Orange Empire Conference Playoff contenders

1. Fullerton (24-1): The Hornets have clinched the Orange Empire Conference and have won 17 straight games after beating Orange Coast. Fullerton is closing in on the top seed after putting together a very impressive resume all season long. Fullerton has one loss this season as it came from San Bernardino but have wins against San Francisco, Sequoias, Cerro Coso, Porterville, Moorpark, East Los Angeles, San Diego, West Los Angeles, and Chaffey in non conference action. The Hornets have ran through Orange Empire Conference foes and have three games left in the regular season. The Hornets face Irvine Valley, Saddleback and Riverside and it appears that the Hornets are on pace to pick up the top seed in Southern California.

2. Saddleback (17-8): The Bobcats continue to roll and have put together a great season and have flown under the radar. Saddleback has played one of the toughest schedules in the state and have put together 17 wins and currently sit in 2nd place in the Orange Empire Conference. The Bobcats have wins against Ventura, San Bernardino, Moorpark, Cerritos in non conference action and have quality wins inside the Orange Empire (Cypress, Riverside, Orange Coast, Santiago Canyon) and all of their losses this season this season have come against teams ranked within our top 15 or teams that have posted a winning record. The Bobcats have three games remaining in Orange Coast, Fullerton and Santa Ana and if they can pick up a win against Fullerton the Bobcats could find themselves with a first round bye but in the worst case scenario host a first round playoff game as the post season approaches.

3. Riverside (15-9): The Tigers find themselves as another team from the Orange Empire that will be in the post season. Riverside has put together 15 wins and currently sit in a tie for 3rd place in the competitive conference with three games to go. In non conference action, the Tigers have put together wins against Pasadena, Long Beach, Citrus, and Cerritos and in conference, the Tigers have victories against Orange Coast, Saddleback, Cypress, and Santiago Canyon. Riverside has three games left against Santa Ana, Fullerton and Golden West and a win against Fullerton could get them a first round home game but we project them in the mid teens with a chance of getting a first round home game.

4. Cypress (14-10): The Chargers sit in a tie at the moment for 3rd place in Orange Empire Conference action with an 8-5 record. Cypress started off the season 1-5 but have went 13-5 since the rocky start. In non conference action, the Chargers struggled and only have quality wins against Diablo Valley and Los Angeles Southwest. The Chargers are 6-6 in games that are decided by five points or less and in conference play Cypress has wins against Riverside, Saddleback, Santiago Canyon, Orange Coast and have three games left in the regular season. The Chargers will face Santa Ana, Santiago Canyon and Irvine Valley as the Santiago Canyon game will be a huge one as it could determine if the Chargers stay in the playoff hunt. Cypress would be in the post season started today in our eyes, but a win against Santiago Canyon would put a stamp on it but most likely the Chargers will be on the road in the first round.

5. Santiago Canyon (14-10): The Hawks have struggled to find consistency this season but have put together a 14-10 record. Santiago Canyon is currently tied with Orange Coast for 5th place with a 6-6 record with four games to go. In non conference action, the Hawks have wins against Chaffey, MiraCosta, Southwestern, and Palomar and in conference play, Santiago Canyon has wins against Saddleback, Riverside, and Orange Coast. Santiago Canyon has games left against Golden West, Irvine Valley, Cypress and Orange Coast but really need to finish above Orange Coast to solidify their post season bid. The Hawks games against Cypress and Orange Coast will have an impact on seeding on where the Hawks possibly end up but Santiago Canyon does not have a lot of room for any slips to say the least.

6. Orange Coast (14-10): The Pirates have put together a winning record this season and currently sit in a tie for 5th place in the Orange Empire Conference with a 6-6 record. In non conference action, the question will be have the Pirates done enough with victories coming against only San Diego Miramar. In conference play, the Pirates have a win against Riverside and have four games to play but will that be enough to get them into the post season. The Pirates have Saddleback, Golden West, Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon left on their schedule. We really think the Pirates need wins against Saddleback and Santiago Canyon to get into the post season without enough quality wins.