SKYLINE CO-LEADS COAST NORTH MEN’S BASKETBALL AFTER SHORTENED OPENING WEEK; WIN AT CAÑADA

Although severely shorthanded, down to seven players, Cañada College was able to successfully showcase its spectacular new gymnasium in Redwood City for the first time in a Coast Conference men's basketball game on Friday night – against another county team. And it was visiting Skyline College that took the Coast North opener, 83-55, before an appreciative crowd of local basketball fans, just hungry for some real action.

Of the 100 men's community college teams in the state, only eight saw action on Friday. They included top-ranked City College of San Francisco, (14-1) topping visiting Ohlone College, 108-40. Skyline (9-6 overall), CCSF, and Las Positas (14-1) share the Coast North lead with 1-0 records after the first week of league play -- each managing to get it at least one of their two scheduled games. Skyline coach Justin Piergrossi was happy with the opportunity to begin Coast play.  

No. 14 College of San Mateo (11-3 overall) had both of its games postponed, including last Wednesday's originally scheduled conference opener at the new Cañada facility. The Bulldogs hope to finally open league at San Francisco, on Wednesday. Skyline plays next at Las Positas, on Wednesday.

Colby Vasquez had 18 points to lead the Trojans past Cañada (3-11), while Connor Strambi scored 14 and Julius Alcantara added 13 points. Cañada season pacesetter Jevon Jesus had a game-high 18 points, but did not have enough support. Ray Goda scored 12 points, his first time in double figures for the Colts – but no others could reach that plateau.

Canada battled well in the first half, leading early at 5-4 on a basket by Jesus. Guards Strambi and Dimitri Koutsogeorgas Koutsogeorgasthen netted 3-pointerrs to start a 10-point run that put the Trojans ahead for good. Vasquez led another run, of 11 points, that resulted in a 37-23 halftime lead – although the Colts had interspersed with their own 9-point run.

Skyline, eventually, put the game away with a 22-0 second half run which Cañada could not offset.

It was the first game for Cañada since a 60-59 victory over Reedley on Dec. 22.  Cañada coach Gary Plummer is hopeful several of his five sidelined players will be able to return to action as the Colts resume Coast play on Wednesday at Chabot – which has yet to play in 2022. Skyline had been scheduled to open league at Chabot, last Wednesday.  

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