The men’s and women’s basketball teams won the Big 8 Conference championships. The men’s team clinched with their win last week against Modesto and the women’s team clinched with their defeat over Cosumnes River on Feb. 16.

The women’s team beat Cosumnes River 62-55 at Haehl Pavillion in front of a large crowd that included SRJC preseident Dr. Frank Chong and State Champion women’s soccer head coach Luke Oberkirch. Chong was there to cheer on the basketball teams and tossed the opening tip-off of the men’s game.

“Great coaching job this season by both coaches,” Chong said.

Oberkirch was in attendance not only to support the teams but to unveil the soccer teams state championship banner.

“It’s awesome,” Chong said.

Bear Cubs Fans were also treated to another fan appreciation night. Prizes were awarded, an paper airplane contest was held and a cash grab at halftime of the men’s game was held where lucky fans scrambled to gather $1 bills on the court. All night a DJ was cranking out jams, cheerleaders were performing and Rosco the Bear Cub was energizing the crowd.

Clinching the conference at home in front of family and friends was extra special for the players. It was not only the last conference game on the schedule, but it was also sophomore night for the women’s team. Family and friends gave flower bouquets and balloons to their players.

“It was amazing,  sophomore guard Jenna Reed said. Besides that it was our sophomore night for us. It was a big game, words can’t describe it.”

Sophomore team leader Ashley Morgan had a dominate game. Morgan grabbed important rebounds and made big plays on both defense and offense in the closing minutes of the game, helping to secure the win for the Bear Cubs.

“Ashley’s our captain and honestly our go-to player, it’s great to see her step up on sophomore night,” assistant coach Natalie Wisdom said.

Head coach Lacey Campbell was proud of her team’s ability to play as a group even when leading scorer Jen Tsurumoto was the focus of Cosumnes River’s defense.

“We need a team effort to win games, I think we showed that tonight, our leading scorer wasn’t our leading scorer tonight,” head coach Lacey Campbell said. “Everyones going to know who Tsurumoto is and their going to try and stop her, Ashley Morgan stepped up and Anandi Jiminez stepped up and a big thing is we got stops.”

Both teams will likely host playoff games next week at Haehl Pavillion.