SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Head Coach James Giacomazzi and the Cosumnes River Hawks open their postseason tonight when they play host to the Golden Valley Conference champion Butte Roadrunners. Tipoff for tonight's game is scheduled for 7 PM at Cosumnes River College.
The 6th seeded Hawks (22-7; 12-2), Big 8 Conference champions and winners of 12 straight, will look to win their second consecutive home playoff game in the round of 32. Cosumnes River defeated visiting Lassen in the Northern California Regional quarterfinals last season at home, 88-69. The Hawks currently sit at 9-1 at home on the season, their only loss coming against Diablo Valley in the opening game of Big 8 conference play. The Hawks dropped their first two conference games before winning their final 12, taking the Big 8 conference title outright.
CRC looks to extend their winning streak to 13 games when they take on Butte later tonight. Butte is coming off their second straight Golden Valley conference championship. The Roadrunners made short work of their GVC foes this season, winning their first nine conference games before dropping their regular season finale to Feather River, 83-77.
Butte (18-8; 9-1) is led by two-time GVC MVP, and two-time All-State forward, Arthur Caldwell. Caldwell is averaging 20 points and seven rebounds per contest during the 2014-15 season. The 6'5" forward has played his best basketball in conference play, serving as a consistent presence for the Roadrunners this season in the frontcourt.
Fellow sophomore Jud Sailsbery has been the Roadrunners best offensive weapon in the backcourt this season, shooting a team-high 43% from the perimeter, while averaging over 14 points per game.
Joining Caldwell in the frontcourt is freshman Michael Shoemaker. The 6'7" forward has averaged nearly 12 points and seven rebounds per contest as a freshman. Butte does not have a deep rotation, playing only eight players in 20-plus games this season. However, the Roadrunners have plenty of experience with six sophomores on the roster.
Tipoff for tonight's contest is scheduled for 7 PM on Clark Court, at Cosumnes River College. The winner of tonight's contest will take on the winner of #3 Marin vs #14 Skyline on Wednesday night.
Tickets are $12 for general admission, $8 for Seniors (60+), children under 12, students, faculty, and staff with ID. As this is a CCCAA administered event, CRC season passes are not permitted for admission.