Week 12 had some great match ups as we are reaching the middle of conference play.
Yuba looks to take total control of the Bay Valley Conference after taking out Merritt, and then Merritt losing again to Alameda. CCSF takes a 1 game lead in the Coast-North after getting the best of Chabot. Cosumnes River continues to roll to a 2 game lead in the Big 8. The Central Valley Conference is considering changing their name to the Fresno Valley Conference as FCC seems to be strolling through the Central Valley undeterred. Redwoods slapped the defending Golden Valley Conference Champs, Lassen, with their 2nd conference loss to take 2nd to Butte, who is rolling currently with a 5-0 conference record.
Week 13 has some huge games which could really shake things up.
Cosumnes River hosts Santa Rosa on Tuesday evening in a showdown in the Big 8.
Ohlone hosts CCSF on Wednesday in a game that could shake up the Coast-North or give CCSF & Chabot both plenty of breathing room at the top.
Butte hosts Redwoods on Saturday in an effort to distance themselves from the GVC pack.
DVC is at Cosumnes River on Friday making this a huge week for CRC.
Chabot takes on Foothill on Wednesday in an effort to separate anyone else thinking of competing with the top of the pack in the Coast-North
Here is Coach K's unscientific look at his Top 15 in Northern California JC Basketball for Week 12
*Again, this is not an official ranking, this is only my opinion. This ranking is only as serious as you make it*
1 - Fresno City (22-1) Conference (5-0) (-)
Fresno maintains the #1 spot in my rankings after running off 2 more wins in the CVC. Took wins over Reedley 80-59 & Columbia 72-56.
The Coaches Poll seems to point that CCSF is gaining on the #1 spot. To me, this is not yet an issue, as Fresno has a far better preseason resume the CCSF. Obviously the Coast-North Conference is brutal, and taking first in that conference is much more glamorous than the CVC, however, CCSF still does not have as many impressive victories as Fresno does, to date. Unfortunately, it is easy for people to forget what happened during preseason once conference play starts, and this trend may see Fresno be overtaken at the #1 spot in the coaches poll, but not yet with Coach K.
As long as FCC suffers no miraculous upsets in conference play, they should have home court advantage in playoffs with one of the Top 2 seeds, thanks to their strong preseason schedule.
KEY WINS: West Hills (11-8), Chabot (18-4), Saddleback (18-4), Lassen (16-11), Yuba (15-4), Santa Rosa (11-8), Cuesta (15-9) twice, Allan Hancock (12-10), & Reedley (9-9).
LOSSES: Sierra (8-12)
Up next FCC faces Merced (2-15; 1-4) on 1/29 @ 7pm in Fresno
2 - San Francisco (20-1) Conference (5-0) (-)
Holding solid @ #2 after having a great week. Took wins over Las Positas 88-66 & Chabot 101-89.
The Chabot win is the most impressive win for the year for CCSF.
Still dominant in transition & on the glass CCSF is also a great defensive team.
Finishing 1st in their conference should give CCSF a Top 2 seed come playoffs, and home court advantage. A 2nd place finish in Coast-North Conference play should grant them at worst a Top 4 seed in playoffs.
Still does not have enough impressive wins to overtake Fresno in my opinion. Fresno already has 2 wins over teams with 18 wins or better, with 2 more teams to add to that list within the next week. (This is considered a 'quality win' during playoff criteria)
Will secretly be rooting for Santa Rosa to win the Big 8 to boost any necessary playoff seeding wiggle room.
KEY WINS: Chabot (18-4), Skyline (9-9), Foothill (10-9), Mt. San Antonio (10-8), San Jose City (13-8), Cabrillo (14-6), Santa Rosa (11-8) 3x's, Butte (15-7), Delta (9-9) & Las Positas (10-11)
LOSSES: Yuba (15-4)
Next up San Francisco is: @ Ohlone (17-4; 3-2) on 1/29 @ 7pm
@ Canada (5-15; 1-4) on 1/31 @ 7pm
3 - Chabot (18-4) Conference (4-1) (-)
Earlier in the year I decided to not punish Santa Rosa in my rankings for losing to CCSF three times. Well, I decided, after looking at everything, to not punish Chabot either for the loss to CCSF on the road. I was at the game and they seem to have comparable talent to CCSF, and may even have the advantage in the athleticism category. They were ahead in the 1st half before CCSF started their usual dominance in transition. So based on my observations I can't see myself putting anyone else ahead of Chabot at the moment. They beat Cosumnes River twice, so I don't feel right putting CRC ahead right now. Yuba, even though they beat CCSF, just doesn't have the victories I expect to be ranked this high....yet.
