Tag: San Jose State Spartans

San Jose State Spartans game wrap: Spartans lose second straight game to Cal Poly 75-71

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San Jose State Spartans forward Ralph Agee (35) finished third in scoring for the Spartans with 13 points against the Cal Poly Mustangs on Sun Dec 13, 2020 (photo from sjsuspartans.com)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the San Jose Spartans took on  Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Mustangs home court.  Currently the Mustangs are 1-2 while the Spartans are 1-1 after being soundly beaten Friday night at the hands of the St. Mary’s Gaels 96-61.  
The Spartans never got anything going in that game and were re-grouping for the quick turnaround and hopes for a much better showing against Cal Poly. 
 
San Jose took a nice 29-12 lead in the first half before letting their foot off the pedal allowing the Mustangs to pull within eight points.  As the first half came to an end the Spartans led but the score had been whittled down to four points 36-32.
San Jose seemed to have had the game in hand early on but the stubborn Mustangs had other plans as they challenged the Spartans with some nice work from Keith Smith for eight points, Mark Crowe for six points as well as help from their bench.  
 
The Spartans had Seneca Knight back and he went right to work scoring 12 points.  Ralph Agee had eight points and Richard Washington also contributed eight points.  The team would lean heavily on Knight, Agee and Washington in the second half as well as their defense keeping the Mustangs from another surge in the second half.
 
The second half was not the start that San Jose had hoped for.  They lost the lead and found themselves trailing early. The Spartans fought back and with 7:04 left in the game they were tied at 59.  
San Jose fought the entire game but came up just short losing a heartbreaker 75-71.  Washington finished the game with 22 points, Knight with 20 and Agee with 13 plus some nice work off the bench from Trey Smith and Kaison Hammonds.  San Jose now drops to a 1-2 record, next taking on Santa Clara Friday the time TBD.  
   

San Jose State Spartans game wrap: Gaels Win Sixth In A Row Handily Beating San Jose State 96-61

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The St Mary’s Gaels forward Sam Fotu (42) drives on San Jose Spartans center Hugo Clarkin (5) on Fri Dec 11, 2020 at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga (smcgaels.com photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the San Jose Spartans took on the St. Mary’s Gaels at McKeon Pavilion. St. Mary’s came into the game with a 5-1 record while San Jose’s record is 1-0 due to the cancellations they have experienced this year. The Gaels are riding high winning five games in a row. They most recently beat the University of Texas at EL Paso. Their only loss came at the hands of Memphis 73-56.

The San Jose Spartans handled Fresno Pacific by the score of 87-79. A win tonight for the Spartans would mean a second straight victory as well as their first win over the Gaels since 2000.

The Spartans would be looking for another explosive performance by sophomore Omari Moore and Richard Washington who had 38 points against Fresno Pacific. All eyes will be on this power duo. Right now the Spartans are the No. 1 ranked team in the nation in defensive rebounding.

The Spartans will be without 4 players in this game although it has not been announced that any of them have covid. Seneca Knight is one of those players which is a blow for San Jose. The Spartans were looking at a very real challenge in this game.

The Gaels will be highlighting Tommy Kuhse, one of their offensive leaders, who had 24 points in their latest win against UTEP. St. Mary’s will also be counting on Matthias Tass and Alex Ducas to carry their offense. Right now the Gaels are a high-scoring team recording 72 or more points in each of their last four games. Head Coach Randy Bennett is 7-0 against San Jose.

It was a very tough start for the Spartans trailing from the start of the game. It was all St. Mary’s as they took a 57-27 lead into the locker room. Nine different Gaels scored in the first half shooting 68 percent which gave them a 30 point lead.

In the first half the only Spartan that had shot in double digits was Richard Washington with 13 points. It was the dominating Gaels that had two players in double digits: Matthias Tass with 11 and Dan Fotu with 11. The Gaels had a combined 25 points off the bench while the Spartans only had 7.

Midway through the second half the Spartans were trailing 77-42 and they struggled to get anything going against the powerhouse Gaels. The Spartans got some nice play from Washington and Moore with 35 combined points but it was the Gael’s bench with the combined 30 points of Tass and Fotu that did San Jose in. The final score was a shocking 96-61. San Jose will be facing Cal Poly Sunday with tip off at 1:00.

 

 

San Jose State defeats Fresno Pacific 87-79

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By: Ana Kieu

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — San Jose State men’s basketball kicked off its non-conference slate against the Fresco Pacific Sunbirds at Kaiser Permanente Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Spartans’ starting five featured Omari Moore, Richard Washington, Seneca Knight, Michael Ofoegbu, and Hugo Clarkin. Ofoegbu and Clarkin earned their first career starts.

