2008-2009 SEASON RECAP

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2008-09 SKYLINE TROJANS FOR FINISHING RANKED #21 IN THE STATE

2009 Graduates not pictured- Antonio Dillon & Devin Williams

The Skyline Basketball Program is dedicated to the academic and athletic success of its student-athletes.  Since the day Justin Piergrossi took over the program, the Trojans have concentrated on attracting players from the community to fill its roster.  The emphasis on local players has provided an excellent opportunity for many young men to develop on and off the floor.  Since 2004, 100% of the players who have completed two years in the program, or were full-qualifiers out of high school, have earned their Associate’s Degree or transferred to a four-year school.  In addition, 88% of those players have been offered scholarships.  These accomplishments are the cornerstone of the Men’s Basketball program at Skyline.

You can learn more about the numerous players who have continued their success at four-year universities, our team’s academic achievements, and our service in the community through these links.

TWO MORE TROJANS SIGN FULL SCHOLARSHIPS

After two successful seasons at Skyline College, Rodney and Ronney Freeman have both signed full scholarships to play at Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC.  Livingstone competes in the Central Collegiate Athletic Association, an NCAA Div. II conference made up of ten historically African-American institutions of higher learning.  The CIAA is the nation’s oldest black athletic conference.
Rodney and Ronney came to Skyline from Wallenberg High School in San Francisco.  The dynamic duo combined to average 23.4 points per game this past season.  Rodney finished among the state’s best in both FT% and steals, while Ronney finished 5th in the state in 3FG% at 45.7% for the season.  The twins were also both named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

SHAWN ECHOLS SIGNS DIVISION-I SCHOLARSHIP

Shawn Echols has signed a Division-I Scholarship to attend Houston Baptist University.  Shawn helped lead Skyline to an 18-14 record this season and an appearance in the regional semi-final of the state tournament.  He started all 62 games of his two-year career at Skyline.  As a sophomore this season, he finished 2nd in the state in steals and 23rd in assists.  He averaged 10.2ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.7 rpg, and 3.7 steals per game.  He also recorded a 2:1 assist to turnover ratio.  He was named 2nd Team All-Conference for his efforts.  In addition, Shawn ranks 26th on the All-Time Career assists list at Skyline.

Shawn has also earned academic honors at Skyline.  He has been named to the Student-Athlete Academic Achievement list each semester and was awarded the prestigious Garlington Award as the top male student-athlete on campus.  Shawn plans to begin classes in Houston this summer.  He is the 2nd Skyline player in the last two years to sign a Division-I scholarship. 

Shawn is one of 14 Skyline basketball players to be offered a scholarship in the past four years. 

 

MATT FOCHTMAN SIGNS FULL SCHOLARSHIP
Skyline forward Matt Fochtman has signed a full athletic scholarship to play for Colorado State-Pueblo next season.  Pueblo competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, one of the top NCAA Division-II leagues in the country.

Matt leaves Skyline having entered the record books in both scoring and rebounding.  He ranks 32nd all-time in scoring and 24th all-time in rebounding.  As a sophomore, Matt led the Trojans in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, & FG%.  He tallied 13.4ppg, 7.2 rpg, and 1.8 blocks.  In addition, he shot 66% from the field, which was 4th in the state.  Matt recorded seven double-double’s his sophomore season and was named All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Skyline achieved this season’s success with a roster filled with local players.  In fact, local players accounted for 87% of the team’s scoring this season.    Skyline’s local players were honored by the Coast-North Conference at the conclusion of the season.  Shawn Echols (Mills HS) earned 2nd Team All-Conference recognition, while Matt Fochtman (Mills HS), Rodney Freeman (Wallenberg), and Ronney Freeman (Wallenberg) were all awarded All-Conference Honorable Mention.  In total, the Coast-North recognized nineteen men’s basketball players.  Of those nineteen, only nine players were from the Bay Area- Skyline was responsible for four of those nine.

Trojans Win and Advance

Skyline College won its opening round game of the men’s state basketball playoffs last night against West Valley College in Saratoga by a score of 75-43. The game started off looking as if it would be a high scoring affair with West Valley hitting 3 three pointers to take an 11-10 lead with sixteen minutes to go in the first half.  The shoot- out didn’t last long as Skyline soon put the clamps on West Valley’s shooters and got the ball inside to Matt Fochtman to take control of the game.

Fochtman scored all of his 14 points in the first half to help the Trojans to a 37-28 lead at halftime. In the second half, Skyline pulled away behind it’s tenacious defense and the three point shooting of Ronney Freeman. The home Vikings made just five field goals  and scored only 15 points the entire half.

