Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – T-Ryan Stumpf in action for McKinleyville earlier this year.

By Jake Knoeller, For HumboldtSports.com

Local basketball player T-Ryan Stumpf is settling into his first year at Shasta College in Redding.

After four years of basketball at McKinleyville High, this has been an exciting transition for Stumpf for many reasons.

The community, the weather, the people, and the things to do are all new to him.

“Meeting new people and growing a strong connection with my teammates have been super fun,” Stumpf said. “It’s also way hotter everyday.”

For example, the temperature in Redding went past 90 degrees at points in September.

Being in a new county, these new connections are bound to happen.

A good relationship between teammates is key to success on the court, and Stumpf seems to have that in Redding.

“All of my teammates are super welcoming. We hang out every day,” Stumpf explained. “It’s hard to keep up with my homework because all we do is play basketball, work out, and hang out.”

The team practices every day and played a first scrimmage last month at America River College.

The Knights did not win but have still been training each day to improve their chemistry.

When asked how he decided on this school, Stumpf explained that they showed the most interest in him after seeing his senior year highlights.

During senior year, he averaged 19 points as a point guard.

“I’ll always remember the close friends I made from the program and all the support the community always gave to us,” Stumpf said of McKinleyville High.

His experiences were clearly good and helped him get to where he is now, which makes him think of the school and his past fondly. According to Stumpf, many people in his life have motivated him and helped him get to this point.

“A lot of people, all my coaches throughout high school and mentors,” Stumpf answered when asked who. “Most of all, my family’s support and guidance has also played a big part in why I’m here.”

As a good friend and a student athlete, Stumpf has a bright future ahead at Shasta College. As for his role on the team, he is not fully sure what will happen yet because games do not start for almost another month.

“I’m not sure what role I’ll play yet just cause it’s so early but I came here to help a team win so I strive to have a good impact on the court and do whatever to help the team win,” Stumpf said.

Shasta’s first game is Nov. 4 at a tournament at Chabot College in Hayward. The season will go into late February.