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As Aidan and others leave, who will take their places?  Image c/o Tod Fierner/SMC Athletics By Val Hill Sports Editor On April 16th, the star player of Saint Mary’s men’s basketball team Aidan Mahaney posted to his instagram saying that he would be transferring at the end of the semester. Along with Chris Howel, Joshua Jefferson, and Jensen Bradtke all transferring at the end of the semester as well. For most people this news came out of nowhere and has even left some wondering how the Gaels will continue their winning streak. However I am wondering if the incoming freshmen and transfers are able to fill the large shoes for the Gaels. Even though the Gaels had a great season this year and the coming seasons look bright, who will lead the Gaels to victory. Aidan had done an amazing job of rallying Gaels, both players and spectators, together for each and every game. However with him leaving, which player is going to step up and light the path for the next season. I believe that Augustas Marčiulionis and Mitchel Saxen will be the ones to take the lead for this team. In addition Augustas will be joined by Paulius Murauskas, an incoming transfer from Arizona. These two players are predicted to be a strong duo. Those who are leaving were a huge influence for the team. It will be interesting to see what will happen with the incoming players for the Gaels. We wish all these players the best of luck at their respective colleges and have enjoyed watching them play their hearts out for the Gaels the last season.
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Gaels Rugby Wins National Title  Image c/o Francis Tatem By Oliver Collins Sports Reporter In a thrilling display, the Gaels secured victory in the Collegiate Rugby National Championship on May 4th, cementing themselves as a College Rugby powerhouse. With a culmination of relentless training, team bonding, and the unwavering support of fans, the biggest stage wasn’t too much for a team that won 20 times before their 26-22 win against Navy to finish off a dominant season.
Under the guidance of coach Tim O’Brien, a top-tier fly-half in his college days at Cal, the team set a clear goal from the start of the season - win. Fullback Mario Storti was eager to highlight the early stages of the season as the foundation of a strong culture. “You have 15 guys per team all working together for a common goal. When we start at the beginning of the year in September, we make many visits to the hills and are conditioned into the ground by our Head Coach, Tim O'Brien.” said Storti, “We are all on the same playing field and the shared suffering in the beginning sets us up for success in the long run. When you have gone through something with your teammates that you could not imagine going through, you grow closer together.” But the Gaels, a team that won multiple games by a score of one hundred points or more, don’t just gain momentum from their A-team players. B and C teams bring the energy to almost every game, intensifying the environment and bringing the energy to Saint Mary’s Stadium. A lot goes into being a successful team, but togetherness seems to be the most tried and true method of any great group. Rugby is one of the only sports that rely on every single player on the pitch to prosper. From wing forward to tighthead prop, every position matters. Size, however, does not. Whether you’re strong, quick, shifty, or just straight-up hard-headed, a rugby team is all about how well you play together. How were the Gaels able to dominate so many teams this season? Highlighting heart over size may be the answer. Oakland A’s to move to Las Vegas by 2028.  Image c/o Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Val Hill Sports Reporter In May 2021 the MLB allowed the Athletics to look for new stadium locations if they were not able to acquire a new stadium in Oakland by 2024. The deadline of October 2022 came and went, but the A’s didn’t have anything definitive for their stadium. So the owners looked to Las Vegas for answers, since Las Vegas is already the home of two major sports teams: Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) and Las Vegas Raiders (NFL). The move to Vegas would not only be profitable for the team, but also for the city of Las Vegas for another draw in tourism.
In April 2022 there were two choices within Las Vegas that were available for the A’s. The Las Vegas Strip was the main venue but the two choices within that were The Tropicana Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. The final decision was that the team will play at Tropicana, but plans for the stadium itself are not finalized at the moment. But this location presents some issues, the main one being that the team wants a retractable roof however they were only given nine acres to work with.So there is a possibility that the team will have to settle for the fixed roof however if they don’t, the A’s will lose their 380 million dollar funding from the state of Nevada. The loss of the A’s marks an end of an era in Bay Area sports. Now that the Bay only has one professional team for each sport, there will no longer be the notorious rivalry games known as “the Battle of the Bay.” Named after the 1989 World Series which saw the Oakland Athletics defeat the San Francisco Giants. SInce then, match ups between the Giants and the A’s, and the (formerly) Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco (although they are located in Santa Clara) 49ers. So after the Athletics applied to relocate to Las Vegas after their lease expired at the end of the 2024 season at the Oakland Coliseum. The team will play at the Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California in the 2025 season. They will remain there for two years before making their first appearance in the city of Las Vegas. The remaining major sports teams in the Bay Area are: San Francisco Giants (MLB), Golden Gate Warriors (NBA), San Francisco 49ers (NFL), San Jose Sharks (NHL), and the San Jose Earthquakes (MLS)  Image c/o Corey Sipkin for the NY POST By Isabella Wynn Visiting Reporter Women’s basketball has had an intense growing and record-breaking year for the 2023/2024 season. Women’s sports have been consistently neglected given they are not as popularly followed compared to men's sports. Whether we are looking at professional sports, college, or even high school level, boys and mens sports have a cult following. However, that all appears to be changing.
