CENTRAL VALLEY CONFERENCE
MEN'S BASKETBALL REPORT | JANUARY 11, 2024

The 2024 Central Valley Conference schedule is officially underway after numerous CVC programs enjoyed a successful non-conference start to the season.

On Wednesday, conference play opened with one of the top matchups in the state as No. 17 state-ranked Columbia upset No. 6 College of the Sequoias by a narrow 83-80 margin. The Claim Jumpers took a big early step towards capturing a Central Valley Conference championship.

COS, now 12-3, and Columbia (13-2) entered the contest with just two losses this season. But the two programs will be challenged this season for the CVC title by West Hills Lemoore and Merced, another pair of teams that saw success early on.

West Hills Lemoore needed overtime to edge Porterville in its CVC opener. With the win, the Golden Eagles moved to 11-3 overall. They went into the new year ranked No. 24 in the state.  

Merced, who had a nine-game winning streak earlier this season, is now 12-3 after suffering a 124-108 loss to Fresno on Wednesday. The Blue Devils were ranked No. 13 in the first state poll of the calendar year.

All but two CVC teams are in conference play with a .500 record or better. Perennial contender Fresno is 8-7 after the win over Merced, West Hills Coalinga is evened up at 7-7 after beating Reedley 84-78 in their opener. A hungry Porterville squad is 6-9, followed by Reedley at 4-9.

It's lining up to be a great season in CVC men's basketball with a chance to send a big group to the postseason.

CCMBCA State Rankings (Jan. 2 Poll)
6. Sequoias
13. Merced
17. Columbia
24. West Hills Lemoore