The article below originally appeared in the San Mateo Daily Journal and is being reprinted with permission.

Skyline is the sole leader in the Coast North Conference women’s basketball race entering the third week of league play – and has a pair of showdowns on tap.

Following a 69-60 win over state-ranked Chabot College last Friday, Skyline (3-0 Coast North, 10-11 overall) puts its undefeated record on the line at second-place City College of San Francisco (2-1, 13-6) Wednesday, then hosts county neighbor College of San Mateo (1-1, 14-5) Friday.

All games have 5 p.m. tipoffs.

Chabot led Skyline, 49-46, after three quarters of play. Skyline, however, won the last quarter, 23-11, for the final nine-point spread. Jenika Zurita was the game-high scorer for Skyline with 21 points, including four 3-pointers. Jazmynn Sciancalepore-Garica added 16 points and nine rebounds.

CSM, meanwhile, will host Ohlone-Fremont (0-3, 3-14) Wednesday. The Bulldogs defeated Chabot, 62-57, last week. The lone Bulldogs loss has come at CCSF, by just a point, 65-64.

Joslyn Moore and Jayonnah Carter each scored a dozen points in leading San Mateo’s comeback win over Chabot. The Gladiators held a 50-39 lead after three quarters before CSM outscored them, 23-7 in the final period for the key win.

Last week’s state coaches poll does not have Skyline in the top 25 rankings, while CCSF is No. 12, Chabot (1-2, 13-6) No. 17, and San Mateo No. 21. CSM, at 14-5, currently has the best overall record in the conference.

Coast Conference North men’s basketball race features five state-ranked teams

It’s quite a battle after two weeks of Coast North Conference men’s basketball play, with five of the seven team ranked among the top 25 in the state coaches poll.

Chabot now leads the Coast Conference North at 4-0, followed by state No. 10 CCSF and No. 22 Ohlone at 2-1. Skyline is 2-2, CSM 1-2, and Cañada 1-3. Ranked Las Positas, at 0-3, is still looking for its first league win.

Wednesday, Ohlone visits San Mateo, while Skyline goes to defending champion CCSF, both at 7 p.m. The next county game has CSM at Skyline Friday at 7 p.m, while Cañada hosts Ohlone at 5 p.m.

Last week, No. 23 Skyline (15-5 overall) defeated San Mateo County foe Cañada, 67-58, while No. 8 Chabot beat visiting CSM, 101-79.

Cañada bounced back to down No. 24 Las Positas, 68-65, Friday. Skyline, however fell to No. 8 Chabot, 84-75.

Baseball, softball opens Friday

Spring sports get underway Friday as all four county teams will be in action.

In baseball openers, Sacramento City College visits Cañada at 1 p.m., College of San Mateo hosts Cabrillo at 1:30 p.m., and Skyline goes to Los Medanos-Pittsburg at 2 p.m.

The CSM softball team plays in the annual Bakersfield College tournament, meeting Santiago Canyon and host Bakersfield Friday, and Mt. San Antoni Saturday.