The Trojans will next play at against  the undefeated Fresno City College Rams who are the number 1 rated community college team in all California. Game time is scheduled for 7pm at Fresno City College. This game is a state playoff contest, admission will be charged with all receipts going to the California Community College Athletic Association. Prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students, faculty, staff, seniors and children under 12. Ticket sales will begin at 5:30P. For information regarding directions and campus maps, you can visit the Fresno City website (www.fresnocitycollege.edu).

SKYLINE READY TO GO DANCING!

Winning 3 of its final 4 games, the Trojans clinched a berth in the California State Tournament.  Skyline will face West Valley College in Saratoga in the first round.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.

 

TROJANS COMPLETE SWEEP OF CANADA

Skyline traveled to Canada on Saturday for the final game of the regular season.  Although the Trojans led comfortably 40-27 midway through the 2nd half, it needed to produce some key stops in the final minutes to come from behind and complete the sweep of the Colts.   Trailing by six points with 3:14 left in the game, Skyline would not surrender another basket, closing the game on an 11-2 run.  The game turned when sophomore Shawn Echols blocked a 3-point attempt and then fed Rodney Freeman streaking to the basket for a 3-point play.  A couple of late FT’s by Freeman sealed the victory as the Trojans improved to 17-13 and clinched sole possession of 3rd place in the Coast-North.

 

TROJAN TOP CHABOT IN PLAYOFF PUSH

Skyline hosted Chabot College of Hayward on Wednesday night and it was an intense back and forth affair as both teams are in contention for a playoff spot. Skyline got off to a fast start, taking a 7-2 lead early, but Chabot fought back. Neither team could pull away in the first half as the biggest lead was nine points by Skyline. It was a fast paced game as each team shot the ball well and scored easy baskets in the paint. Skyline lead at the half, 44-40.

The second half was  just as tight as no team could stretch the lead out  to more than five points early in the half. Skyline was able to pull ahead 64-62 on a three pointer by Ronney Freeman with just under six minutes left to play and never relinquished the lead after that. Skyline hit some clutch shots and big free throws down the stretch to preserve the win. The Trojans beat Chabot, 81-71, on Sophomore Night at the college. Four sophomores, lead by Matt Fochtman, scored in double figures for Skyline.

The win leaves the Trojans in a three way tie for third with only one game to play in league. Skyline closes league play on Saturday night at Canada College. Tip time is scheduled for 7pm.



SKYLINE GRABS BIG WIN OVER #14 LAS POSITAS

On Wednesday night Skyline traveled to Livermore to face Las Positas College, the #14 ranked team in Northern California.  Las Positas took an early 5-2 lead to start the game, but after that, the game belonged to the Trojans. The hot shooting Trojans took a double digit lead halfway through the first half and lead by as many as twenty before halftime. Behind stellar interior defense and the hot hand of Ronney Freeman, Skyline took a 47-29 lead into intermission.

The second half started much the same way as Skyline was able to stretch the lead out to as many as 25 points. Las Positas made a  run to cut the lead to 9 points with just under one minute to play, but it was a little too late for the Hawks. Skyline held on to defeat the ranked Hawks for the second team this  season, 84-73. Skyline hit a season high 10 three point field goals, led by Ronney Freeman’s six. Freeman finished with a career high 28 points on the night. All eight players who appeared in the game for the Trojans scored.

Skyline next plays at home on Saturday, February 14th , against Foothill College, the #13 ranked team in northern California. Tip time is scheduled for 3pm.

SKYLINE BEATS FOOTHILL 73-54
The Trojans went on the road to record its 2nd straight conference win.  With Foothill leading 49-45 in the second half, Skyline began to wear down the Owls and finished the game on a 28-5 run.  The Trojans were led by Matt Fochtman’s 27 points and 16 rebounds.  Rodney Freeman made some key second half baskets and free throws, finishing with 16 points and 5 assists.

TROJANS UPSET STATE’S 10TH RANKED TEAM
Skyline recorded an important conference victory on Saturday over Las Positas 77-74.  Las Positas entered the game with a 17-4 record and ranked #10 in California.  Skyline placed 5 players in double-figures, led by Shawn Echols’ 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. 

TROJANS WIN 4TH STRAIGHT GAME -1-3-09

Skyline improved its record to 11-7 with a 94-86 victory over DeAnza College on Saturday.  The Trojans were led by Rodney and Ronney Freeman, who combined for 48 points, 14 rebounds, 8 steals and 7 assists.  The win caps a 4-game win streak and brings Skyline’s record against the Coast-South to 6-2. 

