It’s big-game week, with several local teams in the running for league championships.
In Channel League boys basketball, Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos are in contention for the title. Santa Barbara and San Marcos are tied for first place at 7-3, and the rivals square off Tuesday night at the Dons’ J.R. Richards Gym. Dos Pueblos (6-4) is home to Ventura.
On Thursday, the Dons host Dos Pueblos while San Marcos entertains Buena.
The last time Santa Barbara and San Marcos met the Dons won in overtime at the Thunderhut on a half-court shot at the buzzer by Noah Burke. In the first-round meeting at J.R. Richards Gym, the Royals romped to a 19-point win.
An interesting fact about this year’s rivalry games, a home team has yet to produce a win.
All three local teams are among the top 15 of their respective CIF-SS divisions. San Marcos (16-7 overall) is ranked sixth in Division 3AA; Dos Pueblos (14-8) is 12th in 2A and Santa Barbara (18-4) is 14th in 3AAA.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
In the Frontier League race, Bishop Diego and Santa Paula both have one loss. Bishop is 10-1 (17-8 overall) and plays its finale against Fillmore on Thursday. Santa Paula (9-1) has remaining games against Grace Brethren and Malibu.
The Providence Hall girls, a CIF finalist last year, is one game behind Thacher in the Condor League race. The Lions (13-5 and 3-1) play at Dunn on Tuesday and conclude the regular season against Thacher (14-2, 4-0) on Thursday at Carpinteria High.
GIRLS SOCCER
The three local schools are in a battle to dethrone perennial champion Buena in the Channel League.
The Bulldogs, winners of 19 straight titles, are in first place with 14 points (4-1-2). Santa Barbara (4-2-0) is in second place with 12 points followed by San Marcos (3-1-2) with 11 points and Dos Pueblos (2-2-2) with 8 points.
On Tuesday, Santa Barbara hosts San Marcos at 5 p.m. and Dos Pueblos plays at Ventura. In Thursday’s regular-season finales, San Marcos is home to Buena and Santa Barbara plays host to Dos Pueblos.
GIRLS WATER POLO
The Channel League title should come down to Thursday’s Santa Barbara at Dos Pueblos match.
The Dons, who took over sole possession of the No. 1 ranking in Division 1 after winning last weekend’s Southern California Championship tournament, are 6-0 going into Tuesday’s league game at Buena.
Dos Pueblos (5-1), ranked seventh, plays at Ventura on Tuesday.
BOYS SOCCER
Santa Barbara is a half game behind defending champion Ventura in the Channel League. The Dons (5-1-0) host San Marcos on Tuesday and travel to Dos Pueblos on Thursday.
Ventura (6-1-0) concludes its league season against Dos Pueblos on Tuesday.
The Tri-Valley League title comes down to Wednesday’s Carpinteria at Santa Paula finale.
The Warriors (7-1-1, 22 points) earned a share of the title when Santa Paula (6-2-1, 19 points) lost Friday at Malibu. A tie will give the Warriors the outright championship.
It should be a nerve-wracking and fun week.
Fasten your seat belts.
