Big Sky Conference report

SportsLine.com Report
June 1, 2000

Believe it or not, the Hornets' season was a big boon for the school.

Nine wins equaled more wins than the previous two seasons combined.

Conference wins were far and few between and the school still has not won a Big Sky road game since entering the league, but the Hornets are showing progress ... something that couldn't be said the past several years.

Then coach Tom Abatemarco resigned and was replaced by Jerome Jenkins on an interim basis. Tough gig, that Sacramento State job.

A glance at 2001

How did Howard Jones put it? "Things can only get better." Well, for the Hornets, things should get better. Twelve players return and with the addition of University of Detroit transfer and former Sacramento prep star Ronnie Walton, the Hornets could climb to .500 next season under

Losing rebounder deluxe Anthony Flood to graduation won't help the cause.

No players were signed in the early signing period and there are few, if any, scholarships to give, so Walton will be the only incoming player.

The coach

Tom Abatemarco showed improvement this year. He recruited well, coached well and had the confidence to take over the nation's worst D-I program two years ago. Then he resigned.

This job is a man-eater and nobody really wants it. Thus, the administration tabbed Jerome Jenkins as the interim coach for a year. That's no way to develop anything.

Who'll be back?

Leading the way are two seniors-to-be, 6-4 Pablo Gonzalez and 6-6 Ricky Glenn, excellent first-year JC players this past season.

Another quality JC player this season, 6-0 guard Rame Batta, returns, as does 6-1 Rene Jacques, a good backcourt player. Jim Brewer (6-3), Arinze Anouro (6-6), Bo Segeberg (6-9) all have capable talent and should be key contributors next season.

The Hornets have the makings of a solid lineup.

Who's gone

Forwards Thomas Wieck (6-7) and Anthony Flood (6-6). Flood is the huge loss here. He was an excellent scorer and rebounder for two seasons at Sac State and came to play every night.