Coach Fisher and Cougars Set for Western State Conference Play

Head coach Howard Fisher and the College of the Canyons men's basketball team concluded the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 5-7 record, earned while competing in five separate tournaments to begin the season. 

The early season results have been mixed for Canyons, due in large part to a rash of injuries that has left the Cougars struggling to find their collective rhythm.

Canyons wrapped up 2015 by hosting the 26th Annual Cougar Holiday Classic on Dec. 28-29.

The Cougars were able to close out a 66-61 victory over Los Angeles Trade Tech College in the tourney's opening round, but eventually fell 74-56 to Orange Coast College in the championship game.

Guards Victor Nwaba and Alex Sanchez each earned All-Tournament honors. Nwaba averaged 21 points per game in the tournament while Sanchez averaged 14. 

Prior to hosting the Cougar Holiday Classic, the Cougars won back-to-back games — including an 88-81 overtime thriller against Santa Ana College — at the San Jacinto Kiwanis Tournament hosted by Mt. San Jacinto College on Dec. 3-5.

Nwaba is averaging 17 points per game to lead the team in scoring, while shooting 45.2 percent from the floor.

COC sophomore guard Jalen Ewell leads the team in rebounding averaging 8.6 rebounds per game, while freshman guard Tyler Hooks leads the team in assists at a rate of 2.8 per game across 10 contests. 

Canyons will now begin Western State Conference, South competition, with the Cougars traveling to Santa Monica College (11-2) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6. 

After that, it's another conference road game vs. Bakersfield at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.

The Cougars will then host Glendale College at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, in the team's conference home opener.