Last week Chabot took a win against Skyline 69-61 & a loss against CCSF 89-101.
A Top 2 finish in the Coast-North Conference should earn Chabot a Top 4 seed come playoff seedings. Chabot will probably be rooting for Cosumnes River, Butte & Cabrillo to win their conferences as this will also help their playoff seedings after Chabot took victories over these 3 schools earlier in the season.
KEY WINS: Cosumnes River (18-4) twice, Ohlone (17-4), Cabrillo (14-6), Butte (15-7), Las Positas (9-10) twice, Skyline (9-9)
LOSSES: Fresno City (22-1), CCSF (20-1), Cosumnes River (18-4) & San Jose City (13-8)
Next for Chabot is: Foothill (10-9; 3-2) on 1/29 @ 7pm
@ Las Positas (10-11; 2-4) on 1/31 @ 7pm
4 - Cosumnes River (18-4) Conference (6-0) (-)
Has ran off 6 straight conference wins in the Big 8. Last week took wins over Delta 82-62 & Modesto 97-68. This week will be huge for CRC as they face the only two teams within striking distance in the Big 8 (DVC & Santa Rosa)
CRC seems to be much improved and on a tear as of late.
Winning the Big 8 should put CRC comfortably in a Top 4 seed come playoff action.
Will be rooting for Lassen & Cuesta to win their conferences, and be elated if Chabot can upend CCSF as these will boost their playoff seeding arguments.
KEY WINS: Chabot (18-4), DVC (16-4), Lassen (16-11), Las Positas (10-11), Cuesta (15-9)
LOSSES: Chabot (18-4) twice, Lassen (16-11) twice
Up Next CRC faces: Santa Rosa (11-8; 4-2) on 1/28 at 7:30pm
DVC (16-4; 4-2) on 1/31 at 7:30pm
5 - Ohlone (17-4) Conference (3-2) (+1)
Jumps up one spot after taking 2 wins last week. Had wins over Canada 79-69 & Skyline 55-53.
Yuba & Ohlone could both have strong arguments for being ranked this high, but I still have to give Ohlone the nudge for their preseason victories.
Has a huge week this week as they face CCSF & Foothill (who beat them the first time around). A win against CCSF can change things quickly. Ohlone can compete with CCSF in the defense & rebounding categories, but it's the offensive end that should worry the Renegades.
If can finish in Top 2 in conference, may still have an argument for Top 4 seed. But is starting to look more like a Top 6-8 seed at the moment, until they prove otherwise with a stronger showing in conference.
KEY WINS: DVC (16-4) twice, Lassen (16-11), San Jose (13-8), Merritt (12-8) twice, Modesto (10-11), Skyline (9-9) & Las Positas (10-11)
LOSSES: Chabot (18-4), Foothill (10-9), Delta (9-9) & DVC (16-4)
Up next for Ohlone is: CCSF (20-1, 5-0) on 1/29 at 7pm
@ Foothill (10-9; 3-2) on 1/31 at 7pm
6 - Yuba (15-4) Conference (9-0) (+1)
Started the Bay Valley Conference with an unsurprising 9-0 start. Last weeks wins were over Merritt 98-86 & Solano 80-70.
Impressive as 9-0 sounds it was over teams with a combined record of 70-95. Merritt was supposed to be a team that could challenge Yuba, but they seem to have imploded after the loss to Yuba last week, as they also took a loss to Alameda.....ouch! So Yuba should already be ordering another Bay Valley Conference Championship banner at the moment & just focus on making the best out of the games they have left before playoffs.
Yuba is a very talented group, and can easily rely on their talent over most opponents. They are the only team to beat CCSF this year, which should help in playoff seeding arguments. Outside of conference they only have one other decent win to speak of, however.
