The Hawks lost five starters from the team that made the state tournament last March. Yet when the preseason rankings came out this week, they were still among the elite.
The California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association released its first rankings of the season, placing Las Positas at No. 7 in the state. Rival City College of San Francisco topped the list at No.1.
“We appreciate the recognition for our team’s potential with the No. 7 state ranking,” said Coach James Giacomazzi, a two-time Big 8 Coach of the Year. “But we understand that it is a preseason ranking, and we ultimately have to prove we are worthy of that ranking by how our team performs night in and night out beginning Nov. 6.”
The Hawks are ranked No. 4 in Northern California, behind San Francisco, College of the Sequoias and West Valley. Las Positas’ other rival, Chabot, is ranked No. 8 in NorCal and No. 15 in the state.
The high ranking reflects the growing respect for the Hawks program, which has developed into a consistent playoff contender. The only returning players are guards Richard Banks and Jaden Woodward. The Hawks also added two Australian players: 6-foot-9 center Ted Bigg-Wither and 6-foot-3 forward Mason Bruce.
The Hawks finished 26-5 last season. It was the best record since 2021-22, when they went 27-4 and advanced to the state championships for the first time in the program’s history.
In the 2025 postseason, the Hawks reached the 3C2A State Championship quarterfinals, where they lost to Citrus College.
Since that loss, All-State guard Jorren Edmonds has transferred to Hope International University in Fullerton. Star guard Elijah Mobley transferred to University of Alaska, Anchorage. His twin brother, Elliot, went to Greenville University in Illinois. Sterling McClanahan transferred to UC Merced, and starting center Mecca Okereke now plays at Bethel University in Tennessee.
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TOP PHOTO: The Hawks made the state championship tournament last season. Despite Las Positas losing its entire starting five, the men’s basketball coaches expect a good team. (Photo by Jakob Arnarsson/ Special to The Express)
Andrew Branham is a staff writer for The Express.
