Preview of California Junior College Men’s Basketball: West Los Angeles Wildcats at Los Angeles Valley Monarchs

LOS ANGELES VALLEY, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging West Los Angeles Wildcats squad will look to continue its climb in the standings when it visits the struggling Los Angeles Valley Monarchs in a California Community College men’s basketball matchup on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.

The Wildcats (14-7) enter on a two-game winning streak, most recently defeating Bakersfield 90-82 on Wednesday. They have won four of their last six contests. In contrast, the Monarchs (6-15) snapped a four-game skid with a 91-84 victory over Santa Monica on Wednesday, marking just their second win in the last 10 games.

West Los Angeles dominated the first meeting this season, routing the Monarchs 96-73 on Jan. 14. Wildcats guard Malachi Knight was instrumental in that win, contributing 12 points, six rebounds and four assists in just 20 minutes. Knight has been a consistent force, averaging 18.3 points over his last three games, including an 18-point, six-rebound performance in the recent win over Bakersfield.

The Monarchs will counter with guard Derek Peterson, who is coming off a season-high 27-point effort in the win over Santa Monica. Peterson scored 13 points in the January loss to the Wildcats. His backcourt mate, Will Young, added 20 points and five assists in the Monarchs’ latest victory.

For West Los Angeles, support for Knight has come from Chase Coleman, who scored 22 points against Bakersfield, and Michael Baba, who added 13 points and eight rebounds. The Wildcats’ offense has averaged 88.8 points per game during its recent 4-2 stretch.

Los Angeles Valley has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 90.2 points in its five January losses. Containing Knight and the Wildcats’ perimeter attack will be a primary concern for the Monarchs, who have lost eight of their last nine games against opponents with winning records.

Saturday’s contest is the first of a two-game road trip for West Los Angeles, which visits Antelope Valley next Wednesday. Los Angeles Valley will hit the road for its next three games, beginning at Canyons on Wednesday.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. PST at Los Angeles Valley College.