The Spartans wasted no time getting into the groove. Richard Washington got nine points early in the first half. Omari Moore made things look easy by pushing the pressure, driving in a bucket, bumping off contact, and fading away. Chase Courtney scored his first career bucket.

A familiar sight returned when Seneca Knight became a playmaker on the hardwood. SJSU led Fresno Pacific 39-15 at the under-eight, and Richard Washington had a game-high 12 points. Washington recorded 23 first-half points as the Spartans cruised to a 52-32 lead at the end of the first half.

The Sunbirds weren’t pushovers in the second half. Fresno Pacific jumped out to a 17-1 run to start the second. They pulled within 13 with 15:14 left in the second and it took them less than one minute to cut their deficit to 10.

The Spartans’ offense was nonexistent as the Sunbirds came from behind to take a short-lived lead. The Sunbirds also cut the Spartans’ lead to single digits and maintained a manageable deficit for a good chunk of the second.

The game was tied 71-71, but Richard Washington made a pair of free throws to help the Spartans take a 73-71 lead with 5:13 left in the second. Washington added another pair of free throws to extend the Spartans’ lead to 75-71 a little over one minute later.

The Spartans rose up and led the Sunbirds by six, 77-71, with 3:23 left in the second. Omari Moore needed a basket, but was fouled out. SJSU tried to play with more grit in order to hold on for the win. Moore blew past a Fresno Pacific defender for a reverse layup and Trey Smith added a free throw.

The Spartans beat the Sunbirds 87-79. SJSU improved to 1-0, while Fresno Pacific fell to 0-1. Richard Washington led the Spartans with a career-high 37 points and 12 rebounds.

The Spartans head to Moraga, Calif. to take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Friday evening at 7 pm PT.

SJSU gets blown out by UC Riverside 80-65

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State returned home to open a three-game homestand and to snap a seven-game losing skid at the Provident Credit Union Event Center.

SJSU hosted Star Wars Day. That being said, the blue and gold force was with Spartan Nation.

SJSU’s starting lineup featured Brae Ivey, Seneca Knight, Omari Moore, Christian Anigwe and Ralph Agee. Agee was in the starting lineup for the second straight game.

SJSU opened the first half with a 8-2 run initially sparked by Omari Moore’s three-pointer just 22 seconds into the game, but the Spartan defense began to falter midway through the half. UCR took its first lead of the game, 22-21, with 9:55 left in the half. The Highlanders’ Angus McWilliam made the go-ahead layup.

SJSU, however, refused to let the game slip away. The Spartans’ Sam Japhet-Mathias hit a three with 9:11 left in the half. Moore made a paint jumper and a fastbreak dunk in a 20-second span. Knight made a paint layup and a free throw with 5:41 left

The Highlanders’ Zyon Pullin ended the Spartans’ little run with a paint and fastbreak layup with 5:33 left in the half. From there, UCR took a 32-31 lead, thanks to Pullin’s layup with 3:32 left. Both teams made pairs of fastbreak free throws in the closing minutes, but it was the Highlanders who held on for a 39-37 lead over the Spartans at the break.

SJSU had some work to do in the second half. Agee hit a three just 1:03 in, but the Highlanders responded with layups by George Willborn III and Callum McRae at 18:43 and 18:08, respectively, for a 43-42 lead. Pullin made a pair of free throws and Dikymbe Martin hit a three to extend the Highlander lead to 48-42 at 16:34.

The Spartans’ Brae Ivey hit a three, but got fouled. By adding a free throw, Ivey completed the four-point play regardless. Yet, SJSU trailed 52-49 at 14:26.

Ivey and Zach Chappell made their respective pairs of free throws, but the Highlanders’ Arinze Chidom hit a three to help his team maintain an 11-point lead, 64-53, with 9:09 left.

The Highlanders’ Khyber Kabellis threw down a dunk to extend his team’s lead to sixteen, 80-64, with 2:04 left. The Spartans quickly responded with Chappell’s fastbreak free throw six seconds later, but lost by a final of 80-65.

With the win, UCR improved to 8-5, 0-0 Big West. With the loss, SJSU fell to 3-9, 0-2 Mountain West.

SJSU hosts Pepperdine on Saturday, December 28 at 6 pm PST.

SJSU opens 3-game homestand vs. UC Riverside on Sunday

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State men’s basketball team begins a three-game homestand with UC Riverside visiting the Provident Credit Union Event Center on Sunday for a 2 pm tipoff.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s game.

SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS (3-9, 0-2 Mountain West)
PPG: 65.8 | FG%: 39.4 | 3FG%: 27.8 | FT%: 67.1

NOTES: The Spartans trailed by as much as 17 points in the second half at Santa Clara on Wednesday. SJSU cut the lead to six late in the game, but couldn’t complete the comeback at the Leavey Center. The Spartans scored 58 points in the second half after posting 26 points in the first half. Five players scored in double figures led by Zach Chappell’s career-high 20 off the bench. Chappell went 6-of-8 at the free throw line and 2-for-4 from three. Wednesday was the first time this season the Spartans shot better than 45% from the field and lost the game.

UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS (7-5, 0-0 Big West)
PPG: 63.8 | FG%: 43.6 | 3FG%: 33.2 | FT%: 68.7

SERIES: The Spartans lead, 4-3 (3-1 in San Jose)

LAST: SJSU lost, 66-64, on Dec. 12, 2011 in Riverside

NOTES: UC Riverside opened up the season with a 66-47 upset at Nebraska, but have stumbled a bit lately, falling to Cal Baptist on Dec. 4, Washington State on Dec. 15 and Northern Arizona on Thursday. The Highlanders are led offensively by Callum McRae’s 10.3 points per game. He also leads UCR with 7.4 rebounds per game. Dragan Elkaz is shooting 42.5% from three (31-of-73) while Dominick Pickett is shooting 44.2% from long range (19-of-43).

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: None

STREAM: Free at sjsuspartans.com/watch

RADIO: Justin Allegri on the call through TuneIn.com and the TuneIn app. Search for “San Jose St. Basketball”

SAN JOSE STATE COMES UP JUST SHORT AT SANTA CLARA
Down by as much as 17 points in the second half, the Spartans rallied back, but the comeback fell short in an 89-85 loss at Santa Clara on Dec. 18 … SJSU scored 58 points in the second half after scoring just 26 in the first half … The Spartans had five players score in double figures for the first time since a win over Life Pacific on Nov. 7, 2018 … Zach Chappell tallied a career-high 20 points off the bench and dished out a team-high six assists … In his first career start, Ralph Agee posted 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds … SJSU outrebounded Santa Clara, 36-25.

HEARTBREAKER AT SAN DIEGO STATE
The Spartans suffered a heartbreaking loss at San Diego State on Dec. 8. Up by a point with five seconds remaining, the Spartans saw Malachi Flynn hit a deep three-pointer at the buzzer for the win … Ralph Agee posted his first double-double for the Spartans with 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench … SJSU held SDSU to just 31.7% shooting … SJSU matched a season-low with 11 turnovers.

SAN JOSE STATE STYMIES GRAMBLING STATE
Grambling State entered the game on Nov. 20 with the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense, averaging 114 points over its first three games … The Spartans held the Tigers 38 points under their average in an 83-76 win at the Provident Credit Union Event Center … Grambling State was 1-of-10 shooting on threes.

BALANCED EFFORT IN WIN OVER SIMPSON
The Spartans had 13 different players score in an 85-60 win over Simpson on Nov. 17 … Zach Chappell came off the bench to score a season-high 14 points, including a pair of threes … Seneca Knight was 6-of-8 shooting for 15 points … Ralph Agee posted 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting … Harminder Dhaliwal made his collegiate debut and had two points and two rebounds in six minutes.

SAN JOSE STATE STUNS HOFSTRA IN SEASON OPENER
SJSU opened the 2019-20 season with a bang, defeating Hofstra on the road, 79-71, on Nov. 6 … Hofstra won 27 games last year, SJSU lost 27 games … In his Spartan debut, JC transfer and former Wake Forest guard, Richard Washington, posted a team-high 23 points off the bench on 8-of-13 shooting. He scored 12 of his 23 points in the final four minutes, including a stretch of three straight threes to put the game away … It was SJSU’s first win in a road opener since 2010-11 when the Spartans topped the Eastern Washington Eagles, 67-60 … The Spartans snapped a 21-game road losing streak dating back to 2017-18 … SJSU won on the East Coast for the first time since 2001-02, when the Spartans defeated Fairleigh Dickinson at the BCA Tournament hosted by NC State in Raleigh, N.C.

San Jose State Spartans podcast with Ana Kieu: Football head coach Brent Brennan signs contract extension; plus more

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

On the SJSU Spartans podcast with Ana:

1. Football head coach Brent Brennan signed a contract extension on Friday the 13th.

2. Men’s basketball lost to the Stanford Cardinal 78-58 on Saturday, Dec. 14.

3. Men’s basketball fell to the Santa Clara Broncos 89-84 on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

4. Men’s basketball returns home to host the UC Riverside Highlanders on Sunday, Dec. 22.

5. The Women’s Golf Coaches Association created the Juli Inkster Senior Award, a new award to be given out annually starting in the 2019-20 school year.

Ana’s final thoughts…

Listen to Ana on the SJSU Spartans podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose State spreads holiday cheer in hospital pediatric unit

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By Ana Kieu

San Jose State football linebackers Tysyn Parker and Alii Matau and gymnasts Chelsey Andrada, Jada Mazury and Emma Milne spent an afternoon after final exams distributing toys to children in the pediatric unit of Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Gatos, Calif.

