Panther Basketball: Riding High into Mt. SAC Showdown

The Chaffey College men's basketball team is currently enjoying a four-game winning streak, boasting a 6-2 overall record. Despite this strong start, Head Coach Jeff Klein emphasizes that the team's journey is far from over.

"The early part of the season is crucial for us to expirement,” says Klein. "We explore different lineups to identify the most effective combinations on the court. We've learned about our offensive firepower, but we also need to work on our grit and toughness."

The Panthers' high-octane offense, which showcase a fast-paced tempo, a barrage of high percentage three-pointers, and aggressive full-court pressure, has resulted in a state-leading average of 102 points per game during their winning streak. Early-season losses to Santiago Canyon College and LA Trade Tech has served as valuable lessons for the team. "We're still learning how to play hard, smart, and stay together every game," he states. 

Sophomore Uriyah Rojas, a returning first-team all-conference player, leads the team with an impressive average of 21.9 points per game. The 6'3" point guard's ability to score from all areas of the court makes him a dynamic offensive threat. “Uriyah has great size for a point guard. He has the ability to score from all three levels,” adds Klein. 

The team's success is also fueled by the contributions of returning sophomores Nate Simon, Mourad Toure, Elijah Goad, and Ryan Lewis, as well as newcomers Jermaine Rogers and freshman Jace Conway. Rogers is averaging 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, with standout performances including 28 points against Santa Ana College, 25 points against Glendale College, and 23 points against Rio Hondo College. Conway is averaging 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, with a season-high of 13 points against Rio Hondo College.

Despite the Mounties competing in the South Coast Conference, these two teams have a storied rivalry that has developed over 24 years under the leadership of Coach Jeff Klein. Klein recalls a particularly memorable stretch where the teams faced off in three consecutive games: the Sequoias Tournament finals, a standalone matchup, and then the opening game of the annual Grossmont Tournament—a truly rare occurrence. The Panthers won all three games. 

The Panthers will host the Mt. San Antonio College Mounties on Friday, December 6th. Recent matchups have been decidedly in favor of Chaffey, with a commanding 75-52 win in 2022 and a thrilling 93-84 overtime triumph last season. 

The stage is set for another exciting chapter. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.