Sophomore guard Mason Bruce didn’t know what was coming. Head Coach James Giacomazzi called him over on Monday afternoon on Feb. 16, two days before their next matchup. All he said was: “Mason, you’re starting on Wednesday — sophomore night.”
That was it. No drumroll, no big reveal, no fireworks.
Bruce just nodded, calm as ever, like it was another day in the gym.
“Alright, great, yeah,” he said.
The staff had built it up in their heads for days. They had imagined him jumping, yelling, excited — but Bruce didn’t give them that. He didn’t overreact. He didn’t make a scene. He just accepted it, steady and quiet, the way he always does.
Kristi Giacomazzi, Giacomazzi’s wife, later asked, “What did Mason say?” When Giacomazzi told her, she was as disappointed as he was. She wanted that big moment, too.
Bruce showed he was prepared to meet the moment. His calm demeanor didn’t allow for nerves to creep in. He was ready to do his job and make the most of the opportunity.
The Hawks closed out their last home game of the season, sophomore night, with a 99-53 win over San Mateo on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Las Positas set the pace from start to finish, scoring 49 points in the first half and 50 in the second.
Knowing it was their last time at the Nest during the regular season, the team celebrated its sophomores. Bruce started along with Jaden Woodard, Richard Banks, Kodey Weary and Ted Bigg-Wither, four players whose Hawk careers are coming to a close. Before the game tipped off, they each had the opportunity to walk with family and friends who supported them throughout the year.
DUNKS ON DUNKS: LPC showed up and showed out for Sophomore Night — defeating visiting San Mateo 99-53. Dominating on defense led to one-on-one showdowns and breakaways for the Hawks — all ending in getting to the rim — dunk, layup or foul line. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Then the game began. The team’s steady attack and defensive intensity kept San Mateo from finding any rhythm, and multiple contributors pushed the Hawks’ lead throughout. The win showed the depth, execution and focus of a Las Positas squad ready for the final stretch of the season.
Bruce got the start as a reward for his work ethic and team-first attitude, while Woodard led the way — scoring efficiently, running the floor and keeping the team in control.
This win set up Las Positas’ season finale against the City College of San Francisco, one of only two teams to beat them this year. A chance at revenge and a claim to a tied-top finish in the conference for these Hawks.
Against San Mateo, the focus was on celebrating the season’s success and the players who helped create it. One last performance in front of their home crowd.
“Everyone’s gonna have their moment,” Woodard said. “You never know what it is. So you just got to stay prepared, stay ready and just stay confident for when your moment’s there.”
Bruce’s start was something the staff had talked about for a while. Other players had gotten their opportunity earlier in the season, and Bruce was one of the few who hadn’t.
“All these guys got starts,” Giacomazzi said. “Mason was one of those guys that didn’t get one, and we wanted to reward him.”
He pointed to the work Bruce puts in behind the scenes — the extra time in the gym and the way he showed up for his teammates.
“It’s a huge honor,” Bruce said. “It meant a lot. I’ve been working towards it, and it was just a lot of fun.”
While Bruce stepped into the starting lineup, Woodard continued to lead the way. Woodard played with confidence from the opening tip-off, setting the tone on both ends of the court and keeping the Hawks composed. He was verbal, dominating offensively, and of course, scoring.
“I’m feeling good,” Woodard said. “You know, my confidence is up. … I’m just feeling confident and ready [for playoffs].” Woodard later emphasized staying focused even after big wins, saying, “We’re never comfortable. Being comfortable is not a good thing. We’re always trying to get better.”
Las Positas now turns to City College of San Francisco for their last game of the regular season. San Francisco is 26-1 overall and 13-0 in conference. In their first meeting on Jan. 28, the Rams handled the Hawks 78-59. The Rams are on a 15-game win streak heading into the matchup.
San Francisco enters as one of the more efficient teams in the conference. They average 84.1 points per game while holding opponents to 61.2, creating separation on both ends of the floor. They shoot 46.5% from the field and limit opponents to 38% overall — a margin that maintains their control of the pace in conference play. The rematch will close out conference play for Las Positas.
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TOP PHOTO: LPC Basketball’s last home game was against San Mateo Feb. 18, 2026 — marked as Sophomore Night, the game was a sendoff to all transferring players. Sophomores pictured from left to right — Mason Bruce (No. 25), Kodey Weary (No. 21), Jaden Woodard (No. 0), Khristian Holmes (No. 12), Richard Banks (No. 4), Isaiah Minor (No. 20) and Mason Hudnall (No. 5). (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Annie Moore is the Sports Editor of The Express. Follow her on X @SanJosAnnie.
