Giants headed to FCC after rout of Taft

College of the Sequoias' women's basketball team gets a crack at the three teams it's chasing in the Central Valley Conference title race over the next week and a half.

The Giants (15-8, 4-3) play at third-pace Fresno City (12-9, 4-2) at 5 p.m. Feb. 5, host first-place Merced (18-5, 7-0) at 3 p.m. Feb. 8, and play at second-place Reedley (10-13, 5-2) at 5 p.m. Feb. 12 as they look to improve their postseason resume. COS is seeking an eighth straight berth in the Northern California Regional playoffs.

The Giants, who have won or shared three consecutive conference titles, kept within striking distance of the CVC leaders with a 77-20 victory at Taft (2-20, 0-7) on Feb. 1.

COS took control of the game by outscoring the Cougars 20-5 in the first quarter. The Giants finished Taft off with a 30-point third quarter.

Sapphire Jones (Hanford) led the way with 16 points, four rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks, while McKenna Hsiung (Bakersfield) had 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Giants, who are ranked No. 15 in NorCal, also received eight points, six steals, two rebounds and two assists from Serena Ybarra (Coalinga), six points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals from Alaysia Reed (Las Vegas).

COS' bench also came through with Neli Diaz (McFarland) delivering 15 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists; Clarissa Chavez (Redwood) contributing six points and six rebounds; and Savannah Surfus (Redwood) adding 11 rebounds.

After hosting Merced, the Giants have two more home games during the regular season: at 5 p.m. Feb. 19 against Porterville and at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 against West Hills-Lemoore.

The NorCal Regionals begin Feb. 26. The state's elite eight tournament, which COS has reached the past three seasons, is March 12, 14 and 15 at West Hills-Lemoore.