The Channel League boys basketball race enters its stretch run, and all three local teams are in the running for the title.
Entering tonight’s games, San Marcos was alone on top of the standings, leading Santa Barbara by one game and Dos Pueblos by two.
The Royals host Dos Pueblos on Friday night and next Tuesday they travel to Santa Barbara for the league finale. The last meeting between the Royals and Dons was an epic showdown.
In a packed, raucous San Marcos Thunderhut, Santa Barbara’s Matt Wagonhurst converted a three-point play to send the game into overtime and Noah Burke hit a buzzer-beating shot from half court in OT to lift the Dons to a stunning 56-55 win.
Make sure you arrive at the gyms early to get seat for what should be some more heart-stopping action.
The Channel League girls soccer race is also tight. Santa Barbara sits on top of the table with 12 points (4-1-0) and 20-time league champion Buena (3-1-2) is in second with 10 points. San Marcos (2-1-2) and Dos Pueblos (2-2-2) are tied for third with 8 points.
Santa Barbara, which knocked off Buena for the first time in many years in the first round, travels to face the Bulldogs on Thursday. Dos Pueblos and San Marcos played to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday to earn a point each.
Next week, San Marcos visits Santa Barbara on Tuesday (Feb. 5). On the last day of the regular season (Thursday, Feb. 7), Dos Pueblos is at Santa Barbara while San Marcos hosts Buena.
Here are games worth checking out:
FRIDAY
Boys basketball: Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 7 p.m. — Zach Shugart is back playing for the Chargers, which gives them a big boost against the league leaders and Goleta Valley rivals.
Boys soccer: Oaks Christian at Carpinteria, 5 p.m. — The Warriors are in the hunt for their third straight Tri-Valley League title.
Men’s volleyball: Orange Coast at SBCC, 6 p.m. — An experienced Vaquero squad plays its home opener against a perennial JC power.
SATURDAY
Softball: Santa Ana at SBCC 11 a.m. — The Vaqueros open their season against a strong opponent at Pershing Park.
Women’s basketball: Cal State Fullerton at UCSB, 2 p.m. — Gauchos close out the first round of Big West play against the Titans.
Boys basketball: Laguna Blanca at Cate, 4:30 p.m. — Condor League rivals battle in a game that has CIF playoff implications
Girls basketball: La Reina at Bishop Diego, 7 p.m. — The Cardinals will be looking to wrap up the Frontier League title.
Wrestling: Channel League Finals, at Ventura — Chad Lampe of Dos Pueblos seeks his third straight league title.
MONDAY, FEB. 4
Women in Sports Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., at Earl Warren Showgrounds — Each year, the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table hosts over 400 female high school and college athletes and their coaches for the free luncheon and lecture to honor the outstanding female athletes in the Santa Barbara community and to celebrate National Women & Girls In Sports Day and the lasting impact of Title IX legislation. This year’s keynote speaker is multi-medal winning Olympic swimmer Kaitlin Sandeno.
TUESDAY, FEB. 5
Girls Soccer: San Marcos at Santa Barbara, 5 p.m. — Both teams are battling for the league title.
Boys Soccer: San Marcos at Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. — The Dons are tied with Ventura for first place in the league.
Boys Basketball: San Marcos at Santa Barbara, 7 p.m. — Last meeting was decided by a half-court buzzer beater in overtime.
Women’s basketball: Vanguard at Westmont, 5:30 p.m. — Warriors handed Vanguard its first loss of the season during the first round of GSAC play.
