Here is the story from Long Beach City College Sports Information Specialist Chris Ruiz…
The 2008-09 season started slow for the Long Beach City College men’s basketball team, but late game success and led to late season success, and the 2008-09 season will continue for at least one more game, as the Vikings have earned the No. 20 seed for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs. Long Beach travels to face No. 16 Victor Valley College in a first-round game on Wednesday at 7pm.
LBCC will be making its fifth consecutive postseason appearance although even head coach Gary Anderson was unsure of his team’s playoff chances. The Vikings finished just one game above .500 at 15-14 overall, but managed to take second place in the South Coast Conference South Division at 7-3.
“I was pleasantly shocked,” said Anderson upon hearing his squad had qualified for the playoffs. “We’re happy to be where we are. It’s a new season and all of the games are going to be tough no matter who you play.”
Victor Valley closed the regular-season with an 18-14 overall record and finished fifth in the Foothill Conference with a 6-8 mark. Wednesday’s meeting will be the first this season between the two squads.
The winner of Wednesday’s game will travel to face No. 2 seed Citrus College. Citrus is 27-4 this year and captured the Western State Conference South Division championship with an 11-1 record to earn a first-round bye. LBCC has not faced Citrus this season. Three wins will send any team to the state championship tournament on March 13-15 at Fresno’s Selland Arena.