SACRAMENTO, Calif.- AJ Bridges (Monterey Trail HS/Elk Grove), a redshirt sophomore guard for the men’s basketball team, has been named CRC’s Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of Nov. 17-23. This is the first time Bridges has received the honor.
Bridges (pictured right), a 5’10” redshirt sophomore guard from Elk Grove, led the Hawks to the Clark Classic tournament championship this past week at Cosumnes River College. Bridges averaged 21 points, four rebounds, and six assists per game en route to earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors. He capped off an outstanding weekend by scoring a game-high 28 points in leading 5-1 CRC to an 81-74 victory over previously undefeated Chabot in the title game. It was Bridges fifth game scoring in double-digits, and his third with over 25 points this season.
The sophomore guard currently leads the Big 8 conference in scoring with 20.8 points per game, as well as assists per game, with six per contest. He also leads the Big 8 in total steals so far this season with 13. For the year, Bridges is shooting over 52% from the field, and nearly 36% from long-distance, proving to be an efficient scorer for head coach James Giacomazzi’s offense. He’s also converting 75% of his free throw attempt this season.
This is AJ Bridges’ first CRC Student-Athlete of the Week honor, as well as the second for the men’s basketball team this season. Sophomore forward Jaycob Velasco earned the honor following the team’s consolation championship in the San Jose City College Tip-off Classic earlier this month. The team will be idle until they take part in the 76th Annual MJC Basketball Tournament during the first week of December. They’ll open the 16-team, double-elimination tournament on December 3rd against Reedley College. That game is scheduled for 8 PM at Modesto Junior College. The Hawks will then take part in two more tournaments to close out the 2013 year. They’ll open up with Big 8 conference play in January. The team’s next home game will take place on Friday, January 10th against crosstown rival American River.
Honorable Mention: Alyssa Hanks (women’s soccer), Alicia Madriago (volleyball), Janie Myles (women’s basketball).