SCC, Concordia on Different Paths

As the regular season winds down, the two local Golden State Athletic Conference men’s basketball teams are heading in opposite directions.

Southern California College has lost two in a row after winning eight consecutive games. Concordia has won its last two games.

Despite the slide, SCC (21-9, 8-5 in conference) has clinched the third seeding in the GSAC playoffs, which start Wednesday. The Vanguards, who finish the season Saturday at Westmont, could be hosting the same team in the first round of the playoffs.

Concordia (13-15, 6-7) plays at second-place Biola (25-4, 10-3) Saturday. If Concordia pulls off an upset, and Fresno Pacific (17-11, 7-6) loses to last-place Cal Baptist (6-21, 1-12), the Eagles would get a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

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Women’s basketball: Chapman’s regular-season-ending loss to UC San Diego Saturday caused the Panthers to drop a place--to seventh--in the NCAA Division III West Regional rankings. They are likely to be one of the eight teams from the region to get a playoff berth when the pairings are announced Sunday.

Chapman (19-6) might wind up playing in Storm Lake, Iowa, against No. 2 Buena Vista. “I’m pumped, I’m having the best time,” senior guard Flo Luppani said. “It’s a great way to finish my career. I can’t complain. I’m having fun at practice but I can’t wait to play.”

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More women’s basketball: Concordia’s Heather Carll was named GSAC player of the week. Carll, a junior center from La Mirada, averaged 20 points and 12.5 rebounds in victories over Fresno Pacific and Southern California College. Tuesday, Carll scored 29 points as Concordia (25-5, 10-1) clinched the conference title with a 98-78 victory over Cal Baptist.