led by seniors Emilie Johnson (15 points, five assists) and Kelsey Adrian (14 points, six assists). The pair combined to make seven of 13 three-point shots. Johnson and Adrian will be honored Saturday before their final regular-season home game. UCSB is tied for sixth place in the Big West with Long Beach State. The Gauchos could finish as high as fourth – which would enable them to open the conference tournament at home – if they beat the 49ers and sweep next week’s road trip at Pacific and UC Davis.

Providence Hall vs. Santa Maria Valley Christian Academy, CIF Division 6 girls semifinal at Westmont College, 5 p.m.: The newest kids on the block are the only surviving Santa Barbara team in the high school hoops postseason. It’s a rematch of the season opener, in which Providence Hall’s Lions edged Valley Christian 61-60 at Santa Maria. The Lions have played strong defense in the playoffs, winning their games by scores of 51-24, 61-21, and 37-19. They are coached by former UCSB player Ariana Gnekow.

Cal Poly at UCSB men, 8 p.m.: Orlando Johnson needs three points to become UCSB’s all-time leading scorer. The senior guard scored 20 in the Gauchos’ 70-58 loss to Long Beach State on Wednesday night, pushing his career total to 1,694. Alex Harris established the school record of 1,696 in 2008. The Gauchos will try to rebound from their defeat at Long Beach, which clinched the Big West regular-season championship, and build some momentum going into the conference tournament. In their first meeting with Cal Poly’s Mustangs, the Gauchos won 58-57 on Johnson’s improbable three-pointer that did a dance on the rim and backboard. Saturday’s game will be televised on ESPNU.

Other events in town this weekend include the continuation of Gaucho Classic I, a college softball tournament at UCSB. The host Gauchos got off to a good start Thursday, sweeping a double-header against Houston by scores of 5-3 and 6-1. The high school baseball and softball seasons are getting under way.

Cate School is two wins away from its second consecutive CIF Division 7 soccer championship. The Rams pulled out a 2-1 victory at Don Bosco Tech in Rosemead on Thursday. They will travel to Lancaster to face Paraclete in the semifinals Tuesday.

FUND-RAISERS

Sunday, February 26 – The Montecito Volleyball Club will host a carwash at

the Shell gas station located at 4801 Hollister Ave., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets: $10.

SCHEDULE OF GAMES

Friday, February 24

College softball – Gaucho Classic I: Nevada at UCSB, 9:30 a.m.

High school baseball – Fillmore at San Marcos, 3 p.m.

Saturday, February 25

College softball – Gaucho Classic I: UNLV at UCSB, 9:30 a.m.

High school baseball – St. Francis at Dos Pueblos, 11 a.m.

College women’s tennis – Pacific at UCSB, 11 a.m.

College men’s tennis – UC Davis at UCSB, 1 p.m.

College women’s basketball – Long Beach State at UCSB, 2 p.m.; Westmont at Azusa Pacific, 5:30 p.m.

College men’s basketball – Westmont at Azusa Pacific, 7:30 p.m.; Cal Poly at UCSB, 8 p.m.

High school girls basketball – CIF Division 6 semifinals: Providence Hall vs. Santa Maria Valley Christian at Westmont College, 5 p.m.

Sunday, February 26

College softball – Gaucho Classic I: Nevada at UCSB, 9:30 a.m.; San Diego at UCSB, 2:30 p.m.

Monday, February 27

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Café, 12 p.m.

College women’s tennis – St. John’s at UCSB, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 28

College softball – L.A. Valley at SBCC, 2:30 p.m.

High school boys soccer – CIF Division 7 semifinal: Cate at Paraclete, 3 p.m.

High school baseball – Arroyo Grande at Santa Barbara, 3:30 p.m.

High school softball – Carpinteria at San Marcos, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 29

College women’s tennis – Georgia State at UCSB, 1:30 p.m.

High school baseball – Nordhoff at Bishop Diego, 3:30 p.m.

High school boys volleyball – Newbury Park at Dos Pueblos, 6 p.m.

College women’s basketball – GSAC Tournament, first round: The Master’s at Westmont, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 1

College baseball – Biola at Westmont, 2 p.m.; El Camino at SBCC, 2 p.m.

High school boys volleyball – Arroyo Grande at San Marcos, 6 p.m.

College men’s basketball – Pacific at UCSB, 7 p.m.; GSAC Tournament, first round: Westmont at Azusa Pacific, 7:30 p.m.

College women’s basketball – UCSB at Pacific, 7 p.m.

Friday, March 2

College baseball – Loyola Marymount at UCSB, 2 p.m.; Biola at Westmont, 2 p.m.

High school boys volleyball – Royal at Dos Pueblos, 6 p.m.

College women’s basketball – GSAC Tournament semifinals.

Saturday, March 3

High school baseball – Santa Ynez at Carpinteria (2), 12 p.m.

College baseball – Loyola Marymount at UCSB, 1 p.m.

College women’s basketball – UCSB at UC Davis, 2 p.m.

College men’s basketball – UC Davis at UCSB, 7 p.m.; GSAC Tournament semifinals.

High school girls basketball – CIF Division 6 final: Providence Hall vs. Orangewood Academy at Mater Dei, Santa Ana, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 4

College baseball – Loyola Marymount at UCSB, 1 p.m.

Monday, March 5

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Café, 12 p.m.

RUNNING, WALKING, CYCLING

Sunday, February 26 – Roses en la Playa 5K, Leadbetter Beach, 9 a.m. sbactionpro.com.

Saturday, March 10 – Solvang Century, 100- and 50-mile rides, Hotel Corque, 400 Alisal Road, 6:30 a.m. bikescor.com

Saturday, March 17 – Barbara Ireland 10-Mile Walk/Run for the Cure of Breast Cancer, Chase Palm Park Pavilion, 8:30 a.m. ccsb.org.

Saturday, April 7 – Are You Tough Enough? 100K Relay, Toro Canyon to Nojoqui Falls, 7 a.m. areyoutoughenough.com.

Saturday, April 14 – Chardonnay 10 Miler/5K, Loma Alta and Shoreline Drive, 8 a.m. sbactionpro.com.

Saturday, April 28 – Gaucho Gallop, 10K/5K, UCSB Harder Stadium, 8:15 a.m. ucsbruns.com.

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