Community College Basketball : Golden West Faces Tough Foe in Opener

Golden West College has the unenviable job of opening South Coast Conference play tonight against defending champion Cerritos, the No. 1-ranked team in Southern California.

The teams play at 7:30 at Cerritos College.

The Falcons (15-2), picked to win the conference again this season, lost their final nonconference game to Saddleback, 81-72, Saturday night. It was Cerritos’ fourth loss in the last four years at home.

The Falcons retained the top spot in the poll this week despite the loss.

Golden West (4-9) defeated the Tustin Marines, 87-85, Saturday night in its final nonconference game. The Rustlers were picked to finish last in the conference.

Fullerton, the other Orange County team in the South Coast, opens at home against Pasadena City (9-7) at 7:30 tonight. The Hornets are 12-5.

In other conference games: Long Beach City (8-8) is at Mt. San Antonio (7-8) and Compton (11-3) is at El Camino (12-3).

In women’s action:

Golden West (17-1), which lost to Moorpark Monday, 76-70, plays host to Cerritos (15-2). Fullerton (10-6) is at Pasadena City (6-6). Both games start at 7:30 p.m.