ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - The Sonoma State women's basketball team is locked and loaded for the 2021-22 CCAA Championship Tournament as they are set to face the third seeded Golden Eagles of Cal State LA this Thursday at 12:00 PM. The tournament this year will be hosted by Cal Poly Humboldt at Lumberjack Arena. Head coach Rich Shayewitz continues to establish success and consistency with the women's program as he qualifies for his fourth straight conference tournament appearance in his four seasons with the program. Long time head coach Mark Rigby made the conference tournament as the 8th seed in the 2016-17 season, making this year's appearance the program's 5th straight. Shayewitz reflects on his time at the helm of the program and what contributes to the programs overall success in recent years. 

"All credit goes to the great student-athletes in our program who have bought into our philosophy. We work hard on creating a team atmosphere that has open communication and camaraderie. WIth that, the basketball part becomes more simple. We are going to defend hard, have a great attitude and be great teammates. Those are the controllables and that's always our focus. We feel like success is a byproduct of all of this". 

Despite all of the up's an down's this season and the various challenges presented due to COVID-19, the Seawolves have clawed their way into the tournament with stout defense and timely scoring led by senior veteran Zane Sheckherd. Sheckherd alone ranks inside the top-25 in the conference in scoring, rebounds, and blocked shots as she continues her career best season. Sheckherd currently averages 10.5 ppg and represents the teams lone average in double figures. As a team, Shayewitz and his defensive emphasis continues to reign true as Sonoma State ranks 3rd in the CCAA allowing just over 60 ppg. They also rank 4th in opponent FG% with their flexible lineup and strong perimeter defense. 

"If you look at our statistics, we don't have any real standout players in comparison to the rest of the league. I know that our team believes in what we are doing. We finished the year as the third ranked defensive team in the conference and that is a testament to every player's effort and buy-in. Our three elder players, Zane, Aaryn, and TJ have paved the way with their leadership and consistency. All of our new players have taken turns stepping up and contributed to our success. It's been great to be part of it" (HC, Shayewitz). 

Some other notable offensive players for the Seawolves include forward Camille Johnson and first year Seawolf Amanda Luckett. Luckett joined the program as a transfer from Bellevue College in Washington at the beginning of this season. With big shoes to fill after 1,000 point scorer Ugochi Anudokem graduated from the program after the 2019-20 season, Luckett has brought her own style and efficiency to the team and has come on big in the last few weeks of the season. She has hit double figures in two of the teams final four games and has some enjoyable history with Cal State LA earlier this season. Luckett led the Seawolves to a huge road win over LA with a team high 21 points off the bench on an incredible 10-13 from the field. She leads the team in FG% and blocked shots and also ranks 4th in the conference in blocks per game. Luckett poses a dominant threat in the paint off of the pick and roll and when she gets doubled, she turns into a smart passer allowing for good looks from beyond the arc. 

After not playing in a single game during the 2019-20 season, forward and second year player Camille Johnson has made huge strides this season hitting career marks in every major statistical category and acting as one of the most used players all season as she ranks 4th on the team in total minutes played. Johnson acts as one of the best true athletes on the team as she averages over 7 points per game and is one of the team's best perimeter defenders. Once Johnson gets downhill, she is almost impossible to stop as she can get to the rim and finish above anyone. Johnson has recorded six games in double figures with two of those coming in the team's final four games of the season. She has appeared in 21 of the teams 25 games and looks to be an integral part in the Seawolves first round game this Thursday.   

"I feel like our team is peaking at the right time. With the inconsistency of players in practice due to COVID-19, each player has been progressing at different rates. In a typical year, players stay on a similar trajectory but this year, their improvement and grasp of the system has been all over the place. Just now, I feel like all our players are caught up and now comfortable with what we do and how their game fits our system. Additionally, the players have now been able to have court time with one another, letting them grow together and learn from one another. As for our upcoming playoff game, we expect it to be a battle. They are a very talented team that play a very contrasting style compared to what we do. I expect our team to bring energy, play hard and smart, and embrace the opportunity" (HC, Shayewitz). 

Sonoma State enters the conference tournament as the 6 seed and will take on the 3 seed in Cal State LA for the third time this season this Thursday at 12:00 PM, at Lumberjack Arena. For the full tournament bracket and schedule you can click HERE or head to goccaa.org. Ticket links for the tournament can be found at sonomaseawolves.com on the women's basketball schedule page or on the conference website. 

Head coach Rich Shayewitz and senior forward Zane Sheckherd also sat down with conference director of communications Danny Barnts in a pre-tournament press conference. Click HERE to watch the full video interview or head to the Sonoma State Seawolves YouTube page.