Preview: Giants host 41st Annual Gilcrest Tournament

College of the Sequoias will host the 41st Annual Gilcrest Tournament during November 30-December 3. It is the only 16-team women's basketball tournament left in the state of California.

The prestigious tournament is named after legendary COS basketball coach and 2015 COS Hall of Fame inductee; Tom Gilcrest. Gilcrest is the only coach ever to have won a state championship in the Central Valley Conference.

Eight teams from Northern California and eight teams from Southern California play in the weekend-long tournament.

Usually, at least two teams that make it to the semi-finals of the Gilcrest Tournament go on to compete at the CCCAA State Tournament.

The Giants are led by sophomore guard Zharia McCollum. McCollum has a team-high 10.6 points per game average. Right behind her is freshman guard Michal Sasson with 8.1 points per game. The backcourt duo has been vital in making sure the team is performing up to a high standard.

COS head coach Ray Alvarado is looking to lead his squad to their third straight tournament final appearance this season. The Giants first opponent is Riverside. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at the Porter Field House on Thursday.

COSgiants.com will have updates throughout the tournament.