Columbia in, Modesto JC left out of NorCal basketball playoffs

Monday’s release of the Northern California Regional playoffs bracket brought good news for Columbia and not-so-good news for Modesto Junior College.

Columbia (16-11) squeezed into the field with a play-in game against Sierra of Rocklin on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Oak Pavilion. It will be the Claim Jumpers’ first postseason appearance since 2002.

Modesto (13-13) was denied a berth by the selection committee, though it won its final four games. The Pirates placed fifth in the Big 8 Conference but were edged by fourth-place Sacramento – the teams split this season – for the conference’s final playoff berth.

“We needed Sacramento to lose on the last night (the Panthers defeated American River),” MJC coach Paul Brogan said. “Our players are disappointed. They were playing well at the end. It was just too little too late. I can’t be too upset about winning the last four. From here on, all but one team will lose its final game.”

Columbia, led by third-year coach Rob Hoyt, tied for fourth in the Central Valley Conference despite losses in five of its final seven games. The Claim Jumpers were beaten by West Hills 97-90 in double overtime Saturday night to finish the regular season. The result was a No. 16 seed and a home game vs. 17th-seeded Sierra (13-14), the runner-up in the Big 8. The teams have not met this season.

Wins over two league champions, Cosumnes River of the Big 8 and Contra Costa of the Bay Valley, no doubt improved the Claim Jumpers’ résumé. They also overcame two player dismissals for team violations during the season.

“We were the last team out (of the playoffs) last year. It almost happened again,” Hoyt said after Columbia’s second straight 16-11 season. “I’m very excited for our guys. They went through a lot this year.”

Visit cccaasports.org to see the NorCal bracket.

This story was originally published February 22, 2016 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Columbia in, Modesto JC left out of NorCal basketball playoffs."