Former Sierra High basketball standout Christian Williams prolonged his collegiate career Thursday when he helped Jackson State, the No. 2 seeded team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, win its postseason opener.
The 6-foot-1 senior guard pumped in a team-high 22 points, and the Tigers (11-17) rolled past No. 5 Alabama State (10-22) 66-59 in Garland, Texas. Williams was 6 of 13 from the field, including 3 of 9 on 3-pointers, and a perfect 7 for 7 on free throws. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists.
Williams is averaging 13.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and a team-best 1.7 steals. He was recently named to the SWAC all-conference fourth team.
In today’s semifinals, Jackson State takes on No. 4 Prairie View A&M (14-18), which knocked off No. 3 Alcorn State, 67-59.
Wrestling
Caleb Mack reached the second day of the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships in Allen, Texas.
On Friday, the 2005 East Union graduate now representing Sacramento State’s club program won three of his four matches starting with a 3-minute, 24-second pin of Penn State DuBois’ Garrett Hildebrand. He was then outpointed by Bradley Wisdom (Belleville), 14-4.
Mack finished his Friday strong while staving off elimination in the 141-pound bracket. He stopped Derek Burhenn (Apprentice) in 2:01 and Johnny Miller (Mercer) in 54 seconds. That sets him up for a match with Kesura Musa today. Mack is three wins away from putting himself in contention for a top-seven finish, which would make him an NCWA All-American.
Softball
East Union High alumna Brittany LaMar was named California Pacific Conference Softball Player of the Week.
The William Jessup University sophomore batted 10 for 13 in four games, plating seven runs with a double, two homers and six RBIs while helping the Warriors finish 3-1 for the week of March 4.
Track & field
Former Sierra High teammates Shakira Lewis and Bret Wilson were reunited when Fresno State hosted Cal Poly for a dual meet last Saturday.
Lewis, a CIF state qualifier in her senior season at Sierra, placed second in the 100-meter dash in 12.16 seconds and eighth in the 200 in 26.99 for Fresno State. The Cal Poly women’s team won, 99-88.
Cal Poly’s Wilson competed in three events, recording marks of 137 feet, 5 inches in the discus, 86-03 in the hammer throw and 161-02 in the javelin. Fresno State claimed a 99-71 victory on the men’s side.