Coach K's Northern California JC Rankings - Week 2

I felt that after the 2nd week it would be easier to rank the teams in Northern California, but I was wrong.  The results of games held at Fresno City College this weekend has put a monkey wrench in my already unscientific ranking system.  So again.....Don't take this ranking system too seriously.  But for the fun of it, here is how I would put the Northern California rankings so far. (Some teams have yet to play, so they will not be included in this ranking)

**I was able to narrow down a Top 6 at this point in the season (CCSF, FCC, Yuba, Sierra, Chabot & Merritt).  However, deciding how to rank them was pretty mind boggling.  But here is how I would place them so far, the Northern California Top 15 for Week 2

1 - Yuba (5-1)
     After many minutes scratching my head I had to place Yuba #1.  They beat CCSF in San Francisco, and also defeated a very good Mt San Antonio team from the south who is currently 4-2 and the defending State Champions.  These two wins are the best so far on any NorCal teams resume, which places them #1 on my list

     Last weeks results:  Wins over American River (1-2) by a score of 91-61 and also Sac City (2-3) by a score of 95-90.

     Next action isn't until December when they face Columbia (3-1) in the first round of the 16-team Modesto Tournament on Dec 3rd @ 4pm.

2 - CCSF (5-1)

     CCSF earns the #2 spot after winning the Fresno City Tournament. Victories over Allan Hancock (3-3) by a score 95-80; Santa Rosa (3-3) at the buzzer 78-76; and Sierra (2-1) in the Championship 90-77.  Since they lost to Yuba in San Francisco I had to give the #1 nod to Yuba for this week.  CCSF is a beast on the offensive glass and will continue to man-handle most teams with second chance buckets and athletic drives to the rim.

    Next action is at Hartnell (0-2) on 11/26 @ 7pm

3 - Sierra (2-1)

     With a big-time win over host Fresno City in the opening round of the FCC Tournament Sierra earns a #3 spot in Northern California from Coach K.  Very aggressive, organized and well rounded, this will be a team to lookout for in NorCal this year.  Impressive wins over Fresno (5-1) 81-71 and Modesto (1-2) 86-64 before falling to CCSF (5-1) 77-90 in the Championship of the FCC Tournament.

       Next action is against LA Pierce in the Citrus College Tournament on 11/29

4 - FCC (5-1)
     Coming off a high after winning the rugged San Francisco Tournament, Fresno placed themselves up against Sierra in the first round of their own tournament.  Never a good feeling to be in the consolation bracket on your home court, but Fresno turned it around with a victory over Feather River (0-4) 91-51 and a one point win over Allan Hancock (3-3) in the Consolation game.

     Next action is against El Camino in the El Camino Tournament on 11/22 @ 8pm.

5 - Merritt (3-0)
     Winning the San Jose City tournament with a 115-105 over host San Jose City (2-1) gives Merritt enough clout for a top 5 ranking so far.   Last week ranked #3, but no games this past week.  Their other victories were over Monterey (2-3) and Riverside (1-5). Riverside hasn't proven to be as quality of a win as I initially thought, with a starting record of (1-5).  This bumped down Merritt's ranking at this point until they face Ohlone (3-1) on 11/22 in the first round of the Shasta Tournament @ 8pm.  This will give both Merritt & Ohlone a chance to prove themselves against more top tier competition.
  
6 - Chabot (4-0)
     Totally dominated Hartnell (0-2) in a 97-60 romp at Chabot this week.  West Hills, previously ranked higher than Chabot, escaped Hartnell by only 4 points earlier in the week.  Since it's so early in the season I don't have much to go on, but this is a big difference in scores so this will bump Chabot up one spot ahead of West Hills.  Also, Matt Simpkins made his debut against Hartnell and looks to be showing he still can be an elite level player.

Previously Chabot won the Las Positas Tournament with victories over Contra Costa (1-2), Butte (1-2) and host team Las Positas (2-1).

    Next action is against Merced (0-4) in the opening round of the Cosumnes River Tournament at 4pm on 11/21.