Bags of toys and donations to purchase additional gifts were collected at an athletics department-hosted student-athlete party prior to final exams.

“The stuff they have to go through on a daily basis is pretty tough. The fact they have to spend the holidays in the hospital and possibly fight every day for their life is tough. I don’t think I would be able to do it as an adult. For then to do it as a young kid, it’s hard,” said Parker, one of the football team’s most active players in the Beyond Football program.

“If it’s just me showing up and giving them a toy, see a smile, and give them a little bit of hope, I can make a difference.”

HOSPITAL CEO THANKS THE SPARTANS
“It’s absolutely wonderful to have San Jose State here to help our pediatric patients recover. The kids really enjoy seeing the athletes come in and share time with them and their families,” said Joe DeSchryver, Good Samaritan Hospital Chief Executive Officer and a close friend of San Jose State football head coach Brent Brennan.

“It’s actually unique to have visitors come and see our patients. We have musicians that come here at times, but we’re very fortunate that San Jose State reached out to us (through Beyond Football coordinator Tobruk Blaine) and provided the community with good will through the Beyond Football program. We’re very excited to have them here.”

“It was very humbling to see the families and kids here. We just got to talk to the kids a little bit, but they were mostly excited about their new toys. I was happy to see that,” said Andrada, who has experienced spreading holiday cheer to less fortunate families in her hometown of Benicia, Calif.

The visit consisted of hospital staff escorting the Spartan contingent of the five student-athletes, Coach Brennan and his wife Courtney Brennan, director of football operations Ben Thienes, Blaine from Beyond Football, and director of football digital communications Cam Radford to patients’ room in the pediatric unit.

GIVING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN RECEIVING
“I love seeing the kids happy. I remember when I was younger the struggles my family and I went through. They always provided my brother and I with toys and gifts and it brightened up the mood. Now, I can return the favor to children in need. It puts a smile on my face,” said Matau, who remembers handing out Christmas dinners as a teenager in church-sponsored events. Matau credits his parents with instilling a sense of philanthropy through his family.

“My parents said giving is more important than receiving. And, I can feel that, especially the last couple of years when I stuff to give. It was just awesome to give back. I love giving.”

“It meant a lot for all of us to be here and help the kids, wish them a Merry Christmas and happy holidays, because they will remember it for the rest of their lives. It’s important to give back to the community,” said Mazury, a freshman who has volunteered at food banks in San Jose and at home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

For more information on Beyond Football, visit www.sjsuspartans.com/sports/beyondfb.

San Jose State drops a close game against Santa Clara 89-84

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Photo credit: @SanJoseStateMBB

By Ana Kieu

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Jose State men’s basketball team paid a visit across town at Santa Clara in the hopes of snapping a six-game losing skid in the Leavey Center on Wednesday night.

The Spartans’ starting five featured Brae Ivey, Omari Moore, Christian Anigwe, Seneca Knight and Ralph Agee.

SJSU won the tip and the game was underway. Santa Clara hastily jumped out to a 9-0 advantage, and as a result, Spartans head coach Jean Prioleau called a timeout.

The Spartans finally got on the board, thanks to Ivey’s three-pointer in the opening minutes the first half. Yet, SJSU trailed 13-5 at the under-12 timeout and went on to trail 41-26 at the halftime break. SJSU’s scores such as Knight’s finger roll against a Santa Clara contact to convert a three-point play, Ivey’s second trey of the evening and Anigwe’s deficit-cutting triple weren’t much of a help.

Ivey made it rain with multiple buckets in the second half. SJSU had some hope as Ivey’s early bucket cut the deficit by 10 points, 43-33, early in the second. Then, SJSU extended its run to seven points to pull within eight points, 43-35, at 16:37, and Zach Chappell hit a three to cut the deficit to 11.

However, Santa Clara stormed back with six unanswered points to lead 55-38 at 13:30. But the Spartans refused to back down as Anigwe buried two back-to-back deep balls to make it a nine-point game, 55-46, at the 12-minute mark. Santa Clara led by just seven, 61-54, at the under-eight timeout.

Santa Clara scored a triple and SJSU’s Anigwe responded back with a triple of his own. The Spartans cut the deficit to 10, but the Broncos continued to lead 76-66 late in the second.

A Broncos foul allowed the Spartans a pair of free throws, which were successful made to cut the deficit to six, 87-81, with 29.4 seconds left in regulation. SJSU mustered in a last-second free throw to make it a five-point game, but lost by a final of 89-84.

With the win, Santa Clara improved to 11-2, 0-0 West Coast Conference. With the loss, SJSU fell to 3-9, 0-2 Mountain West.

The Spartans return home to host UC Riverside on Sunday, December 22 at 2 pm PST.

