Giants rise to No. 3 in state men's basketball rankings
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
After defeating four state-ranked teams during a 10-day stretch, College of the Sequoias has vaulted up the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches' Association rankings.
The Giants (10-2) rose 11 spots -- from No. 14 to No. 3 -- in the latest CCCMBCA Top 30 poll released Dec. 21.
Sequoias was due a move up the rankings following victories over then No. 3 Ventura (93-57) on Dec. 18, then No. 7 San Diego City (83-65) on Dec. 11, then No. 15 Los Angeles Southwest (89-74) on Dec. 10 and then No. 5 West L.A. (70-66) on Dec. 9.
The Giants also held a 39-36 halftime lead against new state No. 1 San Francisco (11-1) before eventually losing against the host Rams 80-66 on Dec. 4.
Sequoias is idle until Dec. 30-31, when it will travel to Oceanside for the Clete Adelman Classic.
The Giants open against host MiraCosta (5-7) at 6 p.m. Dec. 30, and then face Antelope Valley (7-5) at noon Dec. 31 to conclude their nonconference schedule.
Sequoias is set to begin Central Valley Conference play at 6 p.m. Jan 5 at West Hills-Coalinga (5-8)
The Giants' next home game at Porter Field House is the opener of a doubleheader with the women's team against Merced (2-11). The men's game starts at 5 p.m., with the women following at 7 p.m.
The CVC also features state-ranked teams in No. 2 Columbia (11-0), No. 22 Porterville (8-2) and No. 30 Fresno City (6-5).
Sequoias travels to Columbia at 6 p.m. Jan. 19, and will host the Claim Jumpers at 3 p.m. Feb. 12.
