Movement as teams move (up and down) in men's hoop rankings
RIVERSIDE - Four weeks, or 27 days¬, is what remains for teams to position themselves for a conference championship or to climb into the post-season discussion. All of the conference titles are still mathematically in play, although, I few are realistically decided. One that will take center stage this week is in the Big 8 where Diablo Valley will look to real in Santa Rosa on Tuesday; Fresno City will look end Columbia’s championship hopes with a victory on Saturday; Chaffey will trek to San Bernardino to put an end to the Wolverines’ chances of a conference crown; Santiago Canyon will be looking to keep its championship dream alive when the Hawks meet Saddleback; San Diego City will be looking to knock off Southwestern to position itself as possible co-champs in the Pacific Coast Conference; and the four teams in the Western-State South will simply wait for the dust to settle Sunday morning to see who is sitting the top perch.
A lot will be decided over the final days of the regular season. Who will host their respective conference trophy, and who will be left out of the post season? If there was ever a time to leave it on the floor — this is it . . . 27 days.
The CCCMBCA Top 30
1. San Francisco City (20-0) — San Francisco City continues to be the state’s lone undefeated team. And the way the Rams are playing, it doesn’t figure to change anytime soon. San Francisco hosts second-place Los Positas on Wednesday and third-place Chabot on Friday. A San Francisco City sweep this week wraps up the conference title, okay maybe not mathematically . . . but you get the idea. The Rams have scored 100 or more (mostly more) in five of their last six games, including a season-high 119 points against San Mateo.
2. Santiago Canyon (20-1) — Santiago Canyon has won four straight games since falling to Fullerton in overtime on January 13. With Fullerton losing two of its last three games and Santiago Canyon beating Riverside, the Hawks have flown into a tie with Riverside for the conference lead with four weeks remaining. This week, Santiago hosts Cypress (Wednesday) and Saddleback (Friday). Saddleback is coming off a last-season victory over Fullerton.
3. East Los Angeles (20-1) — East Los Angeles is one of three teams to have won 20 games at this point of the season. The Huskies are riding a school record 16-game win streak. There are only two teams in the South Coast-North with an overall record above .500, and the other — Los Angeles Trade Tech — was beaten by East Los Angeles by 21 points. Complacently is the Huskies’ biggest obstacle it appears. This week, the Huskies host 10-11 Pasadena and then visit 6-21 Mt. San Antonio.
4. Fresno City (17-3) — Winners of seven straight, Fresno City is running towards upping its national record of consecutive conference championships with number 19 looming. The Rams apparently battled through the flu last week and survived a closer than expected game with Reedley, 79-71. Fresno City will close out the first round of conference play at Merced on Wednesday before traveling to Columbia on Saturday for a key Central Valley Conference game. Fresno City only holds a one-game lead on the conference title with eight games remaining.
5. Fullerton (18-2) — The defending state campions begin the week a game behind Santiago Canyon and Riverside in the Orange Empire Conference. The Hornets play four of their final seven games at home where they are 8-1. Fullerton hosts Irvine Valley Wednesday and then visit Cypress on Friday. Barring any more upsets, the Hornets have "showdown" games with Santiago Canyon (February 11), Riverside (February 19) and Saddleback (February 21).
6. Yuba (18-3) — Yuba has won 11 straight and doesn’t appear to be slowing down as the 49’ers dig their way to the Bay Valley Conference title. Yuba begins the week with a two-game over Los Medanos, a team the 49’ers have defeated twice in conference play. With just seven games remaining, Yuba visits Solano on Wednesday and returns homes Friday for a game against Merritt.
7. Columbia (18-2) — Columbia’s conference championship hopes ride on the outcome of Saturday’s game with Fresno City. The Claim Jumpers trail Fresno City by two games in the Central Valley Conference standings. A loss would be devasting to Columbia’s conference title hopes. A win gets Columbia within a game and puts the pressure on Sequoias next week when the Giants take on Fresno City. A lot of moving parts, but Columbia, which figures to pack the gym on Saturday, needs to handle business on Saturday.
8. Southwestern (16-4) — Southwestern continues to lead the Pacific Coast Conference. This week, the lead is a ½ game over San Diego City and 1½ over Palomar. Winners of seven consecutive games, the Jaguars can put additional space between themselves and San Diego City on Friday when they square off for the final time. A perfect week this week would put the Jaguars up at least 1 ½ games with five to play, and three of those games being against teams who figure to miss the post-season.