16 prospects sign NLIs with San Jose State football program

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By Ana Kieu

The San Jose State football team ended the 2019 season with a bang, a come-from-behind 17-16 win over rival Fresno State to reclaim the Valley Trophy on November 30th. But the Spartans are now gearing up for the 2020 season as 16 new prospects signed NLIs on Wednesday.

Here are the players who signed NLIs.

Lamar Barrett
OL | 6-4 | 325 | JR | Bartow, Fla./Independence College
A 2019 second-team All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honoree, Lamar joins the Spartans this summer as an offensive line prospect. Barrett played for Independence College (Coach Kiyoshi Harris), the 2019 KJCCC champion and ranked eighth in the December 9 National Junior College Athletic Association poll. The Bartow (Fla.) High graduate competed in football (Coaches Ray Tiller and Brian McRae), weightlifting, and track and field. Barrett was a two-time All-Polk County honoree and a 2016 Class 7-A honorable mention all-state pick for Bartow High. In weightlifting his senior season, he was the 2018 Class 2A, District 12 unlimited champion, fourth at the Class 2A Region 6 meet, and finished tied for seventh at the 2018 Florida state championships. In track and field, he threw the shot put. Lamar is considering business administration as his major. He’s intrigued about the job opportunities in Silicon Valley. Three of his favorite hip-hop artists are Kodak Black, NBA Young Boy and Chief Keef. Besides weightlifting, he enjoys distance running. Barrett is a native of Bartow, Fla.

Malik Welch
CB | 6-1 | 195 | JR | Torrance, Calif./Long Beach City College
A 2019 second-team All-Northern League pick for Long Beach City College (Coach Brett Peabody), Malik is a cornerback hopeful enrolling at SJSU this spring. Welch was second on the team in tackles with 51, was in on 4.0 tackles for loss, intercepted two passes and was credited with six pass break ups. The El Segundo (Calif.) High graduate was a cornerback on the football team (Coach Steve Shevlin) and a sprinter in track and field. He began his high school career at North High in Torrance, Calif. (Coach Todd Croce) and participated in the same two sports.

Sam Olson
TE | 6-4 | 225 | FR | Visalia, Calif./Redwood HS
A two-time first-team All-West Yosemite League honoree for Redwood High in Visalia, Calif. (Coaches Kevin Scharton and Shaun Ball), Sam begins his SJSU football career as a tight end. Named the best tight end in Tulare County in 2019 by the Visalia Times Delta, Olson caught 33 passes for 586 yards and a team-best 11 touchdowns. His 66 points was good to share team-high scoring honors. The versatile player also served as a punter and a long snapper. He also played a season on the Rangers boys’ basketball team. He’s interested in majoring in environmental science and becoming a firefighter. During his junior year, he was named to the school’s Spanish National Honor Society. He lists Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X as his heroes. The San Francisco 49ers are his favorite NFL team. All-Pro 49ers tight end George Kittle and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry are his favorite athletes. Olson is a native of Visalia, Calif.

Elijah Lawson
LB | 6-2 | 205 | FR | Hayward, Calif./Stellar Prep HS
After playing six different positions in high school for Stellar Prep in Hayward, Calif. (Coach Desmond Gumbs), Lawson will begin his SJSU career as a linebacker prospect. Lawson saw action as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety for the Thunder football program. In his junior season, he intercepted five passes. He’s undecided on an academic major. Lawson would like to pursue a sports broadcasting career. For the last three years, he has served as a youth counselor for children ages 3-to-13 at the Life City Church in Stockton, Calif. He’s the third male in a family of nine children to play college football. His oldest brother, Rodney Lawson, played at the University of Nevada in 2015 and Western New Mexico University in 2017. His older brother Michael Lawson was named a 2019 first-team All-Southland Conference safety and punt return specialist as a junior for Lamar University. Lawson is a native of Stockton, Calif.

Jalen Apalit-Williams
S | 6-2 | 185 | FR | Martinez, Calif./Las Lomas HS
A 2018 honorable mention All-Bay Area News group selection, Apalit-Williams is a safety prospect joining the SJSU football program. He divided his high school football career between Las Lomas High in Walnut Creek, Calif., (Coach Doug Longero) and Alhambra High in Martinez, Calif., (Coach Alan Hern). As a junior, he was a first-team All-Diablo-Foothill League pick and his team’s Defensive Most Valuable Player. A three-sport athlete, he was a sprinter at Las Lomas High and played on the Alhambra High boys’ basketball team. He’s targeting communication studies as his major. Kim Apalit, his mom, played volleyball at the University of Cincinnati in the 1990’s. He enjoys Meek Mill’s music. Two of his favorite movies are “Creed” and “Remember the Titans.” His favorite football team is the Dallas Cowboys and his favorite athlete is four-time NBA scoring champion Allen Iverson. Apalit-Williams is a native of San Francisco.

