Preview: Bakersfield Renegades at Los Angeles Valley Monarchs

LOS ANGELES VALLEY (Interstat) — Two California community college men’s basketball teams seeking to halt slides will meet Saturday when the Bakersfield Renegades visit the Los Angeles Valley Monarchs.

The Renegades (9-9) have lost three straight, most recently a 109-78 road defeat at Citrus on Wednesday. The Monarchs (5-12) are mired in a six-game losing streak, last playing in a 89-64 home loss to Canyons on Jan. 17.

Bakersfield will lean on forward Markell Brooks, who has been a consistent performer during their skid. He scored 20 points with five rebounds against Citrus, following a 20-point, 10-rebound, four-block effort in a loss to Antelope Valley on Jan. 14. Over his last five games, Brooks is averaging 18.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.

Los Angeles Valley’s recent struggles have been pronounced, losing by an average margin of 22.8 points during their six-game streak. Guard Chris Kirk will be a key for the Monarchs. He is coming off one of his better all-around performances with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the loss to Canyons.

In Wednesday’s loss, Bakersfield received supplementary production from Godwill Fomusoh (12 points, eight rebounds, four assists) and Zach Garnett (10 points, six rebounds). For Valley in their last outing, Sean Morgan grabbed 14 rebounds to go with seven points.

The Monarchs’ last victory was a 69-67 win over Barstow on Dec. 12. Their conference play, which began Jan. 3, has yet to yield a win. Bakersfield’s conference record stands at 1-3.

This matchup begins a key stretch for both teams. Following Saturday’s game, Bakersfield hosts Canyons on Jan. 28, while Los Angeles Valley welcomes Antelope Valley the same night.

Tip-off is set for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. The teams will meet again in Bakersfield on Wednesday, Feb. 18.