9. Sequoias (16-4) — Sequoias begins the week chasing Fresno City in the race for the Central Valley Conference. Really noting new when you consider Fresno City has won 18 consecutive CVC titles. The Giants have won four straight and figure to extend the win streak to six with road games at West Hills Lemoore and then West Hills Coalinga on Saturday. That will set the stage for Sequoias at Fresno City on February 5 for all of the marbles, unless of course Columbia can defend homecourt. Then it gets real interestring.
10. Santa Monica (15-5) — We said the run to the Western State-South division crown wouldn’t be easy. This race may be as complicated as the Orange Empire Conference race. This week, in the ever-ending who is up — Santa Monica, the preseason favorite, is tied with Citrus for the conference lead with LA Valley and West LA a game back. This truly could go down to the last game of the season when Santa Monica hosts West LA. This week, Santa Monica, which is 4-1, is on the road with visits at West LA and then Bakersfield. West LA has a chance to really do some damage to Santa Monica's championship plans.
11. Chaffey (16-5) — Chaffey’s win streak has reached 10 games, and because of it the Panthers have opened a 2½-geme lead on San Bernardino Valley in the race for the Inland Empire Athletic Conference. Chafey also has a three game lead on Cerro Coso and Mt. San Jacinto who figure to simply be battling for a post-season berth at this point. Chaffey begins second record of conference play this week, beginning at San Bernardino Valley on Wednesday. A Chaffey victory would pretty make game, set, match for the Panthers. Four of the Panthers’ next five games are on the road, but Chaffey has been shown to play very well on the road.
12. Santa Rosa (16-5) — With seven games remaining, Santa Rosa opens the week with 1½ game lead on Diablo Valley in the Big 8 Conference. The cubs have a chance to pull away on Tuesday when Santa Rosa treks to Diablo Valley for a 5:30 pm game. Santa Rosa plays four of its remaining seven games on the road. Santa Rosa also hosts Modesto on Friday.
13. San Diego City (17-4) — For all general purposes, the Knights’ conference championship hopes will be the on the line Friday in Chula Vista when San Diego City meets conference-leader Southwestern. Southwestern begins the week with a ½ game lead on San Diego City.
14. San Bernardino Valley (15-5) — Since losing three straight, San Bernardino Valley has won five straight games. The Wolverines’ title hopes are slipping away with every Chaffey victory. On Wednesday, however, San Bernardino Valley will have a chance to tame the Panthers when the two teams meet in San Bernardino. The Wolverines are 8-0 at home this season.
15. Redwoods (17-4) — Redwoods was brought back to down to earth with Shasta’s surprising 87-76 victory Saturday. The loss stopped a 12-game win streak by the Corsairs. Despite the loss, Redwoods continues to lead the pack by 1½ games with five games to play. The Corsairs are being hunted by a pack of three – Butte, the conference preseason favorite, Shasta and Feather River. This week, Redwoods has just one game, Saturday at Lassen.
16. Riverside (13-8) — Riverside had its six-game win streak snapped after sufferig an eight-point loss to Santiago Canyon. The Tigers, however, quickly righted its ship, winning its next two games, including a victory over Fullerton, the defending state champions. Riverside begins the week deadlocked with Santiago Canyon for first place, but Fullerton and Saddleback are within striking distance at a game back. This week, Riverside hosts Santa Ana and visits Orange Coast. The Tigers finish the season against (at) Saddleback, (vs.) Santiago Canyon and (vs.) Fullerton. A slip up would cost Riverside the title or even a share of it.
17. Ventura (14-7) — Thanks to a Western-State-North five-game win streak, Ventura leads the conference with a 5-0 record. LA Pierce is a game back and Allan Hancock has recovered to get within two games as is Moorpark. Ventura travels to Cuesta this week and Santa Barbara before strating a stretch of games — Allan Hancock-LA Pierce-Moorpark — from where the title well be decided.
18. West Los Angeles (15-5) — West Los Angeles begins the week a game behind Santa Monica, but the Wildcats can remedy that on Wednesday when they host Santa Monica in a 7 pm game. This race is shaping up to be one of the best in the state, much like the Orange Empire Conference. West LA finishes the season at Santa Monica, but Wednesday’s looms large as Santa Monica, the preseason favorite, looks for some breathing room. A West LA win ensures this conference race goes down to the wire.
19. LA Valley (16-4) — Boy what a week makes — and a key win. Los Angeles Valley was fading from the Western State-South championship talk. But then last week happened — a 88-78 victory over preseason favorite Santa Monica and then a six-point victory over Bakersfield. Those wins coupled with Canyons’ stunning upset of West Los Angeles allowed LA Valley to wake up Sunday morning being relevant again. This week, LA Valley is tied with West LA for second place, a game behind Santa Monica and Citrus. LA Valley is at Antelope Valley on Wednesday and then begins round two of conference play with a key game at Citrus on Saturday. Win and the Monarchs stay within striking distance, lose and well it is one big uphill climb to that championship trophy.
