San Joaquin Delta Finishes The Job, Takes #1 On The Final CCCWBCA State Top 25
March 16, 2026
By the time of Saturday's semifinals, The 3C2A State Women's Basketball Championship had four teams left whose colleges had never won a state title. San Joaquin Delta College was the last one standing and it's championship crown buoyed them to be #1 on the Final California Community College Women's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCWBCA) State Top 25.
The Mustangs won in their 15th appearance at state and for the first time in four championship games under North icon head coach Gina Johnson.
State runner-up MiraCosta is the South's top squad and #2 after a 31-2 magical season. Only a wild rally from 20 points down by Delta prevented the Spartans from the title.
At #3, semifinalist Laney, followed by #4 Fresno City, a school that upset 2025 champion Mt. San Antonio in the quarterfinals. Both MiraCosta and Laney were directed by two coaches in their first year in charge at their respective programs--the Spartans' Westly Perryman and Laney's Bryan Gardere.
After being on top the rankings the entire regular season, Mt. SAC had to settle for #5. Rounding out the Top 10 were Folsom Lake at #6, Irvine Valley at #7, quarterfinalist Cypress jumping up to #8, Moorpark dropping to #9, and Sequoias with a giant 10-rung jump at #10. Irvine Valley was guided by SoCal Coach of the Year Claire Gocke, just in her second season directing the Lasers.
Six Orange Empire Conference teams are on the final Top 25. Four teams leaped on to the '26 finale rating in #20 Santa Ana, #21 San Diego Mesa, #22 Bakersfield, and the upset makers of the postseason in #24 Fullerton.
Although the North Region featured three of the top four, and seven of the top 13, the South had a decided edge of 17 teams ranked.
FINAL CCCWBCA STATE TOP 25 #9
| RANK | TEAM, CONFERENCE | CURRENT RECORD | NOTES | LAST STATE RANK | FINAL REGION TOP 15 | UP/DOWN |
| 1. | San Joaquin Delta, Big 8 | 28-5 | The Mustangs win the 3C2A title, running the table in the playoffs first with regional victories over Modesto and Sequoias, then going 3-0 at the Elite Eight with wins over Cypress, Laney and MiraCosta. Aaliyah Youngblood was tourney MVP. | State #2 | North #1 | Up 1 spot |
| 2. | MiraCosta, Pacific Coast Athletic | 31-2 | The Spartans played in the first state tourney in 1978 and 48 years later they returned to finish as the South's top team. They led the state in victories. It's playoff run included regional wins over Palomar and LA Trade-Tech, then Folsom Lake and Fresno at the Elite Eight. Delta grasped the title, 76-71, after MCC led 29-9 in the first half. All-State tourney Anayla Anderson performed a triple-double in the win over Fresno and totaled an impressive 59 points, 31 assists in three games. | State #5 | South #1 | Up 3 spots |
| 3. | Laney, Bay Valley | 26-4 | The Eagles earn the college's highest finish ever at a tie for third place at state. Laney lost to Delta in the semifinals after defeating Irvine Valley in the quarterfinals. Laney beat Sacramento and Butte in the NorCal Regionals. They had a 22-game win streak snapped. Ashanti Dias made All-State Tourney | State #6 | North #2 | Up 3 spots |
| 4. | Fresno City, Central Valley | 24-8 | The Rams matched their highest finish in FCC history in a tie for third place at state. They upset Mt. SAC in the quarterfinals before losing to MiraCosta in the semifinals--it was a playoff rematch of the 1978 state tourney quarterfinals--the first-ever state tournament game of that historic event. Sara Shein was All-State Tourney | State #9 | North #3 | Up 5 spots |