In this past year, the WNBA has gained traction due to exciting games and popular shooters like Sabrina Ionescu, all-time NCAA leader, two-time WNBA All-Star 3-point contest champ, and guard on New York Liberty. Born and raised in Walnut Creek, Sabrina attended Miramonte High School and afterwards went on to play for the University of Oregon. This past February, she faced off against Stephan Curry in a special NBA All-Star 3-Point contest, falling short only 3 points and tying the winner of the 3-point contest, Damien Lillard. While Sabrina was not able to take home the win against Curry, this contest represented great strides for women’s sports. We are experiencing a cultural shift in the world of women's sports. Women’s basketball has gained not only more respect, but more viewers. Speaking of viewers, this year's NCAA women’s basketball final game made history as the first ever women’s final game to have a larger viewing audience than the mens. The final game “in which the Iowa Hawkeyes and record-breaking star Caitlin Clark took on, and lost to, No. 1-seeded South Carolina drew more than 18.9 million views” (NBC). In comparison, the NCAA men’s final game drew in 14.8 million viewers. The growth in viewership for the women's team was exponential, jumping from 9.9 million last year, to the whopping 18.9 million this year. Reporters are stating that you just can’t ignore women's basketball anymore. They’re calling this shift the Caitlin Clark effect. The growing popularity of women’s basketball is undeniable. Viewership is skyrocketing while players are landing huge sponsorship deals. Players such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have become household names in a way that is not something that is currently happening in men's NCAA. Caitlin Clark is arguably one of the best women’s college basketball players we have seen in generations. Not only that, but reporters also state that she is one of the biggest collegiate stars, period, seen in years. As of April 15th, Caitlin Clark was selected by the Indiana Fever as the number one pick in the WNBA 2024 Draft. Finishing off her NCAA career as the all-time leader in points, assists, and 3-pointers, she is also the first player in D1 history (men’s or women’s) with 3,000 points, 750 rebounds, and 750 assists. Former collegiate star, Caitlin Clark, entering the professional world should ensure another exciting season for the WNBA. This growing popularity for women’s basketball represents great strides for women in sports. This is an important and exciting cultural shift. Players like Caitlin Clark are showing the world what women can do. Keep an eye out for next season to watch these players play like a girl. The Gaels lose to the Zags but still claim the title of regular season champions.  Image c/o Ryan Barnett/SMC Athletics By Val Hill Sports Editor For both Gonzaga and the Gaels, this was the make or break game. The game could have gone one or two ways: one being the Gaels securing another win against Gonzaga, or Gonzaga stealing a home court win from the Gaels. A month prior the Gaels swept away a win from Gonzaga on their home turf. However and unfortunately for the Gaels, Gonzaga did steal a home game win from them.
The game started with the Gaels controlling the speed and tempo of the plays, not letting the fouls or bad calls get in their way. This allowed them to take an early lead with 12-10. Each turnover was consistent and throughout the first quarter of the game was moving smoothing for the Gaels. For the first 12 minutes, Alex Ducas, Augustus Marciulionis and Mitchel Saxen were the top scorers. However, this did not last long when the Zags went on a run and ended the first half with a score of 28 to 44. The Gaels just were not able to recover and unable to find their own rhythm again. Fouls and turnovers were reaching high numbers, but that did not stop the Gaels. The Gaels' shot accuracy percentage went down significantly and led to a spiral of points for Gonzaga. Fouls on the Gaels and on Gonzaga, both good and bad calls alike, were not enough. This unfortunately wasn’t enough, and the game ended in a 57 to 70 loss to the Zags. However, not all hope is lost. The Gaels still have a chance to play like a 17th AP Poll ranked team, and it will have to be during the WCC conference championship. And now both teams with losses on their home court will have the chance to move on and finish the fight in Vegas for the WCC championship. Allowing for the Gaels to use their win as the regular season champions as motivation to work harder than ever in the next few weeks. So everything is on the line for the Gaels and also for Gonzaga, because only one can win. And both teams are desperate for the title and will do whatever it takes to win. An explanation of a few strange NHL fan and player tradition.  Image c/o FRED CHARTRAND,AP PHOTO/THE CANADIAN PRESS By Val Hill Sport Editor As part of almost all sports teams, there tend to be some little superstitions and rules that they follow because of tradition. Each team within that particular sport is different and each player takes their own unique approach to these superstitions. For example, sometimes in volleyball girls won’t wash their game day knee pads to keep the “winning vibes” in the knee pads and to help them win. However, there isn’t a sport more iconic for their strange and unusual traditions than hockey, and more specifically the NHL.
