The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
John Cabales

John Cabales, sports writer

All content by John Cabales
Natabou

[Photo]
Buzzin’ Dozen — Edition 4

State Hornet sports staff
January 26, 2023

Sophomores Cesar Valero (left) and Josh Rolling pose in a tree near the River Front Center on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Both Valero and Rolling transferred to Sac State as sophomores and have found a spot in the Hornets lineup.

Sac State baseball sparks friendship for two slugging sophomores

Josh Rolling’s and Cesar Valero’s relationship goes beyond the bases
Dylan McNeill and John Cabales
May 15, 2022
On and off the field, Josh Rolling and Cesar Valero’s relationship cuts deep. Read it here:”
[FILE PHOTO] Isnelle Natabou at the free-throw line against Seattle University ​​Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at the Hornets Nest. The Hornets were voted best women’s sports team in the 2022 Best of Sac State poll.

PODCAST: BOSS: Women’s basketball wins best female team

Sac State women’s basketball team reflects on great season
John Cabales and Jordan Latimore
May 5, 2022
Hornet women’s basketball won best female sports team in the sixth annual Best of Sac State poll after a historic 14-win season under first-year head coach Mark Campbell
[FILE PHOTO] Former Graduate Sac State guard Lianna Tillman brings up the ball against Seattle University ​​Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 at The Nest. Coming off her 2021-22 Big Sky MVP campaign, Tillman was voted best female athlete in The State Hornet’s 2022 Best of Sac State poll.

Best of Sac State: Lianna Tillman wins best female athlete

A Q and A with Sac State women’s basketball guard as she heads into professional basketball
John Cabales
May 4, 2022
Lianna Tillman, who won Big Sky MVP in her first and only season with the Hornets, was awarded best female athlete in The State Hornet’s Best of Sac State poll:
Lianna Tillman showcasing 333 Club Feb 15, 2022, a brand she made to inspire others. The meaning of 333 is to wait for your time and not give up on yourself, something Tillman lives by and led her to being Big Sky MVP.

Sac State women’s basketball guard bets on herself and it pays off

Tillman becomes first conference MVP for Sac State women’s basketball
John Cabales
March 14, 2022
Lianna Tillman believed in herself and it paid off; she had the best season of her career as she became the first Big Sky MVP in the history of Sac State women’s basketball.
Head coach Mark Campbell yells offensive plays to his team against San José State on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021. The Hornets defeated the Spartans 75-65 after a fourth-quarter surge. (Jordan Latimore)

THE GRIND: Mark Campbell’s ascent to women’s basketball head coach at Sac State

John Cabales
March 9, 2022
Mark Campbell is known for recruiting top talent but now it is his time to lead as a head coach for the first time at Sac State
Graduate guard Lianna Tillman attempts  a floater against Weber State Monday, March 7, 2022 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho. Tillman finished with 23 points in the Hornets’ season-ending loss to Weber State in the Big Sky Tournament.

Sac State women’s basketball season ends with first-round upset

Hornets get taken out by the Wildcats 74-64
John Cabales
March 8, 2022
Sac State women’s basketball lose first round of Big Sky tournament after senior guard
Sac State senior guard Summer Menke drives to the rim against Idaho State Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022 in the Nest. Menke finished with 12 points and six  rebounds in the Hornets’ 67-56 loss to the Bengals.

Sac State women’s basketball loses hard-fought matchup against Idaho State

Hornets split the season series with 67-56 loss
John Cabales
February 20, 2022
Sacramento State women’s basketball team splits season series with Idaho State 1-1 after a hard fought loss at the Nest
Moments before graduate guard Lianna Tillman blew by senior guard Kori Pentzer in a 62-52 loss to Weber State on Feb. 18, 2022 in the Nest. Tillman finished with a game high 29 points for the night.

Sac State women’s basketball winning streak snapped in loss to Weber State

Hornets revert back to bad defensive habits in 62-52 loss
John Cabales
February 19, 2022
Sac State women’s basketball team cools off after a night of stagnant offense and bad defense leads to a loss to Weber State
Isnelle Natabou (left), Summer Menke (middle), Jazmin Carrasco (right) gathering up after a foul during the Causeway Classic at the Golden 1 Center on Nov. 26, 2021. The Hornets suffered their biggest loss of the season 75-46 against UC Davis.

Full Steam Ahead: The resurgence of Sac State women’s basketball

John Cabales
February 17, 2022
The Sac State women’s basketball team is winning again. Here’s how they turned their season around after a rough start.
Freshman guard Katie Peneueta at the free throw line in the Nest on Jan. 10, where Peneueta went one for three.  The Hornets lost the game 68-57 against Northern Arizona at the Nest on Jan.10, 2022.

