Nor Cal JC play so far

Most of the conferences are truly wide open this season which should make for quite the number of critical games in league play. Do note that the records below are simple listings of the outcomes against each team's opponents and no weighting of the difficulty or not of the schedules has taken place.

In the Bay Valley Conference, the records of the contenders are:

* Los Medanos 8-4
* Contra Costa 8-5
* Marin 6-7
* Mendocino 6-7
* Merritt 5-9

LM is a surprise and good for them. CCC has a Big Three of sophomores in Larry Wickett, Anthony Sullen and Bobby Syvanthong and that trio has carried the squad. Marin lost some players due to the turmoil and coaching change but George Johnson has emerged as the team leader. Mendocino isn't big but is managing to hold its own thus far. Merritt has 13 freshman and is awaiting a frontcourter or two to emerge with consistency.

In the Big Eight Conference, the records of the contenders are:

* Santa Rosa 9-6
* Sac City 7-5
* DVC 8-6
* CRC 5-5
* Modesto 5-6
* SJDC 5-6
* ARC 4-8
* Sierra 3-7

This is a league where it appears anyone can beat their opponent on this or that night. Who does so with the most level of consistency will finish on top. A special note: newcomer Mason Washington has emerged as a mainstay for MJC and hopefully Zach Gonzales will re-emerge with his offensive firepower. Those two make the Pirates dangerous.

In the Central Valley Conference, the records of the contenders are:

* FCC 11-5
* Columbia 9-5
* Sequoias 10-6

Fresno City College is the favorite until and unless someone knocks them from their perch. Nabbing victories minus Josh Sykes in the lineup was especially impressive.

In the Coast North Conference, the records of the contenders are:

* SFCC 14-1
* Chabot 11-3
* LP 9-5
* Cañada 6-5
* Foothill 7-6

It's probably a race between CCSF and Chabot but do not discount Las Positas which is playing very well of late. Both Cañada and Foothill have the system to challenge anyone on a given night.

In the Coast South Conference, the records of the contenders are:

* Cabrillo 9-3
* Hartnell 8-4
* Monterey 9-6

Cabrillo looked near invincible early on but has come back to earth a bit. With a new roster, Hartnell has really surprised and MPC has a solid combination of star talents and role players, overcoming any questions about lack of size. The contest involving these squads will be battles.

In the Golden Valley Conference, the records of the contenders are:

* Feather River 16-1
* Shasta 9-5
* Butte 8-5
* Redwoods 8-7

Is anyone not surprised by Feather River? Gotta love a team that nobody pegged to be so tough. Butte is always a tough team to beat but just not sure of the level of firepower Coach Russ Critchfield has at his disposal this season. Redwoods is small but contains solid scoring ability.

I will now don my fireproof bodystocking to handle the incoming ordnance from fans of those teams not listed here.