Columbia Makes Move, Climbs Four Slots; Fullerton Remains No. 1

RIVERSIDE - Undefeated Columbia, one of five remaining teams in the state, climbed four spots to No. 4 this week in the CCCMBCA Poll. The Claim Jumpers is just a few points behind undefeated Ventura which swept its three contests at the Antelope Valley Tournament and in the process is now ranked No. 3.

Columbia received two first-place votes, the only team other than Fullerton to receive a balloter's No. 1 vote. The Claim Jumpers take on #17 San Mateo on the road. On December 4, Columbia handed San Mateo its second loss of the season, 88-77 at the Cabrillo tournament. If Columbia gets by San Mateo again, we could be looking at an undefeated showdown when the Claim Jumpers tip off against #3 Ventura at the COS Wyndham/Mannon Classic on December 17. 

Despite Columbia's rise, San Francisco City remained the north's top-ranked team. The Rams overtook West Valley for the No. 2 spot but remain a distant second to Fullerton in voting points. San Francisco benefitted from West Valley's 64-63 loss to San Diego City in the Grossmont Tournament. The loss dropped West Valley to eight in this week's poll and vaulted San Diego City to No. 7.

Fullerton continued a firm hold on No. 1, with 422 points. The Hornets, winner of eight straight games, has had just two games decided by less than 15 points this season. This week, Fullerton will host an eight-team tournament, featuring six ranked teams —#1 Fullerton, #15 LA Southwest, #16 Citrus, #7 San Diego City, #5 West Los Angeles and #14 Sequoias. Fullerton opens the tournament on Thursday at 7 pm with LA Southwest and then faces the winner or loser of the West LA-Sequoias game on Friday.

Ventura posted three pretty easy wins at the Antelope Valley tournament. The Pirates are riding a nine-game win streak headed in the Santa Barbara Tournament, an event where the opposition is a combined 16-42 and three programs are winless. Ventura's opening contest against Long Beach City (5-5) will be the Pirates' toughest game of the event most likely. Long Beach City closed out November with upsets of Riverside and Canyons, but then went out and lost to San Bernardino Valley by 42 points at the West LA Shoot Out. The Vikings closed out the event with wins over LA Valley, needing overtime, and Moorpark.

West Los Angeles lands at No. 5 after avenging its only loss this season with a 76-74 victory over San Bernardino Valley. West Los Angeles has now won five straight since losing to 84-76 to San Bernardino Valley on November 14. These two programs have played three times this season with West Los Angeles winning twice. San Bernardino Valley, previously No. 5, fell to No. 9 heading into a home contest against unranked, but a dangerous Santa Monica squad on Wednesday. Santa Monica is 3-4, but its losses are impressive — if there is such a thing — West LA, East Los Angeles, Fullerton and Santiago Canyon. Pollster would like to see the unranked Corsairs win one of these marquee matchups.

Santiago Canyon is riding a five-game win streak since falling to MiraCosta, 78-75, on November 12. This week (December 8) Santiago Canyon will travel to LA Harbor for a key game. LA Harbor ¬¬remains unbeaten, and in the process has quietly climbed to #12 in the state. The Seahawks have beaten two ranked opponents — Citrus and Palomar, but #6 Santiago Canyon may be LA Harbor's biggest test yet.

San Diego City cracked the top 10 after its impressive win over West Valley in the finals of the Grossmont Tournament. First-year interim coach Andy Ground has Knight fans saying Mitch Charlens who? In Coach Charlens' defense, it isn't like he left Ground with nothing to work with. Regardless, after a loss to San Diego Miramar and Fullerton, the Knights appear to have their lancers pointed in the right direction. But they will be tested this week with a game against #16 Citrus before a possible showdown between either #1 Fullerton, #15 LA Southwest, #5 West Los Angeles or #14 Sequoias.

West Valley's hopes of an undefeated season were pierced by the San Diego City Knights, 64-63. The Vikings did everything right, including outrebounding San Diego City by 20 rebounds, but their downfall was 19 turnovers which lead to 21 Knight points.

San Bernardino Valley slips to No. 9 after having its seven-game win streak snapped by West LA. The Wolverines held a three-point halftime lead but couldn't hold off the Wildcats who shot 54 percent from the floor (28 of 52), 42 percent from the three-point line (8-19) and 71 percent from the free throw line (12-17).

Las Positas rounds out the top 10. Since losing its first game of the season to Butte, the Hawks have run off nine straight wins. However, none of the wins have come against ranked opponents. In their defense, the Hawks have yet to have played a game with a complete roster, due to injuries and other issues.

Regardless, Las Positas will have an opportunity to prove they are an elite program on Wednesday when Las Positas visits #8 West Valley.

(Robert Schmidt, CCCMBCA)