Men's Basketball Preview: Four OEC Teams Ranked in State's Top-20

After a long wait, basketball is back in the Orange Empire Conference with four teams ranked in the CCCAA top-20. With non-conference-play beginning in November, six out of nine OEC teams have a winning record as the conference looks to carry some of the best talent in the state. Conference-play begins this week with all the teams in the OEC ready to make a run for the title.

As of December 7th, Fullerton comes in at No. 1 as the top team in the state. Santiago Canyon is in the mix at No. 6, Irvine Valley at No. 22, and Riverside City No. 28.

The 2019 OEC champion Fullerton College (10-1) has put together a fine team this year sporting a 10-1 record and averaging 75.7 points per game. The Hornets have defeated six of the top 30 teams in the state featuring No. 19 Cerro Coso, No. 9 San Bernardino Valley, No. 30 Mt. San Jacinto, No. 7 San Diego City, No. 5 West LA, and No. 16 Citrus. Fullerton's only loss on the season came from L.A. Southwest on a last second three-pointer. The FC bench is deep with many skilled players that can shoot it from outside or pound it down low. Sophomore guard/forward Ronnie Stapp leads the team in scoring with at 13.4.ppg. A solid shooter, Stapp can also handle the ball very well. Freshman guard Kobe Newton is second on the team in shooting 12.7 ppg. He is a smart player that can slash and shoot while taking care of the ball. Sophomore forward/center Chaz Hutchison is currently averaging 11.4 ppg, and that number will go up as he is a dangerous scorer that can quickly get to the hoop. Against Mt. San Jacinto earlier this season, Hutchison was 8-8 from the floor and 8-8 at the free throw line. Sophomore forward Gaven Ramirez is another force averaging 9.9 ppg. If they can keep their eye on the prize and stay focused this Hornet team has a shot to go all the way.

Another team that looks to go far this season is Santiago Canyon (10-1). Always a sharp team with a strong inside and outside game, the Hawk's lone loss came in mid-November against MiraCosta in a tight one 78-75. So far this season, SCC has beaten three top-30 teams in No. 29 Mt. San Antonio, No. 16 Citrus, and No. 12 L.A. Harbor. The team is leading the OEC in scoring (83.1 ppg) and in rebounding (42.1). Sophomore guard Preston Sims leads the Hawks in scoring at 13.8 ppg, while averaging 6.3 rebounds per game. David Agba, a sophomore guard, follows with 13.5 ppg and leads the team in rebounds at 7.3 per game. Sharp shooting freshman guard Erik Howlin is averaging 13.3 ppg. and is a danger beyond the arc. Another freshman guard Aaron Wadman is another one to watch for with 11.2 ppg. and 5.5 rpg. Santiago Canyon will look to finish what they started prior to the COVID-19 lockdown by making a run in the State Tournament and achieving a state title.

Ranked 22, the Lasers of Irvine Valley College (7-3) are making some noise this season rocking a seven-game win-streak. All three Laser defeats were to ranked teams, including a close loss to undefeated Ventura (12-0). IVC's team scoring leader is sophomore guard Luc Krystkowiak, who is averaging 16.2 ppg. Luc is second in the conference in rebounding (8.5 rpg.) Another sophomore guard, Aaron Strings is putting up 10.2 ppg. Sophomore center Josh Walker is pacing the Lasers with 7.7 ppg. with 5.6 rpg. IVC is leading the conference in defense holding teams to an average score of 53.1 Always a tough team to beat, Irvine Valley will be in line for a run at the OEC title.

Ranked 28th, Riverside City (7-4) is a strong team amid a three-game winning streak recently knocking out No. 11 East L.A. and No. 25 Cerritos. Three out of the four Tiger losses came against ranked teams in No. 16 Citrus, No. 2 Ventura, and No. 9 San Bernardino Valley. Leading the way for the Tigers are two sophomores in Zekiah LoVett, a guard that can shoot the deep three, and Robert Ayala, a forward that can score down low and rebound. LoVett is averaging 13.8 ppg. Ayala is right behind at 13.5 ppg and averaging 5.4 boards a game. Edwyn Collins is third on the team with 10.9 ppg. with a 4.9 rpg. Historically, one of the better teams in the OEC, Riverside City is poised for another OEC title.

Cypress (8-4) has won its last three games. One out of the four losses came against a ranked team in No. 19 Cerro Coso. The Chargers can put up points ranking second in the conference with a team scoring average of 76.5. Currently, the conference points leader, freshman guard Ramiah Adedigba is a scoring machine with an 18.7 average. His season-high was 42 against Cuyamaca on December 7th. Cypress also has the conference-leader in rebounds in Hadi Essayli with 8.7 rebounds a game. Grant Sii, a freshman guard, is scoring 12 ppg, and freshman Trent Goldmann 10.6 ppg. This Charger team has a strong group of freshmen that will win a lot of games this season.

Longtime winning head coach Andy Ground retired from Saddleback and is now the interim head coach at San Diego City College. Enter first-year Bobcat head coach Jeff Oliver, who is no stranger to the college game. The former head coach at Cal State San Bernardino, Oliver made nine NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and won six California College Athletic Association championships. The Bobcats (7-4) have beaten one top-30 team in No. 30 Mt. San Jacinto. Two of the team's losses came against No. 11 East L.A. and No. 9 San Bernardino Valley. As a team, Saddleback is averaging 70.2 points per game. Sophomore guard Atiba Taylor is the team's scoring leader with 13.2 ppg with 3.7 rpg. Freshmen guards Nick Bowden and Jimuel Reyes are averaging 12.5 and 10.1 ppg. Freshman guard Elijah Al-Debaran is putting up 8.5 ppg. Armed with a new head coach and mascot, the Bobcats are also in the mix for an OEC title run.

The Golden West Rustlers (4-5) won their last two games after suffering through a three-game losing streak. The team is averaging 69.9 points a game and is the team conference leader in rebounds with 41.1. The star player for the Rustles is Eric Watson, a sophomore forward that is currently second in the OEC in scoring (18.3 ppg.) and third in rebounds (8.0 rpg.). A three-headed monster of sophomore guards in Maliq Neurell (12 ppg.) and Ricky Briseno (10.6 ppg.), and Kameron Small (10 ppg.) can put up some numbers against opponents.

It was not too long ago (2018) that Orange Coast (4-6) brought home the OEC title, but the Pirates are presently riding a three-game losing streak. On the bright side, OCC has a few skilled players that can pose a threat to any team. Freshman guard Jydon Hall is third in the conference in scoring (18.3 ppg.). Aundrel Pua, a sophomore forward is putting up 13.7 ppg, while freshmen guards Logen Howard (10.4 ppg) and Cody Aquino (10.3 ppg.) can shoot it.

Santa Ana (3-7) has a freshman guard who can light it up in Camren Johnson scoring 14.3 points a game, while averaging 3.3 rebounds. The Dons also have freshmen guards Ian Hietala (12.4 ppg) and Dejon Brown (8.8 ppg) who can pose a threat to any defense.

Release by Phil Thurman, Fullerton SID