Irvine Valley, Cypress Selected to Battle for the Top Spot

Four of the conference's eight teams cart records above .500 entering into the opening week of conference play. With Irvine Valley and Cypress holding the strongest preseason records, a handful of teams will be vying for a conference championship.

Irvine Valley will look to haul in their third-consecutive title starting with a showdown against Golden West. After dropping just a pair of games so far this season, Irvine Valley enters conference action as a favorite to win it all. The lasers are averaging 77 points-per-game with a 42.2. shooting percentage. They have already had a taste of conference competition after defeating Saddleback, 69-40, in the Saddleback Crossover.

Four players currently average double-digit scoring. Sophomore Anai Washington boasts a 16.5 points-per-game mark while recording a total of seven double-doubles. Furthermore, she has landed in double-digit scoring in all but one contest.

Cypress is looming in the near distance after earning their last conference title in 2019 and placing second in the past two years. The Chargers cart a five-game winning streak into conference play with their most recent victory over MiraCosta. Freshman Jessica Barrow paces the Chargers with a 17.9 points-per-game mark and six rebounds-per-game. Sophomore Alison Nelson has crashed the boards for an average of 7.2 rebounds-per-game. Cypress will open their season against Riverside.

Riverside, who is two wins away from double digits, will look to put a damper on the Charger's start. After a hot start to the season, the Tigers recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over Grossmont. Sophomore guard Trinity Vasquez paces her squad with 16.1 points-per-game.

Fullerton is riding a two-game winning streak as they will begin their conference journey against Orange Coast, while Santa Ana will face off against Saddleback.

Fullerton has a balanced approach with many contributors. Sophomore Moriah Serrano paces the club with 10.8 points-per-game while adding 3.4 assists-per-game. Sophomore Katie Salas and freshman Tatianna Zazuetta are each averaging 8.6 points-per-game.

Orange Coast have a small roster with freshman Lea Adame acting as their most dominant weapon. She averages 13.4 points-per-game, while Freshman Anna Hollister follows closely behind with 13 points-per-game.

OEC SID POLL

1. Irvine Valley [5] 
2. Cypress
3. Fullerton
4. Riverside
5. Santa Ana
6. Orange Coast
7. Golden West
8. Saddleback

(Release by Nicho DellaValle, Women's Basketball Representative/Riverside SID)