SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Columbia Claim Jumpers and Cosumnes River Hawks will open their 2025-26 men’s junior college basketball seasons against each other Thursday in the Tony Costello Tip-Off Classic.

Both teams enter the non-conference matchup with 0-0 records, looking to start anew after their 2024-25 seasons ended in defeat. Columbia last played on March 1, 2025, falling 91-80 to Las Positas. Cosumnes River’s most recent contest was a 68-53 loss to Fullerton on March 13, 2025.

The game, organized by the California Community College Athletic Association, will be the first of a long season for both programs. The Hawks will play eight of their next 10 games at home following the opener, while the Claim Jumpers will play six of their next seven in Columbia, California.

Thursday’s contest offers an early opportunity for either team to build momentum before the bulk of their schedules begin in mid-November.