Hawks freshman sensation Michael Hayes State Athlete of Month

Las Positas College basketball star Michael Hayes has become the college’s first-ever male CCCSIA/CCCAA State Athlete of the Month.

Hayes, a dynamic 6-foot-2 freshman guard out of West High-Tracy, was selected for the prestigious award after averaging 26.2 points over nine games for the month of January.

He becomes the second winner of the state honor from Las Positas, along with Hawks women's basketball player Cayla Nava, in 2015.

“It’s always nice to receive recognition for one’s hard work. Michael has been busting his butt ever since he’s arrived on campus and to be honored as the top male athlete in California for January is pretty cool,” Las Positas coach James Giacomazzi said proudly.

A prolific athlete whose dunks are the stuff of legends, Hayes shot 58 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free throw line in January, surpassing 30 points in a game three times. He also averaged 10.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals as the Hawks had an 8-1 record. He amassed a season-high 38 points in a month-opening win over De Anza.

Hayes currently ranks third in the state in scoring at 23.6 points a game and 15th in rebounds at 9.4 per game. The Hawks finished second in the powerful Coast Conference-North Division this season and are ranked No. 14 in the state.

Giacomazzi marvels at Hayes’ will to win.
"He’s super competitive,” Giacomazzi said. “He wants to win, and so whatever he has to do to try and help his team win, he'll do, whether it's getting a key rebound or a defensive stop, locking down their best player or making key free throws, he's done some of that in every game.”