ARCATA, Calif.--- With just four games remaining in the CCAA regular season, the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks will look to clinch one of four remaining postseason spots at home this weekend when they face off against No. 14 Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona at Lumberjack Arena on Thursday and Saturday.
Coming into the penultimate weekend of the regular season, the 'Jacks currently sit in third place behind the nationally ranked Coyotes and Cal State San Marcos who have already clinched spots in the conference tournament in March. Behind Humboldt, a torrent of teams all look to grab one of the last four available positions, as eight teams are separated by two games or less with four games to go.
"I'm excited about this week," head coach Tae Norwood said. "The CCAA has really tightened up so we're really trying to keep strong and hold on to that third position."
On Thursday, the North Coast squad (12-12, 10-8 CCAA) welcomes conference leader Cal State San Bernardino (20-3, 15-2 CCAA) to Lumberjack Arena. For Coach Norwood, the opportunity to host a nationally ranked opponent is always a benefit.
"It's a really big one for us," Norwood said. "It's a great opportunity to get a ranked team on your home court. A lot of teams don't have that opportunity."
The Coyotes are the best offensive team in the CCAA, scoring an average of 89.6 ppg and shooting just under 50 percent from the field to lead the conference in both statistical categories. Brandon Knapper and Dontrell Shuler average 19.9 and 17.3 ppg to lead San Bernardino. Darius Mickens and Robby Robinson both sit atop the conference in rebounds, averaging 8.6 and 8.4 per game, respectively.
"We've got to do a really good job of making sure we put body on man and blocking out and giving them those second chance opportunities," Norwood said. "They do a really good job of scoring the basketball."
Saturday's game against Pomona will be crucial. The Broncos (11-11, 8-10 CCAA) sit in a four way tie for fifth position after defeating Cal State Monterey Bay last weekend. Pomona was able to eek out a victory over their polytechnic foes earlier this season, taking a 72-71 victory in overtime down at Kellogg Arena.
Saturday's game will also be senior night, as the Lumberjacks will honor their five seniors pregame.
"We're going to lose five really important figures to the program," the coach said. "Starting with Amari [Green]. Amari's been here for the duration of his career. He does a really good job of understanding what we're trying to do and he's an excellent student in the classroom. Andrew Mork provides us depth at the guard position and he's a really good academic student. Marlon and Ian are one year transfers, and they've done a really good job for us scoring the basketball. And then we lose Thomas Nelson, the local guy, the pride of Humboldt County. Nelly's love for playing basketball for this university is unprecedented. I don't know if we're going to be able to get another local student athlete like him to care so much about the university. We're going to miss those five guys immensely."
Tip-off for both games is set for 7:30 p.m.
