Top California Junior College Teams Clash When West Valley Hosts Foothill

SARATOGA, Calif. (Interstat) — A key early-season California Community College men’s basketball matchup is set for Wednesday when the West Valley Vikings host the Foothill Owls.

Both teams enter the Jan. 7 contest with strong records. The visiting Owls are 12-4 overall, while the home Vikings stand at 11-4.

Foothill last played on Dec. 20, routing Cuesta 114-69. That dominant win followed a loss at Santa Rosa, 80-66, on Dec. 19. The Owls’ four losses have been by narrow margins, including two in overtime.

West Valley is coming off a 79-63 victory over Moorpark on Jan. 3. In that game, sophomore forward Isaiah Ackerman scored 13 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots. Ackerman, a player to watch, also had six rebounds and three assists in a Dec. 10 win over Diablo Valley.

The Vikings’ recent form includes a 97-47 blowout of Shasta on Dec. 19, but also a close 72-69 loss to Feather River on Jan. 2.

This game marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams this season. They will meet again at Foothill on Jan. 30.

The Owls’ high-powered offense, which has eclipsed 100 points three times this season, will test a West Valley defense that has held four opponents under 60 points.

Following this game, West Valley travels to San Jose on Friday. Foothill returns home to host Gavilan on Friday.