Defending COA Champion Tops CCCWBCA Preseason Poll

[ 2004-05 Preseason Poll ]

The Mt. San Antonio College Mounties begin the 2004-2005 season where they ended the previous season, Number One in COA. They snagged 10 of the 14 first-place votes from the panel of coaches, sports information directors and members of the press. Pasadena City College was given the top nod by the other four and land at the runner-up position. The South Coast Conference North Division rivals claimed all of the top two votes. Ventura College tradition of a high preseason ranking continues at number three. Reedley College is the highest positioned team from North Region at fourth. Offensive power College of the Canyons took the final spot of the fab five by a smidgeon over Merced College.

Lassen College was only tenth in the state, but tied for the top in the North Region Poll as southern voters ask the Cougars to prove it on the court. San Joaquin Delta College ties Lassen despite getting no number one votes. Both teams averaged a fourth-place vote in wide-spread panel opinions. Five teams earned the 15 top points from at least one ballot. Reedley landed the 3rd position in a flip-flop from the state poll, missing out on first place by a point. Merced College eeked out fourth place over Sierra College.

South Region went a little more to order with Mt. SAC, Pasadena, Canyons and Ventura taking first through fourth, Ventura and Canyons switching spots from the state poll. Tremors have been felt coming from Cypress College, giving them fifth.

The season starts on a Sunday this year with Sacramento City traveling to fourth-ranked Reedley to try to upset the Tigers on Sunday at 1:00 pm in the North Region Game of the Week. South Region conference play begins early in Los Angeles as South Coach Conference interdivisionals get underway with L.A. Harbor College hosting L.A. City College on Tuesday at 6:00 pm. Incomplete information prevents a Tournament of the Week pick.

Greg Murphy gregm@altair.csustan.edu