For most people the appeal of touching a shiny 2 ’11 tall trophy can be just too great, but for hockey players it is a seasonal death sentence to touch the Stanley Cup before you have secured your win. Only after a team has won the Cup, will they spend a day with it. More specifically each player will have the opportunity to spend an entire day with the Cup. Using it as a baptismal font for their kids or as a nice bowl for pasta or your beer, are all examples of things winners have done with their day with the Stanley Cup. The NHL has a plethora of animal and sea life mascots like the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, and so on. So fans have been known to throw snakes, rats, catfish, and sometimes a leopard shark onto the ice. None of these are more iconic than back in 1952 when two brothers Pete and Jerry Cuismano decided that they would throw an octopus onto the ice. After the Detroit Red Wings qualified for the playoffs, apparently the eight tentacles represented the eight wins that are needed to qualify. From then on the octopus has become a lucky symbol for the Red Wings and fans will still launch them onto the ice from time to time. In most sports, even in high contact sports like football or basketball, you aren’t allowed to fight each other. However, this rule goes out the window as the gloves come off for hockey players. Refs will let players duke it out once the gloves get tossed and sometimes once the helmets are off too. On less than rare occasions the fight can turn into more of a team brawl rather than a one on one. The refs do stay close to the players' fight and won't break it up until one or both are flat on the ice. However, these fights can be small little scrapes or a serious beat down with guys walking away with missing teeth and cracked bones. Despite the blood and gore, this adds to the appeal of hockey. Since who doesn’t like watching two men just swing away like it's Sunday brunch? A March Madness Prediction  Image c/o ESPN By Val Hill Sports Editor With March Madness only a few days away and the AP Poll coming out with new rankings, the brackets are being dusted off and the bracketology has begun. Interestingly, this season was filled with teams moving all over the board. With conference championships around the corner for a lot of teams, anything can happen.
For starters Kansas University, who was tied with Purdue, dropped from their reigning spot at number one all the way down to seventh place. Now the current number one is the University of Houston, who stole the spot from University of Connecticut in the last week. This means that the bracket placement has the potential to be a powerhouse in some areas and others to have one team absolutely dominate. According to the NCAA 2024 Bracket Predictions, it has predicted that Houston (1) will go up against either South Dakoda or Norfolk State. The Gaels (17) are expected to go up against Boise State (10) in the first round as well. However everything is completely subject to changes since this was the last week of the West Coast Conference regular season games and then championships in Vegas starting. So for the Gaels moving up from their beginning spot of 23 to be placed at 17 has to be a huge boost coming into their game against Gonzaga on March 2nd. Considering that Gonzaga started in 11th place and have dropped dramatically down to 23, there is a lot on the line for both teams. Gael’s vs Gonzaga: the biggest rivalry in D1 history  Image c/o Piper Westrom By Val Hill Sports Editor The Gaels headed to the city of Spokane on February 3rd, to go up against their biggest rivals in the West Coast Conference (WCC). “The Kennel” was packed to the brim, with students from both schools packed and bringing all the energy they could. However, the Bulldogs took a massive 9-point lead within minutes, making the Gaels play catch-up for six minutes. With no shots to points within that time, Coach Bennett told Harry Wessels to stand down, trying to keep the Gaels out of foul trouble. Since most of the starting line-up had about two or three fouls each. The Gaels needed to breathe and find a way to win on the road. However, the Bulldogs weren’t making it easy for the Gaels to make their shots.
