SUSANVILLE, Calif. - The Cosumnes River men's basketball team returned home from the 1st Annual Lassen College Classic following a successful weekend. The Hawks closed the weekend with a 2-1 performance in the tournament, following a pair of victories against Simpson JV and Feather River. CRC enters the holiday break with a 10-3 record.
Following a 95-85 loss to host Lassen in the opening game, the Hawks put together two impressive offensive performances, scoring 205 points combined over the last two games. In the second game of the tournament, the Hawks took on a competitive Simpson JV team that has been a tough game for a few CCCAA teams so far this season. It wasn't much of a contest for the Hawks however, as they dominated from the opening tip, putting away Simpson JV 103-47 in the tournament's second game. CRC held the team to only 18 first half points, dominating the boards and being particularly efficient on the offensive end of the floor, shooting 59% from the field. The Hawks grabbed a season-high 54 rebounds on the day led by forwards TJ Williams and Semir Cahtarevic, who had 12 and 10 rebounds, respectively. Cahtarevic also led all CRC scorers with 19 points off the bench, recording his second double-double of the season. Williams also contributed 15 points in the victory, recording his third double-double of the year. Sophomore post Jaycob Velasco (pictured right) also impressed, scoring 16 points while contributing six rebounds in 15 minutes of action.
Cosumnes River followed their blowout victory over Simpson JV with another dominant performance to close the Lassen College Classic, defeating Feather River handedly, 102-57 to close out the tournament. The Hawks put together one of their most impressive offensive performances of the season, connecting on 12 three-pointers in the game, while shooting over 57% from the perimeter. Freshman guard Mitchell Love was on fire in the game, shooting a perfect 5-5 from the perimeter and 7-8 from the field, scoring a career-high 21 points on the day. Love also added seven rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes of action. Sophomore Brenden Glapion led all Hawks in scoring on the day with 22 points, going 8-10 from the field, including connecting on three three-pointers. Freshman guard Joe Barnes recorded his first double-double of his career with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while also contributing 3 assists on the day. In all, six players scored in double figures for the Hawks on the afternoon, closing the tournament out on a high note.
The Hawks (10-3) are idle until later this month when they participate in the 47th Chabot Holiday Classic in Hayward. The event runs from December 28th-30th. CRC faces Lassen for a third-time this season in the opener, with a tip-off scheduled for 5 PM. They'll take on Las Positas in the second game on Saturday, before closing out the tournament against host Chabot on Sunday. This will be the third meeting between the team's, with the Hawks and Gladiators splitting the first two games.