No. 11 Giants host No. 30 Reedley on Saturday

By Nick Giannandrea

COS Athletics

College of the Sequoias' men's basketball team looks to remain within striking distance of first place in the Central Valley Conference when it hosts Reedley on Jan. 18.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. as the second half of a men's/women's doubleheader at Porter Field House. The Giants' women host Reedley at 3 p.m. Admission is $5.

The state No. 11-ranked COS men (13-4 overall) are presently in a four-way tie for second place with No.30 Reedley (11-6), No. 10 Columbia (16-1) and Porterville (9-8) at 2-1 in CVC play. No. 5 Fresno City (14-3) leads the CVC at 3-0, and already owns victories over COS and Columbia.

The Giants are seeking their first CVC title since 2010, when they shared the crown with Fresno City.

Reedley broke into the latest California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association poll released Jan. 13 after getting off to a 11-5 start overall and 2-0 in the CVC before losing to Columbia 90-79 on Jan. 15. The Tigers are led by Hassan Bolden (19.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game) and Uriah Carter (19.7 points, 4.8 rebounds).

COS bounced back in a big way from a disappointing 72-53 loss to Fresno City on Jan. 11 during its last game Jan. 15 at Merced (7-8, 1-2).

Milton Burton (Bullard High) delivered 27 points, three rebounds and three assists off the bench as the Giants rolled to a 108-64 victory over the Blue Devils.

Ryan Johnson (Hanford), Tiyon Martin (Pasadena) and Elihu Cobb (Santa Maria) all produced double-doubles for COS. 

Johnson had 14 points and 17 rebounds, Martin had 15 points and 10 assists, while Cobb had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The Giants also received 14 points, three rebounds and three assists from Savion Johnson (Hanford West) and 10 points and three assists from Carlos Allen (Atlanta).

COS dominated both halves, using its defense to build a 45-21 lead at halftime, then turning up the offensive pressure by scoring 63 points in the second.

After a dismal shooting night against Fresno City, the Giants shot 48.7 percent from the field (38 of 78) and 92.6 percent on free throws (25 of 27) against the Blue Devils.

After hosting Reedley, COS will welcome Columbia to Porter Field House on Jan. 22. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.