by Matt Schwab

The Big One is finally here.

Defending state champion City College of San Francisco will visit Las Positas on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at "The Nest" — in a heavyweight matchup of teams tied for first in the Coast Conference-North Division. The game will tip off at 5 p.m.

Are the Hawks ready?

"Oh yeah, we're ready to go," Las Positas head coach James Giacomazzi said.

Las Positas (19-1, 6-0) is ranked seventh in the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association (CCCMBCA) state poll, and CCSF (19-1, 6-0) is No. 2. The Hawks and CCSF Rams lead the conference by three games over third-place Chabot (14-6, 3-3) and De Anza (9-11, 3-3).

CCSF has won six state championships, in 2025, 2022, 2018, 2016, 2011, and 1962. Las Positas, which has made the regional playoffs every year under Giacomazzi, since 2015-16, advanced to the State 'Elite Eight' for the second time last season.

The Hawks and CCSF split conference games last season — with each team winning on the road.

What are the keys against CCSF, which can turn a six-point lead to 18 points seemingly in the bat of an eye?

"No. 1, you've got to be able to handle their variety of presses," Giacomazzi said. "No. 2, you've got to be able to try to contain the basketball as best you can and limit them in transition, and one thousand percent, you've got to keep them off the glass on offensive rebounds."

Las Positas has shown a similar smash-out style this season. The Hawks turned a 31-25 halftime lead into a 70-42 blowout of College of San Mateo in their previous game, on Jan. 23. LPC sophomore wing Kodey Weary had a massive double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds, along with three steals and three blocks.

The Hawks, who have a different starting cast from 2024-25, boasts a versatile style, good length and size, and strong depth. Sophomores Jaden Woodard, Weary and Richard Banks lead the way, along with 6-foot-9 freshman Australian Ted Bigg-Wither, a shot-blocking machine.

"It's a really talented team from top to bottom; we can win in more ways than one," Giacomazzi said.

Last year, the Hawks rebounded well on defense and limited turnovers when they stunned CCSF 81-69 in San Francisco. Then-sophomores Elijah Mobley (26 points) and Jorren Edmonds (19 points) led the offense.

Giacomazzi expects both CCSF and his team to have "some runs" in Wednesday's contest. "We're getting better week by week," he added.

CCSF is coming off blowout conference wins over Ohlone, San Mateo, Chabot and Skyline. The Rams have won eight in a row since a loss to West Valley in a Stockton tourney. Las Positas has won six in a row since falling to San Jose 71-69 on Jan.3.