Look closely. It may seem far away, but it’s there — the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Sacramento State men’s basketball team is off to a less-than-stellar 8-13 start, but there is cause for optimism due to the integration of transfer Kris Groce into the lineup.

Groce, a junior point guard, was born in an area of Washington called the Tri-Cities where he lived all the way through his freshman year in college. While there he began to play basketball at a very young age.

“I’ve been playing since before I can remember,” Groce said. “I think I played my first organized ball in the second grade.”

After starring at Pasco High School where he was named all-state after averaging 15 points and six assists per game as a senior, Groce went to Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

His numbers went through the roof in his one season there as he averaged 21.7 points, 7.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

Groce spent his sophomore year at the University of Hawaii where he played in 11 games.

Hawaii was not a paradise for Groce, who admits that things weren’t going well on or off the court.

“It was a bunch of reasons,” Groce said of his transfer out of Hawaii. “I was going through a lot of things and it just wasn’t for me.”

The allure of such a place was not enough to keep him there.

“It’s really nice if you just want to visit or take a vacation, but it’s not a good place to live,” he said. “Everything is really expensive and it’s like a different country. It never felt like home to me.”

Groce left Hawaii and came straight to Sac State. He redshirted last season due to the transfer, which made him ineligible to play until this season for the Hornets. In May 2005, Groce met his teammates for the first time.

“They accepted me with open arms and I felt at home right away.”

He became part of the team quickly and, before long, was being ragged on like any other teammate.

“Some of the guys call me ‘Britches’ because I always wear sweatpants at school,” he said. “Sometimes they call me “Lil Britches’ too.”

Groce had to wait to make his Hornets debut because he was ruled academically ineligible for the fall semester.

His first game came against Montana on Jan. 4. In the game, an 80-72 home win, Groceplayed 30 minutes before fouling out.

He played well, scoring five points, dishing out 10 assists and ripping three steals from the Grizzlies.

Among those awaiting Groce’s insertion into the lineup was coach Jerome Jenkins.

“Kris’ presence adds a lot,” Jenkins said. “When he’s out there, he makes the other guys more confident. They know that they need to run because, if they’re open, they’re going to get the ball.”

The best performance of Groce’s young season came on Friday at home against Portland State.

Groce had 20 points, seven assists, three steals and made three-of-seven from long range to help the Hornets to a much needed 97-93 conference win.

“That was his breakout performance,” Jenkins said. “When he’s good, the team is good.”

After five straight losses, including a devastating home loss to Eastern Washington that saw the team lose a 13-point lead, things may be looking up after Friday’s win.

“I think this conference is pretty balanced,” Groce said. “I think if we can make it into the tournament we know we can beat anybody.”

As the team currently sits on the outside of the tournament picture, it may be up to Groce to give the team that final push over the edge.

If the early returns are any indication, Sac State may be very happy that he left the palm trees of Hawaii for the City of Trees.

Benn Hodapp can be reached at [email protected]