Kodey Weary has been a force for the Hawks, especially in conference play. But midway through the first half of the showdown against City College of San Francisco, he ran into something different. The Rams’ 6-foot-9, athletic wing Kenyon DeMunyck.
With the Hawks ahead by seven, DeMunyck lost Weary on a cut to the basket. It was an inbound pass to DeMunynuck that turned into a flashy dunk of Weary, who compounded the mistake by fouling.
The sophomore wing was just getting rolling. Less than a minute later, Weary tried to post up DeMunyck. But his hook shot was swatted away by DeMunyck, one of the best shot-blockers in the state. The next time down the court, Weary had to play post defense as DeMunyck drove to the middle. Weary forced a miss on the hook but didn’t block out. Before he could get off the ground to grab the rebound, before he could blink, Demuynck was already in the air, soaring for another surreal dunk. He slammed it with two hands.
Some 30 seconds later, Weary cut off the drive of Demuynck near the free-throw line. So the Rams’ star passed the ball and relocated out near the three-point line. Weary, chasing him, didn’t move quickly enough, perhaps needing a moment to catch his breath. But Weary didn’t get close enough. Demunyck drained the three to tie the game 20-20.
It was a microcosm of the Hawks’ experience battling the defending champions. Las Positas is young and loaded with potential. But there is another level.
In the biggest game of the year, in a showdown of two of the hottest JUCO teams in California, the visiting Rams showed the Hawks how much climbing they still need to get to the top. They aren’t yet true title contenders.
The Hawks, ranked No. 7 in California, were put in their place by the Rams, 78-59. Las Positas drops to second in Coast Conference-North. More importantly, they got a wake-up call about where they truly stand this season. Las Positas dominated most of their opponents while starting the season 19-1. They even beat four ranked teams: Cosumnes River, West Valley, Chabot, and San Mateo.
But after reaching the Elite Eight last year, the Hawks retooled their roster with an eye on getting back to the state tournament — and this time winning. San Francisco, ranked No. 2 in the latest poll, is one of the teams expected to get there. The defending state champions are chasing a repeat. They have a Division I talent leading their team in the six-foot-nineDeMuynck. They have depth, size, and athleticism. They have a five-time state champion coach.
The Rams played like champions. They were stronger, faster, and more clinical than the Hawks. By the end, it turned into a showcase of their talents. And a reminder of how far the Hawks have to go.
“We expect those guys to do what they do,” said coach James Giacomazzi, whose Hawks have never beaten San Francisco in Livermore. “We couldn’t get everybody on board. When three guys kind of play to their capabilities, then it’s not going to be good enough against teams like this.”
But the Hawks measured themselves against championship quality. This is a roster with only three returning players – and none of them started last season. Wednesday’s loss was the first big-time game they’ve played together. Experience was gained, especially in a humbling defeat.
They learned their offense isn’t as potent as it seemed despite averaging 87 points per game before Wednesday. That was the fifth-highest in the state. They learned their defense wasn’t as stout as it seemed despite allowing just 61.5 points per game — third fewest in California.
“I’m disappointed that we didn’t play to our capabilities,” Giacomazzi said. “But sometimes you gotta learn the hard way, and we’re gonna learn from this.”
SCRAMBLE IN THE PAINT late in the showdown between Las Positas and visiting San Francisco on Jan. 28, 2026 in Livermore, Calif. Freshman wing Cole Loud dives on the hardwood and wrestes with two Rams players for the ball. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Going up against DeMuynck forced Woodard into a matchup that reveals a player’s limits and strengths. Defending a versatile scorer like that, who attacked in the paint, finished with dunks, and ran the floor with immense speed, required Woodard to balance defense.
“He’s a good player,” Woodard said. “He was definitely giving us some problems. We’ve just got to box out more and adjust next time.”
At the crux of the Hawks’ offensive issues was sophomore guard Jaden Woodard. The team’s leading scorer this season, averaging 17.6 points a game prior to facing the Rams, managed only eight. The aggression within his playstyle, which usually drives his scoring identity, instead became a targeted weakness for the Rams. He knows these teams do their research. They plan for matchups against great teams like Las Positas. “I know these teams know what I’m good at… so I’ve got to slow it down, make the right read,” Woodard added.
Before three minutes had passed in the first half, Woodard picked up two charging fouls. It forced Giacomazzi to remove his star before he managed his first points. Finding a rhythm while dealing with his foul trouble, while also attempting to penetrate one of the best defenses in the state, stifled Woodard’s production.
“I just came in there thinking attack, attack, attack… I was kind of rushing it,” Woodard said. “I know these teams know what I’m good at… so I’ve got to slow it down, make the right read.”
For Woodard, both the result and his lackluster production provide him a sneak peak for what’s to come. In the postseason, he will be the target of opponents’ defensive plans. The first Hawk on the scouting report. A weight he must carry in order for the Hawks’ offense to remain formidable.
A main issue the result highlighted was the Hawks’ lack of shooting – a constant achilles heal this season. They rank 87th overall in the state, making 29.5% of their three-point shots.
It creates a low margin for error for the Hawks. Without elite shooting prowess, playing from behind isn’t an option.
These are the kinds of teams the Hawks must find a way to stay competitive with. To limit the amount of separation created by a difference in outside shooting ability. Because once a team like the Ram’s gain distance, keeping up becomes improbable.
“Once they went up about eight to ten points, we just couldn’t find a way to get back,” Minor said.
This loss carried weight beyond the final score. It exposed areas that Las Positas hasn’t been forced to look at while winning so much this season.
“We felt ready coming into the game,” Isaiah Minor said. “But the first five minutes of the second half really set the tone. Their pressure really picked up, and they began pushing the ball in transition.”
This is an awakening for the Las Positas. This is the level of speed and physicality the Hawks will see in the playoffs.
Banks, the team’s leader in attempted threes, is shooting 29.7%. The team’s overall lack of shooting is the primary cause of its half-court issues. When they can’t play with pace, the offense is neutralized.
Rebounding is their biggest strength. Las Positas ranks 8th in the state. It’s what they rely on offensively – consistently gaining multiple opportunities to score. Against the Rams, they lost that physical battle.
“They played really well together, and we made a few mistakes in the second half that turned things around for them offensively,” Minor said.
The Hawks were tested. With the postseason approaching, how they respond to this lesson may define the rest of their season. The loss highlighted the level of execution and consistency required against top competition, particularly in the second half of Conference play. How Las Positas applies those takeaways in upcoming conference games will shape its readiness for postseason play.
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TOP PHOTO: Kodey Weary fell under San Francisco’s pressure. Rams star Kenyon DeMunyck (No. 45) outlasted him and the Hawks. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Annie Moore is the Sports Editor of The Express. Follow her on X @SanJosAnnie.
