Jumpers Outlast COS to Remain on Top of the CVC (1/28); NFL Ramblings & Schedule, & The University of Nevada (Reno) a Boom to the Raiders

 Central Valley Conference Basketball notes from Wednesday, January 28. NFL Notes Below.

On the Men's Side, Columbia with the long-range buzzer beater stuns COS 76-73 in an "Instant Classic." Cameron Kelly led the Giants with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Kion Hayes chipped in with 13. For the Claim Jumpers, Ahsan Huff pulled down a game-high 17 rebounds and tallied 16 points. EJ White and Derron Cambell each added 13 points. The Jumpers improved to 17-4, 7-0 in the CVC. COS stands at 15-6, and 6-1. Mark it down: these two teams meet once again in Visalia, on Friday February 20th with a scheduled tip off in the Porter Fieldhouse for 6 p.m.

The game appeared to be head to overtime, when the following ensued. COS fans, I might recommend you look away. Here is Mario Ramos on the call for NorCal Sports TV: https://youtu.be/3ABmd7R3Znw

CVC Schedule for Saturday, January 31.

COS Men travel to Coalinga (2-19, 0-7); COS Women (11-11, 4-2) travel to Taft (15-6, 2-4);                          Columbia Men visit Fresno City (7-14, 2-5);                                                                                                      Reedley visits Lemoore, while Merced will be hosting Porterville in doubleheaders. The men will play first, tipping off at 3 p.m.

Upcoming Broadcast Schedule:

*Wednesday February 4th vs Reedley; Men Tip Off at 5 p.m., Women 7 p.m., or approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Men's Game. This will be a particular thrill, as I coached the Reedley Men for 16 years!

*Saturday, February 7th vs Lemoore; Men tip off at 3 p.m, Women at 5 p.m., or approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Men's Game.

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NFL Notes, Including a Suggestion for the Raiders, 3-Dot Style...

In an NFL season where seemingly every week, just about every game was up for grabs, is it any surprise the Seahawks will be battling the Patriots? The Seahawks have always had the reputation for playing tough D, while everyone seems to have only positive things to say about New England Head Coach Mike Vrabel (the real question might be, Tennessee--why did you let this guy out of your building!?!)...I also find it fascinating that when it comes to finding the new and hot next NFL coach, all eyes turn to Offensive Coordinators--while in Super Bowl 60, the two head coaches both have defensive backgrounds. Michael McDonald (I still think of the lead singer for the Doobie Brothers every time I hear that name--China Grove Baby!!). It makes me wonder if the guys who are figuring out how to contain the NFL offenses, might just be the guys with the answers--and perhaps they have the secret sauce to developing NFL quarterbacks. Drake Maye and much-traveled and maligned Sam Darnold have blossomed have blossomed, and perhaps the two Dudes calling the shots are big reasons why!?!...If Seattle is victorious in Santa Clara on Superbowl Sunday, then the former Jets-Panthers-49ers-Viking will be the story. 

Like many have suggested, why doesn't the NFL simply revert back to a 16 game schedule, with 2 byes...why don't the players and the players union simply demand it!?! The season is so rigorous on every level, why not protect the assets...(of course we know why, it's the $$$$$$); here is my suggestion for the league to also make their money: 16 game schedule, 2 byes, add an 8th team; then, on Wild Card Weekend, the #1 and #2 teams earn a bye. I believe fans would much rather see a pair of wild card games, then a shabby or shoddy Week 17...look at all of the QB's who were dinged up-and they are the protected ones!?! Herbert, Nix, Burrow, Daniels, Purdy, etc...go back to adding the 4th preseason game--take care of your Dudes NFL!...I will have to circle back to NFL suggestions, as there are plenty of layers to work through here!

