NAPA, Calif. (Interstat) — A tight California junior college men’s basketball race adds another chapter Wednesday when the Napa Valley Storm host the Merritt Thunderbirds.

The matchup at Napa Valley’s home court features two teams seeking consistency in the back half of the season. Merritt enters with a 12-11 overall record, while Napa Valley sits at 8-14.

The teams’ most recent meeting, a nail-biter on Jan. 6, will be fresh in both teams’ minds. Napa Valley edged Merritt 82-81 on the Thunderbirds’ home floor, a result that will undoubtedly fuel the visitors’ desire for redemption on this road trip.

Merritt arrives with momentum, having won three of its last four games. That stretch includes a 72-61 victory over Contra Costa last Friday and a 78-66 win against Alameda on Jan. 28. The Thunderbirds’ offense has shown potency, scoring 78 or more points in four of their last six outings.

Napa Valley, meanwhile, looks to rebound from a narrow 82-80 road loss to Los Medanos last Friday. The Storm’s recent form has been uneven, with a 2-3 record in its last five games. A highlight was a 69-67 home win over Marin on Jan. 28, demonstrating their capability in close contests.

The game is a critical point in the schedule for both squads as they navigate a packed conference slate. For Merritt, a win would solidify a winning record and build confidence before hosting Marin on Friday. For Napa Valley, protecting its home court is paramount ahead of a three-game road stretch starting Friday at Mendocino.

Player matchups and defensive adjustments will likely decide this contest, given the one-point margin in January. Merritt will aim to control the tempo, while the Storm will rely on the home crowd to fuel another resilient performance.

Tip-off is set for Wednesday night in Napa.