7 - West Hills (4-0)
     Only one game this past week in a victory on the road against Hartnell (0-2) 67-63.  Previously won the Cuesta Tournament with wins over Santa Barbara (0-3), West Valley (2-2) and Allan Hancock (3-3) in the Championship game.

    With a chance to prove themselves, West Hills will next face Bakersfield (3-1) in Coalinga on 11/20 @ 6pm.

8 - San Jose City (2-1)
     No games this week.  Previously had a quality win against Lassen (2-1) at the San Jose City tournament.  The win against Merced (0-4) doesn't do much for their eventual RPI rating, but it's a W.   Have to also knock them down a spot for losing on their home court.

    Next up is Reedley (1-1) on 11/23 at 3pm in San Jose.

9 - Lassen  (2-1)
     No games this past week. Could be ranked higher with a quality win over Cosumnes River (2-1) and Riverside (1-5) in the San Jose City Tournament. But cannot have them ranked higher than San Jose City who beat them in the 2nd round of the Tournament.

    Next up is Sequoias (1-4) on 11/22 in the El Camino Tournament @ 4pm.

10 -  Delta (3-1)

     Previously ranked #6.  Lost momentum gained winning the Ohlone Tournament by losing at home to Columbia (3-1).  Get chance at redemption in their next match on the road against Merced (0-4) on 11/26 @ 7pm.

11 - Cabrillo  (2-1)
     No games this past week. Getting 2nd in the Ohlone Tournament gives them the 11th place nod.  Had victories over Shasta (1-4) and Sac City (2-3) and have to give them some respect for getting to the Championship of their first tournament this year.

     Next up Cabrillo gets to face off against Diablo Valley College (0-0) in the Shasta Invitational on 11/22 @ 2pm.  This game will definitely give us more insight on just how good Cabrillo is, and of course, DVC, who has yet to grace the court with their presence this season.

12 - Las Positas (2-1)
     No games this past week. Something to be said for making it to the Championship of a tournament.   Has victories over Gavilan (1-4) and Siskiyous (2-1) to start the season before falling to district rival Chabot in the Championship.

    Next up is Butte (1-2) in the Mendocino Tournament at 6pm on 11/21

13 - Cosumnes River (2-1)
     No games this past week.  Consolation Championship in the San Jose City Tournament.  Lost to Lassen (2-1) in the first round, but picked up wins over Merced (0-4) and Monterey (2-3).

     Next up is Columbia (3-1) in the Cosumnes River Tournament on 11/21 @ 6pm.

14 - Ohlone (3-1)
      Looked through my rankings and realized I left Ohlone out.  Holding down the 14th spot after another blowout victory, this time over Gavilan (1-4) by a score of 95-44.  Previously won Consolation bracket of Ohlone Tournament.  Other wins consist of blowouts over Feather River (0-4) and Shasta (1-4).  To bring their ranking up from 14 Ohlone gets a chance to prove themselves against Merritt (3-0) on 11/22 in the first round of the Shasta Tournament @ 8pm.

15 - Columbia (3-1)

      Coming on strong with a 3 game winning streak that includes the most recent victory on the road against San Joaquin Delta (3-1) by a score of 80-72.  Previous victories included Gavilan (1-4) and Contra Costa (1-2) in the Consolation bracket of the Las Positas Tournament.  

16 - Santa Rosa (3-3)

      I just don't feel right for punishing SRJC for it's 3 losses, so added an extra spot in the top 15 for SRJC.  2 losses were against #2 CCSF, and the other against #4 Fresno City.  And they took CCSF down to the wire in the second game losing at the buzzer.  They have some weapons both inside and outside and I feel they are the type of team nobody looks forward to facing.  Wins so far against Modesto (1-2), Marin (1-2) and Sequoias (1-4).  They will face CCSF one more time at SRJC on November 30th @ 7:30pm to see if they can get their revenge.

Others worth considering

Los Medanos (2-0)

Skyline (2-0)

Porterville (3-1)

Siskiyous (2-1)

Redwoods (2-1)