Buzzin’ Dozen — Edition 2
Two new Sac State basketball players join the list
Graphic created in Canva.
Hello Hornets! Welcome to the second edition of the Buzzin’ Dozen, a bi-weekly power ranking of the 12 best student-athletes at Sac State. Let’s get right into the action and please remember these rankings are solely our opinions– which are generated from our consistent coverage from our team of writers and content producers.
Hello Hornets! Welcome to the second edition of the Buzzin’ Dozen, a bi-weekly power ranking of the 12 best student-athletes at Sac State. Let’s get right into the action and please remember these rankings are solely our opinions– which are generated from our consistent coverage from our team of writers and content producers.
Honorable Mentions
Katie Peneueta- sophomore guard, women’s basketball
Francisco Magaña- junior midfielder men’s soccer
Bridgette Smith- junior volleyball
Mark Keki- junior men’s tennis
Pierre Williams- senior wideout, football
Katie Peneueta- sophomore guard, women’s basketball
Francisco Magaña- junior midfielder men’s soccer
Bridgette Smith- junior volleyball
Mark Keki- junior men’s tennis
Pierre Williams- senior wideout, football
12. Marte Mapu- Senior Nickelback, Football
Dominique Williams
Mapu is the leader of the Sac State defense this season. The nickelback acts as a swiss-army knife for Sac State with seven career interceptions, 146 career tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
Mapu is the leader of the Sac State defense this season. The nickelback acts as a swiss-army knife for Sac State with seven career interceptions, 146 career tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
11. Callum McRae- Senior Center, Men’s Basketball
Jordan Latimore
In his first season as a Hornet, McRae has been able to make an early and significant impact on the Sac State offense. The seasoned UC Riverside transfer is averaging 9.3 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists through the Hornets first three games. McRae has instantly become a focal point with the ability to set great screens and make timely decisions with the ball in his hands.
In his first season as a Hornet, McRae has been able to make an early and significant impact on the Sac State offense. The seasoned UC Riverside transfer is averaging 9.3 points, 8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists through the Hornets first three games. McRae has instantly become a focal point with the ability to set great screens and make timely decisions with the ball in his hands.
10. Cesar Valero- Junior Right Field, Baseball
Dominique Williams
9. Kalaijah Dean- Senior point guard, Women’s Basketball
Dylan McNeill
Dean is just two games into her Sac State career, but she’s already leaving her mark. She’s averaging 20.5 points, 7.5 assists and 4 rebounds as she’s played the role of lead guard for the Hornets.
Dean is just two games into her Sac State career, but she’s already leaving her mark. She’s averaging 20.5 points, 7.5 assists and 4 rebounds as she’s played the role of lead guard for the Hornets.
8. Marshel Martin- Junior Tight End, Football
Jordan Parker
Martin leads the Hornets with 538 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns this season. The junior has earned All-Big Sky honors for the past three seasons with 23 career touchdowns and 1,737 career receiving yards.
Martin leads the Hornets with 538 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns this season. The junior has earned All-Big Sky honors for the past three seasons with 23 career touchdowns and 1,737 career receiving yards.
7. Marissa Bertuccio- Senior Pitcher, Softball
Spencer Fielding
Bertuccio was named Big Sky pitcher of the year in 2022 after she finished 21-10, pitching to a 2.38 earned run average. In May of this year, Bertuccio threw her first collegiate no-hitter. She has 36 career wins and a 2.85 earned run average.
Bertuccio was named Big Sky pitcher of the year in 2022 after she finished 21-10, pitching to a 2.38 earned run average. In May of this year, Bertuccio threw her first collegiate no-hitter. She has 36 career wins and a 2.85 earned run average.
6. Armon Bailey- Senior Linebacker, Football
Sac State Athletics
After suffering an injury in 2021, Bailey has surged to become the anchor of the Sac State defense. He leads the Hornet defense in 71 tackles and six sacks, achieving Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks this season.
After suffering an injury in 2021, Bailey has surged to become the anchor of the Sac State defense. He leads the Hornet defense in 71 tackles and six sacks, achieving Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks this season.
5. Lewa Day- Senior Third base, Softball
Spencer Fielding
Day earned a second team all-Pacific Region and first team All-Big Sky Conference selection in 2022 along with being a tied leader for homeruns in the same season with Lexie Webb at 16. She finished last season second in hits with 56.
Day earned a second team all-Pacific Region and first team All-Big Sky Conference selection in 2022 along with being a tied leader for homeruns in the same season with Lexie Webb at 16. She finished last season second in hits with 56.
4. Isnelle Natabou- Junior Center, Women’s Basketball
John Cabales
The 6’5” Natabou, who hails from Czech Republic, made an instant impact in her first year as a Hornet, earning Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year along with second team Big Sky Conference. Natabou started in all 30 games she appeared in, averaging 14.7 points-per-game along with 10.9 rebounds.
The 6’5” Natabou, who hails from Czech Republic, made an instant impact in her first year as a Hornet, earning Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year along with second team Big Sky Conference. Natabou started in all 30 games she appeared in, averaging 14.7 points-per-game along with 10.9 rebounds.
3. Asher O’Hara- Senior Quarterback, Football
Alyssa Branum
O’Hara leads the Hornets in rushing touchdowns this season with 17, combined with seven passing touchdowns. The transfer from Middle Tennessee State has thrived in Sac State’s two-quarterback system, earning first team All-Big Sky Conference Honors and scoring 40 total touchdowns in 22 games. As the Hornets remain undefeated, O’Hara remains the conductor of their offense.
O’Hara leads the Hornets in rushing touchdowns this season with 17, combined with seven passing touchdowns. The transfer from Middle Tennessee State has thrived in Sac State’s two-quarterback system, earning first team All-Big Sky Conference Honors and scoring 40 total touchdowns in 22 games. As the Hornets remain undefeated, O’Hara remains the conductor of their offense.
2. Jennifer Koga- Junior, Golf
Deanna Sanchez
Koga earned Big Sky Player of the Year for a second time in 2022 and was named first team All-League Selection. Additionally in 2021, Koga was named conference Freshman of the Year. Koga, the only two-time Big Sky Player of the Year on campus, remains one of the best golfers in school history.
Koga earned Big Sky Player of the Year for a second time in 2022 and was named first team All-League Selection. Additionally in 2021, Koga was named conference Freshman of the Year. Koga, the only two-time Big Sky Player of the Year on campus, remains one of the best golfers in school history.
1. Cameron Skattebo- Sophomore Running Back, Football
Jordan Latimore
Skattebo has taken off for the Hornets in his second year, averaging 7.7 yards a carry and scoring nine touchdowns, including a three-touchdown performance against Utah Tech where he took an onside kick-back for a score. Skattebo has set the tone with his incredibly physical runs all season for Sac State football. Skattebo has been a human-highlight reel ever since he set foot on campus.
Skattebo has taken off for the Hornets in his second year, averaging 7.7 yards a carry and scoring nine touchdowns, including a three-touchdown performance against Utah Tech where he took an onside kick-back for a score. Skattebo has set the tone with his incredibly physical runs all season for Sac State football. Skattebo has been a human-highlight reel ever since he set foot on campus.
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