Preview: El Camino Hosts Los Angeles Trade Tech in California JUCO Matchup

TORRANCE, Calif. (Interstat) — The El Camino Warriors look to rebound from a lopsided loss when they host the Los Angeles Trade Tech Beavers in a California community college men’s basketball game Friday night.

El Camino (9-6) enters the contest seeking consistency after a 60-88 road defeat against Mount San Antonio on Jan. 2. The Warriors had won three straight prior to that setback. They are 5-2 at home this season.

Los Angeles Trade Tech (6-8) has lost three of its last four, including a 85-91 loss at Santa Ana on Jan. 2. The Beavers have struggled on the road, posting a 2-5 record away from home.

A key matchup will feature two of the region’s top scorers. El Camino will rely on guard Linken Tate, who is coming off a 21-point, 5-rebound performance in the loss to Mount San Antonio. Tate has scored 20 or more points in two of his last four games.

For the Beavers, forward Will Smith Iii has been a bright spot. He recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Jan. 2 loss and had a 20-point, 14-rebound game in a win over Saddleback on Dec. 15. His production will be vital for Trade Tech’s chances.

In the teams’ most recent outings, Trade Tech’s Jordan Webster added 24 points against Santa Ana, while El Camino’s Landon Starnes contributed 12 points against Mount San Antonio.

The game is the first of a critical 10-game stretch for both teams as they navigate the heart of their conference schedules. El Camino will travel to face East Los Angeles next Wednesday, while Trade Tech hosts Compton on Jan. 14.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PST at the El Camino College Gymnasium.