Eagles play at FRC tomorrow
FRC no. 12, Ben Pate, from San Francisco lines up for one of his many dunks of the game Jan. 8. Photo submittedThe Feather River College men’s Basketball team split their first two Golden Valley Conference games of the 2020 season. That is a great set up for tomorrow’s home game, Thursday, Jan. 16, where the Eagles will host the league-leading College of the Redwoods. Tip-off time is 5 p.m.
The Golden Eagles opened GVC play at home against league rival Lassen College in an exciting 84-81 overtime win.
Omari Preston had a career-best game scoring 26 points, and going 10 for 12 from the field and 5 for 5 from the three-point line.
Lucas Saleh also contributed a career high 15 rebounds and played solid defense before fouling out with five fouls. Feather River shot 41 percent from the 3-point arc going 12-29 and shot 82 percent from the charity stripe hitting 14-17 free throws.
FRC traveled to Redding for its second conference game to take on league foe Shasta College. The Golden Eagles lost 75-62 while committing 24 turnovers in the loss.
“This year’s conference play will be one of the most interesting in my 20 years here at FRC,” said head men’s basketball coach Randy Rick. “With the parity this year, any team can win on any given night,” Rick added.
Despite the turnovers, FRC took the lead late in the second half only to be struck with two consecutive turnovers that led to converted field goals and ultimately the difference for the loss.
Feather River shot five free-throws to Shasta’s 20 and hit 11 3-point shots to Shasta’s seven. Jacob Rick, John Cooley and Lucas Saleh led FRC with 15 points each.
College of the Redwoods
College of the Redwoods enters the game on a 10-game winning streak having won three consecutive pre-season tournaments and defeating 2020 GVC favorite Butte College in Eureka 89-81 in overtime.
“Redwoods is one of the best teams I’ve seen in all my years at FRC. Their team played together on a legendary Fortuna High School team that went 32-1 their senior year and have played with each other since the fourth grade. They all have great basketball IQ and shoot deep threes,” said Rick, “Winning the game here Thursday would have great affect. It would level the playing field within the conference giving each contending team one loss.”
