The San Bernardino Valley College Wolverines went into Thanksgiving break with a hard fought victory over Cerritos College last week.

They also went into the break as the state’s No. 1-ranked team.

In the latest poll released by the California Community College Men’s Basketball Coaches Association, the Wolverines received 12 first-place votes, putting the team atop the rankings, ahead of Northern California’s top team, College of Sequoias, which received eight first place votes.

“This is a nice validation of the work our team has been doing this offseason,” said San Bernardino Valley College coach Quincy Brewer. “But our goal is to be on top at the end of the season.”

The Wolverines will have a target on their backs as they head to play in the Antelope Valley College tournament this weekend, opening Friday against Rio Hondo College San Bernardino Valley then will take part in the Riverside Tournament and the Fiesta Bowl Classic in Arizona before the new year.

“We just want to see the team improve each time out,” Brewer said. “Even though we’re number one now, we can’t let that go to our head. We have to keep working and getting better so that we can be number one again in March.”