From joining the program as transfers, recruits or even walk-ons, to walking with loved ones at their senior ceremonies. Sonoma State Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams celebrated their graduating class this past Saturday after the Women’s team clinched a win and the Men’s team suffered a tough loss, fighting tooth and nail to the last seconds of the game.

SSU’s Women’s team is now headed to the conference tournament for the sixth year in a row as a result of their win on Saturday night beating Cal State San Bernardino 59-56. Senior Camille Johnson, a kinesiology major and one of the team’s captains, mentions that “the energy of this team is unbeatable.” This attitude is clearly a huge part of what has led them this far in the season.

The Men’s team overcame a 21-point deficit against CSSB to almost secure the win over the twelfth ranked team in the nation but fell short in the final moments. After losing 85-81, the team is now 11-15 overall and 10-10 in conference play.

As every season comes with successes and challenges, Men’s Head Coach Richard Shayewitz notes that as they’ve been battling significant injuries, they’ve had a few losses this season, “but that’s the nature of sports.” As they learn how to overcome these situations, the team gets closer and closer to the playoffs as they have now secured their spot.

Coach Shaywitz wanted to mention his praise for seniors’ efforts in how they have led their program back on track as they build for the future. “Nick Klarman, Damian Wallace, and Preston Blakely serve different roles for this team… they have led in their own way, made their own path, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” He notes that the team will continue to be in debt to them for their contributions to the program.

To see the other side of the story, Nick Klarman comments on what the team has taught him. He spoke about how the program taught him to “always stay true to who you are,” and that doing so allows things to fall into place in one’s life. Klarman is clearly more than thankful to be able to spend his entire collegiate career with Sonoma State’s basketball team, he shouted out to his teammates as well, “the people are what made it great here.” Klarman will be earning his master’s degree in business administration this summer after his final season with SSU.

Seniors Wallace and Amanda Luckett mention how hard it is coming to terms with their time at SSU coming to an end, describing it as surreal and bittersweet, after both playing ball for almost two decades. As some players plan to end their basketball careers once the current season is over, there are a few that are still planning on hooping after their time at SSU ends. Luckett and Cielo Gonzalez, another senior on the team, are both looking to continue their careers by possibly playing overseas.

The Sonoma State Basketball teams will finish their regular seasons on the road playing against Cal State LA this Thursday along with Cal State San Marcos on Saturday. Watch the men’s team get a shot at their first CCAA tournament berth since 2017