College of the Sequoias' Jamaal Phatty (35) in the game versus Butte College on December 20, 2025. (Norma Foster / COS Athletics)

December 21, 2025

Second-half surge sends Giants men's basketball to blowout win in finale of COS Classic

Butte

Sequoias

121

Final	1	2	T
Butte	38	33	71
Sequoias	56	65	121

By Nick Giannandrea

COS ATHLETICS

College of the Sequoias men's basketball team found another gear offensively during the second half of its COS Classic finale.

The Giants scored 65 points after halftime, more than nine teams around the state average in an entire game, while rolling to a 121-71 victory over Butte on Dec. 20 at Porter Field House while wrapping up their two-day, six-team event.

It was the second-most points Sequoias has scored in a game during Dallas Jensen's seven seasons as coach. The Giants beat Palo Verde 132-82 on March 6, 2021, when Sequoias was one of a few programs around the state to play games after the California Community College Athletic Association's official 2020-2021 season was canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The state No. 10-ranked Giants (9-3) shot a blistering 65 percent from the field (26 of 40) in the second half, including an outstanding 46.7 percent (7 of 15) from 3-point range.

"Everyone was just hitting shots and ready to play today," said sophomore wing Cameron Kelly (Atlanta), who made 8 of 16 shots while scoring 19 points. "That was big."

Sequoias has struggled to find consistency through the first part of the season while dealing with a rash of injuries.

Eight of the Giants' 12 players have missed at least one game this season, with freshman wing Rippen Gill (Centennial High-Bakersfield) and sophomore center Andre Stinson (Buffalo, N.Y.) out for the season. Two other players -- sophomore center Zaquien Whitehead (Columbus, Ga.) and freshman guard Gabe Gutierrez (Bakersfield Christian) -- are currently sidelined. Jensen said he hopes to have Whitehead back no later than the start of Central Valley Conference play in January. Gutierrez is awaiting results of an MRI to determine how long he'll be out.

After starting the season 6-3, Sequoias has now won three straight and will have nine days off before resuming its nonconference scheduled at 3 p.m. Dec. 30 at Ventura. The Giants beat Orange Coast 99-53 in their COS Classic opener on Dec. 19.

"I think the boys did better today. I think it started in warmups and that transitioned into the game," Jensen said. "We are doing a better job of playing inside-out. Our ability to score around the rim is opening up things on the perimeter for us offensively. And defensively, I think we are flying around a little bit better. We're communicating better. Trusting one another little bit more. We still have a lot to work on, but today was a step in the right direction."

Playing against an unranked Butte (8-9) which was coming off a 71-70 overtime loss to a Porterville team that entered 2-10 on the season, Sequoias had trouble shaking loose of the Roadrunners early on.

The Giants didn't secure the lead for good until an offensive rebound and putback by Javon Bragg (Corcoran) put them ahead 16-14 with 13 minutes and 30 seconds to play in the first half.

That kickstarted a 17-5 run that allowed Sequoias to surge ahead by more than double-digits (31-19). The Giants lead 56-38 by halftime.

In the second half, Sequoias extended its lead past 20 points (64-43) on a layup by sophomore guard Mason Dorsey (Los Angeles) with 17:40 remaining; beyond 30 points (77-46) on a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Jayden Abuyen (Centennial-Bakersfield) with 13:16 left; and to more than 40 points (102-61) on a Bragg jumper off an assist from sophomore guard Kion Hayes (Savannah, Ga.) with 5:36 to play.

The Giants' lead reached its zenith of 50 points (121-71) on a coast-to-coast layup by sophomore guard Kareem Barnett (Miami) with 49 seconds left.

"I think we played really well," said Kelly, who also delivered seven rebounds and four assists. "I think we were really focused on being solid on all the small things."

Perhaps the brightest spot of Kelly's performance against Butte was he only committed one turnover one night after making eight against Orange Coast.

"He knows when he needs to be better, and he's the first to recognize it and hold himself accountable and want to be better for his teammates more than anything," Jensen said. "I just thought he did a wonderful job today and continues to play to his strengths and kind of led us really emotionally."

Bragg paced Sequoias with 36 points, 15 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block.

Hayes delivered 17 points, nine assists and four rebounds.

Dorsey contributed 14 points, five rebounds and five assists.

The Giants also received 11 points, six rebounds and six assists from Bernett; 10 points, seven rebounds, an assist and a steal from sophomore wing QShawn On'gele (Portland, Ore.); seven points, five rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block from Abyen; and five points, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal from Jamaal Phatty (Frankfurt, Germany).

"Everyone is starting to come into their roles and we're all starting to figure it out," Kelly said. "It's really good to see."

Sequoias next plays at home at 5 p.m. Jan. 2 against Citrus in its final nonconference game.

The Giants begin defense of their CVC title by hosting Coalinga at 5 p.m. Jan. 7.