One final thought, as the Raiders are possibly on the verge of deciding on a head coach Saturday January 31 (Klint Kubiak appears to be the front-runner to garner the title of Head Coach)...running a professional sports team is no walk in the park; look how long it has taken well run organizations to lift the trophy across the board...however to Mark Davis, I might suggest the following...the Raiders have lost their way; they have moved from a tough, working man's town of Oakland, to the jet setting, country club ways of Las Vegas. Perhaps they need to tap into their past? Training Camp in Santa Rosa? Training Camp in Northern California, with a scrimmage at Cal-Berkeley--the fans in NorCal would go bonkers to see their boys return! Let me move off the nostalgia and into reality (kind of sort of!?!)--the Raiders need to figure out a way to beat the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers...so let's start with the rare air in Denver; to help prepare...why not have training camp, or part of training camp in Nevada's other university, The University of Nevada (formerly called Nevada-Reno)? The Silver and Black could spend a week or so in Reno, becoming better acclimated to elevation...then imagine this--a scrimmage open to the public in Reno's Mackay Stadium would be wonderful--and all of the "old" Raiders fans from NorCal, would only be a reasonable drive away...The University of New Mexico could be another venue to look into, but as Nevada is your home, why not utilize the University of Nevada on the ascent...Just Win Baby! Starting with beating the Broncos, may prove to be the call!?! (I may have to write a letter to Mark Davis...so it looks like I can return to a deep Raider dive in the future as well!)

                                                      Thank You For Perusing!

                        Ideally 2026 has started well for you--and on to February we go!

*A cup of coffee is always welcome, and if you see me on the courts or fields, please say hello!

1/22/25: Personal Tidbit, Sequoias Sports Network Basketball Schedule, and Central Valley Conference Hoop Updates.

 Note: It has been a pleasure to provide the play-by-play for select College of the Sequoias (COS) Men's & Women's Basketball Home Games on the Sequoias Sports Network! I am grateful to Athletic Director Brent Davis for the opportunity! Assistant AD/Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Tommy Luu is our technical wizard on the broadcasts. Tommy makes it all happen! There are a couple of ways to watch the broadcasts,

1. On YouTube, YouTube COS Giant;

2. Log on to the COS Athletics' Website COS Athletic Website; then log on to either the Men's or Women's Basketball schedule ; finally, click on "live stream".

Upcoming Broadcast Schedule:

*Wednesday February 4th vs Reedley; Men Tip Off at 5 p.m., Women 7 p.m., or approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Men's Game. This will be a particular thrill, as I coached the Reedley Men for 16 years!

*Saturday, February 7th vs Lemoore; Men tip off at 3 p.m, Women at 5 p.m., or approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Men's Game.

*Tuesday, February 17th vs Porterville; Both the Men's Game, 5 p.m., and the Women's Game at 7 p.m., will be streamed, and there may be a guest announcer!?!  Athletic Director Brent Davis has been gracious enough to all me a night off hoops, and the diamond--I will be in Bakersfield announcing the Roadrunners home baseball game with Utah Tech.

**Friday, February 20 vs Columbia, Men's Game only, Prime Time @ 6 p.m.! This match-up should provide plenty of fireworks! Currently both Columbia and COS are undefeated! This game will also be a tremendous joy--I served an assistant for 3 seasons at Columbia under legendary coach Denny Aye. The 1992-93 upset Ventura to capture the State Championship. Another personal twist, Columbia is currently coached by Rob Hoyt. The "Rocket" was one of my assistants at Reedley. Rob played a tremendous role in our 2008-2009 team (Ron Gonzalez was our other fantastic assistant)  that reached the State Final 8, and finished the season 25-7. The Jumpers vs. Giants will be a doozie, and is on course to be an intense battle, and most likely, and Instant Classic. This will be the final regular season game for both teams.

***TBA, Community College Regional Playoffs; Wednesday, Feb. 25, Saturday Feb. 28, and Saturday March 7. The State Finals will be held at COS, the fabulous Porter Field House March 13, 14, 15

COS Hoops & Central Valley Conference Basketball Update:

The depth of the COS Men's team was once again on display Wednesday (1/21) as the Giants 61-39. Sophomore Cameron Kelly led all scorers with 17, while grabbing 15 rebounds. Kelly is such a delight to watch on the floor (I also met Cameron's parents during December-wonderful people!). Guard Kareem Barnett chipped in with 15, while Corcoran's Javon Bragg added 10. Merced was lead by sophomores Kalen Cobb with 12, and Quincy White with 11.  (1/21 COS vs Merced Box Score)

The Giants and Claim Jumpers appeared headed for two explosive showdowns to decide the conference championship. The first match-up will be on Wednesday, January 28 in Sonora; these two stellar teams will duke it out once again in Visalia on Friday, February 20. Both games will tip off at 6 p.m.

