Melvin Walker shoots a layup after his teammates steal the ball Feb. 25 at Wheelock Gym. (Hannah Padilla-Estrella | Viewpoints) 
Zekiah Lovett attempts a trick shot while trying to avoid being blocked by an opposing player at Wheelock Gym on Feb. 25. (Hannah Padilla-Estrella | Viewpoints) 
Edwyn Collins attempts a layup while two opposing players try to block him at Wheelock Gym on Feb. 25. (Hannah Padilla-Estrella | Viewpoints) 
Robert Ayala manages to gain possession of the ball for RCC at the beginning of the game during the ball toss on Feb. 25 at Wheelock Gym. (Hannah Padilla-Estrella | Viewpoints) 
Ramiah Adedigba shoots a free throw while being blocked by RCC’s Dondre Bausley Feb. 25 at Wheelock Gym. Meanwhile, multiple Tigers keep their eyes on the rim in case of a rebound. (Hannah Padilla-Estrella | Viewpoints)
By Jesus Coronel
The Riverside City College men’s basketball team clinched the Orange Empire Conference title at the Wheelock Gym as they faced Cypress College on Feb. 25.
“It’s our second conference championship in a row,” said head coach Philip Mathews. “The team is coming together at the right time.”
The Tigers were hindered by a slow start but the defense helped the team gain momentum to control the game.
They forced offensive fouls and turnovers that were pivotal to their dominant first half, which included a 15-2 run midway through the half, led by sophomores Melvin Walker and Robert Ayala.
“We are a defensive team first so we have to focus on that before we go on offense,” Ayala said after the game.
The efforts paid off as the Tigers beat the Chargers 92-72.
“Everybody did their job in order to get this win,” Walker said. “We gotta lock-in from the beginning of the game all the way to the end.”
Twenty-one fouls were committed throughout the game, but Coach Mathews isn’t completely worried about it.
“We were pressing and a lot of the fouls were unnecessary,” he said. “They were playing hard so I don’t mind the fouls if they are playing hard.”
The 14-2 record ties Fullerton for first place in the conference, thus both teams share the championship.
The Tigers are the 6 seed for the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California regional tournament and will await the winner between LA Southwest College and Copper Mountain College.
RCC will play their first game of the tournament on Mar. 3.
Riverside City College Tigerm Robert Ayala, 14, faces off with Cypress Charger, Hadi Essayli, 33, at the opening tip off Feb 25 at Wheelock Gym. It was the basketball team’s final game of the regular season, which they won 92-72. (Stephen Day | Viewpoints) 
Riverside City College Tiger, Amir Davis, 13, plays close defense on Cypress College Charger, Ramiah Adedigba, 2, preventing him from being able to put up the first points Feb 25 at Wheelock Gym. It was the basketball team’s final game of the regular season, which they won 92-72. (Stephen Day | Viewpoints) 
Riverside City College Tiger, Zekiah LoVett, 4, charges the ball back down the court after a turnover Feb 25 at Wheelock Gym. It was the basketball team’s final game of the regular season, which they won 92-72. (Stephen Day | Viewpoints) 
Riverside City College Tiger, Robert Ayala, 14, dunks the basketball, after the Tigers were able to steal the ball causing an immediate turnover after previously scoring, putting another 2 points on the board on Feb 25 at Wheelock Gym. It was the basketball team’s final game of the regular season, which they won 92-72. (Stephen Day | Viewpoints) 
Riverside City College Tiger, Robert Ayala, 14, deflects Cypress Charger Grant Sii’s, 20, shot playing close defense on Feb 25 at Wheelock Gym. It was the basketball team’s final game of the regular season, which they won 92-72. (Stephen Day | Viewpoints) 
Riverside City College Tiger, Edwyn Collins, 12, eyes the basket as he gets ready to work his way through the Cypress Charger defense Feb 25 at Wheelock Gym. It was the basketball team’s final game of the regular season, which they won 92-72. (Stephen Day | Viewpoints)
