Seldom does a matchup with the No. 5 team in Northern California elicit a positive response. That being said, the Merced College women's basketball team couldn't have hoped for a better first-round playoff matchup.
Why?
The Lady Devils will square off with a Sierra team they beat by 15 in the Shasta Classic championship game back in December. Sure, a lot of basketball has been played between then and now. And MC certainly isn't playing its best ball of the year entering the playoffs. Still, you have have to like the psychological edge the Lady Devils hold in this one.
As an added bit of incentive, a victory would likely set up a third matchup with CVC-rival Fresno City in the second round. After getting embarrassed in Fresno last Saturday, MC is probably salivating at the thought of one more shot at the Rams.
The Lady Devils will open the playoffs at Sierra on Saturday at 7 p.m.