Tillman leads Sac State women’s basketball to win over Northern Colorado

Four Hornets finish with double figures in 65-55 Victory
John Cabales
February 14, 2022
The Sacramento State women’s basketball team have now won eight of their last nine games after they defeated Northern Colorado 65-55.
Sophomore center Isnelle Natabou attempts to put back an offensive rebound against Portland State Sat. Feb. 5, 2022 in the Nest. Natabou’s 23 points and 17 rebounds helped lift the Hornets to a 73-62 win.

Natabou, Tillman help lead Sac State women’s basketball past Portland State

John Cabales
February 7, 2022
Sacramento State women’s basketball keeps the momentum pushing after securing their seventh win in eight games by defeating Portland State 73-62 on Saturday.
Sophomore guard Isnelle Natabou putting back a rebound with defenders surrounding her at Holt Arena on Thursday Jan. 28, 2022. Natabou scored 21 points and had 17 rebounds to help the Hornets defeat Idaho State 73-57.

Sac State women’s basketball dominates fourth quarter in win against Idaho State

Hornets outscore Bengals 23-11 in the last period
John Cabales
January 30, 2022
After a dominant fourth quarter, Sac State women’s basketball beat Idaho State to extend their win streak to five games
Senior guard Jazmin Carrasco prepares to pass the ball into the paint at the Hornets’ game against Eastern Washington at the Nest on Jan. 20, 2022. Carrasco and the Hornets would get their second win in a row after defeating Eastern Washington 59-49.

Sacramento State women’s basketball team dominates Eastern Washington in 59-49 win

Hornets lean on defensive clinic to secure their second Big Sky win
John Cabales
January 22, 2022
Sac State women’s basketball showed dominance on defense to secure their second win in a row and also their second win in the Big Sky.
Graduate guard Lianna Tillman handles the ball at the top of the key in a 75-46 loss against UC Davis at the Golden 1 Center on Nov. 23, 2021. Tillman was a key player in Sac State’s defeat of Portland State University 70-58 on Saturday, Jan 15, 2021.

Sac State women’s basketball earns first Big Sky win: 70-58 against Portland State

Star athletes Lianna Tillman and Isnelle Natabou played a big role in the Hornets’ big win
John Cabales
January 19, 2022
Sac State women’s basketball earns 70-58 win against Portland State, marking their first win of this season under Big Sky. Read the recap:
Graduate guard Lianna Tillman dribbling the ball down court in the Hornets Nest on Jan. 10, 2022. The Hornets lost to Northern Arizona University 68-57, Lianna finished the game with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sac State women’s basketball team suffers 68-57 loss against Northern Arizona

Hornets are winless against conference opponents this season with their third loss in a row on Monday.
John Cabales
January 15, 2022
The Hornets’ slow start in their Big Sky game against Northern Arizona was too much to overcome in the fourth quarter.
Photo of Sac State sophomore running back Marcus Fulcher (9) taken by Ayaana Williams. Graphic made in Canva by Alex Muegge & Mercy Sosa

Recap of Sac State’s season after playoff loss to South Dakota State: 4TH AND GOAL PODCAST

“4th and Goal'' is The State Hornet’s newest podcast and features former football beat writer and current podcast editor Mack Ervin III alongside current football beat writer Brandon Bailey breaking...

Sacramento State women’s basketball senior guard Summer Menke drives to the basket in a 75-46 loss to UC Davis on Nov. 23, 2021. The Hornets brought their record to 4-6 with a 60-50 road win over CSU Bakersfield on Wednesday.

Sac State women’s basketball conquers CSU Bakersfield 60-50 after dominant third quarter

Isnelle Natabou and Summer Menke both record double-doubles
John Cabales
December 11, 2021
Sacramento State women's basketball suffocated CSU Bakersfield and dominated in the third quarter to get a needed win. Read the recap here:
Senior guard Summer Menke going after a loose ball on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. Sacramento State lost to the University of Montana 75-59 in their first conference matchup on the road.

Sac State women’s basketball stomped by Montana in Big Sky opener 75-59

Hornets outscored 23-9 in third quarter
John Cabales, sports editor
December 3, 2021
Sacramento State women’s basketball dug themselves into a hole in the third quarter that was too deep for them to get out of, resulting in their first Big Sky conference play loss.
Sophomore center Isnelle Natabou gets swarmed by defenders while grabbing a rebound during both Sacramento State’s and UC Davis’ women’s teams’ first ever Causeway Classic at the Golden 1 Center on Nov. 23, 2021. Sac State womens basketball loss to UC Davis 75-46.

