Entering the San Francisco City Classic Tournament Nov. 11 the SRJC men’s basketball team was ranked number nine in the state, but won the tournament in three straight games to grab the number one ranking. However, two early non-conference losses suffered against Yuba and Diablo Valley lowered the Bear Cubs ranking to seventh in the state. The team’s current overall record is 8-3.
Last season, the Bear Cubs chased a state title only to be cut short by the San Francisco City College Rams in the third round of the playoffs. S.F. City went on to complete a Cinderella season winning its first state title in 49 years.
SRJC finished second last season in the Big 8 conference with an overall record of 22-9. With key players returning and promising incoming freshmen, the Bear Cubs were matched against the Rams in the final game of the San Francisco City Classic and the squad was ready for a much-anticipated rematch against the defending state champs.
In the first round of the S.F. City Classic, SRJC defeated College of Marin 77-45 with strong play from freshman shooting guard Xavier McCall.
“He’s [McCall] improved a lot in the preseason. He’s a very good athlete and he’s a good penetrator. He made some big shots in our first game against College of Marin to break the game open. He played good against San Francisco as well,” head coach Craig McMillan said.
During the second round against Yuba College, the Bear Cub’s resiliency was tested. Despite falling behind 15 points in the second half, SRJC rallied to earn the victory, 70-68.
In the third and final round, the Bear Cubs seized the opportunity for payback against the Rams winning another close battle, 84-82, to become tournament champions. After beating the defending champs on their home court SRJC received all seven first place votes in the Nov. 14 CCCMBCA coaches poll. “We have to take it in stride. It’s just November,” McMillan said.
During the tournament, the team played well as a group including freshmen who have not let the transition from high school to junior college ball intimidate them.
“I was really impressed with how well our freshmen played. We had several freshmen that played quite a bit throughout the tournament,” McMillan said.
With a team consisting of seven local players and six from outside Northern California, McMillan has carefully stockpiled his roster with players new to the area that include several players from Southern California, one from Arizona and two from New Zealand.
Comprising the majority of the team are seven familiar faces from the North Bay. Bobby Sharp and McCall from Cardinal Newman, Henry Gill, Kevin Aronis and Max Fujii from Analy, Erik Hansen from Rincon Valley Christian and Tyler Imhoff from Napa.
“Max Fuji from Analy was All-Tournament in the San Francisco tournament and had 21 points against Yuba. He played very well the whole time. Bobby Sharp from Newman played very well also,” McMillan said.
Other players also contributed such as transfer students Myles Jerrett and Connor Gillet who red-shirted last year. “I was impressed with everyone. Everyone who played for us contributed and played well,” McMillan said.
Sama Taku, a 6-foot 1-inch, 185-pound point guard hailing from Tucson, Arizona is coming off a stellar 2010-11 season, making the Big 8 All-Conference first team. Taku is currently leading the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game, complimented by the ability to convert difficult shots and draw defensive fouls, going