The Fresno City College men’s basketball team took on the Reedley Tigers on Saturday. Leading the Rams was Brandon Johnson with 16 points and Jibreel Nasir with 11 points during the second game to break triple digits: 102-63.

Men’s basketball has won its conference season eight times in a row since 2002 and is looking for number nine this spring. In order for them to achieve this, focus is the key. “The main goals for the Rams are to stay focused and take one game at a time.” said coach, Ed Madec.

With 12 out of 17 Rams being freshmen this year, focus is one of the biggest challenges. FCC freshman guard, Alex Fletcher said, “The changing work load between high school and college is something to get used to.” If players aren’t studying the books, they’re working on their jump shots because every team in the league is trying to knock them down.

With a 257-35 record, the team has the most wins in California, by any community college to date. Last year, they made it to the elite eight in the state tournament with a record of 34-0. Madec added, “We’re not looking at the wins and losses; we’re looking at how we can be better and how we want to finish our season.”

In the first half of the conference season, the Rams have beaten every team at least once. The Jan.13 game against Columbia College proved to be the highest-scoring win this season at 103-54. The College of the Sequoias face off on Jan. 16 became the first game to go into overtime, finally ending with a Rams win, 81-76.

Fresno City Rams Men’s Basketball started the winter tournaments off at the 72nd Modesto Tournament. Up against Siskiyous in the first round, the Rams won, 95-54. In the tournaments champion’s finals, FCC went up against San Joaquin Delta and won 98-78. Rams go up against Yuba and win 67-74 in the championship game, taking home the victory.

Fresno City started the COS tournament by beating Sacramento City College, 78-73. The Rams beat Sac City on the boards, totaling 30 defensive and 13 offensive rebounds. Fresno City lost on the second day to Bakersfield, 69-76 and found themselves in a fight to place at the tournament.

On the tourney’s final day, Fresno City dominated Allan Hancock College for the second time this season, winning 98-65 and claiming third place in the tournament.

Fresno City’s first game in the Allan Hancock Tournament was a 2 point loss to Cuesta College, 74-72. The match up, statistically, between the two teams was equal. Brandon Hawkins & Brandon Johnson, each knocked down 20+ points, and Fresno City shot 75 percent at the free-throw line.

The Rams ended out the AH tourney up against Vandenberg Air Force Base with a total of 39 offensive & defensive rebounds, and a 15- point win, later losing the tournament. “It’s not about the losses, it’s about the growth”, Madac said, noticing growth in every one of his players this season.