Giants seeded third for NorCal Regionals, set to open playoff run Feb. 25
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
After winning its 20th consecutive game and completing an undefeated run through conference play for the first time in 73 seasons, College of the Sequoias men's basketball team was seeded third for the Northern California Regional playoffs.
The Giants are scheduled to open the postseason at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at Porter Field House against the winner of the Feb. 22 game between No. 14 Gavilan (19-9) and No. 19 San Mateo (13-15). It will be the second game of a doubleheader with Sequoias' third-seeded women, who will play at 5:30 p.m. Admission to Porter Field House for state playoff games is $12 general and $8 for identified students, faculty and staff, seniors age 60 and over, and children younger than 12.
As the third seed behind No. 1 San Francisco (25-3) and No. 2 San Jose (24-4), Sequoias' men would remain at home as long as they stay alive in the playoffs up until the Final Eight, which will be held March 9 and 11-12 at West Hills College-Lemoore's Golden Eagle Arena.
"I think we are in a really good place. The fact we were able to run the table in the Central Valley Conference is really impressive. And the fact that we've won 20 games in a row is really impressive," said Giants coach Dallas Jensen, whose team is tied with Fullerton and Yuba for the longest active winning streaks in the state. "There's not a whole lot I can say about this group other than good things. But as I just told them in the locker room, we're turning the page, and we've got to have a great week of practice and really value every rep we get and make sure we are well prepared for the playoffs."
The Giants finished the regular season 25-3 overall and 14-0 in the Central Valley Conference -- their first undefeated conference run since going 10-0 under legendary coach Polly Wilhelmsen in 1950 -- with a 94-71 victory over visiting Reedley on Feb. 17 that featured a near triple-double from Terri Miller (Clovis North High).
Miller, who was named the co-Most Valuable Player of the CVC with teammate Javohn Garcia (Columbus, Ohio), finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and a block.
Garcia, a transfer from NCAA Division I Massachusetts, delivered 21 points, five assists, four rebounds and four steals.
Behind 11 points from Garcia and four from Miller, the Giants raced out to a 25-12 lead through the first 10 minutes and never looked back.
"We're feeling really good," Garcia said. "Everyone has been playing real well. We've just clicked at the right moment. I feel like at this point, we can't lose. I feel like we have a really good chance to win it all, but we have to stay focused."
Sequoias' lead ballooned to 36 points (79-43) with 9 minutes and 25 seconds left in the second half on a three-point play by Cameron Clark (Snellville, Ga.). Reedley (9-19, 3-11) outscored the Giants 28-15 the rest of the way, but never got closer than 23 points.
Clark, who was named first-team All-CVC and a member of the conference's All-Freshmen and All Defensive teams, finished with nine points and three rebounds.
Tyjean Burrell (Sacramento), a first-team All-CVC selection, contributed 23 points, three rebounds, two steals and an assist for Sequoias.
The Giants also received 11 points and four rebounds from Takari Fields (Champaign, Ill.); seven points and six rebounds from Lucas Wilrich (Yuba); six points, a rebound, an assist and a steal from Alex Argandar (Modesto); three points, six rebounds and one assist from George Carter (Stockton); three points from Omari Nesbit (Sacramento); five assists and three rebounds from Jose Cuello (Harlem, N.Y.); two rebounds, an assist and a block from Tyree Gill (Sacramento); two rebounds from Samuel Bazunga (Paris, France); and a rebound, a block and a steal from Tre'von Martin (Las Vegas).
Cuello and Garcia joined Clark on the CVC's All-Defensive team, while Argandar and Cuello joined Clark on the All-Freshman team.
Cuello and Gill were CVC honorable mention selections.
Jensen was named the CVC Coach of the Year after leading the Giants to their second straight conference championship.
If Sequoias wins its opener, it would host one of four NorCal Regional finals on March 4 for a berth in the state's Final Eight. No. 6 Redwoods (25-3), No. 11 Cosumnes River (19-9) and No. 22 West Hills-Lemoore (13-15) are potential regional finals opponents on the other side of the bracket.
The Giants have made the state's Final Eight field in each of the past three championship seasons. They reached the semifinals last season before losing to eventual state champion San Francisco. Sequoias hasn't won a state title since 1982.
Eight players on last season's team received offers to continue their basketball careers at four-year universities, recruitments that received boosts from playing in the Final Eight, according to Jensen.
"Look, at the end of the day I know everyone's hope and goal is to win a state championship. We just talked about it, and we've reiterated it all year that our goal is to get to the Elite Eight," Jensen said. "I want these boys to be able to experience that environment. I know being in the Elite Eight will impact and help their own recruitment.
"And when you get there, at least you give yourself an opportunity. When you've got eight great teams down in Lemoore, you've got to catch some breaks. Who's healthy? Who's playing well? What shots are going down. So, I just want the boys to have that experience, and I told them we've got to be great for a couple weeks, win two games and get back to the Elite Eight."