One player that played his heart out was Josh Jefferson. He played this game in such a way that it allowed Aiden Mahaney to find his rhythm. The biggest key in the Gaels plays is keeping Saxon on the floor and out of foul trouble. After the Gaels slowed down and found their flow again, the point gap closed until it was a point for point at the end of the first half, ending with a score of 33 to 34. The second half picked up with Jefferson scoring every point in the first few minutes, taking control of the rhythm and flow of both teams. However, this didn't stop the Bulldogs, who forced the speed up and slowed down, forcing the Gaels into foul trouble. There was one thing that affected both teams equally: the horrible sportsmanship from the Gonzaga student section. From them throwing drinks and food onto the court to their clear disrespect to the referees and announcers, players were slipping and falling on the court. This was arguably the worst display of sportsmanship that I have ever witnessed. The students were completely out of control and there should have been many technical fouls, but none were made. Against all odds, Augustas Marčiulionis made an amazing three-point shot, allowing the Gaels to win with a score of 64 to 62, making the Gaels undefeated in the WCC. Saint Mary’s successfully sought revenge Nov. 9 when New Mexico came to Moraga  Image c/o Jed Jacobsohn/Associated Press By Drew Paxman Editorial Designer/Sports Writer Under the bright Thursday night lights in a packed University Credit Union Pavilion, the Gaels warmed up with only one thing on their mind: revenge against the team that broke their home winning streak a season ago, the New Mexico Lobos. The result was a 72-58 dominant victory for Saint Mary’s.
“I was ready to go from the jump,” said sophomore guard Aidan Mahaney, who scored a career high-tying 25 points in the game. The game was a blowout from the get-go, in large part due to Maheney’s phenomenal 21-point first half performance. “Whatever my team needs I’m here for it,” remarked Mahaney. “[Mickey] McConnell and the offensive coaches do a really good job at getting us some great sets. From there we just follow his execution and try to do it to the best of our ability.” Sophomore center Harry Wessels dominated in the paint, scoring a career high-tying 12 points and career high four offensive rebounds. Wessels believes the key to the team’s success is maintaining the team’s “gritty not pretty” motto. “We’re gonna be overlooked sometimes…and it’s not always gonna be easy but we’re just gonna go out there and try hard every time,” Wessels said. “We have guys that are extremely tough, and toughness is something we preach and pride ourselves on everyday.” Wessels not only displayed physical toughness throughout his 14 minutes of action, but mental toughness as well. With 8:46 left to play, Wessels picked up his fourth foul. Despite having a career-day up to that point, the sophomore center knew he had to make a change. “It’s just the focus on details as far as…showing the refs you’re playing clean,” he said. “You think about it a little bit–cleaning up. But you still got to go out there and play hard.” Since their 72-58 win over the Lobos, the Gaels have fumbled into a three game losing streak on the road, losing their Top 25 AP Poll ranking. The season is still young, though, and the Gaels made improvements at home with a win against Davidson on Friday, Nov. 24. The Gaels look to continue to make improvements against Utah on Monday, Nov. 27. Gaels beat Stanislaus State 107 to 28 By Val Hill Sports Editor The Gaels came out strong right out of the gate against Stanislaus State, practically beating the Warriors in the warmup. The energy of the crowd fueling into the Gaels, giving off a dominating presence. Even though the Gaels were predicted to win, they didn’t let that get to the players' heads.
Warriors gave the Gaels most of their free points through fouls and an overly confident defense. The Warriors tried to force the Gaels to speed up and to try and get the upper hand. And they did for a few baskets, but the Gaels quickly locked in and took control of the game. One player that truly stood out among the rest for the Gaels was Mason Forbes. Forbes is a grad student who was a redshirt last season and did not play. Forbes has made such an impact on the court that I could see him being an all season starter. Another outstanding player in that game was the hometown hero, Aiden Mahaney, a returning all star who set a new personal record for most points in a game. During that game Mahaney proved that he wasn’t just a second half player, but an all in player. From making almost all of his three point shots, to being an all around defensive and offensive player, Aiden was setting the tone for the rest of the season. Since the Gaels were doing so well that game, head coach Randy Bennett decided to let everyone have some game minutes. Players such as Rory Hawke, Kevin Gad, and Cade Bennett finally made their debuts, all of which did not play last season due to redshirting. Freshman Jordan Ross got on the court and was starting to make himself known that game as well. All eyes were on the Gaels to have a total shutout and they provided. The Gaels only lost their momentum for a brief moment, letting the Warriors get 9 turnovers. But that made the Gaels not only fight back, but completely dominate the game. And with this game the Gaels set a new school record for most points in a game since 2010. Thus the end game score was 107 Gaels and 28 for the Warriors. |
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