KEY WINS: San Francisco (20-1), Merritt (12-8), Los Medanos (14-6), Mt. San Antonio (10-8), & Marin (10-10)
LOSSES: Fresno City (22-1), Lassen (16-11), Santa Rosa (11-8) & Columbia (10-11)
Up Next Yuba faces: Contra Costa (10-10; 4-4) on 1/29 at 7:30pm
7 - Diablo Valley (16-4) Conference (4-2) (+1)
Had a solid week last week, taking wins over Sacramento 81-76 & Santa Rosa 62-54. These were much needed wins as DVC seemed to be slipping lately. They have been banged up and not playing with a full roster, so pulling out these wins shows a lot about this team. Has a tough week ahead as they face Modesto & Cosumnes River on the road.
Presently, their win over Cabrillo in head-to-head competition is keeping them above the Coast-South Conference's #1 team, but only for a moment.
KEY WINS: Ohlone (17-4), Santa Monica (12-7), San Jose (13-8), Skyline (9-9), Cabrillo (14-6), Wayne CC (6-2), Foothill (10-9) twice
LOSSES: Ohlone (17-4) twice, Cosumnes River (18-4) & Delta (9-9)
Up next DVC faces: @ Modesto (10-11; 3-3) on 1/28 at 7:30pm
@ Cosumnes River (18-4; 6-0) on 1/31 at 7:30pm
8 - Cabrillo (14-6) Conference (5-0) (+1)
Took 2 more wins last week in it's run through the Coast-South Conference. Had wins over West Valley 67-63 & De Anza 75-55.
With some solid preseason victories Cabrillo has arguments to be ranked even higher. Unfortunately the Coast-South Conference is extremely lopsided this year with with only 2 teams with records above .500. Even worse, the conference features two teams with only 1 win on the season (Gavilan & Hartnell). If they split with San Jose in conference it hurts their arguments to get a Top 8 seed come playoff time. No pressure Cabrillo, but you have no wins against any teams that I have ranked ahead of you, so to hold your ground and fight for a Top 8 seed, you need to go undefeated in conference....just a prediction by yours truly. On the other hand, if other teams slip, your wins over Sac City, Modesto, Foothill & Merritt will really benefit as they could be fighting for similar positions come seeding time.
KEY WINS: San Jose City (13-8), Las Positas (10-11), Merritt (12-8), Modesto (10-11) & Foothill (10-9)
LOSSES: San Francisco (20-1), DVC (16-4), Chabot (18-4), Butte (15-7), Skyline (9-9) & Delta (9-9)
Up Next Cabrillo has: @ Gavilan (1-15; 0-5) on 1/29 at 5pm
@ Hartnell (2-15; 1-4) on 1/31 at 7pm
9 - Butte (15-7) Conference (5-0) (+2)
Butte earned a spot in my rankings for the first time in Week 9, and has continued to jump up as they are riding a 9 game winning streak along with an impressive start in Golden Valley Conference play. Last week Butte had a huge win over Redwoods 66-65 & also Feather River 86-80.
Has a huge week this week as they face 2 of the top 4 teams in the GVC.
The Golden Valley Conference championship is going to hold more weight this year. They aren't top heavy with any 'big-hitters', but they are not lopsided or full of 'duds' either. This is a solid conference who will have just as much argument for teams getting in the playoffs as the Bay Valley, Coast-South & Central Valley. Not sure how high teams from this conference will be seeded come playoff time, but I have a feeling at least 2 teams will earn bids to the postseason, possibly even 3 depending on how things turn out.
KEY WINS: Cabrillo (14-6), Lassen (16-11), Siskiyous (13-10), Redwoods (13-7), Las Positas (10-11), & Lane-Oregon (7-4).
LOSSES: CCSF (20-1), Chabot (18-4), Los Medanos (14-6), Siskiyous (13-10), Cuesta (15-9), Sierra (8-12) & Umpqua
Up next Butte faces: Siskiyous (13-10; 2-3) on 1/29 at 7:30pm
@ Redwoods (13-7; 3-1) on 2/1 at 4pm
10 - San Jose City (13-8) Conference (4-1) (-)
The worst thing about being in a lopsided or mediocre conference is that any loss is going to hurt, and your wins aren't going to make you move up, unless they are against the #1 team in the conference.
