WALNUT CREEK – The bright white paper is still sturdy. Fresh black numbers stand out crisply and cleanly on its surface. I put the page up to my nose and breathe deeply. Hints of pulp and ink are there. I inhale intensely again. The smell of victory rises off the page and into my lungs. I draw it in again, and again, and again.
On March 2, 2010, I held in my hands the piece of paper the one portrayed above replaced. Here’s how I described it that night: “Age has rendered (it) the color of a smoker’s teeth. Tiny rips and crevices ring the edges.” I was illustrating a sheet that had grown brittle and yellow while sitting for nearly 15 years in a file cabinet drawer in the Chico State Sports Information Department. I pulled it out because, until last March 2, it documented the last postseason victory for the Chico State men’s basketball program. The date along its top: March 3, 1995. Smelling it seemed like a bad idea. Looking at it wasn’t even exactly a pleasure.
Thankfully, after the Wildcats’ stunning upset of Cal State Dominguez Hills in the opening round of the last year’s California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament, that sheet of paper is resting comfortably back in the recesses of its file cabinet where it will likely sit undisturbed for many more years to come.
That’s because I have this new, bright, fresh, shiny piece to study. Of course, I’m hoping to put that one away too in a couple days. On Tuesday night at 7 PM, the Wildcats return to the Torodome – the site of last year’s postseason win – in search of another upset victory. They hope to make it the first step on a journey to the tournament title and the automatic bid in the NCAA Championship Tournament that goes with it.
Chico State finished the regular season 14-12 overall and 10-12 in the CCAA to earn the No. 7 seed in the tournament. The Wildcats played well down the stretch, winning three of their last five, and were only beaten in overtime at San Francisco State and in a tight game against Cal State San Bernardino during that stretch.
Cal State Dominguez Hills is ranked No. 15 in the nation at 20-6 overall and 16-6 in the CCAA. The 2nd-seeded Toros dropped three of their last four games, however, and five of their final nine.
Four CCAA Championship Tournament opening round games, hosted by the four highest seeds, are scheduled for Tuesday. Friday’s semifinals and Saturday’s final will take place at Pioneer Gymnasium on the campus of Cal State East Bay in Hayward. The semifinal games are Friday at 12:30 and 3 PM, and the final is scheduled for Saturday at 5 PM.
Humboldt State (24-2, 20-2) earned the top seed and will host eighth-seeded Cal State Stanislaus (12-14, 10-12), third-seeded Cal State San Bernardino (17-9, 15-7) will entertain Cal State L.A. (14-12, 10-12), and the other first-round matchup will pit No. 4 San Francisco State (16-10, 14-8) against No. 5 Cal Poly Pomona (16-10, 13-9).
Cal State L.A., Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus tied for sixth and the Golden Eagles won the tiebreaker for the sixth-seed based on their 3-1 record against Chico State and Cal State Stanislaus. The Wildcats were 2-2 against the teams while the Warriors went 1-3.
Cal State San Bernardino is the two-time defending tournament champion after defeating Cal Poly Pomona, 58-52, in last year’s championship game at Lumberjack Arena in Arcata.
One thing is for certain: seven slips of paper will be filed away during this week’s tournament helping to preserve the history that will be made. Here’s hoping I can pull at least one out next March, inhale, and smell victory once again.
The game will be broadcast locally on AM 1340 ESPN radio with Mike Baca on the call and will also be available online at www.chicowildcats.com by clicking on the Wildcat Webcast link.
2011 CCAA Tournament Schedule
Tuesday - March 1
First Round (At Campus Sites)
No. 8 Cal State Stanislaus (12-14, 10-12) at No. 1 Humboldt State (24-2, 20-2); 7 p.m.
No. 7 Chico State (14-12, 10-12) at No. 2 Cal State Dominguez Hills (20-6, 16-6); 7 p.m.
No. 6 Cal State L.A. (14-12, 10-12) at No. 3 Cal State San Bernardino (17-9, 15-7); 7:30 p.m.
No. 5 Cal Poly Pomona (16-10) at No. 4 San Francisco State (16-10, 14-8); 7 p.m.
Friday - March 4
(Pioneer Gymnasium – Cal State East Bay; Hayward)
Semifinal No. 1: 12:30 p.m.
Semifinal No. 2: 3 p.m.
Saturday – March 5
(Pioneer Gymnasium – Cal State East Bay; Hayward)
Championship: 5 p.m.
2011 CCAA Tournament Ticket Prices
First Round (at campus sites)
Reserved – Chair Back Seats (if available) - $15
General Admission - $8
Students (with ID), Seniors - $5
Children Under 12 -- $2
Semifinals and Finals
Single Day
General Admission: $10
Students, Seniors: $6
Children Under 12: $2
2-Day Tournament Pass
General Admission: $18
Students, Seniors: $10
Children Under 12: $3
Family Pass (two-day admission for two adults and two children): $25
