No. 23 Canyons Punches Ticket, Headed Back to Postseason

College of the Canyons men’s basketball players and coaches stand on the sidelines in a gym, cheering enthusiastically during a game, with a blue and yellow graphic reading “Men’s Basketball – Playoffs Clinched” alongside the team’s cougar logo.
February 23, 2026

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director   

College of the Canyons is competing in the 3C2A Southern California Regional Playoffs for the first time in six seasons, with the Cougars' postseason journey beginning Wednesday.

No. 23 Canyons (16-12, 7-7) is set to face No. 10 San Bernardino Valley College (23-5, 16-0) in opening round action Wednesday, Feb. 25. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Cougars finished the regular season fifth in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division standings after finishing 5-5 across the final 10 contests. COC won five of six games during a span running Jan. 17 to Feb. 4, before running into a three-game skid.

Canyons had three players earn All-WSC, South Division honors with Donovan Cornelius and Dwayne Boston Jr. both named to the First Team. Freshman Craig Irons was an Honorable Mention selection.

COC is competing in the postseason for the 15th time in program history and the eighth time under head coach Howard Fisher (2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2026).

San Bernardino Valley finished the year on a 16-game winning streak enroute to being crowned champions of the Inland Empire Athletic conference. 

The Wolverines were undefeated in conference play and posted a 11-2 record on their home court. SBVC's last loss came on Dec. 10, at Riverside City College.

All 3C2A playoff games will be held on the campuses of the higher seeds with teams vying for one of eight regional berths in the state championship tournament, scheduled for March 13-15 at College of the Sequoias in Visalia.

The winner between Canyons and SBVC will move on to face No. 7 Mt. San Antonio College (24-4, 9-1) on Saturday, Feb. 28.

A full schedule of SoCal Regional playoff games and tournament bracket is included here. A Northern California regional bracket is available here.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.