Basketball season has officially started for the CSU Stanislaus basketball teams. Get ready to show your school spirit as these teams are ready to take on tough opponents and continue to build their team chemistry.
Lots of excitement was in the air as the Warriors were ramped up after Warrior Madness. This event, that was held on Oct. 23, highlighted the men and women and invited the community to participate in contests, building anticipation for the start of this winter sport. Two players, one from each team shared what they enjoyed most about this day.
Da’Myiah Lewis (senior, Public Health Promotion) believed the event had a great turnout despite the late promotion. She loved how all of the other sports teams on campus came out to support and brought their enthusiasm.
Jonathan Tchengang loved that he was able to “showcase a little preview of the team before the season kicks off.” He also loved the half-court shot contest to win a free parking pass for the spring semester. Even though no one made the shot, fans still have the opportunity to win at future home games.
Lewis participated in the three point contest between both teams and finished second under a player from the men’s team. Tchengang kept his crown as the back-to-back dunk contest champion. His victory was a unanimous decision by the judges.
Another women’s player, Jadyn Patterson (junior, Creative Media), shared her personal and team goals she hopes to fulfill in the upcoming season.
“I want us to be one of the top teams that has really good team chemistry with great defense. We still have so much time to improve and it’s only the beginning,” she said.
Patterson plans on contributing to her team’s success by continuing to improve her three point shot, as she was also one of the players in the contest coming very close to making the finals after Lewis. Also, as a veteran guard she wants to get more open looks for her teammates, along with more steals and rebounds.
All players shared their views on fan support and how it drives them as athletes.
“The fans influences me on the court by giving me the energy that I need to keep going. With them being there, I know that I have to go all out because they came out to watch the team play and to not give it my all would be a disservice to them and myself,” said Lewis.
Patterson and Tchengang are happy to see fans supporting them, knowing that it is very essential. Tchengang believes the atmosphere and support will only up his game, allowing him to put on a great show for those watching.
All of this excitement and passion carried onto hard-working and competitive pre-season play. The men’s team is starting off strong finishing 3-1 after the first two weeks. The women fought hard ending with an 0-3 record to start the season, but they’re determined to learn and improve as the season progresses.
The men are set to play Saint Mary’s College on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. for an exhibition match and will return to play at home for their first time this season against UC Merced at 3 p.m. on Nov. 23. If you miss that home opener, don’t worry, the warriors will remain at home for their next two matchups against Academy of Art on Nov. 27 at 3 p.m. and Monterey Bay on Nov 30 at 3 p.m. where they will start conference play.
The women are still searching for their first win as they will play Fresno Pacific on Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. They will return back home on Nov. 26 at 5 p.m. to play Jessup University, and they will also start conference play against Monterey Bay at 1 p.m. on Nov 30.
The link for the men’s schedule can be found here and the women’s will follow here.
