by Alexis Blue

Lumberjack Arena was packed with over 800 people in attendance and rumbling with excitement as men’s and women’s basketball took to the court for their last home games of the season against California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) on Feb. 28. Senior Day, Fan Appreciation Day and their last games on their home court, this was a day packed with emotion — and most importantly: victory. 

Women’s basketball first took to the court and celebrated their lone senior, Kyra Stewart, and honored her in a Senior Day ceremony before the start of the game. 

Junior guard Shade Satica expanded on what Senior Day meant for their team as their last home-game with Stewart. 

“We love Kyra,” Satica said. “She has sacrificed a lot for us to help us be better as a team, and so having her out there on the court with us really meant a lot.” 

After recognition with a commemorative sign, balloons, teammates and coaches rallied behind her, the Lumberjacks came out hungry for a win. At halftime, the Jacks were up 43-22 due to their relentless offense, where they connected countless passes and patiently waited to execute the perfect basket, including four three-pointers in the opening quarter. 

The Jacks never let their lead slip; they ended each period with San Marcos trailing, which allowed them to clutch yet another victory with a 78-68 win. This dominant performance carved their season into the Humboldt history books and extended their winning streak to eight games, the longest since 2019, while they also earned the program’s first 20-win season since 2014-15. This also clinched the No. 2 seed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s (CCAA) standings.  

Junior guard Sienna Cherwinski noted that Stewart brings a different energy and spark on and off the court that the team will really miss. Cherwinski also commented on what it meant to secure a win in their last regular-season match-up at home. 

“We build off that energy all the time, and I feel like [the crowd] is really our other teammate, helping us on the court,” Cherwinski said. “It’s really fun, and we’re going to miss the environment.”

Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson reflected on the importance of the game and having played their last game of the season in Lumberjack Arena. Bento-Jackson noted how the team rallied around the last chance to play in front of their home crowd and the collective sentiment to get the win for their senior, Stewart. 

Bento-Jackson expanded on their mindset as they advanced into the playoffs. 

“As a team, we have continued to learn. We have continued to progress. We’ve been in so many different situations, highs and lows throughout the season,” Bento-Jackson said. “One thing I really commend this team on is they’ve stayed pretty level-headed throughout the season. They just come back every single day in practice with the same amount of focus.” 

The Jacks will carry this focus with them all the way to Pomona, Calif., where the Men’s and Women’s 2026 CCAA Basketball tournament will be held. As the No. 2 seed, the women’s team received a first-round bye and will face No. 3 California State University, Los Angeles or No. 6 California State University, Monterey Bay in the semifinal on March 6. 

To close out the day, men’s basketball took to the floor to honor their four seniors in a pregame Senior Day ceremony. Seniors Rob Jenkins, Drew Ardouin, Dennis Cash and Shakir Odunewu were celebrated for their collegiate careers with a keepsake framed portrait and walked out alongside family, friends, teammates and coaches. 

Following tipoff, the Jacks dominated the first half and left San Marcos in a deficit at halftime with their 37-21 lead. With 28 points in the paint, the Jacks battled hard on offense and defense, when San Marcos offense closed the gap in the final few minutes of the game. Tied 61-61 with a minute left on the clock, the intensity radiated off the court and into the crowd’s chanting.

Wayne Hampton III laced a three with 31 seconds on the clock to give the Jacks the edge, and a late free throw sealed the 65-61 win over San Marcos. With this victory, the Jacks secured their spot as the No. 3 seed in the CCAA standings. 

Senior guard Drew Ardouin reflected on his collegiate career and what it has meant to play his final season as a Lumberjack. Ardouin noted his excitement in ending his season at the CCAA Tournament. 

“Looking back on my career, I’ve been to a lot of schools, so a lot of different experiences,” Ardouin said. “This one has been totally different… I’m just always thankful to get on the court one more time.” 

Junior guard and forward Dorrell Thomas commented on the excitement of having won their last regular-season game at home and how it feels to know their season isn’t over. 

“We have been working hard. It’s a whole new team. It’s a whole new coaching staff,” Thomas said. “It felt great to finish in the third seed.”

When asked about their team’s mindset going into the playoffs, Thomas had one answer.

“Win,” Thomas said. 

With playoffs beginning in only a few days, Assistant Coach Kevin Johnson Jr. shared more on the team’s momentum building at just the right time.   

“I think we are starting to hit a stride right now,” Johnson Jr. said. ”We won the last couple of games, and I think we need that type of momentum going into the playoffs.” 

Johnson Jr. also spoke to the team’s development over the course of the season and how this has left them better prepared for the postseason. 

“Now that we have 28 games under our belt, [the team] knows what to expect,” Johnson Jr. said. “We are playing the same teams we’ve already played twice. Knowing the personnel, knowing what the other teams are going to do, I think we’ll be prepared.” 

As the third seed, the Jacks will face the sixth seed San Marcos in the quarterfinal on March 5 in Pomona, Calif. By Saturday, March 7, a conference champion will be declared.

Alexis Blue is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in journalism – public relations and minoring in writing. In her free time, you’ll probably find her drinking coffee, watching sunsets, collecting shells on the beach and playing soccer.