The Hawks nailed down a spot in the 3C2A NorCal Regional Playoffs thanks to contributions from a variety of players – a sign of a healthy program. Every Coast-North Conference game is like a playoff game, so the Hawks (17-11) are well-seasoned for their first-round matchup with Los Medanos (20-8) at 7 p.m. Wednesday on Tony Costello Court. The winner will travel to No. 1 West Valley (28-0) on Saturday.

Impressively, the Hawks have earned nine consecutive trips to the playoffs under head coach James Giacomazzi.

"We wanted to keep our streak going; we've made the playoffs at least every year," said Giacomazzi, hired in 2015 at Las Positas after a highly successful run as head coach at Cosumnes River.

He expects a stern test from Los Medanos, which finished second in the Bay Valley Conference and can fill it up on offense.

"They're talented. I remember watching them at the beginning of the year, saying, "Man, this team can really score. They have some gifted, talented players, especially on the offensive end. … We're going to have to play a really good game to beat them."

Giacomazzi is pleased that his team won four of its final six conference games, falling only to state-ranked City College of San Francisco, 82-70, and Chabot, 78-72, in overtime. In their conference finale, the Hawks delivered a rousing win over College of San Mateo, 74-66.

Las Positas showed character and grit in rebounding strongly from an 0-6 start in conference play, a deceiving skid considering five of those losses were by six points or less, and three were by three points or less. They weren't getting blown out.

Did the light come on in their final six games?

"Yeah, I really think there's some truth to that," Giacomazzi said. "I think the light did come on in a lot of aspects, although we're doing a lot of on-the-job training with a lot of young players and players that haven't seen each other a long time. I think it takes time. We were in those ballgames. I think we lost four of them by a possession or two. We talked to our kids, 'Hey, if we can get six points better, we're gonna turn this thing around.'"

And they did just that, making some adjustments on both ends of the floor.

"Just little tweaks, nothing big and crazy, but just little things that I thought could help us give up maybe six points less and maybe we could score six points more," Giacomazzi said. "It kind of turned the other way and really helped us, and the kids bought in and got it done."

The learning process continues, but Giacomazzi can comfortably say, "We are playing our best basketball of the season."

Alex Martin, Sterling McClanahan and Elijah Mobley recieved all conference honors, but the squad's depth was on display against CSM. Alex Ma had 11 points and three rebounds, CJ Ward had 10 points, six boards and two assists, and Jajuan Mitchell-Cox added 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Donovan Saiyad and Jojo Mangonon each had eight points and five assists.

It's so balanced with the Hawks that the team has been on a "star" rotation down the stretch. Elijah Mobley erupted for 41 points in a win over Skyline, 80-76, on Feb. 2, and then Martin scored 17 against Ohlone, and the last game or two Ward has been playing "great," the head coach shared. He had a strong game against CCSF and stepped up on offense and defense against CSM, contributing on rebounds and scoring inside.

"I think he's playing his best basketball too. Really, really proud of him," Giacomazzi said of Ward. "It's really a game for 'this player' and a game for 'this player' … A lot of these games are really matchup based. We have a deep roster, so it's weird. Sometimes we start certain players, we play certain players a lot, but the next game they might not play as much."

Of the strength of the Coast-North Conference that sent six to the Regional Playoffs, Giacomazzi said, "Literally, we've had two straight months of playoff games, so we feel that we are battle tested."

NOTES:   

• The top four seeds in the Nor-Cal were giving to #1 West Valley, #2 City College of San Francisco, #3 College of the Sequoias and #4 San Jose City. Waiting for the winner of Wednesday night's game will be the #1 seeded Vikings.
• Tip-off between the Mustangs and Hawks is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
• Due to 3C2A regulations, admission will be taken at the door. General Admission will be $12, for all identified students, faculty, staff, senior citizens age 60 and over, and children less than 12 years of age the cost will be $8.

COACHING TREE: Giacomazzi has much respect for LMC Mustangs head coach Derek Domenichelli.