West Valley Becomes State's Top-Ranked Team

The first regular season CCCMBCA Top 30 poll features a lot of new faces as a number of previously unranked programs move into the poll, and a number of storied programs leave the poll. Many of these new faces will be pressured to remain in the next poll in two weeks. The CCCMBCA poll is conducted by the 100 community college men’s basketball playing coaches.

1. West Valley (5-0) — Many coaches thought West Valley was worthy of No. 1 ranking when the season began. And, after 20 days the Vikings find themselves at the helm of the state poll. With consecutive victories over Fullerton and San Diego City – on the road — West Valley collected 85 percent of the No. 1 votes in this week’s poll. Date worth circling: December 6 vs. Las Positas

2. Mt. San Jacinto (6-0) — Mt. San Jacinto was one of four teams to receive No. 1 votes, and by far was the biggest moving team in this week poll, jumping 13 slots. Mt. San Jacinto has played the second toughest schedule to date and have looked impressive doing so. The Eagles are the state’s top offensive unit, having scored 90 point or more in each of their six games. Date worth circling: Dec 6, 7 & 9 at the Hypland Classic at Riverside (vs. Riverside, vs. East Los Angeles, vs. Saddleback).

3. San Francisco (6-1) — Despite losing to LA Southwest (74-70), San Francisco moved to No. 3 in the CCCMBCA poll. The Rams, a perennial power, has been impressive this season, securing wins over San Bernardino (by 18); Moorpark (by 6); and Sequoias (by 13 in Visalia). Date(s) worth circling: Nov. 28 at Yuba and Dec. 1 vs. Sequoias in San Francisco.

4. Yuba (3-0) – Yuba, which garnered a couple No. 1 votes, slipped to No. 4 after a slow start to the season. The 49’ers have played the second fewest games at this point of the season. Only Barstow has played less. Yuba has yet to beat a team by less than 18 points. Yuba’s slow start to the season is reflective in its 32^nd non-conference RPI. Date worth circling: Nov. 28 vs. San Francisco.

5. Fullerton (4-2) — Fullerton slips to No. 5 after losses to West Valley and Moorpark. The two losses were by a combined three points. After a 32-1 record last year and a state title, Fullerton fans may be a bit concerned. But by no means should there be concern. Come March, Fullerton may be the best battled tested team in the state. After all, the Hornets’ next four games will be against ranked opponents. Date worth circling: Nov. 21 at West LA.

6. Columbia (6-0) — Columbia, who received No. 1 votes, moves five spots with its 6-0 start, but should they have moved so high? The Claim Jumpers have yet to play a ranked team and may not until possibly the finals of the Cabrillo Tournament in early December. To date, Columbia’s six opponents are a combined 14-24. Date worth circling: Dec. 3 – but only if Cabrillo makes the finals of the Saltwater Classic at Cabrillo.

7. San Diego City (5-2) — San Diego City slipped three slots after suffering a loss to previously unranked San Jose City (by 6 points). The Knights’ only other loss has been to West Valley, by 7 points. At the same time, San Diego City has beaten three ranked opponents in Santa Monica, Chabot and Allan Hancock. Date worth circling: Dec. 1 vs. Saddleback at the Grossmont Tournament.

8. Sequoias (3-1) — Sequoias falls three spots after suffering a 13-point loss to San Francisco, in Visalia. Luckily, there is always another opportunity. Date worth circling: Nov. 22 at San Jose and Dec. 1 at San Francisco.

9. Allan Hancock (4-2) — The Bulldogs played two preseason ranked teams, losing to both. Losses to Sequoias and San Diego City helped dropped Allan Hancock to No. 9 in this week’s poll. The two losses were by 5 (vs. Sequoias) and 11 points (San Diego City). Date worth circling: Dec. 2 at West Hills Lemoore.

10. Cerro Coso (5-0) — Twenty-one days ago, Cerro Coso was unranked and probably considered a middle-of-the-pack team in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference. Today, Cerro Coso holds the state’s top non-conference RPI ranking after posting wins over Moorpark and LA Southwest — by double digits. Those victories became bigger after Moorpark beat Fullerton and LA Southwest’s upset of San Francisco. Cerro Coso begins a run on previously unranked teams moving into the state poll this week. Date worth circling: December 6 – Moorpark at Cerro Coso.