20. Las Positas (15-5) — Las Positas faces a tough week. Currently, the Hawks sit in second place, a game behind San Francisco City and a game up on third-place Chabot. This week, Las Positas hits the road for games at San Francisco City (Wednesday) and Ohlone (Friday). This is Las Positas’ first chance at San Francisco City.
21. Saddleback (14-7) — Saddleback has won three straight games. Among them was the Gauchos’ last-second victory over Fullerton. The victory keeps Saddleback a game behind the leaders in the race for the Orange Empire Conference title. This week, the Gauchos host Golden West and then takes another and their final shot at Santiago Canyon on Friday. A Saddleback victory here would really shake up the OEC race.
22. Cerritos (13-7) — Don’t look up. Because here comes the Falcons. Cerritos has won eight straight games, including an all-important showdown with Long Beach City, 73-71, last week. The victory gives Cerritos the inside track on the South Coast-South championship. There are still eight games to play, however, including another showdown with Long Beach City on February 12. This week, Cerritos visits fast-paced El Camino and then travels to Compton on Friday.
23. Allan Hancock (16-5) — Listen we aren’t going to discuss Allan Hancock’s latest wins. After all, they were games the Bulldogs should have won. What needs to be discussed is does Allan Hancock have the fire power for what is on the horizon — LA Pierce, Moorpark and Ventura — in Ventura. The Bulldogs will need a sweep to get to the penthouse, anything less and it is back to the doghouse.
24. Long Beach City (14-6) — With its lost to Cerritos, Long Beach City begins the week looking up at the Falcons. The Vikings will get another crack at Cerritos in Long Beach on February 12. Until then, Long Beach City will see (as of this week) just one program with a record above .500. This week, the Vikings host 9-11 Compton and travel to 7-13 LA Harbor.
25. Diablo Valley (13-7) — Diablo Valley is riding a six-game win streak, but the Vikings’ win streak will be put to the test on Tuesday when Santa Rosa comes to town. Diablo Valley is clinging to its championship hopes. The Vikings will need a win on Tuesday to keep the light on. Diablo Valley begins the 1½ games behind Santa Rosa. After Santa Rosa, the Vikings host Sacramento City, a team still playing for a post-season berth.
26. Desert (13-8) — Desert snapped a four-game losing streak with a victory over Victor Valley Saturday. Unfortunately, it appears the damage has been done as the Roadrunners continue their slid in the CCCMBCA poll and in the conference standings. Desert will begin the week four games behind conference-leader Chaffey. With seven games remaining, Desert will look to improve its post-season chances, beginning Wednesday with a road game to Palo Verde and then a key game at San Bernardino Valley on Saturday.
27. Citrus (13-7) — Citrus has won seven of its last eight games, the one blemish being a 16-point beatdown by Santa Monica. Despite it, the Owls begin the week tied with Santa Monica for the lead in the Western State-South division. Citrus wraps up the first round of division play at Glendale on Wednesday and then begins the final round at LA Valley — one of many key games in the division in the coming weeks.
28. Butte (12-8) — Butte’s struggles continue as the Roadrunners have won just four of its last 10 games. Butte, the preseason favorite, finds itself in a three-way tie for second place at 2-2. Redwoods is 4-1. This week, Butte will take on Siskiyous twice, at Siskiyous on Monday and at home on Saturday. Next week, Butte faces a road contest at Shasta and home game with Redwoods, in what may decide the conference title.
29. Palomar (12-9) — Palomar remains in the conference title talk, but the Comets face an uphill battle, having lost to Southwestern and San Diego City previously. Palomar will begin the week 1½ games back of Southwestern. In its only game this week, Palomar hosts MiraCosta.
30. (tie) Los Medanos (16-5) — After losing to Yuba for the second time, the Mustangs appear to be in a fight for second place as Los Medanos begins the week a game up on Mendocino and two on Solano with seven to play. With just one game this week, Los Medanos hosts Solano on Friday in a key game for both teams' post-season hopes.
30. (tie) Mendocino (15-6) — Mendocino begins the week a game behind Los Medanos in the battle for second place in the Bay Valley Conference. The Eagles host Alameda in their only game this week.
30. (tie) LA Pierce (13-8) — After losing at Ventura by 13 points, LA Pierce has won three straight games to stay within striking distance of the Pirates. However, to stay there the Brahmas will need a strong showing this week. LA Pierce travels to Allan Hancock on Wednesday and then turns around and hits the road to Moorpark on Saturday. Big week for LA Pierce, title hopes and perhaps post-season plans.
(Robert Schmidt, CCCMBCA)