Dion Leonard
LB | 6-3 | 215 | JR | Milpitas, Calif./Foothill College
A first-team All-Pac 7 League choice for Foothill College (Coach Kelly Edwards), Leonard is a linebacker prospect joining the Spartans this spring. He was credited with 44 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, was in on a quarterback sack, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles and broke up four passes his sophomore season. As a freshman, he was a defensive back for San Jose City College (Coach Connor Carlton). The Milpitas (Calif.) High graduate lettered in football (Coach Kelly King), basketball and was a sprinter on the track and field team. He was a first-team All-Santa Clara Valley Athletic League wide receiver who caught 32 passes for 648 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons.

Chance Johnson
S | 6-0 | 185 | FR | Spring Valley, Calif./Steele Canyon HS
A football (Coach Scott Longerbone) and track and field letterwinner at Steele Canyon High in Spring Valley, Calif., Johnson is a safety candidate enrolling at SJSU this summer. During his career, he played safety, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and was a return specialist. In his sophomore season, the Cougars captured the 2017 California Interscholastic Federation (C.I.F.) Division 3-A state championship. The two-time, first-team All-Grossmont Hills honoree was credited with 126 tackles and three pass interceptions in his junior and senior seasons combined. As a senior, he returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. He concluded his high school career playing in the Alex Spanos All-Star Classic and the Makasi Bowl all-star football games in San Diego. He also was a sprinter and hurdler in track and field. He plans to major in psychology and is interested in becoming either a high school counselor or a police detective. He participates in the school’s Mito Action Club, which raises funds to fight against mitochondria diseases; volunteering at Hope City Church in El Cajon, Calif., where his dad is a pastor; and participating in an award-winning dance group, Candyman, using the stage name of “Snickers.” Johnson is a native of SD.

Shamar Garrett
RB | 5-9 | 179 | FR | Livermore, Calif./De La Salle HS
One of the top all-purpose high school players in California, Garett is a running back prospect enrolling at SJSU this summer. He was a running back, defensive back and return specialist at De La Salle High in Concord, Calif. (Coach Jason Alumbaugh). A scoring threat from anywhere on the field, he rushed for 27 touchdowns, returned three interceptions and one punt return for six points, and passed for seven scores in three seasons. In the 2019 California Interscholastic Federation Open Division state championship game, he rushed for three touchdowns including a 60-yard score and played cornerback. He was a CalHiSports.com first-team all-state selection as a multi-purpose back, and a first-team San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro and Bay Area News Group pick his junior season. His choices for an academic major are business administration and psychology. He has been a member of De La Salle’s Black Student Union organization since his freshman year. He enjoys sketching cartoon characters. Two of his cousins are Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Carter and running back C.J. Anderson, a seven-year National Football League veteran. Garrett is a native of Berkeley, Calif.

Grady Manley
DL | 6-4 | 265 | FR | Lincoln, Calif./Lincoln HS
A two-time first-team All-Foothill Valley selection, Manley is a defensive line candidate joining the Spartans this summer. He was a prolific tackler during his three seasons at Lincoln (Calif.) High (Coach Chris Bean). He played middle linebacker his sophomore and junior seasons and was a defensive lineman as a senior. At Lincoln High, he was credited with 322 tackles, 29.0 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, and two safeties. As a junior, he led the Fighting Zebras with 142 tackles and was a 2018 Sacramento Bee honorable mention All-Metro honoree. He was tops on the team with 18.0 tackles for loss and contributed 73 tackles as a senior. The three-sport athlete also played on the basketball team and was an outfielder for a season of baseball. One of his favorite activities is skeet shooting. Manley is a native of Citrus Heights, Calif.

Mikale Greer
CB | 6-2 | 185 | FR | Compton, Calif./Lawndale HS
A cornerback prospect, Greer comes to SJSU from Lawndale (Calif.) High. (Coach Travis Clark). Greer played both defensive back and wide receiver for the Cardinals. He was credited with three interceptions his senior season. He began his high school football career at Paramount (Calif.) High, where he was used primarily as a wide receiver. He’s planning on majoring in sport management or kinesiology. One of his cousins is Calgary Stampeders defensive backfield coach Josh Bell, who played safety for San Diego, Denver and Green Bay during the 2008 through 2010 seasons. He enjoys listening to the music of Young Boy and Rod Wave. Greer is a native of Bellflower, Calif.

