MBB Archive 2000-01

Men's Basketball Archives
2000-01	2001-02	2002-03
2003-04	2004-05	2005-06
2006-07	2007-08

2000-01
Speer To Bakersfield
TEAM LEADER & ALL-GVC BILLY SPEER
(4/20/01-Redding) Team leader and All-GVC performer, Billy Speer from Enterprise High School, was rewarded for helping to lead the Knights to the third round of the state championships. His reward is in the form of a full ride basketball scholarship to finish his collegiate career at CSU-Bakersfield. Billy is expected to step in and contribute immediately, especially as a shooter. Billy had 80 three pointers for the season, shot 90% from the free throw line and he averaged 23.1 points per game for the 24-11 Knights. Matt Stanley, from Chico High School, has received a scholarship and has signed a letter of intent to attend CSU-San Francisco. Matt will join several ex-Knights at San Francisco. Eric Willard (Red Bluff High School) & Markus Adcock (Enterprise High School).
Big Reward For Demetrius
FULL RIDE to the UNIVERSITY of the PACIFIC
(4/16/01-Redding) There were many people who where impressed with the basketball skills of the Knight's point guard, Demetrius Jackson. The coaching staff at the University of the Pacific can be added to that list. Demetrius had an outstanding season leading the Knights to a 24-11 record as he averaged 24.3 points a game to go along with 9.8 assists, and 3.6 steals."UOP is a great opportunity athletically and academically for Demetrius," said Head Coach Kele Fitzhugh. The coaching staff expects Demetrius to come in and start at point guard for the Tigers. Academically the Tigers have graduated the last 27 JC transfers who attended the University of the Pacific on a basketball scholarship. "We are extremely excited about having Demetrius in our program," said Head Coach Bob Thomason. "He is a true point guard who can really score and he will be an outstanding addition to the Tigers' backcourt. He is an excellent penetrator who has the ability to get to the foul line and his extreme quickness allows him to be a great defender." Great job Demetrius!
Early Rain Floods Ohlone
KNIGHTS HIT 10 THREES
(2/28/01-Shasta College) It rained early and often on the Ohlone College Renegades in their second round play-off game against the Knights. The rain was in the form of three point bombs from the Knight's sharpshooters. Those bombs helped the Knights cruise to a 90-73 victory and to advance to a third round, sweet sixteen game against San Jose City College in San Jose on Saturday, 3/3/01. Things started out well for the Knights when they hit 4 three pointers in the first 3 minutes of the game and jumped to a 13-0 lead. The quick start was generated by two Billy Speer three pointers and one each by Demetrius Jackson and Matt Stanley. This win avenges an earlier defeat by 15 points to Ohlone in January. "The guys came out focused. The shots we hit were right out of our offense. It was good that Billy came in shooting well," said Shasta Head Coach Kele Fitzhugh. Shasta had made six threes by half time and ended the game with a total of ten. "Shasta proved that they were the better team tonight," said Ohlone Head Coach John Peterson. Demetrius Jackson finished with 30 points followed by Billy Speer who ended with 27 points. "We knew this could be our last game, so we wanted to come out with our best,"
said Billy Speer.
Contrast In Styles
KNIGHTS ADVANCE!
(2/24/01-Shasta College) Two styles of play went head to head in Redding on Saturday night in the first round of the state championships. The Shasta Knights (23-10) are at their best when they run. The DeAnza Dons (14-18) are at their best when they set up their half court offense and run off 30 seconds of the shot clock before shooting. Something had to give. With 3 minutes to go in the game and the Knights down by 3 points that "something" was the DeAnza Dons. A three point basket by G.V.C. MVP, Demetrius Jackson, ignited the crowd and the rest of the Knights. Jackson's basket started a 12-0 run by the Knights who went on to a 61-54 victory in front of the largest and loudest crowd of the season. The old saying that, "there is no I in team" was never more evident than in that last three minutes of the game. Team defense and hustle, Jackson's three pointer, Speer's two free throws, Colin Carr's put back three point play, Matt Blanc's steal and two free throws were all examples of the Knights unselfish team play. Throw into that mix that after Jackson's three pointer the large crowd was vocally into the game and you can understand why Shasta was not to be denied. The Knights held the advantage from the free throw line hitting 23 of 31 shots. The Dons were 10 of 13 from the line. Jackson led the Knights in scoring with 27 points followed by Billy Speer who had 14. The Knights now host Ohlone College from Fremont. Ohlone defeated the Knights back in December, 85-70.
Demetrius Named MVP
LED KNIGHTS TO #1 GVC SEED
(2/19/01-Shasta College) Demetrius Jackson was named the Golden Valley Conference's Most Valuable Player for his roll in leading the Knights to a conference CO-Championship and #1 seed for the state play-offs. To say that Demetrius is deserving of this honor is an understatement. Last Saturday, with the championship on the line against Feather River College, Demetrius' value to the Knights was never more evident. With 10 minutes to go in the game and the Knights clinging to a one point lead, Demetrius took over. He was nearly unstoppable against the Eagles. He would drive the length of the court, cut through the defense for a lay-up, dish the ball back out to an open Knight for a three pointer or he would get fouled. Final result was a win and a championship for the Knights. Demetrius ended the game with a career high tying 36 points in the most important game of the season. Demetrius averaged almost 27 points a game during league play. Billy Speer was also rewarded for his role in leading Shasta to the CO-championship. Billy averaged a little over 17 points a game but his leadership might have been just as important in guiding the Knights to the #1 seed. Billy's importance to the team also showed during that last game against Feather River. Billy played nearly the entire game on a sore foot but he helped the Knights keep their poise when the Knights were down by 16 points early in the game. Matt Blanc was the third Knight to be named to the all-league team. Matt's style of play contributed greatly to the Knight's style of play and team personality this season. Matt plays with great intensity and desire and his style of play was contagious for the rest of the Knights. Honorable mention All-GVC went to two other important "pieces of the puzzle," Colin Carr and Brian Riley. Colin Carr, probably the toughest Knight, played the last six league games with a broken bone in his right wrist but still made some very important shots down the stretch. Brian Riley also played a key roll for the Knights. The championship game against Feather River brought out the best in Brian. He made some very crucial baskets in the last ten minutes of the game to keep the Knights in the lead and finished with a career high 23 points. Shasta, the #1 seed from the GVC (The 7th seed in the North), opens state tournament play by hosting the #26 seed, DeAnza College.

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