Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – The experienced Jett Cheong has been as “steady as anybody” on the team this year, according to head coach Ryan Bisio.

By Ray Hamill — The College of the Redwoods men’s basketball team will begin its bid for an historic fourth consecutive Golden Valley Conference championship on Saturday when the Corsairs host Butte in a conference opening doubleheader with the women’s team.

The three-time defending GVC champs have had an up-and-down campaign so far — they started 1-5 before going on an eight-game winning streak and then dropped three of four — and they carry a record of 10-8 into conference play.

But the players are eager to go again after a two-week break from games and head coach Ryan Bisio believes they are playing their best basketball of the season at an opportune time.

After battling neck and neck for the conference title in each of the past three seasons, CR and Butte (9-9) look like they should be the frontrunners again this winter and they carry the best two records of the six GVC teams into conference play.

All of which makes Saturday’s game all the more important and a showdown that will likely have a big say in deciding the 2023/24 championship.

“Our guys are fully aware of the magnitude of this game,” Bisio said. 

The same is likely true of the Roadrunners, who should be fired up for this showdown after watching the Corsairs edge them for the title in each of the past three seasons.

The visitors will also present a unique challenge with a 7-footer who will “be very difficult to deal with,” according to Bisio.

The two-week break, however, has given the Corsairs a chance to heal up and they will go into the game as healthy as they have been for much of the season and eager to get back to action.

“Offensively we’re playing as well as anybody in the state right now, but defensively we’re struggling to find our identity,” said Bisio, who added that he believes they are, however, “trending up” right now.

The CR men have a deep lineup with an abundance of talented shooters and they lead the state in 3-pointers made per game with 12.5 and are second in the state with assists per game.

“On any given night we don’t know who’s going to lead us in scoring and that poses a really threat to our opponents,” the coach said. “When we have that many shooters on the the floor, we don’t know who’s going to have the hot hand.”

CR head coach Ryan Bisio

Kai Purcell has been one of the team’s most consistent performers so far this season, while fellow sophomore Jett Cheong has been “as steady as anybody,” Bisio said.

All-state guard Trey Neff also poses a real threat to opponents and is the reigning conference MVP and poised for a big few weeks.

“I think he’s going to show why he’s the MVP in the next 10 games,” Bisio said of the Oregon native. “I think this is his time to take control of our team and lead us to where we’re going.”

Because of their 10-8 start, Bisio and his players know the only way they can qualify for the state playoff tournament is to win conference.

“We’ve got the guys we need in order to compete,” Bisio said. “I think we’re ready to go.”

All H-DNL students will be admitted free of charge for the game.

The CR women will play Butte at 1 p.m., with the men’s game following at 3.