Four Remaining Unbeaten Teams Hold Top Four Spots

Four unbeatens remain after six weeks of the CCCMBCA season. And those four teams sit in the top four slots in this week's CCCMBCA Poll.

San Francisco City continues to hold the state's No. 1 ranking. The Rams have scored 80 or more points in each of their nine games and twice topped the 100-poinit plateau, including a season-high 109 points against Diablo Valley. San Francisco possesses the state's third-leading offense at 91.4. Fresno, thanks to its 119-point effort against Barstow and 114 versus San Mateo, possesses the state's top scoring offense at 95.7, followed by West Los Angeles at 95.2. San Francisco has four players scoring in double figures, led by Miles Norris, a sophomore forward, who is averaging 14.6 points a game. The Rams depth is apparent with nine players scoring at least six points a game.

Fullerton, the defending state champions, moves to No. 2 this week as sophomore guards Tawon Elston (16.1 ppg) and Omajae Smith (13.2) and freshman Jacob Eyman (11.6) cary the offensive load. Interestingly, Elston has done his damage coming off the bench as he has started just one of the Hornets' 10 games. He has scored in double figures in all but two games — one being a game he started. The difference, however, may be Fullerton's defense which is allowing its opposition just 57.6 points a contest, best in state. Yes, better than traditional defensive power Irvine Valley (second at 57.7 a game).

Santiago Canyon, this week's No. 3-ranked team, continues to impress. The Hawks have allowed an opponent 80 points just once this season (99-83 win over Citrus). Santiago Canyon is 36th in the state in scoring defense (71.7 ppg), 31st in field goal percentage and 23rd in three-point percentage. Add that with five players — Antoine Jenkins, the state's third leading scorer at 27.9 (ppg), A.J. Garrity (13.4), Paulo Araujo (12.4), Tyler Goodlow (10.3) and David Agba (10.1) — averaging in double figures and the Hawks look as a serious contender to Fullerton for the OEC title. Mark your calendars — January 13, Santiago at Fullerton and February 11, Fullerton at Santiago Canyon.

It is redundant, but it appears the Orange Empire Conference is going to be a tough trophy to bring home. Four of the top 20 teams in the Massey Ranking (strength of schedule) hail from the OEC. Two — Fullerton and Santiago Canyon — have played the second and third, respectively, toughest schedules to this point of the season. Five of the nine teams have records above .500 — and each are ranked this week.

Columbia, the last of the undefeated teams, climbed five spots in this week's Massey's Ranking. The Claim Jumpers have state's 13th best scoring offense and is one of 24 teams allowing its opposition less than 70 points a contest. Grayson Carper and Landis Spivey are both averaging over 17 points a contest for Columbia. Seth Coddington (14.5 ppg) and Keith Shakes (11.9) also average in double figures. Amy of the four are capable of taking over a game as each have led the Claim Jumpers in scoring in at least one game this season.

Top 30 and a look at the remaining poll field . . . 
1. San Francisco (9-0)
2. Fullerton (10-0)
3. Santiago Canyon (11-0)
4. Columbia (10-0)
5. San Diego City (9-3) — Head coach Mitch Charlens was upset with the last ranking of the Knights at No. 13. And, it appears San Diego City did something about it — winning five straight games, which included wins at Citrus and at Mt. San Jacinto. San Diego City has concluded preseason play and will open conference play next week with a game with Cuyamaca and a road contest at San Diego Mesa.

6. Butte (8-2) — Since losing to Contra Costa on November 7 after the team was involved in a traffic accident on the way to Las Positas Tournament, Butte has won eight of nine games. Only setback in that streak was to No. 4 Columbia. Butte will visit Sacramento City on Wednesday and then continue on to the San Joaquin Delta Tournament.

7. East Los Angeles (9-1) — East LA climbs three spots this week after putting together a five-game win streak. Since losing by two to Copper Mountain, East LA has posted wins over Antelope Valley (by 4), Santa Monica (by 5), Mt. San Jacinto (by 9), Riverside (by 6) and Copper Mountain (by 17). Over the next nine days, the Huskies will host Cerritos and No. 20 Citrus.

8. Allan Hancock (8-1) — Allan Hancock is riding a six-game win streak, a streak that includes wins over Cerritos, Yuba and Santa Monica. The six-point loss to Sequoias back on November 9 in in the rearview mirror. The Bulldogs have the 7th best schedule ranking. Allan Hancock has seven nonconference games remaining, beginning with three games at the LA Southwest Intensity Classic this week.

9. Sequoias (7-1) — Sequoias falls after losing to Santa Rosa, snapping a season-opening seven-game win streak. The Giants had been slaying the competition, but Sequoias fell behind by 15 at halftime and it proved too much. Sequoias has six nonconference games remaining, including vs. No. 21 Ventura and Cerritos, before starting the grueling Central Valley Conference schedule.

10. Yuba (8-3) — Yuba has suffered three losses by the scores of 31, 12 and 25 points. The good news is the losses came against No. 1 San Francisco, No. 8 Allan Hancock and No. 1 San Francisco. The 49'ers will open conference play next week and working toward another shot San Francisco and Allan Hancock — perhaps in Lemoore at the state tournament.

11. West LA (8-1) — West LA is like that bird in bush. You don't know what it is until it comes out of hiding. West LA has won eight of nine games, but only three of the nine programs the Oilers have faced have a winning record. West LA's five remaining nonconference opponents carry a 21-24 record into this week. May have to wait until the end of January to see if West LA is for real — after they face the likes of LA Valley, Bakersfield, Santa Monica and Citrus. Winning the Western State-South will make many believers and allow West LA to break into the top 10.