Jalen Bainer
CB | 5-11 | 180 | FR | San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos HS
A two-time All-Avocado League award winner, Bainer is a versatile player joining the Spartans. He was a wide receiver, cornerback, kicker and return specialist at San Marcos (Calif.) High (Coaches Derek Stank, Jason Texler). As a senior, he was a team captain and a second-team all-league wide receiver after leading his team with 36 receptions 615 yards and seven touchdowns. He scored two more touchdowns rushing and a third on an interception return. He was a first-team all-league defensive back as a junior after intercepting four passes and making 29 tackles. The two-sport athlete was a sprinter, long jumper and triple jumper in track and field. He was the 2019 Avocado League champion in the long jump with a school-record setting mark of 22-feet-10.5. Jalen would like to major in business administration. Named twice to the Avocado League all-academic team, he’d like to own and operate an athletic performance facility. His dad, Chris Bainer, was a member of the 1993 University of San Diego football team. Bainer is a native of San Diego.

Zavion Reese
CB | 6-0 | 175 | FR | San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos HS
A two-time All-Avocado League defensive back, Reese is a cornerback hopeful to join the Spartans this summer. He was a first-team selection as a junior and second-team choice as a senior at San Marcos (Calif.) High (Coaches Derek Shank and Jason Texler). In his three seasons, he played cornerback, wide receiver and was used as a return specialist. As a senior, he was a team captain and was named his team’s Defensive Most Valuable Player at the end of the season. He concluded his high school football career playing in the Alex Spanos All-Star Game in San Diego. The two-sport athlete is a sprinter and a long jumper on the track and field team. He’s interested in majoring in either mechanical engineering or business administration. One of his goals is achieving and maintaining financial stability. At San Marcos High, he’s a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Black Student Union. One of his brothers, Nacion Reese, was a linebacker at Minot State University. Zavion is a native of Oceanside, Calif.

Elijah Wood
LB | 6-3 | 205 | FR | Elk Grove, Calif./St. Mary’s HS
A two-time All-Tri-City Athletic League honoree, Wood is a linebacker candidate enrolling at San Jose State this summer. At St. Mary’s High in Stockton, Calif. (Coach Tony Frank), he played outside linebacker, cornerback, strong safety, wide receiver, tight end and was used as a return specialist. As a senior, he was a second-team all-league choice who was in on 53 tackles, intercepted three passes and was credited with eight pass break-ups. In his junior season, he was a first-team all-league wide receiver. He began his high school football career at Cosumnes Oaks High (Coach Derrick Milgrim) in Elk Grove, Calif. He was invited to conclude his high school football career at the January 18, 2020 Bay Area Cali Classic Senior Showcase matching the Bay Area All-Stars vs. the Valley All-Stars in San Leandro, Calif. He plans to major in business marketing. His business interests include earning a real estate license, become a realtor, and owning and operating a shoe store. He enjoys traveling and Hawaii and Florida are his top destinations. His favorite sports teams are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Wood is a native of Modesto, Calif.

Noah Wright
DL | 6-5 | 315 | JR | Lemoore, Calif./College of the Sequoias
The 2019 Valley League Defensive Player of the Year, Wright is joining the Spartans this spring as a defensive line candidate. He played two seasons for the College of the Sequoias (Coach Joe D’Agostino). As a sophomore, the first-team All-Valley League honoree led the conference with 21.0 tackles for loss and added 4.0 quarterback sacks, one fumble recovery. The Lemoore (Calif.) High graduate lettered in football (Coaches Mitch Crossley and Shannon Pulliam) and wrestling and was a catcher on the baseball team. He was the 2016 West Yosemite League Defensive Player of the Year in football and placed fourth in the heavyweight division at the 2017 California Interscholastic Federation state championship meet. He began his high school career at Wilcox High in Santa Clara, Calif., and was on the football (Coach Dan Brown), wrestling and baseball teams. He’s undecided on an academic major, but he’s interested in social work and would like to work with children. He likes to listen to reggae music. Wright is a native of Mountain View, Calif.

Kenyon Reed
CB | 6-0 | 170 | FR | Concord, Calif./Long Beach Poly HS/Kansas State
A transfer from Kansas State University, Reed is a cornerback prospect joining the Spartans this spring. He lettered in football (Coach Stephen Barbee) and track and field at Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High. He played cornerback, wide receiver and was a return specialist as a senior. As a wide receiver, he caught 17 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns and earned second-team All-Moore League honors. He excelled in track and field his senior season at Long Beach Poly. At the 2019 California Interscholastic Federation state championship meet, he finished ninth in the 100 meters, eight in the 200 meters and helped the Jackrabbits 4×100 meter relay team take third place. He has personal bests of 10.63 in the 100 and 21.09 in the 200 meters. He was named the 2019 Long Beach Press Telegram’s Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year. He began his high school career at Cosumnes Oaks High in Elk Grove, Calif. (Coach Derek Milgrim) and was a teammate of fellow Spartan signee Elijah Wood.

