The 2002-03 men’s basketball season should have ended two weeks earlier than it did. The Hornets were on the brink of elimination, trailing by five points at the half against Montana State, needing a win to advance to their first-ever Big Sky Tournament.

It was do-or-die time, and one senior wasn’t ready to see his career end without even a glimpse of postseason action. Derek Lambeth scored 23 points in that second half, guiding the Hornets to a convincing 72-52 win.

The next week, Lambeth scored 24 points in the Hornets’ upset win over Montana in the Big Sky Tourney.

“To cap it off the way we did was just unbelievable,” Lambeth said. “I had my whole family there, some people who hadn’t been to the games or seen me since I’ve been in college.”

The Hornet senior was given first-team all-Big Sky honors, finishing the year averaging 12.8 points. But Lambeth’s Hornet career won’t be remembered for his contributions to a stat sheet. It will be remembered for the day he single-handedly put Sac State hoops on the map.

Honorable Mentions

Mikela Olsen, baseball: It’s fitting Olsen wears No. 9, ala the “Splendid Splinter” Ted Williams. The junior outfielder is on the verge of becoming the first Hornet to bat .400 since the team moved to Div. I in 1993.

Olsen is currently leading the team with a .410 average, 57 RBI and 80 hits, while ranking second with 14 homers.

Fred Amey, football: After only two seasons, Amey already holds the Hornet career record for receiving yards (1,874), while ranking tied for second in receiving touchdowns (16) and receptions (116).

This past season, the junior-to-be recorded 62 catches and nine touchdowns, while being named first-team all-Big Sky.

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