12.San Bernardino Valley (9-2) — SBVC falls five slots after losing to Santa Monica for the second time this season. Santa Monica then makes it look worse by losing to Allan Hancock and Ventura this month. SBVC also fell five spots in the Massey Ranking. SBVC gets another shot at Santa Monica on Wednesday.

13. Fresno (5-2) — Since losing consecutive games, Fresno City has won four straight and in doing so have lit up the scoreboard. The Rams are averaging 105.5 points over its last four games.

14. Las Positas (8-2) — Las Positas has won four straight games after losing consecutive games to Yuba (by 8) and Cypress (by 19). Las Positas' schedule (31st in the state) hasn't been especially tough, but the Hawks put this No. 13 ranking on the line when they host No. 6 Butte on December 20.

15. Santa Rosa (6-3) — Santa Rosa climbs six spots after going 4-1 since the last poll. The Cubs' upset of Sequoias helped their cause in moving up in the poll. This week, Santa Rosa hosts its annual tournament and then opens Big 8 Conference play next week.

16. Southwestern (5-2) — Four victories in its last five games have Southwestern climbing from No. 26 to No. 16. The Jaguars have played the state's sixth toughest schedule. With losses to Irvine Valley (by 3 to open the season) and Fullerton (by 2), Southwestern appears to arm behind Maquavian Stephens' 21.8 points per game average.

17. LA Valley (7-1) — LA Valley has gotten off to a 7-1 start — which included wins over Mt. San Jacinto, Riverside and Ventura in Riverside. Long Beach City, however, crashed the Monarchs' party when the Vikings scored a 64-61 victory on December 5. Despite the loss to previously unranked Long Beach City, LA Valley lands at No. 16.

18. Santa Monica (8-4) — Since climbing to No. 2 in the CCCMBCA poll, Santa Monica is 3-4. Santa Monica has played the state's fourth toughest schedule in the state to date, and the Corsairs will probably be rewarded it for come the seeding meeting. Santa Monica's losses read like a Who's Who — Fullerton, East LA, Allan Hancock and Ventura— among ranked teams. But pollsters expect a No. 2 team to win say half of those games to maintain its poll ranking. Santa Monica will look to get back on the pollsters' good side with its two final nonconference games — vs. No. 23 Saddleback (Thursday) and No. 12 San Bernardino (December 18). Santa Monica edged San Bernardino back on November 3, 86-83. You know what they say about beating a good team twice?

19. Chabot (7-1) — Chabot lands at No. 19 this week, down two spots after losing its first game of the season to No. 11 Santa Rosa by 10. Currently, Chabot has played the state's 29th toughest schedule. And it will be probably rise from there with games scheduled against No. 4 Columbia and No. 9 Allan Hancock.

20. Citrus (6-4) — Citrus has lost three of its last four games since the last poll when the Owls landed at No. 11. Citrus has lost three of its last four and with games against No. 21 Ventura and No. 7 East Los Angeles (on the road) upcoming, the Owls will be fighting to keep a top 20 presence.

21. Ventura (7-4) — Since losing four of its first seven games, Ventura has rebounded to win four consecutive games, including a 74-71 win over Santa Monica, previously No. 2. The Pirates face an uphill battle, however, with road games at Citrus and No. 8 Sequoias and No. 13 Fresno in Visalia.

22. Foothill (7-3) — Foothill has won four straight games, after splitting its first six games. The Two of the Owls three losses have come against ranked opponents (Fresno and Sequoias). And victories over West Valley and Santa Rosa gave Foothill the boost the Owls needed to make their first poll appearance.

23. Saddleback (6-4) — Saddleback got off to a rough start, losing three of its first five games. Since then the Gauchos have won four of five. Saddleback, who has played the state's 19th toughest schedule, travel to No, 18 Santa Monica on Thursday before opening conference play next week against No. 26 Cypress and Golden West.

24. West Valley (6-4) — Previous unranked, West Valley crashed the party this week with surprising victories over, San Joaquin Delta, Cypress and Irvine Valley. Since losing four of its first six games, the Vikings have won four straight including the three against ranked opponents. With its upset, West Valley climbed an amazing 24 spots in this week's Massey Ranking.

25. Irvine Valley (8-1) — Irvine Valley took a nasty fall this week — on the court and in the poll. The Lasers were anything but when they dropped a 70-67 game to unranked West Valley. The loss dropped Irvine Valley from No. 14 to No. 25 this week. The Lasers have two nonconference games on the schedule before taking on No. 2 Fullerton in both teams' OEC opener.

26. Cypress (8-2) — Cypress falls three spots after falling to previously unranked West Valley. Since winning its first five games, the Chargers have lost two of their next five games. Cypress hosts Moorpark on Friday and then opens Orange Empire Conference play with a road game at No. 23 Saddleback and then a visit to No. 3 Santiago Canyon.

27. Cerro Coso (8-1) —Cerro Coso climbs into this week's poll. Since losing it opening game to Allan Hancock, Cerro Coso has run off eight straight wins. The Coyotes travel to Gavilan and begin conference play next week.

28. Los Medanos (7-2) — Los Medanos went 4-1 since the last poll and barely held a spot in the top 30 this week especially after the 23-point loss to Sacramento City. In its final preseason games, Los Medanos takes on Shasta in the Santa Rosa Tournament before opening conference play next week against No. 10 Yuba.

29. Palomar (8-3) — Palomar makes appearance this week in top 30. The Comets are currently riding a six-game win streak. With the state's 26th schedule rating, Palomar begins conference competition on Wednesday where they expect to battle San Diego City and Southwestern for the conference title.

30. Reedley (8-3) —The Tigers fall this week and appear headed in the wrong direction, losing three of their last five headed into its final preseason games at the Foothill Tournament. Reedley barely fought off 10-3 Redwoods, Long Beach City (5-3) and Cerritos (5-5) for the final spot in the top 30.