A CRC basketball update

The latest from Nicholas Podesta, Cosumnes River College Sports Information Officer/Assistant Men's Basketball Coach:

Hawks win three straight, host #8 Sierra tonight

Coming into league play, the Cosumnes River College men’s basketball team was looking every bit the part of a young and inexperienced team. They had shown flashes of brilliance at times throughout the preconference schedule, picking up a big win over regional power Yuba College, as well as taking their own Clark Classic championship title. However CRC limped through much of December, as their inexperience cost them a few tight ballgames against veteran teams, recording a 7-8 record heading into Big 8 play. After dropping a close game to Delta to kick off the Big 8 schedule, Cosumnes River has rebounded in a big way, rolling off three straight victories to play their way into second place in the Big 8 standings.

This past Friday, the Hawks played some of their best basketball of the season over a 25 minute stretch, defeating Diablo Valley College on the road 87-84 in overtime. CRC began the game with their worst half of the season, shooting below 25% and only recording five field goals, as DVC took a commanding 32-12 lead into the half.  Head Coach James Giacomazzi challenged his players pride during halftime, and the youthful Hawks responded in a big way, scoring an outstanding 61 points in the second half, and playing to a 73-all tie to end regulation. The hot shooting Hawks continued their steady play from the perimeter, and behind freshman guard Rodney Cook’s (Bethel HS/Vallejo) 18 point-six assist effort, took a narrow 87-84 victory over DVC. Sophomore Charles Standifer (Capital Christian HS/Sacramento) also chipped in 17 points, while contributing five rebounds, five assists and a steal.

The victory followed a pair of home wins for the Hawks the previous week, as CRC defeated both American River College and Modesto Junior College handedly. Last Tuesday, the Hawks took a double-digit lead into halftime, before the Beavers’ hot shooting brought them to within three. The run would be too little, too late however, as Cosumnes River rallied again to put away the Beavers 83-70. Charles Standifer led all scorers with 26 points, while also adding six rebounds and a team high six steals. Freshman guard Justin Barrels (Central HS/Fresno) also contributed 18 points, including three three-pointers for the Hawks. CRC knocked off visiting Modesto Junior College the previous Friday at home to kick off the winning streak, as the Hawks beat the Bucs 76-69.  Barrels led all Hawk scorers with 23 on the strength of four trey’s, while also snagging eight rebounds. Veteran Charles Standifer recorded a double-double on the evening, scoring 19 points while contributing 12 rebounds. Standifer also collected a pair of steals in the effort.

The streaking Hawks (10-9; 3-1) begin the week in a tie for second place in the Big 8 conference, and will host #8-ranked Sierra College of Rocklin (12-5; 3-1) tonight at 5:30.  Cosumnes River will close the week this Friday against crosstown rival Sacramento City College (6-8; 1-3).