Men's Standings: COS & Columbia 5-0, Merced & Lemoore 3-2, Porterville 2-3, Reedley & Fresno City at 1-4, and Coaling is looking for their first win.

The COS Women were clicking on Wednesday (1/21) as they were triumphant over Merced 93-35. Freshman guards Nyla Anderson and Stockton's Kalysa Phanhsavang were superb. Anderson finished with a scoring 9-12 from the field-and 5-8 from beyond the arc-good for 23 points. (Nyla also produced one of our broadcasts, and the freshman from Texas is simply an impressive young person!) Phanhasavang tallied 20 points-3 of 3 from long distance-while dishing out 8 assists. Demi Boykin snagged 14 boards. This COS team will be a team to keep an eye on the second time through the conference.

Alex Fletcher has his Fresno City Rams rolling after knocking off Lemoore Wednesday77-56! FCC currently stands alone at the top of the conference. The Rams and Lemoore share indentical records of 14-6. FCC will host Reedley on Saturday (1/24). The Tigers are coming off a big win over Taft...Reedley travels to FCC Saturday Night (1/24) and a Tiger "upset" would throw the conference race into a heap!

Women's Standing: FCC 4-0, Lemoore 4-1, COS 3-2, Reedley 2-2, Taft 2-3, Merced 1-3, and Porterville 0-4. Coalinga College plans to field a Women's Team in the 2026-27 season.

                                  Good Day, and Good Sport! See You on the Court!

The Dog Ate My Homework Edition; SLO Indoor Volleyball, Mendoza Mania, Coach Cignetti & a Plethora of College Hoop Notes, Including a Reedley College Instant Classic!

Leading Off:  Well, as we begin, January 13 is my eldest offspring's 23rd Birthday! She is off, living her best life on the East Coast...Thus, looking backwards into 2025, some of "Buy That Person a Milkshake Awards" go to...

Cal Poly Women's Volleyball. What a sensational run by the Mustangs reaching the NCAA's Division 1 Sweet 16! The Mustangs knocked off BYU and regional host USC to advance to the Round of 16..SLO is a bit of a hidden gem on the national volleyball scene, as they have historically been a very solid program. In fact, their last Sweet 16 appearance, was back in 2007, and in 2019, they advanced to the second round after knocking off Georgia...Head Coach Caroline Walters is no stranger to NCAA success. As a sophomore at Santa Clara in 2005, Walters anchored a back row that enabled her Broncos to make a run to the Final Four (Washington captured the title)...I was fortunate to announce Cal Poly when they visited CSU Bakersfield a season ago (2024); Coach Walters was insightful, and gracious with her time...one of my favorite players to cover a year ago, was Mustang setter Emme Bullis...Bulis was both tenacious and "sneaky" at the net...in basketball parlance, Bullis was the like the point guard who could score when her team needed a bucket; and could also make the big-time block on D...the Mustangs would fall to Kentucky in straight sets, hanging tough and providing some sparkling play against an immensely powerful KU line-up. The Wildcats were eventually knocked out in the semis by eventual National Champion Texas A&M...The Aggies, well, they may have played in the match to end all matches: the Ags upended unbeaten Nebraska to advance to the Final Four--winning set four in scintillating fashion 37-35...volleyball as a spectator sport is growing and growing, and to me, it simply needs to figure out a way to incorporate a little Savannah Bananas or Minor League Baseball...with so many athletes playing the sport, it would seem there is an untapped audience out in the universe...the matches can be a little longggggg--my suggestion, all sets to 21...I would let a 5th set play out to 21 as well-let the drama build! However, that winner-take-all deciding set would be reached with a tad more temp with games to 21...on a personal note, I enjoyed my first taste of calling the action for Cal State Monterey Bay and the CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Conference)...It was also a special moment calling Santa Clara's match at Bakersfield in September...my family has a long connection to Santa Clara--my sister and brother-in-law are proud Broncos; we have dear family friends who are Broncos (Flahertys), and my father was friends with longtime SCU baseball coach Sal Taromina...Coach Sal, used to come down to my hometown of Isleton to go pheasant hunting with my father's gang...calling the Broncos match, a full-circle thrill...

