CVC men's basketball champion Giants win 19th straight game
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
As College of the Sequoias' sophomore Terri Miller waited to take his snip of the net to celebrate a second consecutive Central Valley Conference men's basketball championship, he couldn't help but be in awe of the Giants' success.
"This team is crazy," said Miller, the only returner from a team that went 27-4 while reaching the state Final Four last season. "Last year's team was crazy, too, but this year, it feels different. We play as a family. Everyone is really close with each other off and on the court.
"I honestly believe if we play the way we play, ain't nobody CVCcan beat us. It's all on us."
Miller delivered 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two blocks to help power California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches' Association state No. 4-ranked Sequoias to an 86-68 victory over No. 16 Fresno City on Feb. 15 at Porter Field House.
It was the Giants' 19 straight victory, tied with No. 5 Yuba for the second longest active streak in the state behind the 20 consecutive games won by No. 1 Fullerton.
The streak, and playoff seeding, was about all Sequoias (24-3, 13-0) had left to tangibly play for against Fresno City after clinching the CVC title outright with a 110-62 win at West Hills-Coalinga on Feb. 11.
The Giants lead the second-place Rams (19-6, 9-4) by four games in the conference standings with one remaining, set for 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at home against Reedley (9-18, 3-10) in the second game of a doubleheader with the women's team. Admission into Porter Field House is $8 general and $5 for seniors and students.
"I've talked about how many new faces we had this year, and that it was going to be a process with this group," Giants coach Dallas Jensen said. "They've done an incredible job coming together and really valuing winning above individual projection, and just picking each other up on a nightly basis. So, honestly, I'm just really, really proud of this group and what they've done, and how far they've come over the course of the year."
One of Sequoias' new faces, Javohn Garcia, a transfer from NCAA Division I Massachusetts, led the way against Fresno City with 29 points, five rebounds, five assists, three blocks and a steal. Garcia made 5 of 9 shots from 3-point range and 8 of 16 shots overall.
Cameron Clark (Snellville, Ga.) and Alex Argandar (Modesto) also contributed double-figure scoring, with Clark finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, two steals and an assist while Argandar had 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block.
The Giants also received nine points, two assists and a steal from Tyjean Burrell (Sacramento); seven points, two rebounds and two assists from Jose Cuello (Harlem, N.Y.); three points, two rebounds and a steal from Tyree Gill (Sacramento); two points, two steals, one rebound and one steal from Omari Nesbit (Sacramento); two rebounds and an assist from Tre'von Martin (Las Vegas); and one rebound and one steal from Gerorge Carter (Stockton).
"They are playing really really well," Jensen said. "Again, our goal every game is just to go 1-0. Regardless of who the opponent is, we never look ahead. And the hope is that every time we step on the practice floor or in a game, that we get just a little bit better.
"Obviously, every game is not going to be pretty, but I think over the course of the last six to eight weeks, they have just progressively gotten better. It's been great to watch as a coach."
Sequoias is ranked behind only No. 2 San Francisco among teams from Northern California. Should playoff seeding shake out similar to the CCCMBCA rankings, the Giants should either have a bye or a home game when the NorCal Regionals begin Feb. 22.
Sequoias has reached the state's Final Eight in the past three championship seasons. The Giants are out to capture a third state title in program history, adding to championships won in 1953 and 1982.
"For us, we weren't worried about getting a one seed or a two seed," Jensen said. "One of our big goals was to get a top-four seed. That way we could potentially stay at home until the Elite Eight. I think after tonight, I feel pretty confident we'll end up with a top four seed, and hope we get a first-round bye and get to host someone here at Porter Field House."