Jay Kakiva
DL | 6-5 | 325 | JR | Las Vegas, Nev./Fresno City College
A two-time first-team All-Valley Conference award winner, Kakiva plans on joining the Spartans this summer as a defensive line candidate. In his two seasons at Fresno City College (Coach Tony Caviglia), he was in on 50 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, and 4.5 quarterback sacks. A three-time first team all-league football selection, he earned the honor at three different schools. As a senior, he played at Green Valley High in Henderson, Nev. (Coach Brian Castro). As a junior, he played for Liberty High (Coach Rich Muraco) — also in Henderson. He played his freshman and sophomore seasons at McLane High in Fresno, Calif. (Coach Pete Joseph). He’s deciding on an academic major. He’d like to pursue a sports broadcasting career. His favorite movies are “The Lion King,” “Miracle” about the 1980 U.S. Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey team, and “Pursuit of Happiness.” He’s a youth group leader at a church near his Nevada home. Kakiva was born In Honolulu, Hawaii.

San Jose State visits Santa Clara on Wednesday

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State men’s basketball team visits its South Bay rival Santa Clara on Wednesday evening for a 7 p.m. tip-off at the Leavey Center.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s non-conference contest.

SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS (3-8, 0-2 Mountain West)
PPG: 64.1 | FG%: 38.8 | 3FG%: 26.8 | FT%: 66.0

NOTES: The Spartans are in the midst of an incredibly difficult schedule, facing three Pac-12 teams and the top two teams in the MW over its last five games. Most recently, the Spartans fell to Stanford 78-58 on Saturday at the Event Center. Seneca Knight is averaging a team-best 12.5 points per game. Christian Anigwe leads the Spartans with 6.0 rebounds per game and 13 total blocked shots.

SANTA CLARA BRONCOS (10-2, 0-0 West Coast Conference)
PPG: 76.9 | FG%: 47.2 | 3FG%: 32.8 | FT%: 75.1

SERIES: The Spartans trail 31-80 all-time.

LAST: SJSU lost 71-63 in San Jose last year.

NOTES: Santa Clara has won two straight games since falling to Nevada. The Broncos defeated Cal 71-52 on Dec. 7 and Sacramento State 60-58 on Dec. 14. Guglielmo Caruso, a native of Naples, Italy, leads Santa Clara in both scoring (11.2) and rebounding (5.5). DJ Mitchell is averaging 10.7 PPG while shooting 46.4% from three.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TV: None
Stream: wccsports.com/watch
Radio: Justin Allegri on the call through TuneIn.com and the TuneIn app. Search for “San Jose St. Basketball”.

SAN JOSE STATE SUFFERS HEARTBREAK AT SAN DIEGO STATE
SJSU suffered a heartbreaking loss at SDSU on Dec. 8 … Up by a point with five seconds remaining, the Spartans saw the Aztecs’ Malachi Flynn hit a deep three-pointer at the buzzer for the win … SJSU’s Ralph Agee posted his first double-double for the Spartans with 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench … SJSU held SDSU to just 31.7% shooting … SJSU matched a season-low with 11 turnovers.

SAN JOSE STATE STYMIES GRAMBLING STATE
Grambling State entered the Nov. 20 game with the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense, averaging 114 points over its first three games … The Spartans held the Tigers 38 points under their average in an 83-76 win at the Provident Credit Union Event Center … Grambling State was 1-of-10 shooting on threes.

SAN JOSE STATE SHOWS EFFORT IN WIN OVER SIMPSON
The Spartans had 13 different players score in an 85-60 win over Simpson on Nov. 17 … Zach Chappell came off the bench to score a season-high 14 points, including a pair of threes … Seneca Knight was 6-of-8 shooting for 15 points … Craig LeCesne added 13 points in 19 minutes … Ralph Agee posted 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting … Harminder Dhaliwal made his collegiate debut and had two points and two rebounds in six minutes.

SAN JOSE STATE STUNS HOFSTRA IN SEASON OPENER
SJSU opened the 2019-20 season with a bang, defeating Hofstra on the road, 79-71, on Nov. 6 … Hofstra won 27 games last year, SJSU lost 27 games … In his Spartan debut, JC transfer and former Wake Forest guard, Richard Washington, posted a team-high 23 points off the bench on 8-of-13 shooting … Washington scored 12 of his 23 points in the final four minutes, including a stretch of three straight threes to put the game away … Craig LeCesne had his first career double-double with a career-high 19 points plus 11 rebounds … It was the Spartans’ first win in a road opener since 2010-11 when SJSU topped Eastern Washington 67-60 … The Spartans snapped a 21-game road losing streak dating back to 2017-18 … SJSU won on the East Coast for the first time since 2001-02, when the Spartans defeated Fairleigh Dickinson at the BCA Tournament hosted by NC State in Raleigh, N.C.