11. Moorpark (5-2) — Moorpark continues the parade of unranked preseason teams moving into the state rankings. Moorpark made its move after a surprising victory over Fullerton. The Raiders have the state’s third best non-conference RPI, better than West Valley, San Francisco, Columbia, San Diego City — you get the idea. Date worth circling: Dc. 1 vs. Yuba from the Grossmont Tournament.

12. San Jose (7-1) — San Jose keeps the unranked party going with its No. 12 ranking this week. San Jose got a big lift with a shocking six-point victory over San Diego City last week. Prior to losing to Allan Hancock, San Jose City had dominated its preseason schedule, one that doesn’t look as good now as it did a month ago. The Jaguars has the state’s 16^th best non-conference RPI. Date worth circling: Nov. 22 vs. Sequoias

13. Cabrillo (6-0) — Cabrillo began the season ranked No. 22, but now finds itself proving it is a worthy top 15 team. Cabrillo is one of nine remaining unbeaten teams. Unfortunately, for Cabrillo, it is one of three in the Coast-South which features Monterey and No. 1 West Valley. None of Cabrillo’s six wins have been against ranked opponents, and they probably won’t play a ranked opponent until conference begins. Date worth circling: get back to you in the new year.

14. LA Southwest (4-1) — Like Cerro Coso, Moorpark and San Jose City, LA Southwest, which began the season unranked in the state poll, joins the poll party after shocking San Francisco at the Giant Classic in Sequoias. Pretty amazing considering, LA Southwest lost by 14 to Cerro Coso just the day before upsetting the Rams. Just goes to show what a signature win can do for you. Unfortunately, one won’t be enough to keep LA Southwest in the top 15 in the coming weeks. Date worth circling: Dec. 7 at Fullerton in the first round of the 37th Annual Fullerton College Classic.

15. Mt. San Antonio (5-0) —  Another unranked preseason program rounds out the top 15. Mt. San Antonio wasn’t even ranked in the Southern California Regional Poll, let alone the state poll. A year ago, Mt. San Antonio was 11-16 and needed 10 games to win five games. Mt. San Antonio scored an impressive win over Citrus to open the season and the Mounties have trotted on since. The Mounties’ schedule to date hasn’t exactly been a who’s who, but Mt. San Antonio faces a challenging three-game road stretch coming up. Date worth circling: Nov. 22 at Santiago Canyon.

16. Citrus (4-1) — Citrus falls six spots after a surprising loss to unranked Mt. San Antonio to open the season. Four straight wins has kept Citrus in the top 20. With seven games remaining to be played in 2023, two are against ranked opponents. Date worth circling: Nov. 22 vs. Riverside.

17. West LA (3-1) — A Final Eight participant last year, West LA moves from No. 26 to No. 17 this week after wins over Saddleback and San Bernardino Valley. An 11-point loss to Moorpark probably kept the Wildcats from moving higher. West LA plays its next six games at home, including three against ranked opponents. Date worth circling: Nov. 21 vs. Fullerton.

18. Saddleback (5-1) — Saddleback scored a number of impressive wins early, three over then-ranked opponents — Ventura (out of top 30); San Bernardino Valley (now #22) and East Los Angeles (now #28). The rest of Saddleback’s 2023 schedule is impressive – if you are fan; scary if you are the head coach. Date worth circling: Dec. 1 vs. San Diego City at the Grossmont Tournament.

19. Monterey Peninsula (5-0) — Another unranked preseason program lands in the state’s top 30 this week. Monterey is one of three unbeaten teams in the Coast-South. Monterey has had just one game decided by less than five points. Its remaining 2023 schedule features just one ranked opponent. Date worth circling: Dec. 16 vs. Allan Hancock at the Percy Carr Classic.

20. Las Positas (5-1) — Las Positas falls six slots after a surprising 20-point loss to a 4-4 American River team back on Nov. 3. Las Positas has won four straight since losing, but none of them were worthy of keeping Las Positas in the top 15. Date worth circling: Dec. 6 at West Valley.

21. Merced (6-1) — Can’t remember the last time Merced was ranked in the top 30. The Blue Devils are off to its best start in years. Their lone blemish is a 19-point loss to Cabrillo. Many of Merced’s wins have been close, average margin of victory has been six points when omitting its 80-49 blowout of Sierra on November 6. Date worth circling: Dec. 20 vs. Monterey.