| 5. | Mt. San Antonio, South Coast North | 29-2 | The Mounties' 22-game win streak ends in a state quarterfinal defeat v. Fresno. Mt. SAC defeated Santa Ana and Saddleback in the SoCal Regionals and finished in a tie for fifth place at state. Taliyah McFerson was the SoCal Player of the Year as a Mt. SAC player won the award for the second straight year. | State #1 | South #2 | Down 4 spots |
| 6. | Folsom Lake, Big 8 | 28-3 | The Falcons third straight trip to the Elite Eight ended like the others--a state quarterfinal defeat--v. MiraCosta. They beat Los Medanos in Round 2 and San Francisco in the Regional Finals. FLC finished in a tie for fifth place at state. Ali Mollet was NorCal Coach of the Year and All-State First Team reg. season Jada Tupou was a key player in postseason. | State #2 | North #4 | Down 4 spots |
| 7. | Irvine Valley, Orange Empire | 26-5 | The Lasers lost to Laney in the state quarterfinals after reaching with regional wins over Chaffey (Rd 2) and Fullerton in finals. They finished in a tie for fifth place at state. All-State First Team Symantha Barnett was a key performer. | State #4 | South #3 | Down 3 spots |
| 8. | Cypress, Orange Empire | 23-8 | The Chargers lost to Delta in the state quarterfinals after making it in with regional wins over Long Beach in Rd 2 and Moorpark in finals. They finished in a tie for fifth place at state. All-State First Team Christaesha Jackson reached that honor twice as a Charger. | State #11 | South #4 | Up 3 spots |
| 9. | Moorpark, Western State North | 26-4 | The Raiders beat Bakersfield in Rd 2, then had 15-game win streak snapped in Regional Finals loss to Cypress. Wins v. Fresno and Orange Coast. The Raiders were paced by All-State First Team center Maleyni Tolliver. | State #5 | South #5 | Down 4 spots |
| 10. | College of the Sequoias, Central Valley | 18-12 | The Giants beat Sierra in Rd 2, then 9-game win streak snapped in Regional Finals loss to Delta. Wins v. Delta, Fresno, and Palomar. All-CVC First Team Nyla Anderson paced COS. | State #20 | North #5 | Up 10 spots |
| 11. | Santa Rosa JC, Big 8 | 24-6 | The Bear Cubs defeated Hartnell in Rd 2, then lost to Fresno in the Regional Finals. Wins v. Delta, Fresno and Butte. SRJC had the NorCal Player of the Year in Jordan Washington. | State #10 | North #6 | Down 1 spot |
| 12. | Orange Coast, Orange Empire | 21-9 | The Pirates lost to LA Trade-Tech in Rd 2. The Pirates beat Laney, Cypress twice, but just okay 11-7 last 18 games. OCC was led by All-State Third Team Melaiah Joseph. | State #7 | South #6 | Down 5 spots |
| 13. | Butte, Golden Valley | 23-6 | The Roadrunners beat San Jose in Rd 2, then lost by just 9 pts to Laney in the Regional Finals. Butte had a win over FLC and an OT loss to Laney. All-State Second Team Marissa Elizadle led the Roadrunners. | State #16 | North #7 | Up 3 spots |
| 14. | Palomar, Pacific Coast Athletic | 21-8 | The Comets beat Pasadena Rd 1, then lost to MiraCosta in the Rd 2. They were the only team to defeat MC in the regular season and had a win over Cypress. Ivorii Seals was a leader as All-OEC First Team. | State #18 | South #7 | Up 4 spots |
| 15. | Saddleback, Orange Empire | 22-9 | The Bobcats beat Glendale in Rd 2, then lose Regional Final v. Mt. SAC. Wins v. Irvine Valley, Cypress and Palomar. HC Jordan Hammato in his second season guided Saddleback and center Kassidy Beach made All-State Third Team. | State #15 | South #8 | Same |
| 16. | Mt. San Jacinto, Inland Empire Athletic | 23-5 | The Eagles were stunned by #23 seed Fullerton in Rd 2. Wins v. Palomar (2 OT) and LA Trade-Tech. State scoring leader Karsen Marshall was selected All-State First Team. | State #12 | South #9 | Down 4 spots |
