2008 Woodie Awards
East Gym farewell marked with disappointment
Matt Drange
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Sports
A stunned East Gym was all that was left after Humboldt State was unable to pull away from visiting Cal Poly Pomona on Tuesday night, falling 73-70.
The game, which was the first in the California Collegiate Athletic Association playoffs, marked the last time the Lumberjacks will take the court in the fabled East Gym. The team is moving across the street next season to a brand new facility, closing a chapter in school history that has extended for more than fifty years.
The game was sold out by Monday, allowing for a familiar scene as the gym was packed with community members avidly showing their support. The loss meant an early exit for the 'Jacks, who were the No. 1 seed coming into the tournament following last weekend's home victory over the Broncos.
"This season has been one of ups and downs, and we have made huge strides throughout. But right now all we can hope for is a chance to lace up one more time and play another game," said senior forward Devin Peal after the game. Along with Peal, who added 15 points, the 'Jacks were led by seniors Grayson Moyer (17 points to go with 7 assists) and Cy Vandermeer (12 points and 9 rebounds).
The team appeared confidant coming into the game, and with good reason as they had just defeated Cal Poly Pomona three nights ago in their regular season finale. The Broncos, who came in as the eighth and final seed of the tournament, were then forced to stay in their local hotel in an unexpected twist as the CCAA made Humboldt State the No. 1 seed over Cal State San Bernardino; thus paring the two familiar foes in a rematch. But apparently the extra nights away from home didn't hinder the Broncos focus, as they relished their underdog role the entire 40 minutes.
The pace of the scoring was frenetic throughout, with the lead going back and forth for most of the game. Then it seemed as though the 'Jacks would take control when junior Nick Green came off the bench for two of his 11 points when he put back his own miss to tie it at 63 with just over 3 minutes to go.
The game, which was the first in the California Collegiate Athletic Association playoffs, marked the last time the Lumberjacks will take the court in the fabled East Gym. The team is moving across the street next season to a brand new facility, closing a chapter in school history that has extended for more than fifty years.
The game was sold out by Monday, allowing for a familiar scene as the gym was packed with community members avidly showing their support. The loss meant an early exit for the 'Jacks, who were the No. 1 seed coming into the tournament following last weekend's home victory over the Broncos.
"This season has been one of ups and downs, and we have made huge strides throughout. But right now all we can hope for is a chance to lace up one more time and play another game," said senior forward Devin Peal after the game. Along with Peal, who added 15 points, the 'Jacks were led by seniors Grayson Moyer (17 points to go with 7 assists) and Cy Vandermeer (12 points and 9 rebounds).
The team appeared confidant coming into the game, and with good reason as they had just defeated Cal Poly Pomona three nights ago in their regular season finale. The Broncos, who came in as the eighth and final seed of the tournament, were then forced to stay in their local hotel in an unexpected twist as the CCAA made Humboldt State the No. 1 seed over Cal State San Bernardino; thus paring the two familiar foes in a rematch. But apparently the extra nights away from home didn't hinder the Broncos focus, as they relished their underdog role the entire 40 minutes.
The pace of the scoring was frenetic throughout, with the lead going back and forth for most of the game. Then it seemed as though the 'Jacks would take control when junior Nick Green came off the bench for two of his 11 points when he put back his own miss to tie it at 63 with just over 3 minutes to go.
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