Preview: East Los Angeles Huskies at Cuyamaca Coyotes

EL CAJON, Calif. (Interstat) — Two men’s junior college basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Monday in the Cuyamaca Classic when the East Los Angeles Huskies visit the Cuyamaca Coyotes.

The non-conference matchup, organized by the California Community College Athletic Association, pits a .500 Cuyamaca squad (6-6) against an East Los Angeles team (5-6) looking to snap a four-game skid.

The Huskies are coming off a hard-fought 81-76 overtime loss to Saddleback on Dec. 19. In that game, guard Jayden Barnes led the way with 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists, while Adrionne Marcus (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Terrence Hampton (11 points, 12 rebounds) each posted double-doubles.

Barnes, a key player to watch for East Los Angeles, has been a consistent contributor. He averaged 13.4 points and 4.2 assists over his last five games, including an 18-point performance in a win over Riverside on Dec. 3, the Huskies’ last victory.

Cuyamaca enters with a modest two-game winning streak after a 62-57 victory over MiraCosta on Dec. 19 and a 56-53 road win at San Diego Miramar on Dec. 17. The Coyotes have shown resilience in close games, with four of their six wins coming by single digits.

The Huskies’ recent struggles have been marked by defensive lapses, allowing an average of 84 points during their four-game losing streak. Containing Barnes and the Huskies’ backcourt will be a primary focus for a Cuyamaca defense that held its last two opponents under 60 points.

This game serves as a final tune-up for both teams before conference play begins in January. East Los Angeles opens South Coast Conference action Jan. 7 at Los Angeles Harbor. Cuyamaca begins Pacific Coast Athletic Conference play the same day at home against Palomar.

Tip-off is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 29, at Cuyamaca College.