Preview: Sequoias Giants at Columbia (Calif.) Claim Jumpers

COLUMBIA, Calif. (Interstat) — A pivotal California Community College Athletic Association men’s basketball matchup is set for Wednesday night as the surging Columbia Claim Jumpers host the Sequoias Giants.

The Claim Jumpers (16-3), boasting one of the state’s top records, will face a Giants squad (15-5) that has won seven of its last eight games. Both teams enter on hot streaks, with Columbia winning its last five contests and Sequoias coming off a dominant 68-35 road victory at Porterville on Saturday.

Sequoias will lean on the consistent production of sophomore guard Cameron Kelly. Over his last six games, Kelly is averaging 16.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest, including a 24-point, eight-rebound performance in a win over Fresno City on Jan. 17. In the win over Porterville, Kelly logged 36 minutes, scoring 17 points with five rebounds and three assists. Support came from Javon Bragg (eight points, nine rebounds) and Zaquien Whitehead (10 points, seven rebounds).

Columbia has been equally formidable, averaging 78.4 points per game during its current win streak. The Claim Jumpers are fresh off a 91-58 rout of Coalinga on Saturday. Their balanced attack has seen them eclipse 90 points three times this season, including a 107-point outburst against Fresno City earlier this month.

The game is the first of a home-and-home series between the contenders this season. They will meet again at Sequoias on Feb. 20. Wednesday’s winner will gain crucial momentum in the conference race.

Defensive pressure will be key. Sequoias has held opponents under 40 points in two of its last three games, while Columbia has limited its last five foes to an average of 62.6 points.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST at Columbia College.

Up Next: Sequoias visits Coalinga on Saturday. Columbia hosts Fresno City on Saturday.