Steve Watson/The Artful Photographist

By Ray Hamill — The 2026 Golden Valley Conference men’s basketball championship is up for grabs on Wednesday night, and the CR men are hoping the local community can help them.

Redwoods (7 -1) will host Feather River (8-0) in both teams’ penultimate conference game and a win for the home side would leave both schools tied for the GVC lead with one round of games remaining.

And CR head coach Justin Claus believes the home-court advantage can play a big role in the outcome as his team looks to continue its remarkable success in recent years.

“We are extremely eager to create the best atmosphere possible and believe our home court advantage, fueled by community support, is a major factor in our success,” Claus said. “We hope everyone who can attend will come out and support our team.”

All H-DNL students will be admitted free for the big night, which also includes a key game for the Redwoods women, as the local community college looks to secure a rare double championship this month.

The CR women are tied with Siskiyous for second in the GVC after losing 100-84 to the Eagles in Weed on Saturday.

Both schools are now 6-2 in conference, one win behind leaders Butte (7-1), whose only conference loss came against CR last week.

The Redwoods women have split two conference games against both Butte and Siskiyous, while the latter two will meet at Butte on Wednesday in a game that will have huge implications in the race for the championship.

The Butte women won the first matchup between the two teams.

If Siskiyous can win that game, and if CR takes care of business against a Feather River team that is 0-8 in conference, then there would be a three-way tie for the GVC lead heading into Monday’s final round of games.

The CR women tip off at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by the men at 7.

Photo by Maddie Costa

The Redwoods men lost 78-65 at Feather River in the school’s first conference game last month, but home-court advantage could be a difference-maker this time around, and the local community can play a role in that.

CR is looking to secure a second straight GVC crown and a fifth in six seasons, a remarkable run for the local program, and the team has succeeded with several former H-DNL players playing key roles.

Both CR teams will close out conference play with a doubleheader of action against Lassen at home on Monday night.

Wednesday’s games come during a break in action in this week’s Dick Niclai Tournament.