STATE PREVIEW - THE HORNETS ARE READY FOR THE CHALLENGE

The Hornets have made history collecting an undefeated 16-win Orange Empire Conference title, and they now have their eyes set on the big prize at the CCCAA State Tournament. 

Earning the No. 1 seed for the south, Fullerton has been voted the No. 1 team in the state for a majority of regular season by the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA). FC has some of the best talent in the state with an offense that ranks 5th in California scoring 87.8 points a game. The Hornet defense is also a major threat holding teams to a an average of 69 points a game (6th in state Net Efficiency 0.251). Fullerton's statistical leaders are Kobe Newton (13.9 ppg/3 rpg/1.9 apg), Shaquil Bender (13.4 ppg/3.1 rpg), Sean Newman Jr. (13.2 ppg/4.1 rpg/5.7 apg), Jeremiah Davis (12.2 ppg/3.9 rpg), RJ Banks (8.6 ppg/2.8 rpg/2.9 apg), Javon Jones (8.8 ppg/3.7 rpg), Mike Ofoegbu (6.2 ppg/4.4 rpg), and Sammy Howlin (5.3 ppg/5.6 rpg).  

Sporting an overall record of 29-1, the Hornet's lone loss came early in the season on the road last November 29th to the No. 4 seed in the south San Bernardino Valley (83-69). 

Looking to add to its rich history, the FC men's basketball program has won 31 conference titles since it began in 1927. The Hornets are now on the hunt for a 5th State Championship (State Titles won: 1954, 1961, 2006, 2019). One more win puts the team at the 30-win-mark, putting the team among the best in school history - 1953-54 (31-2), 1960-61 (32-2), 1968-69 (31-4), 1971-72 (33-3), 2005-06 (37-0), and 2018-19 (30-3). 

Up Next: No. 1 Fullerton (29-1 overall) takes on the north's 4th seeded team in West Valley College this Thursday, March 9th at 3:00 pm at West Hills College, Lemoore. 

*Photo by Jim McCormack