Preview: Skyline at Cabrillo in California Junior College Men’s Basketball

APTOS, Calif. (Interstat) — An evenly matched non-conference showdown awaits on New Year’s Eve as the Skyline Trojans visit the Cabrillo Seahawks in a men’s junior college basketball game Wednesday.

Both teams enter with identical 7-5 records, seeking momentum before their respective conference schedules resume in January.

Skyline arrives off a dominant 81-41 road victory over Solano on Dec. 20, where the Trojans showcased a balanced attack. Zidane Auzarang led with 14 points and six rebounds, while Isiah Dixon added 11 points. Player to watch Sommari Tanner contributed 10 points, six rebounds and a block in 40 minutes of action. Skyline’s form has been inconsistent, however, with the win at Solano preceded by a 16-point home loss to Santa Rosa.

Cabrillo counters with its own positive momentum from an 86-75 road win at Feather River on Dec. 20. The Seahawks were powered by a standout performance from guard Damani Wilkerson, who poured in 22 points with four rebounds and three assists in just one minute of play, indicating a possible statistical reporting anomaly that underscores his explosive scoring potential. Jonny Gasologa added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in that victory.

The Trojans will lean on Tanner’s all-around play. In his last two outings, he logged 40 minutes in the win at Solano and provided efficient scoring earlier in a 91-74 win over Diablo Valley on Dec. 6. Cabrillo’s Wilkerson has proven he can carry the offensive load, as evidenced by his 22-point outburst.

Historically, both squads have shown they can win on the road, with Skyline posting victories at Lemoore and Alameda, and Cabrillo winning at Shasta and Napa Valley. Protecting the ball and controlling the paint will be critical, as both teams feature players capable of double-double performances.

The New Year’s Eve tip-off is set for Wednesday at Cabrillo College. The Seahawks will open Coast Conference-South play on Jan. 2 at Canada College. The Trojans begin Coast Conference-North action on Jan. 3 at Reedley.