Preview: San Jose Jaguars vs. Fullerton Hornets

FRESNO, Calif. (Interstat) — A clash of California community college basketball titans is set for Friday when the seed San Jose Jaguars face the top-seeded and nationally ranked Fullerton Hornets in the 3C2A State Championship quarterfinals.

The matchup at 5 p.m. on March 13 pits two of the state’s premier programs, with a combined record of 52-7, in a single-elimination battle for a Final Four berth.

Fullerton (28-1) enters as the heavy favorite, boasting a near-perfect season and a dominant 19-game winning streak. The Hornets’ engine is sophomore guard Yoda Oke, a dynamic playmaker averaging 18 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists over his last four games. Oke is coming off a 23-point, 6-rebound, 6-assist performance in a regional final win over West Los Angeles. He is supported by a deep roster featuring Donovan Pitts (18 points vs. West L.A.) and Brayden Smith.

The Hornets have won by an average margin of 24.8 points during their streak, last losing on Nov. 22. Their defense has been stifling, holding opponents under 70 points in 24 of 29 games.

San Jose (24-6) presents a formidable challenge, riding a seven-game win streak of its own. The Jaguars advanced with a 75-65 victory over Modesto on March 7. Coach [Coach’s Name Not Provided]’s squad has shown resilience, with only one loss since Jan. 16 — a 10-point road defeat to West Valley. Their offense is balanced, with six players scoring in double figures during their recent run, and they have eclipsed 100 points twice this season.

However, the Jaguars’ path has been through the North’s Coast Conference, while Fullerton dominated the tougher Orange Empire Conference. San Jose will need a near-perfect defensive effort to contain Oke and disrupt the Hornets’ efficient offense.

History is on Fullerton’s side, but San Jose’s impressive record suggests an upset is possible if the Jaguars can control the tempo. The winner advances to Saturday’s state semifinals.