Last week SJCC defeated West Valley 78-50 to remain in 2nd place in the Coast-South Conference.
Another physical and talented basketball team, San Jose is a team that can win on any given night.
SJCC cannot afford to get another loss in conference if they want to have any arguments come playoff seeding time for a top 8-10 seed. Their conference is just not strong enough to give them credit for a higher ranking from this point on, and can only hurt their ranking with anymore losses. Based on CCCAA seeding rules, you cannot have a playoff seeding higher than a team that finishes ahead of you in your own conference. This can be disastrous if San Jose finishes behind Cabrillo, who I feel has, at best, a chance to get seeded as high as 8. Lots of things can happen from this point on, however, since we are not even half way through conference play.
KEY WINS: Chabot (18-4), Lassen (16-11) twice, & Las Positas (10-11)
LOSSES: Fresno (22-1), DVC (16-4), Ohlone (17-4), Santa Monica (12-7), Merritt (12-8) & Reedley (9-9)
Up next San Jose City takes on: @ De Anza (8-10; 3-2) on 1/29 at 7pm
Gavilan (1-15; 0-5) on 2/1 at 3pm
11 - Santa Rosa (11-8) Conference (4-2) (-6)
Santa Rosa drops six spots in my rankings after suffering their second loss in conference. I have been giving them credit all season long because of a ridiculously strong preseason schedule, but they need to start pulling in more victories to be ranked as high as they were previously.
Last week had a win over American River 89-57 & a loss against DVC 54-62.
Has had the toughest preseason schedule in the state. They are better than their record, and have a solid inside-outside game. Has a tough week ahead of them, starting with the #1 Cosumnes River and then Modesto....both on the road.
Will be rooting for Yuba to repeat as Bay Valley Champions. Unfortunately won't have any other benefits in this particular playoff seeding category.
KEY WINS: Yuba (15-4), Los Medanos (14-6), Modesto (10-11) twice, Delta (9-9) & Marin (10-10)
LOSSES: San Francisco (20-1) 3x's, Fresno (22-1), Antelope Valley (19-4) & San Bernardino (19-7)
Up Next SRJC faces: @ Cosumnes River (18-4; 6-0) on 1/28 at 7:30pm
@ Modesto (10-11; 3-3) on 1/31 at 7:30pm
12 - Lassen (16-11) Conference (3-2) (-)
Was stung by Butte in the opening round of GVC play, then won 3 in a row before falling to Redwoods this past week 81-92. They beat Siskiyous handily 80-58 earlier in the week.
The Cougars are a talented group and are another team that can win on any given night.
I predicted Lassen to repeat this year as GVC Champs, but can still earn a playoff spot if they finish in the Top 2. Has some great wins under their belt in preseason, but also lots of losses. But their should be no way a team that beat Cosumnes River twice & Yuba should be excluded during playoffs unless the Cougars just crumble in conference action.
Will be rooting for CRC, Cuesta & Yuba to win their conferences as this will boost their playoff arguments dramatically.
KEY WINS: Cosumnes River (16-4) twice, Cuesta (15-9), Contra Costa (10-10), Yuba (15-4), Siskiyous (13-10) twice, Modesto (10-11), & Foothill (10-9)
LOSSES: Fresno (22-1), Ohlone (17-4), San Jose City (13-8) twice, Cosumnes River (18-4), Mt. Hood (11-1), Sierra (8-12), Sacramento City (9-11) & Wayne CC (6-2)
Up Next Lassen faces: @ Shasta (4-17; 1-4) on 2/1 at 7:30pm
13 - West Hills (11-8) Conference (3-2) (NR)
2nd place in the Central Valley Conference deserves at least some recognition. West Hills has had a nice season and is fighting for a playoff berth. Must get 2nd place to have this argument, but they are currently tied with Sequoias & Reedley who both have similar postseason ambitions.
