Conference play officially tips off tonight as the men’s basketball season enters its next phase, with a handful of non-conference games still mixed in through January. Early returns suggest another tightly contested Pacific Coast Athletic Conference race, highlighted by proven contenders at the top and several teams poised to make noise as league play unfolds.

San Diego City College: The Team to Beat

San Diego City College enters conference play as the reigning conference champion and one of the most consistent teams in the state. The Knights are off to a 7-4 start and currently ranked No. 11 statewide, combining balanced scoring with disciplined defense.

City is averaging 69.4 points per game while holding opponents to 65.5, and has already shown its ability to win close games. Dylan Griffin leads the Knights at 16.0 points per game and ranks among the conference leaders in steals, while Junior Camacho has anchored the offense with a league-best 30 assists. With championship experience and depth, City again sets the standard entering conference action.

Palomar College: Explosive Offense, Championship Potential

Palomar College matches City with a 7-4 record and enters league play tied for 25th in the state rankings. The Comets boast one of the most explosive offenses in the conference, averaging 82.7 points per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field.

Isaiah Pomare has been dominant on both ends, leading the conference in rebounds (9.7 per game) and ranking second in scoring at 21.0 points per game. Angel Ochoa (14.3 ppg) and Benjie Nudo (12.6 ppg) give Palomar multiple scoring threats, while the Comets’ ball movement — 15.4 assists per game — makes them a difficult matchup on any night.

MiraCosta College: Built to Compete

MiraCosta College enters conference play at 5-5 and remains firmly in the mix. The Spartans have controlled the glass all season, owning a strong rebounding margin and averaging 36.3 boards per game.

Travis Snider has been one of the league’s most productive all-around players, averaging 15.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while ranking among the conference leaders in field goal percentage. With multiple contributors and physical play inside, MiraCosta has the pieces to challenge the conference’s top tier.

Depth Across the Conference

Beyond the early frontrunners, the middle of the standings remains tightly packed. Cuyamaca College also sits at 5-5 and has shown balance on both ends of the floor. San Diego Miramar College (4-6) has featured several individual standouts, while San Diego Mesa College (3-7) and Southwestern College (3-6) look to build momentum as conference play ramps up. Grossmont College (1-9) and Imperial Valley College (0-12) continue to gain valuable experience and will look to turn the corner during league action.

Conference Stat Leaders to Watch

Several PCAC players have already made their mark statistically heading into conference play:

• Scoring: Derek Edmond (Southwestern) leads the conference at 23.7 points per game, followed by Pomare (Palomar, 21.0) and Christian Washington (San Diego Miramar, 18.6).

• Rebounding: Pomare tops the league at 9.7 rebounds per game, with Snider (MiraCosta, 8.3) close behind

• Field Goal Percentage: Justin White (Palomar) leads the conference at 58.7 percent, with Pomare (53.7) and Snider (52.7) also ranking among the top shooters.

• Three-Point Percentage: Isaiah Aquino (Cuyamaca) leads the league at 46.5 percent from beyond the arc

• Assists: Ochoa (Palomar) paces the conference with 51 assists.

• Steals: Dimetrius Simpson (San Diego Miramar) leads the league with 26 steals.

• Blocks: JJ Lankford (Cuyamaca) tops the conference with 15 blocks

Looking Ahead

With conference games beginning tonight and non-conference tests continuing into January, the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference is set up for a competitive and unpredictable season. As teams settle into league play, execution, depth, and late-game composure will play a decisive role in shaping the championship race.