Stockton, CA. The #1-ranked West Valley College Men's Basketball team remains undefeated (13-0) after defeating Merritt, Delta, and CCSF in the 3-Day Tristan Hill Holiday tournament at San Joaquin Delta College. The Vikings swept the competition in each game and delivered an overall dominant performance in Stockton, CA. In the championship game against (#3) CCSF, West Valley emerged victorious with a 40+ point blowout win over the Rams.
On Day 1 of the tournament, West Valley defeated Merritt College in a 90-44 blowout. Shakir Odunewu finished the game with 13 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 6-of-10 from the field (60%). Elijah Mahi and Jeremiah Dargan both finished with 12 points, each making two three-pointers. Mahi added to his stat line with 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, while Dargan also contributed 5 assists and 2 steals. Aaron Ragen (9 points, 2 assists, & 1 steal), Robel Zemmo (9 points, 1 rebound, & 1 assist), Jake Davis (9 points & 2 rebounds), Darrius Kendall (8 points, 4 assists, & 1 steal), and Baron Bracey (5 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, & 1 steal) all contributed to the Vikings' Day 1 win.
Day 2 of the tournament saw an elevated level of competition in a matchup against Delta College, the hosting and home team. The Vikings powered past the Mustangs, defeating Delta 81-63. Jeremiah Dargan was the player of the game for West Valley College, finishing with a career-high 33 points & 11 rebounds. With 15 first-half points, Dargan was efficient from everywhere, shooting 5-of-7 (75%) from beyond the arc and going 7-for-9 on two-point field goals. Dargan finished 12-for-17 (71%) from the field while contributing 3 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block. Elijah Mahi finished the game with a 21-point and 10-rebound double-double, shooting 9-of-18 (50%) from the field.
On Day 3 of the tournament, the Championship game was set with an anticipated matchup of West Valley College vs. City College of San Francisco. The Vikings came out swinging early with a 12-0 lead to start the first half and did not ease up. Sophomore Elijah Mahi scorched CCSF and finished with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Fourteen of his 24 points came in the first half, adding to the Vikings' 22-point lead to end the half (51-29). Shakir Odunewu scored 19 points, his 13th straight double-digit scoring performance of the season. Odunewu also snagged 12 rebounds and a pair of blocks to add to his total. Jeremiah Dargan (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, & 4 steals) & Baron Bracey (13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, & 3 steals) were efficient all around and showcased their dynamic defensive presence to shut down CCSF. Noah Yang (9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal), Darrius Kendall (8 points & 2 assists), Ariya Briscoe (6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, & 2 blocks), and Robel Zemmo (4 points, 3 rebounds, & 1 assist) all contributed to the Vikings' dominant tournament run.
The championship game ended with West Valley completely dominating CCSF, blowing them out 99-57. The win is West Valley's 13th straight win on the season and the third-highest point total scored in a game (99). Shakir Odunewu was named MVP of the Tristan Hill Holiday Tournament, along with Jeremiah Dargan & Elijah Mahi being named all-tournament players. The Vikings will come back from the break and match up against Skyline College on Thursday (Dec. 30) at home. The game is set for a 3 PM P.T. tip and will be live-streamed on the West Valley College Athletics YouTube page.
