SACRAMENTO, Calif.- The Cosumnes River men’s basketball program has released the bracket for the 36th Annual James Clark Classic. The tournament, named after the late CRC basketball coach, opens on Thursday December 4th at Clark Court.
The field includes three teams that appeared in the CCCAA men’s basketball playoffs last season, including one ‘Final Four’ participant. The diverse field of eight teams represents five conferences in the CCCAA. Six teams return from last year’s tournament, while two new perennial playoff teams join the talented field.
Returning to the Clark Classic is Chabot College out of Hayward. The Gladiators, who finished second in the Coast North Conference en route to an appearance in the CCCAA Final Four, lost to Cosumnes River last season in the Clark Classic championship game. Facing the Gladiators in the first round is the College of Alameda, returning to the tournament for the second straight season. Alameda, appearing out of the Bay Valley Conference, will take on Chabot at 4 PM.
Also returning to the tournament is Feather River College out of Quincy. Feather River, who competes in the Golden Valley Conference, takes on the Panthers of Sacramento City College. The Panthers are one of two new teams to appear in the Clark Classic. That game is scheduled to take place at 8 PM in the opening day nightcap.
Making their debut in the tournament this season is the College of the Siskiyous. Siskiyous, also hailing from the Golden Valley Conference, makes the long trek from Yreka to Sacramento where they’ll take on tournament returner Napa Valley College. That game is scheduled for 2 PM, and will tipoff the tournament. The Napa Valley Storm, joining Alameda in representing the Bay Valley Conference, took third place in the tournament last season.
Host Cosumnes River makes their 2014-15 home debut in their opening round contest against Merced JC. The Hawks defeated Chabot 81-74 in the championship game last season, following victories over Columbia and Porterville. CRC, who finished last season with a 23-9 record and advanced all the way to the CCCAA Northern California Regional Final, take on the Merced JC Blue Devils at 6 PM. They defeated Merced last season 104-50 in the 2nd Round of the San Jose City College Tipoff Tournament. Merced is another returning team to the tournament, appearing out of the Central Valley Conference.
The winner of the Chabot-Alameda game will take on the winner of Feather River-Sacramento City in Friday’s semifinal game at 7 PM, with the losing teams playing an elimination game in the consolation bracket earlier in the day. The winner of Siskiyous-Napa Valley will take on the winner of host Cosumnes River-Merced. The double-elimination tournament concludes on Saturday, with the championship taking place at 4 PM. Stay tuned to the website for complete stats, recaps, and the updated bracket from the tournament.