Mendoza Mania/Francisco Mendoza. The buzz created by Heisman Trophy Winner Fernando Mendoza, his Indiana University teammates and head coach Curt Cignetti is off the charts...and, all of those Hoosier Alumni, who apparently are the largest alunmi group in the land, are digging the ascension...with the National Champion game set fro Monday, Jan. 19 in Miami--vs. the U of Miami none-the-less--the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami could be a sea of red! Tickets cost for this National Champion are not cheap, but that doesn't seem to be affecting fans of IU and the U...Cignetti appears to be a master talent evaluator and his "veteran" ballclub, reminds me of the San Diego State Basketball team that made the run to the national finals--both teams are very mature, don't panic, and limit mistakes. Perhaps most importantly, both teams have talented players who make plays when games are on the line! (Here is a solid read on the makeup of IU's team: Cignetti's IU Bunch). Mendoza Mania is also giving hope to the many, dare I say desperate Raider fans, hoping that Mendoza brings his magic along to Las Vegas...the Raiders have the first pick in April's NFL draft...Mendoza maintains pinpoint accuracy and the ability to move around in the pocket...the former Cal Bear caught my eye while playing for the Bears in Berkeley...when he runs, he looks like someone who has played soccer--he often will utilize small steps, like those used on the pitch...all eyes will be on Francisco during the National Championship Game...one interesting note to keep an eye on is Hurricane QB Carson Beck...if Beck outshines Mendoza and leads the Hurricane to a an upset victory, the pre-draft chatter will become very interesting...By most accounts, Beck would appears to be a second or third round selection as we chat...by the way, the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, looks like a venue that could or perhaps should be on many sports traveler's Bucket List!

Broadcasting Information: This fall I am providing play-by-play for the College of Sequoias (COS) in Visalia, in the heart of Central California; and I have filled on CSU Monterey Bay telecasts that are aired on FLOCollege Sports...select games are available on YouTube, on the COS Giant channel...In the beginning of January, I was fortunate to be on the call for an instant classic, as Citrus College from Southern California outlasted COS in overtime...these two teams are filled with future 4-year players...here is a link to the epic battle (https://www.youtube.com/live/umvcscx45-Q?si=dchHAidDsmjSWNAm)...ironically years ago, our Reedley College team rode into Citrus College, and ended their 38 home game winning streak! For a peek at that game, you can check it out here (https://youtu.be/neva7qGm0GE?si=TTdzu_PdhTWgucRE)...You will notice Rob "Rocket" Hoyt early in the video--Coach Rob is now the head Coach at Columbia College...his Claim Jumpers and COS appear on a collision course for the Central Valley Conference Title! Columbia visits COS on Feb. 20, and that game should be a dandy--tune in for my call, you won't want to miss that tilt...For more notes on that game, head over to my Facebook page...quick around the horn with a couple more tardy tips of the caps:

*COS Men's Basketball Coach Dallas Jensen for earning his 200th win--the Coaching Dude is on the Uber fast track. Coach Dallas is currently entering season #9...Jensen is part of a true Basketball Family, his father and brother are also coaches, and his son--one heck of a high school player!

*CSU East Bay Men's Basketball Coach Bryan Rooney. Coach Rooney's D-II squad currently sits at 15-0, with a game scheduled vs. Stanislaus State on Saturday (1/16) afternoon...B. Rooney is a Coaching Dude, and a Bay Area Gem! Bryan played for Brian Katz at Delta College, and I believe Bill Treseler at Domincan College?!? Coach Katz and Coach Tres two of my favs...Keep it rolling Pioneers. East Bay was known as Hayward State back in the day...

*Chico State's Women's Basketball is off to a 9-0 start in the CCAA, and 13-2 overall...Chico State is coached by the Most Entertaining Gent, Brian Fogle...Foges was a player back in the day at Sonoma State, and has coached at UC Davis and San Francisco State along the way...Foges team eeked out a clutch win in OT on Thursday 1/15 vs. Cal Poly Humboldt, and will host the Lumberjacks on Saturday in Chico...all of Chico State's home games can be heard on KPAY 1290 (KPAYsports.com) out of Chico...

                   

                Here is to a Happy, Healthy, Safe & Prosperous 2026:  Cheers Everyone!

                  Remember if you enjoy my Ramblings...you can treat the coffee!