Newsletter AD Fall 2025
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet
Newsletter AD Fall 2025
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet
Chris D. Johnson

Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor

(he/him)

Chris D. Johnson is a senior journalism major in his fourth and final semester at The State Hornet and Sacramento State. After spending time in both the sports and arts & entertainment sections, he made the jump up to managing editor. Beyond college, he hopes to continue into the world of professional journalism in the field of sports or music. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

All content by Chris D. Johnson
The United States Men’s National Team plays their first World Cup game on July 12 against Paraguay. They’ll play at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood.

World Cup 2026: Our USMNT squad prediction

How Mauricio Pochettino should line up on the biggest stage
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
April 16, 2026
The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, and Mauricio Pochettino is at the helm for his first major tournament as the manager of the United States Men’s National Team. Find out which 26 players the USMNT should bring to the tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Freshman guard Romari Robinson drives to the hoop against Montana State Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. Robinson got his first ever collegiate start against the Bobcats Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.

Hornets suffer two Big Sky losses in Big Sky Country

Sac State loses to Montana and Montana State to end a winless road campaign
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
March 2, 2026
Sacramento State played their final two Big Sky Conference regular season road games against Montana and Montana State, losing in both. The Hornets went winless on the road in the regular season.
Baby Keem released his second studio album “Ca$ino” Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. The record is Keem’s first full-length project since “The Melodic Blue,” released in 2021. (Photo Courtesy of pgLang and Columbia Records, graphic made in Canva by Giancarlo Diloy)

Baby Keem goes all in on ‘Ca$ino’

Keem adds depth to his repertoire on his second studio album
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
February 26, 2026
Las Vegas rapper Baby Keem released his second studio album, “Ca$ino,” on Feb. 20 via pgLang and Columbia Records. The album features artists such Kendrick Lamar and Too $hort and is Keem’s first project since his 2021 effort “The Melodic Blue.”
Freshman forward Mark Lavrenov goes for a dunk against Idaho Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Lavrenov led the Hornets in scoring against the Vandals with 20 points.

Hornets get their glass cleaned by the Vandals at home

Sac State loses their fifth straight game after getting dominated on the boards
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
February 23, 2026
Sacramento State men’s basketball lost their fifth straight game, this time losing against the Idaho Vandals at Hornet Pavilion. Sophomore guard Arman Madi got his first collegiate start in the game.
Senior guard Prophet Johnson takes a jumpshot against Portland State Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. Johnson had 28 points in the loss against the Vikings.

Terminal homesickness: Hornets lose a pair on the road

Sac State’s away record falls to 0-14 after losses to Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
February 16, 2026
Sacramento State lost their 13th and 14th straight road games, this time falling to Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, and Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Arizona. They’re now 5-8 in Big Sky Conference play.
Sacramento State and Portland State after their verbal altercation Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. There were five technical fouls issued as a result.

Pavilion ravaged: Hornets lose to the Vikings in a nail-biter

Portland State hands Sac State their first conference loss at home
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
February 10, 2026
Sacramento State lost at Hornet Pavilion in conference play for the first time at the hands of the Big Sky top ranked Portland State Vikings, despite the dynamic guard duo of senior Prophet Johnson and sophomore Mikey Williams combining for 54 points. Sac State now sits at 5-6 in the Big Sky, currently ranked No. 7.
Junior guard Jahni Summers possessing the ball against Weber State Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Summers had a career high in points, assists and steals against the Wildcats.

A dish best served hot: Hornets get revenge against the Wildcats

Sac State shot 63% from 3-point range en route to their third straight win
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
February 5, 2026
Sacramento State increased their Big Sky record to an even 5-5 after a win against the Weber State Wildcats. Senior guard Prophet Johnson and junior guard Jahni Summers both tied their Division I scoring records in the win.
Head coach Mike Bibby talking to his team during a break against Northern Arizona Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. The game against the Lumberjacks was Sac State’s first Big Sky win of the year.

Road trip trippin’: Sac State loses two away from home

The Hornets’ road record falls to 0-12 after losses to Idaho and Eastern Washington
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
January 26, 2026
Sacramento State's men’s basketball team lost two straight road games to Idaho and Eastern Washington. Despite the losses, freshman forward Mark Lavrenov scored 26 in each game.

[Video] The State Hornet Experience

Editors at The State Hornet reflect on their semester in the newsroom as the year comes to an end
Zachary Hernandez, Eli Keller, and Alicia Urquhart
December 31, 2025

As the semester ends, editors at The State Hornet reflect on their experiences in the student newsroom. Through their roles, challenges and accomplishments, editors discuss what they learned and how the...

Sophomore guard Mikey Williams and sophomore forward Brandon Gardner against San Francisco State Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. The Hornets beat the Gators by 48 points, with a score of 94-46.

Sac State speared by the Lancers in Riverside

The Hornets’ road record drops to 0-6 after another close loss
Chris D. Johnson, Managing Editor
December 21, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball team lost to California Baptist University by a score of 74-67 on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. The Hornets were led by junior guard Jahni Summers in scoring, with 21 points.
Senior guard Prophet Johnson against UC Davis Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. The Hornets lost to the Aggies by a score of 77-73.

