Teams battling for position and power in Ventura County

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I’m imagining there will be several Tri-Valley League boys’ basketball programs interested in the outcome of Friday’s game between Santa Clara and Oak Park. The Saints, after all, sit alone in first place and are undefeated in league play. As for the Eagles, well, they’re a game behind in the standings with five left in the regular season.

Oaks Christian, in particular, will be scoreboard-watching, even if it has a game against Nordhoff. The Lions still have a shot at catching Santa Clara, considering they’re in third place, only two games behind. In fact, they play the Saints and Oak Park in early February, so don’t be surprised if someone from the OC is in the stands scouting in advance of those meetings.

You can never count out Carpinteria, not with Jacob Ranger in the lineup. The Warriors have a chance, albeit slim, of making a difference in the league race but have to figure out a way to make up three games in two-plus weeks. Things will become a whole lot clearer after the Santa Clara vs. Oak Park showdown. My prediction: Saints win, 65-52.

-- Sean Ceglinsky