| 17. | Long Beach City, South Coast South | 20-10 | The Vikings beat Ventura in Rd 1, then had a 12-game win streak stopped by Cypress in Rd 2. Wins v. Mt. San Jacinto and Saddleback. Mya Barnes was named All-State Third Team. | State #17 | South #10 | Same |
| 18. | Glendale, Western State South | 24-5 | The Vaqueros saw a 19-game win streak stopped by in a Rd 2 loss to Saddleback. Glendale's best win v. Irvine Valley. Post player Shadel Ffrench twice is a All-State selection, made Second Team. | State #13 | South #11 | Down 5 spots |
| 19. | Los Angeles Trade-Tech, South Coast North | 21-10 | The Beavers proved their worth in the postseason. They beat Victor Valley in Rd 1, upset #4 seed Orange Coast in Rd 2, then lost by just 5 to MiraCosta in the Regional Finals. SCC scoring leader Athieng Bol was a court leader. | State #22 | South #12 | Up 3 spots |
| 20. | Santa Ana, Orange Empire | 16-14 | The Dons beat San Diego Mesa in Rd 1, lost to Mt. SAC in Rd 2. Wins v. Orange Coast, Long Beach, LATT, and Bakersfield. SAC was led by All-OEC First Team Anaya Beard. | Not Ranked | South #13 | |
| 21. | San Diego Mesa, Pacific Coast Athletic | 15-13 | The Olympians lost to Santa Ana in Rd 1. Wins v. SAC, Bakersfield, Orange Coast. Stevie Lundquist named All-State Second Team. | Not Ranked | South #14 | |
| 22. | Bakersfield, Western State South | 20-10 | The Renegades beat Copper Mountain in Rd 1, then pushed Moorpark to limit in Rd 2, 2-point loss. Wins v. Santa Barbara and LA Trade-Tech. Daniko Tolentino named WSC South Co-MVP. HC Grant Bingham finished his second season directing the Renegades. | Not Ranked | South #15 | |
| 23. | Santa Barbara City, Western State North | 21-8 | The Vaqueros lost in Rd 1 v. Fullerton. Win v. Saddleback. Kaylee Lawson named All-WSC North First Team. | State #14 | Down 9 spots | |
| 24. | Fullerton, Orange Empire | 15-16 | It's not how you start, but how you finish and that was the Hornets in '25-26. Fullerton beat Cypress, then Santa Barbara in Rd 1, Mt. San Jacinto in Rd 2, and only lost by 7 to Irvine Valley in the Regional Finals. All-OEC First Team Erin Choi led FC's Cinderella postseason run. | Not Ranked | ||
| 25. | Lemoore, Central Valley | 20-9 | The Golden Eagles lost in Rd 1 to San Mateo. Wins v. Sierra, Sequoias. HC Keshawn Johnson was in his first season at Lemoore. Lia Sims was an All-CVC First Teamer. | State #24 | North #8 | Down 1 spot |
| OTHERS | ||||||
| Copper Mountain, Inland Empire Athletic | 25-3 | The Fighting Cactii lost to Bakersfield in Rd 1. Great win percentage but none v. Top 25. Gia McFadden was All-IEAC First Team. | State #23 | |||
| Sierra, Big 8 | 20-10 | The Wolverines beat Merritt in Rd 1, then lose to Sequoias in Rd 2. Win v. Butte. Kaia Eubanks named All-Big 8 First Team. | State #21 | North #9 | ||
| CC San Francisco, Coast North | 23-6 | The Rams beat San Mateo in Rd 2, lost to Folsom Lake in Regional Finals. Win v. Fullerton. Patriceia Walsh selected All-State Second Team. | State #19 | North #10 | ||
| Modesto JC, Big 8 | 15-15 | The Pirates beat Reedley in Rd 1, lost to Delta in Rd 2. Wins v. Fresno, Sierra. Madison Duron named All-Big 8 First Team. | North #11 | |||
| Hartnell, Coast South | 18-11 | The Panthers beat Redwoods in Rd 1, lost to Santa Rosa in Rd 2. Win v. Santa Barbara. Synise Byrd was a Co-Conferece MVP. | North #12 | |||
| College of the Redwoods, Golden Valley | 16-13 | The Corsairs lost to Hartnell in Rd 1. Wins v. Chaffey, Santa Ana, Butte. | North #13 | |||