Waco Wipeout: Hornets burned by the Baylor Bears

Sac State guard duo shines despite 22-point defeat
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
December 4, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball lost to Baylor on Tuesday, Dec. 2 by a score of 110-88. Redshirt sophomore guard Cameron Carr and freshman guard Tounde Yessoufou starred for the Bears, while senior guard Prophet Johnson and sophomore guard Mikey Williams led the way for the Hornets.
Junior guard Jahni Summers attempts a 3-pointer against Pacific Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Summers finished the game with 10 points and six rebounds.

Hornets fail to stay afloat against the Tigers, sink in the Pacific

A cold second half sees Sac State drop to 4-5 on the season
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
December 1, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball team lost to the University of the Pacific by a score of 68-54 Saturday, Nov. 29. Sophomore guard Mikey Williams led the Hornets in scoring with 14 points, but it wasn’t enough. Sac State will next face Baylor at Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas.
Sophomore forward Brandon Gardner celebrates after dunking on a San Francisco State defender Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. Gardner finished the game with seven points, including two alley-oop dunks.

Got it out the mud: Hornets reach swamp monster status against the Gators

Sac State is back to its winning ways after blowout win over San Francisco State
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 26, 2025
The Sacramento State men’s basketball team got back in the win column after a 94-46 win over the Division II San Francisco State Gators at Hornet Pavilion. Senior guard Prophet Johnson and junior guard Jahni Summers both had 21 points in the win.
Sophomore forward Brandon Gardner possesses the ball against California Friday Nov. 21, 2025. Gardner led the Hornets in scoring against the Bears with 19 points.

Seeing double: Sac State suffers second straight scraping

The Hornets lost 91-67 to California after the Golden Bears caught fire early on
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 22, 2025
The Sacramento State men’s basketball team lost a second straight game in blowout fashion, following their loss to UCLA with another to the California Golden Bears by a score of 91-67.
Senior guard Prophet Johnson drives to the hoop against Presbyterian on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Johnson finished the game with eight points and six rebounds against the Blue Hose.

Hornets knock the socks off the Blue Hose with last second stop

Sac State earns first Division I win after two close losses
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 17, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball team won a close game against the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Sunday, Nov. 16. Senior forward Jeremiah Cherry had another big game for the Hornets, and senior forward Shaqir O’Neal had his best game in a Sac State uniform so far. Head coach Mike Bibby got his first coaching win against a Division I opponent.
Senior forward Jeremiah Cherry goes for a layup against UC Davis Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. Cherry finished the game with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Harvest failure: Hornets unable to produce a win against the Aggies

Sac State suffers their second straight loss by five points or less
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 15, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball team lost 77-73 against future Big West Conference opponents, the UC Davis Aggies on Friday, Nov. 14. Senior guard Prophet Johnson and senior forward Jeremiah Cherry had big games, but it ultimately wasn’t enough for head coach Mike Bibby and his squad to get the win.
Junior guard Jahni Summers is contested on a fastbreak dunk Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Summers finished the game with 10 points.

Hornets fall to the Gauchos in western-style shootout

Sac State lacked fundamentals in their first loss of the season to UC Santa Barbara
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 12, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball team had their first loss of the season against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at Hornet Pavilion on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Despite the loss, sophomore guard Mikey Williams starred with 30 points.
Senior forward Jeremiah Cherry charges to the hoop against Jessup Friday, Nov. 8, 2025. Cherry finished the game with 15 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks.

Battle-tested: Hornets squeak by Warriors, but leave wounded

Sac State’s second straight hot closing half beats Division II Jessup University by 10 points
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 8, 2025
Mikey Williams had a breakout performance in Sacramento State men’s basketball’s most recent win against the Jessup University Warriors. Williams totaled 16 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in a 86-76 victory.
Sophomore guard Mikey Williams attempts a shot against Dominican Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Williams finished the game with 10 points and six assists.

Melting the ice: Hornets catch fire from three on opening night

Sac State shot over 48% from deep to take down the Penguins
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 5, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball opened their 2025-26 season with a win against Dominican University at Hornet Pavilion. Head coach Mike Bibby got his first win as a collegiate coach after strong debut performances from sophomore guard Jayden Teat, senior guard Prophet Johnson and senior forward Jeremiah Cherry.
Sacramento State’s men’s basketball team lined up before Hornet Madness Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. The Hornets start their season against Dominican University on Nov. 4.

New kids on the block: Hornets prepare for final Big Sky flight

‘I’m just trying to change the culture here’
Chris D. Johnson, Sports Editor
November 1, 2025
Sacramento State men’s basketball team has completely overhauled the roster for their final season in the Big Sky Conference. The Hornets brought in big names such as head coach Mike Bibby, general manager Shaquille O’Neal and players such as sophomore guard Mikey Williams.
Load More Stories
Donate to The State Hornet
$890
$2500
Contributed
Our Goal