By Ernie Gonzalez — Executive Editor
There’s no place like home.
Wednesday and Thursday night’s games against BYU and Northern Arizona respectively, will be anything but a road game for one of the Spartans’ three seniors.
‘The Maui Jim Maui Classic, hosted by No. 4 Oregon State, will take place in the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii.
Guard Fieme’a Hafoka, a Hawaiian native, will be the first DI women’s basketball player to participate in the tournament on the island that she is from.
Most of her middle and high school basketball career was played in the same gymnasium she will start tonight, according to the tournament’s event page.
“It’s just like a full circle,” Hofoka told the Maui Times. “Being able to go back to where it all started really means the world to me.”
The team captain sits fourth in the team in scoring behind 3-point sharpshooter Megan Anderson, double-double machine Tyra Whitehead and Mountain West Player of the Year frontrunner Ayzhiana Basallo, who will likely sit out of the tournament with a sprained ankle.
As long as she’s back around the restart of conference play, the Spartans will be in good shape.
To be blunt, San Jose State’s 6-0 start on Walt McPherson court and a 2-0 start to Mountain West play has blindsiding.
The team has won seven of their last eight games including a three game win streak.
SJSU matches up with Brigham Young University Wednesday night to tipoff the tournament. The cougars, who made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament last season has had a bit of a sluggish start at 4-4 but certainly aren’t a team to overlook.
The Spartan’s biggest win this season has been the 95-88 victory over Buffalo. Granted, that was at home, but it might have been enough to shift the squad’s mindset early in the year.
Upperclassmen Praisley Johnson and Brenna Drolinger both top the team in the scoring department and are stingy on defense with quick hands.
A key for the Spartans will be to take care of the rock and play to their tempo, which is fast paced.
Also on the itinerary for SJSU is Northern Arizona, which tips off Thursday night at 7:30. The Spartans and Lumberjacks have not met in nine years. Led by redshirt junior Jacey Bailey with an average of 14.7 points per game, 2-5 NAU has only won once away from home.
What’s key for this SJSU team is to stay humble, healthy and composed. Yes, right now, all is great. The team is rolling high.
They are in Hawaii and have won eight of their first 11 games, but the last thing this team needs is to suffer another scary situation like Dec. 14 at the Event Center went basallo went down.
At 2-0 and at the top of the Mountain West, realizing that and being smart about it should be the team’s top priority.
Knock on wood, but a season-ending injury in Hawaii would be devastating for a young team that hasn’t had much experience at the peak.
Yes, the tournament can have plenty of positive effects, too. Bonding time. Team chemistry.
That’s a trait that makes a team dangerous and destined for success. Not just in December at home, but in March as well, anywhere.
Follow Ernie on Twitter @superego1012