22. Santiago Canyon (6-1) — Oh, look, another unranked preseason team. Of all of the teams who went unranked in the state preseason poll, I think Santiago Canyon took it the hardest. Despite a four-point loss to Antelope Valley, Santiago Canyon has been on a roll. But we will see how big a roll — two upcoming opponents are ranked. Date worth circling: Nov. 22 vs. Mt. San Antonio.

23. San Bernardino Valley (3-3) — Little tough to see San Bernardino Valley down here at No. 23. Especially when you consider the Wolverines’ three losses came to Saddleback, San Francisco and West LA. Unfortunately, the road doesn’t get any easier as the Wolverines remaining 2023 schedule features three ranked teams and three former ranked teams. Date worth circling: Nov. 22 vs. Santa Monica

24. Chabot (6-2) — Chabot surprisingly falls 13 spots. Figuring the Gladiators’ two losses were to San Diego City and Fullerton, a 13-spot freefall may be a bit much. Although, Chabot’s non-conference RPI is currently No. 31 in the state. With the state’s fifth best offensive unit, Chabot is fun to watch. Chabot has seven remaining games in 2023, two against ranked opponents. Date worth circling: Nov. 30 vs. Irvine Valley at the Monterey Bay Classic.

25. Sacramento City (6-0) — Heard this story before? Previously unranked Sacramento City lands at No. 25, after a 6-0 start. The Panthers have yet to play a ranked opponent, but the Panthers have scored 80 or more points in four of their six games. Sacramento City is coming off winning the Mendocino Tournament, scoring wins over Siskiyous, Mendocino and Los Medanos. To stay in the top 25, Sacramento City probably needs to be perfect since the Panthers may not play a ranked opponent in the regular season. Date worth circling: Nov. 28 vs. Butte.

26. West Hills Lemoore (5-1) — West Hills Lemoore began its men’s basketball program in 2018-19. Over the course of its first four seasons, the Golden Eagles were 25-73, not winning its first game until its third season. Well, look at the now. West Hills Lemoore is off to its best start in the program’s history. Date worth circling: Dec. 2 vs. Allan Hancock.

27. Skyline (5-1) — The newcomers, they keep-a-coming. Behind a 5-1 start, Skyline lands at No. 27. The Trojans fell to Merced in their opening game, but has been perfect since, running off five straight. Trojans won’t see a ranked opponent until Dec. 21, but they’ll need to fight past some storied programs, such as Santa Rosa and Diablo Valley in the coming weeks. Date worth circling: Dec. 21 at West Hills Lemoore.

28. East Los Angeles (2-2) — East Los Angeles fell out of gate, losing consecutive games to Moorpark (by 13) and Saddleback (by 11). The Huskies’ modest two-game win streak will be put to the test when East Los Angeles visits Riverside for games against elite programs — of games San Bernardino Valley, Mt. San Jacinto and Riverside. In fact, East Los Angeles might be facing the toughest stretch of games in the state when you figure Fullerton and Santa Monica await the Huskies after their trip to the Inland Empire. Date(s) worth circling: Dec. 6 vs. San Bernardino Valley; Dec. 7 vs. Mt. San Jacinto; Dec. 9 vs. Riverside; Dec. 14 vs. Fullerton; Dec. 20 vs Santa Monica.

29. Irvine Valley (4-1) — Irvine Valley suffered its first defeat of the season on Monday night, but since the polls closed at 4 pm, an hour before tipoff, the Lasers squeezed into the poll – becoming yet another previously unranked team to make the poll. Irvine Valley’s slow and deliberate offense has caried the Lasers to a 4-1 start. Irvine Valley will play its first ranked team, ironically against one of the best offenses in the state. Date worth circling: Nov. 30 vs. Chabot at the Monterey Bay Classic.

30. Chaffey (5-1) — Our final poll crasher is the Panthers of Chaffey. Chaffey barely squeezed into the poll this week, so the Panthers continued appearance depends on successful outcomes. Chaffey’s lone loss was to Santiago Canyon, by 8 points. Most impressive win was pasting Cerritos by 20 points to open the season, something no one saw that coming. Unfortunately, the win has lost some muster as Cerritos has stumbled out to a 1-3 start this season. Date worth circling: Dec. 2 vs. Mt. San Antonio.

Photo: Courtesy of West Valley College Athletics