Jay Flores and Josh Jackson plan to expend every last ounce of their energy to take the Chico State men’s basketball team as far as it can go in this, their senior seasons. Then it will be time for the program’s next generation to take the baton.

That process begins this weekend when the Wildcats host the 52nd annual Carl’s Jr. Mac Martin Invitational in Acker Gym this Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The Wildcats open the regular season against Alaska Fairbanks Saturday at 2:30 and then take on Academy of Art Sunday at 2:30. San Francisco State will play Academy of Art to open Saturday’s action at 12:30 and then face Alaska Fairbanks Sunday at 12:30.

Flores, a senior starting his fourth season in the program, is the team’s undisputed leader. Jackson is the program’s elder, beginning his fifth season as part of the program. He’s also the final remaining player recruited by legendary Wildcats Head Coach Puck Smith. Greg Clink is entering his fourth season at the helm.

Flores and Jackson, along the team’s other seven returning players, have an exciting group of newcomers to mentor. Transfer Sam Hicks and James Staniland join the redshirt freshman foursome of Mike Rosaroso, Nate Appel, Jordan Barton, and Jordan Semple, who will be making their regular season home debuts this weekend.

The Wildcats went 2-0 in last season’s Mac Martin as Damario Sims snared Tournament MVP honors. Sims scored 19 points in an 85-72 win against Northwest Christian in which the Wildcats shot an astounding 70 percent. He added 21 points a night later during a 71-52 win against Dominican.

Flores also had quite a weekend, helping to kick off a season during which he moved into Chico State’s career top 10 in steals, assists and 3-pointers. Flores is now just one steal shy of moving into sole possession of seventh place on the school’s career list. He’s eight assists shy of moving past Homer Rivers into seventh on that list. He also needs just two more 3-pointers to supplant former teammate Andy Bocian into ninth on the school’s career 3-pointer list.

The Wildcats played their lone exhibition game of the season on Tuesday against Nevada in Reno. If their play there was any indication, the Wildcats might just be headed for their best season yet under Clink’s guidance. They lost 77-60, but led by nine until late in the first half and stayed within striking distance of the predicted winners of the Western Athletic Conference until the game’s final five minutes.

Both of Chico State’s games this weekend will be broadcast on AM 1290 KPAY. Fans out of the area can also listen to the internet stream of the game by clicking the Wildcat Webcast link. For live stats, click on the Live Stats link on the men’s basketball home page.