| San Jose City, Coast South | 22-7 | The Jaguars beat Cosumnes River in Rd 1, lost to Butte in Rd 2. Hayley Johnson made All-State First Team. | State #25 | North #14 | ||
| Chaffey, Inland Empire Athletic | 17-13 | The Panthers beat Rio Hondo in Rd 1, lost to Irvine Valley in Rd 2. Wins v. Santa Barbara, Fullerton. Danielle Singley named All-IEAC First Team. | ||||
| Victor Valley, Inland Empire Athletic | 18-10 | The Rams lost to LA Trade-Tech in Rd 1. Wins v. Long Beach, Chaffey. Mya Graham-Scott selected All-IEAC First Team. | ||||
| Taft, Central Valley | 19-11 | The Cougars beat Skyline in Rd 1, lost to Fresno in Rd 2. Win v. Bakersfield. Madyn Kassatly named All-CVC First Team. | North #15 | |||
| Sacramento City, Big 8 | 14-16 | The Panthers beat Napa Valley in Rd 1, lost to Laney in Rd 2. Wins v. Sequoias, San Jose, Hartnell, and twice v. Modesto. Sierra Tuliau part of All-Big 8 First Team. | ||||
| College of San Mateo, Coast North | 15-15 | The Bulldogs beat Lemoore in Rd 1, lost to CCSF in Rd 2. Tatiana Wilson chosen All-Coast North First Team. | ||||
| Los Medanos, Bay Valley | 21-9 | The Mustangs beat Siskiyous in Rd 1, lost to Folsom Lake in Rd 2. Anisa Blalock selected All-BVC First Team. | ||||
| Ventura, Western State North | 15-14 | The Pirates lost to Long Beach in Rd 1. Olivia Decierdo made All-WSC North First Team. | ||||
| Skyline, Coast North | 18-11 | The Trojans lost to Taft in Rd 1. Niesha Ramirez chosen All-Coast North First Team. | ||||
| Reedley, Central Valley | 17-12 | The Tigers lost to Modesto in Rd 1. Taylor Sutherland named All-CVC First Team. | ||||
| Napa Valley, Bay Valley | 19-9 | The Storm lost to Sacramento in Rd 1. Arianna Aguilar made All-BVC First Team. | ||||
| Pasadena City, South Coast North | 14-15 | The Lancers lost to Palomar in Rd 1. Kamora Fletcher chosen All-SCC North First Team. | ||||
| LA Mission, Western State North | 15-14 | The Eagles lost to Saddleback in Rd 1. Heart Lising is All-WSC North First Team. | ||||
| Rio Hondo, South Coast North | 13-16 | The Roadrunners lost to Chaffey in Rd 1. Miranda Morales named All-SCC North First Team. | ||||
| College of the Siskiyous | 15-14 | The Eagles lost to Los Medanos in Rd 1. Alexes Collier honored as All-State Third Team. | ||||
| Cosumnes River, Big 8 | 14-15 | The Hawks lost to San Jose in Rd 1. Ariel Bailey selected All-Big 8 First Team. | ||||
| Merritt, Bay Valley | 16-12 | The Panthers lost to Sierra in Rd 1. Savannah Jones made All-State Second Team. | ||||
| San Diego City, Pacific Coast Athletic | 15-13 | Maybe the best team to not make the postseason. The Knights Dahlia Blake was All-PCAC First Team. | ||||
| College of Marin, Bay Valley | 15-13 | The Mariners were a better-than-.500 team. Marin's Jaidyn Brown named All-BVC First Team. | ||||
| Mission, Coast South | 15-13 | The Saints another winning record squad left out the postseason. Alyssa Lopez was All-Coast South First Team. | ||||
| Antelope Valley, Western State South | 14-14 | The Marauders went 10-6 last 16 to reach .500. Ariana Soil named All-WSC South First Team. | ||||
| East Los Angeles, South Coast North | 13-15 | The Huskies were on the RPI cusp of a playoff spot, but couldn't make cut. Moriah Mosley named All-SCC North First Team. | ||||
| Compton, South Coast South | 12-13 | The Coyotes had a bounceback season. All-SCC First Team Allahya Drakes led the state in rebounding. | ||||
| LA Harbor, South Coast South | 13-15 | The Seahawks also with a turnaround year. Andrea Lopez chosen All-SCC South First Team. | ||||
| College of the Desert, Inland Empire Athletic | 12-14 | The Roadrunners were paced by All-IEAC First Team Giovanna Espinoza. |
Release/Rankings by Robert Lewis, CCCWBCA SID