RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - After earning a Greater Sacramento League title a season ago with a flawless 10-0 league record, the Cordova Lancers varsity basketball team looked prime to sit atop the league standings for the foreseeable future.

Fast forward to this season, and the Lancers appear to have their work cut out for them.

Cordova will begin league play this Friday, January 10 when they host Johnson, with tipoff set for 8:00 p.m. Last year, Johnson compiled a 10-16 overall record, including 2-8 in GSL play. Entering this week, the Warriors have started this season with an impressive 11-5 preseason mark, and look much improved under head coach Gary Brisco. The Warriors' standouts include junior Ivanson Foxx and sophomore Tagipo Maui Jr., giving Johnson a talented young core. The Lancers figure to be led by seniors Isaiah Bolden, Reimont Stallworth, and Kenny Brown, giving head coach Fletcher Johnson an experienced trio to lean on.

In addition to the turnaround from the Warriors, competition in the Greater Sacramento League figures to include the likes of Florin, who finished last season third in league with a 5-5 mark (13-14 overall). At the moment of printing, Florin has tallied an impressive 11-4 preseason mark, led by head coach Tan Nguyen.

Rival West Campus, who finished in second place within league a season ago after earning an 8-2 record (23-8 overall), has stumbled out of the gate initially with an 8-9 preseason record. Even so, expect West Campus to contend for a league title this season with head coach Michael Lawrence at the helm.

At the end of the day however, preseason records are thrown out the window once league play tips off. Wins and losses within GSL play are all that matter from here on out. The Lancers, who are the defending league champs, should still be considered the favorite to repeat with their returning senior-laden core and experience. Look for the Lancers to earn another trip to the Section playoffs come February.