Sac State women’s basketball struggles against UC Davis in 75-46 loss

First time women's teams play Golden 1 Center
John Cabales
November 24, 2021
The Sac State women’s basketball team suffered a 75-46 blowout loss during both teams’ first ever Causeway Classic at the Golden 1 Center.
 Sacramento State men’s basketball players gather during a timeout against UC San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at the Hornets Nest. The men’s basketball team will take on UC Davis at the Golden 1 Center on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m in the return of the Causeway Classic. The women’s teams face off at 5 p.m.

PREVIEW: Sac State men’s and women’s basketball gears up for clash in next Causeway Classic

Hornets return to Golden 1 Center
Jordan Latimore and John Cabales
November 23, 2021
Sac State men’s and women’s basketball is gearing up for a tight showdown with UC Davis at the Golden 1 Center in the return of the annual Causeway Classic, here’s everything you need to know before the game tonight:
Graduate guard Lianna Tillman (right) readies a drive to the basket in the third quarter on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021. The Hornets defeated Sonoma State at the Hornets Nest in a 73-53 blowout.

Sac State women’s basketball dominates against Sonoma State

Tillman had second game of 25 points or more
John Cabales
November 17, 2021
Lianna Tillman led Sac State in a dominant game against Sonoma State at home. Read the recap here:
Senior guard Jazmin Carrasco drives to the basket against San José State on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, at the Hornets Nest. Sacramento State defeated the Spartans in a thrilling 75-65 victory.

Sac State women’s basketball beats San Jose State in hard fought home opener

Isnelle Natabou leads comeback win with a double-double
John Cabales
November 15, 2021
Sacramento State women’s basketball completed its comeback win after a hard fought back and forth win at home against San Jose State. Read the recap here:
Sophomore center Isnelle Natabou attempts to stop junior forward Evelien Lutje Schipholt from scoring. Sacramento State lost their home opener to Cal 90-71 at Haas Pavilion.

Sac State women’s basketball loses season opener 90-71

Mark Campbell takes first loss in return to PAC-12
John Cabales
November 10, 2021
Sacramento State women’s basketball gave up 52 points in the paint and loses 90-71 in Mark Campbell’s return to the PAC-12.
Graduate guard Lianna Tillman (left) and senior guard Summer Menke get ready to go in for five-on-five drills at practice in the Hornets Nest on Oct. 26, 2021. Menke and Tillman will get the opportunity to show their leadership against Cal on Nov. 9.

Preview: Sac State women’s basketball looks to change losing culture

Program hasn't had winning season since 2014-15
John Cabales
November 9, 2021
New head coach Mark Campbell leaves the University of Oregon to turn around a losing Sac State program that hasn’t had a winning season since the 2014-15.

Best and worst cheesecake flavors?!: State Hornet BUZZED

On this episode of BUZZED: Editor-In-Chief Jordan Parker, visuals editor Ayaana Williams, audience engagement editor Kaylin Flatland and sports editor John Cabales discuss cheesecake. Parker, who calls...

Kathy Jamieson, Sacramento State professor of kinesiology and California Faculty Association member, protests along with other CFA members on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. The association argued for fair pay and diversity among faculty.

[Photo] CSU Chancellor faces faculty protests, anti-racism questions at Sac State during visit

Camryn Dadey and Odin Rasco
November 4, 2021

Kathy Jamieson, Sacramento State professor of kinesiology and California Faculty Association member, protests along with other CFA members on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. The association argued for fair pay...

Graphic made in Canva

The best and worst cheesecakes from The Cheesecake Factory: STATE HORNET BUZZED

On today’s episode of Buzzed, four editors debate the best and worst cheesecake options you can get from The Cheesecake Factory. With John’s expertise as an employee at The Cheesecake Factory, along...

Sophomore slugger brings championship pedigree to Sac State softball team

Lewa Day has 9 home runs on the season
John Cabales
April 24, 2021
Lewa Day and her former coach have high expectations for her while she’s at Sac State: “When it is all said and done, I plan to see her name in the Sac State record books,” her former coach Michael Thomas said.
Karlee Soderberg (center), hitter for Sac State Volleyball, breaks with her team for the opening home game against Idaho State at the Nest at Sac State Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. The Hornets lost in back-to-back matches against the University of Northern Colorado in six straight sets on Feb. 7 and 8 at Bank of Colorado arena.

Sac State volleyball dominated by Northern Colorado in back-to-back losses

Hornets lose 3-0 in both matches
John Cabales
February 9, 2021
The Sacramento State volleyball team, who were on a three-match winning streak, lost to the University of Northern Colorado twice in a row.
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