Skyline plays its next game against #15 Ohlone College at home on Wednesday at 7pm.  It is the conference-opener for both teams.

SKYLINE WINS CONSOLATION CHAMPIONSHIP -12-20-08

After losing a close game to Modesto College on the opening night of the West Valley Tournament, the Trojans won back-to-back games to take home the Consolation Championship.  Skyline placed four players in double-figures in its 71-65 win over the College of Alameda.  Ronney Freeman led the way with 18 points.  Devin Williams added 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 points.  The Trojans shot 80% from the FT line, including some clutch FT’s down the stretch by Shawn Echols to seal the victory.

In the Consolation Championship game, Skyline defeated Monterey Peninsula for the 2nd time this season.  The Trojans took a 13-point lead into half-time and extended it to as much as 24 before ending the game with an 88-79 victory.  The Trojans once again had balanced scoring, as 5 players scored in double-figures.  David Jones scored a career-high 19 points on 7-10 shooting from the field.  Devin Williams tallied 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 5 points.  Rodney Freeman finished the game with 16 points and 6 rebounds and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

After the holiday, the Trojans (9-7) will head to Gilroy to face Gavilan College on Dec. 30th at 5pm.

Skyline defeats Monterey -11/21/08
The Trojans avenged an earlier loss to MPC with a 69-62 victory on Friday for its 4th straight win.  Skyline used a balanced scoring effort and led the game wire to wire.  Pierre Battle led the Trojans with a career-high 13 points.  Rodney and Ronney Freeman scored 12 and 11 points respectively.  Mike Lavelle also added 12 points, including a perfect 5-5 from the line.

 

Skyline wins on road 84-59
The Trojans won its second straight road game in convincing fashion over Merced College.  Skyline took the lead early in the first half and never relinquished it.  Eleven Trojans scored in the contest, paced by sophomore guard Ronney Freeman’s 17 points.   

 

Trojans knock off 7th ranked team in CA!
Skyline recorded an upset on the road Saturday afternoon defeating San Jose City College 84-79.  The Jaguars were ranked #7 in the state entering the contest.  It is the second year in a row Skyline has come out on top of SJCC.  It was a back and forth affair all afternoon.  San Jose enjoyed its biggest lead of the game midway through the 2nd half.  The Trojans fought to keep the game close and then pulled ahead with some tough perimeter defense.  Four players scored in double-figures for the Trojans.  In addition, sophomore Mike Lavelle recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Skyline defeats Monterey
The Trojans avenged an earlier loss to MPC with a 69-62 victory on Friday for its 4th straight win.  Skyline used a balanced scoring effort and led the game wire to wire.  Pierre Battle led the Trojans with a career-high 13 points.  Rodney and Ronney Freeman scored 12 and 11 points respectively.  Mike Lavelle also added 12 points, including a perfect 5-5 from the line.

 

Skyline wins on road 84-59
The Trojans won its second straight road game in convincing fashion over Merced College.  Skyline took the lead early in the first half and never relinquished it.  Eleven Trojans scored in the contest, paced by sophomore guard Ronney Freeman’s 17 points.   

 

Trojans knock off 7th ranked team in CA!
Skyline recorded an upset on the road Saturday afternoon defeating San Jose City College 84-79.  The Jaguars were ranked #7 in the state entering the contest.  It is the second year in a row Skyline has come out on top of SJCC.  It was a back and forth affair all afternoon.  San Jose enjoyed its biggest lead of the game midway through the 2nd half.  The Trojans fought to keep the game close and then pulled ahead with some tough perimeter defense.  Four players scored in double-figures for the Trojans.  In addition, sophomore Mike Lavelle recorded his first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

 

Skyline wins home opener 107-70
Five players scored in double-figures as the Trojans racked up its highest point total in recent memory.  Skyline scored forty-seven baskets in the victory over Marin.

 

Skyline loses high-scoring affair
The Trojans were faced with early foul trouble against MPC and by the time the game ended four players had fouled out of the contest.  Shooting 54% from the field for the game was not enough to overcome the foul trouble.  The Trojans were led by the sophomore guard tandem of Shawn Echols and Ronney Freeman who combined to score 40 points on 17-24 shooting.

 

Trojans lose to 5th ranked team in CA
Skyline opened the season with a loss to Riverside City College at the SJCC Tip-off Tournament.  Riverside opened the season as the 5th ranked team in the state.  The Trojans shot poorly from the field and could not stop 6’8 Univ. of Washington signee Charles Garcia.  The Trojans were led by Mike Lavelle who scored a career-high 16 points in the loss.