KEY WINS: Allan Hancock (12-10), Delta (9-9), Moorpark (8-9), Reedley (9-9), & Columbia (10-11)
LOSSES: Bakersfield (11-9), San Diego Mesa (9-10) twice, De Anza (8-10), Glendale (15-4), Santa Ana (), Fresno (22-1), Sequoias (8-13)
Up next West Hills has: @ Porterville (6-13; 0-5) on 1/29 at 7pm
@ Reedley (9-9; 3-2) on 2/1 at 7pm
14 - Redwoods (13-7) Conference (3-1) (NR)
Has a very weird preseason schedule due to their location, playing several teams from out of state, so it has been difficult to determine where to place Redwoods this season. But last week opened some eyes as they defeated Lassen 92-81 to take sole possession of 2nd place in the GVC, currently. This conference seems to have the best 'home court advantage' in the state as many of these teams have to travel several hours to desolate locations where they face tough crowds & sometimes tough officiating. Redwoods has their hands full this week as they will face Butte again as well as Shasta.
KEY WINS: Lassen (16-11), Siskiyous (13-10)
LOSSES: Reedley (9-9), Mendocino (7-12), Modesto (10-11), Spokane CC, Los Medanos (14-6), Santa Rosa (11-8), Butte (15-7)
Up Next Redwoods faces: Shasta (4-17, 1-4) on 1/29 at 7:30pm
@ Butte (15-7, 5-0) on 2/1 at 4pm
15 - Merritt (12-8) Conference (6-3) (-2)
Merritt barely stays in the top 15 after a disappointing week last week. They lost to Yuba on the road 86-98, which is acceptable. But they followed that up by losing to Alameda given them only their 2nd win of the season 83-86.
As long as Merritt finishes in the Top 2 in the BVC, they should earn a playoff spot. If they fall off lower than this, however, they could be in danger of their season ending early.
Will definitely be rooting for San Jose to win their conference, and hope that Bakersfield can emerge from last place in their conference to make these wins hold more weight come seeding time.
KEY WINS: San Jose City (13-8) twice, Los Medanos (14-6) & Bakersfield (11-9)
LOSSES: Ohlone (17-4) twice, Yuba (15-4), Cabrillo (14-6), Allan Hancock (12-10), Monterey (10-10), Napa (7-12) & Alameda (2-15)
Up next Merritt travels toYuba (13-4; 7-0) on 1/22 with a tip-off scheduled for 7:30pm.
Honorable Mention
Delta (8-8) Big 8 Conference (3-3)
Is in danger of falling out of playoff contention if they don't finish 5th or better in the Big 8. Their will be a lot of arguments against any conference having more than 4 teams in the playoffs, and you don't want to put your team in that predicament. Has great wins over Ohlone, Cabrillo & DVC which are great bargaining chips. Unfortunately these chips can be drowned out by the losses to Columbia, Canada, West Hills, Reedley & Modesto.
Sacramento City (9-11) Big 8 Conference (2-4)
The win over Santa Rosa was huge for Sac City. Prior to that, their only win against a team above .500 was to Lassen. Sac City is a talented group, but with their preseason results, they need some more big wins and a finish above .500 in conference to have a strong argument for a postseason berth.
Los Medanos (14-6) Bay Valley Conference (5-4)
Came into conference with a 10-2 record. They cannot get a playoff seed higher than a team who finishes above them in their conference.Has moved into 3rd place in the BVC after a lackluster start. LMC must finish 2nd or 3rd to have a shot at playoffs.
Skyline (9-9) Coast-North Conference (0-5)
Losing to Las Positas is going to be giving Skyline nightmares for a long time. They are now 0-5 in conference. I cannot think up a metaphor to explain how fast Skyline is falling. The wins over Cabrillo & Siskiyous can only help Skyline in the playoff picture if they finish 4th or 5th in conference. Otherwise their season is set to end early.
Siskiyous (13-10) Golden Valley Conference (2-3)
Is in the danger zone right now being in 4th place in the GVC. Had a decent preseason and has a good argument for postseason, but not if they can't improve their standing in conference. GVC will not get 4 teams into the postseason. Losing to Redwoods will haunt Siskiyous for awhile until they can redeem themselves.
Las Positas (10-11) Coast-North Conference (2-4)
Beating Skyline was big for LPC, who seemed to have doomed themselves after losing to Canada. They beat Siskiyous twice and Delta during preseason play. This could be big if LPC is in postseason discussions.
Sierra (8-12) Big 8 conference (2-4)
2 wins last week is showing some improvement. Has a chance at a playoff berth if can overtake Sacramento City in sixth place in conference play.
