By Nick Escalada
The Cal Poly Humboldt Men’s Basketball team surged through Southern California last weekend, securing victories against Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino. Their 91-81 sweep against San Bernardino marks the Lumberjacks’ fifth consecutive win, following the previous week’s success against CSU schools in San Marcos, Los Angeles, and Dominguez Hills.
The team had a promising start to the season, dominating in clashes with Simon Fraser and Simpson University. Still, momentum seemed to wane in late November and December, with inconsistent results ending in victory and defeat. The new semester has signaled a return to power for the Jacks, which the players attribute to their heightened determination and new preparation methods.
“We don’t shy away from trying to change the routine, so really just going hard every day in practice, and then just using the momentum for winning games,” said senior forward-center Kyle Frelow. “We’re all tired of losing, so it’s time to build a streak, and this is the time to do it.”
Frelow is a recent transfer from Cal State Northridge and quickly proved to be invaluable on the paint, defending the 3-point area and maintaining ball possession with abundant rebounds each game. After refining his play style for the past three years, Frelow now works to conduct himself in a way that best suits his new team.
“As a freshman, you play kind of fast, and then as a sophomore, you kind of pick up on how the speed is, and then now as a senior, it’s really just finding my own pace and then just making the right plays for myself and for the team,” Frelow said. “As a forward, there’s not really too much to learn when you master the different spots you’re at. It’s more of putting the whole game together, whether you’re shooting, passing, blocking shots or making charges.”
The team has been held together by a handful of veteran athletes and newcomers who repeatedly show out as top performers. Fans and basketball analysts were quick to spot the rise of a few breakout stars among the group’s freshmen. One such sensation is guard Aidan Fowler, who previously broke the most records in history at Junipero Serra High School and claimed Orange County Player of the Year and is now routinely giving Humboldt the edge with game-high scores.
“The speed of the college game is definitely a lot faster than high school. Obviously, you’re playing against grown men,” Fowler stated. “And physicality-wise, [they’re] a lot stronger. But, from Coach Billups helping me, and going at it with Kalib — who’s an experienced guard — and Kyle, who’s an experienced big [center], practice really helped me adapt to the games.”
The team is now back after a 5-day away trip from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, and they have one more big outing before the CCAA Tournament in March hosted by San Marcos. The time the team has spent traveling and being off-campus has been challenging and rewarding for the players.
“It has a disadvantage in the sense that you don’t have your own routine,” Frelow said. “You’re at a hotel, you’re eating out, and you have homework. It’s kind of harder to find your time than you would at home. But it’s also more organized. We’re on the road — all you have to worry about is eating, school and basketball, so it kind of makes it easier.”
The awaited playoff period is fast approaching for the Lumberjacks, and it’s clear that this hot streak has lit a fire under them to perform their best once the post-season arrives.
“[We’ve] got to focus on the main thing,” Frelow said. “It’s cool being on the road, having fun, seeing the fans, but at the end of the day it’s a business trip. We’re trying to win and go to the conference tournament, and then go to the post-season NCAA tournament.”
If their current performance is anything to go by, it’s promising that the Jacks are already well on their way to the top. Men’s Basketball will be back at Lumberjack Arena on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and a Cancer Awareness game will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. Don’t forget to wear pink!