Conference Co-Champion Bulldogs Not Selected for Regional Playoffs
The memorable season of the Allan Hancock College men's basketball team ended on Monday when the Bulldogs did not receive an invitation to the Southern California Regional Playoffs. The Bulldogs were not among the 20 teams selected by the California Community College Athletic Association on Monday afternoon snapping a streak of four straight postseason appearances.
"We missed the playoffs by one spot," said second-year head coach Tyson Aye who was the conference's representative at the seeding meeting. "I am extremely disappointed that our guys do not get to continue their season in the playoffs. However, it in no way defines what we accomplished. I am extremely proud of the entire team. We showed tremendous resiliency and overcame a storm of adversity to win a conference championship together."
Hancock completed the season with a 14-12 overall record. The Bulldogs, who had just seven active players during conference action, finished in a three-way tie for first place with Cuesta and LA Pierce in the Western State Conference–North Division standings at 9-3.
By virtue of its 19-9 overall record and 10-6 mark in the preseason, Cuesta received the conference's automatic berth to the postseason. Cuesta received a first round bye as the No. 12 seed in the Southern California Regional. The Cougars play at No. 5 Southwestern (20-8) in Friday's second round.
LA Pierce (17-12, 8-9, No.16 Rating Power Index in SoCal) and Hancock (14-12, 5-9, No. 24 RPI in SoCal) needed to receive at-large berths from the CCCAA's seeding committee. Pierce received the No. 15 seed and will host No. 18 Bakersfield (18-8, No. 21 RPI in SoCal) in a first round game on Wednesday.
Hancock clinched the 17th conference title in program history and the first since 2011 with a 102-50 win over Oxnard last Saturday. Hancock sophomore Kadeem Minor was named the conference's Co-Most Valuable Player, while guards Andre Miller, Lawrence Johnson and Matt Willkomm were First Team All-Conference selections. Johnson and Miller are both sophomores. Willkomm, an Arroyo Grande High School graduate, averaged 12.0 points per game his freshman season for the Bulldogs, and 16.9 points in conference games.