The Matchup
For the first time in recent memory Citrus College and San Jose City College will be squaring off, in what promises to be an exciting match-up of two of the top ranked teams in the State. Citrus College comes into the game as the #2 seed from the South, while San Jose City is the #3 seed from the North. The winner of tonight’s game will advance to the CCCAA State Semi-Finals and will take on the winner of South #4 Saddleback and North #1 Ohlone. Tip-off for tomorrow’s game is set for 7:00 PM.
About San Jose City
San Jose City is making its ninth appearance overall in the State Tournament under Head Coach Percy Carr (34 Years). In his illustrious 30+ year career, Carr has made San Jose City a basketball power in the North. The Jaguars have qualified for the Northern California Playoffs 30 of his 34 years. A member of the California Community College Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Carr is the State’s All-Time Wins Leader with 746 wins.
This year, the Jaguars compiled an impressive 26-4 record, winning the Coast South Conference, for the second straight year, and locking up the #4 seed in the North. In the playoffs, San Jose City beat #13 Los Medanos 78-72 in the regional semi-finals and #12 Fresno City College 89-80 in the regional finals to get here today. Carr was named the Coast South Conference Coach of the Year for the teams’ efforts.
The Jaguars had four players named to the Coast South All-Conference team, including Player of the Year Shaneel Narayan who averaged 17.7 points and 4.4 assists per game all while shooting 50.3% from the floor. Other honorees included 1st Teamers Quincy Hill (10.2 ppg, 5.6 apg, 6.1 rpg) and Isaiah James (12.5 ppg, 10 rpg) and 2nd Team honoree Shaheed Young (15.8 ppg, 4.8 apg).
San Jose City spent much of the season ranked in the Top 10 in the State, peaking at #1 back on Week 5. JCHoops.com rated San Jose City as the top team in the North throughout the year.
About Citrus
The Fighting Owls are making their second State Championship appearances in three years, after winning the whole enchilada back in 2008. Citrus has had another great year winning 28 games and nabbing their third straight WSC South Title. Citrus spent the year ranked in the Top 10 in the State, peaking at #1 midway through the year.
Citrus is without a doubt the deepest team in the State, with 12 guys that all play 11 minutes per game or more, and nine guys who averages at least five points per game. The Fighting Owls were pre-season ranked the #1 team in the South and spent the entire season in the Top 5.
Citrus reached the State Championships thanks to a 81-65 win over #18 Santa Ana in the regional semi-finals and a 82-80 win over #8 Cuesta in the regional finals.
Streak City
Both teams come into tonight’s game with some of the longest winning streaks in the State. San Jose City is currently on a 15 game winning streak, having last lost back on December 19th when fellow they dropped a game to Canada College 59-61. The 59 points was the least amount of points scored by San Jose City this season as they shot 16.7% (2 of 12) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Citrus is on a streak of their own having won their last 18 contests. Citrus’ last loss came back to back games in the final two rounds of the Wells Fargo Holiday Classic hosted by Riverside City College. The last loss came at the hands of Mt. San Antonio College in the 3rd place game of that tournament 87-92.
Citrus led by 10 points with just over seven minutes to play in that game, but Mt. SAC closed the game on a 21-9 run for the win. Citrus avenged the loss just four days later when they hosted the Mounties in a non-conference game and came away with a 78-59 victory.
Coach Croy’s Thoughts
On the Game:
“It’s going to be a battle of toughness. The tougher team is going to win.”
San Jose City:
“They have a little bit of everything just like us. They can shoot the ball, they drive the ball, they can defend, and they can rebound. They’re together. They have a great club.”
On His Team:
“I want to go to battle with my guys. We’re going to be ready. I don’t think any team prepares as well as our guys prepare, and we are going to put it all on the line.”
Keys To The Game:
“Our communication is going to be big. It’s going to be big for the whole weekend. We’re playing on a floor that we’ve never played on, and the better we communicate the quicker we will get comfortable.”
Being Back in the State Championship:
“It feels really good to be back. Last year was really tough. We had a great sophomore group, but sometimes you don’t make the plays required to be there. It still was a great journey.”
“This year’s group is just an amazing group, and there are a lot of amazing relationships within our team. Like we’ve said all year we want to play as long as we possibly can because you know it’s good while it’s happening. It’s not one of those deals, where it’s all over and you look back and say wow, we had a great group of guys. You know it while it’s happening. This is a great, great team, with great chemistry, tremendous respect for each other, great toughness, and they prepare better than any other group I’ve been around. We want to tap the well, and get the most out of this that we can.”