Western State North Conference playoff contenders

1. Ventura (19-6): The Pirates currently hold a 1/2 game lead over Allan Hancock and have the tie breaker as they beat the Bulldogs earlier in conference action with three games to go in Western State North Conference action. Ventura has 19 wins next to their name and have had a great season to say the least. In non conference action the Pirates picked up wins against Pasadena x2, Los Angeles Southwest, Mt. San Jacinto and Saddleback and in conference the Pirates have split with Moorpark and Cuesta and have three games left against Los Angeles Pierce, Santa Barbara and the last one against Allan Hancock which could be very meaningful for seeding purposes on the last day of the regular season. If the Pirates can run the table and finish at the top of the conference we should see them with a possible first round bye but if not they will host a first round game in the worst case scenario.

2. Allan Hancock (16-8): The Bulldogs are currently a half game back in the Western State North standings behind Ventura with four games to play in their regular season. Hancock had control of the standings but suffered a loss against Cuesta last outing and now find themselves needing a win out to have a chance at bringing home the conference championship. During the non conference, Hancock picked up a good win against San Diego and Chabot and have only suffered losses against teams that have winning records (Porterville at .500). With four games left, the Bulldogs still face Moorpark, Los Angeles Pierce, Santa Barbara and Ventura, but the Moorpark and Ventura games are for sure highlighted as the Bulldogs are looking to make a push at hosting a first round post season game as their seed is floating around the 14-19 range at the current moment.

3. Moorpark (14-10): The Raiders are a team that is on the bubble for the time being as the 3rd place team in the Western State North Conference. Moorpark has won 14 games and has a non conference victory against Cerro Coso on their resume. Moorpark has losses against Antelope Valley and Santa Barbara which could hurt them when seeding comes around but in conference Moorpark picked up a victory against Ventura but will that be enough at the end of the day. The Raiders have played a difficult schedule and have three games left in the regular season. Moorpark will face Allan Hancock one more time on the road, and follow that up with Oxnard and end the season against Cuesta which is another team within the conference trying to make a post season push. If Moorpark can run the table we could see them in the post season but a loss this late in the year surely wont help their cause.

4. Cuesta (13-12): The Cougars still have hope but if the post season started today, Cuesta would be on the outside looking in. Cuesta is behind Santa Barbara in the standings and two games behind Moorpark and they also lost to the Raiders earlier in conference play as well. In non conference action, the Cougars have a victory against Gavilan and Chabot but five consecutive losses to start conference action could haunt them at the end of the day including a loss against Oxnard. Cuesta has won four straight and have three games remaining on their regular season schedule. The Cougars will face Oxnard, Moorpark and Los Angeles Pierce but even with those wins, will it be enough to get into the post season?