Prince Rupert ready to root for Utah State; as former Rainmaker Liam McChesney prepares for first dose of March Madness experience

Ticket punched for Utah State,
Prince Rupert's Liam McChesney
celebrates Sunday's win over Sand Diego State
(photo Sarah McChesney)

While the Charles Hays Rainmakers of 2020 were claiming another Provincials banner over the weekend in Langley, somewhat further to the south a former Rainmaker was on a journey of his own.

Prince Rupert's Liam McChesney on hand as the Utah State Aggies claimed their Division championship in a thriller over San Diego State at the Mountain West Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

McChesney who played on last years Rainmaker champion team, is a red shirted member of the Aggies this season, the decision between the Prince Rupert recruit and his coach made at the start of the season.

The move allowed him to gain a year of top tier college ball experience and adjust to the more competitive element of US college ball,  while not losing a year of eligibility in the NCAA.

As part of the redshirt process, McChesney participated in all elements of the Aggies program; though he was not on the floor for game action this year and will not be eligible for the post season madness of March.

He will take to the court in game action in September and will as a result of the redshirt option have four years of eligibility to continue on with his college career.

The Prince Rupert baller was on the bench for the wild weekend in Vegas, absorbing the experience which saw the Aggies take on San Diego State in the finale topping the Californians by a score of 59-56.

It was their second consecutive conference title since 1999-2000.

It's on to March Madness for Prince Rupert's Liam McChesney and
his Utah State Aggie team mates, the Aggies claimed an automatic
NCAA Tournament berth with their Mountain West Championship
(Photo courtesy Sarah McChesney)

With the victory the Aggies gained an automatic berth into the March Madness tournament, the Utah State players and their fanatical fans will learn their first opponent and their regional tournament destination on Sunday afternoon.

Their journey back to the tournament makes for their 22nd all time Tournament appearance and the 10th since 2000. The opportunity for the young Prince Rupert talent to take in all that March Madness has to offer will serve him well in the years to come.

You can follow the journey for McChesney and his team mates through March Madness as they look to claim a Final Four berth through the Utah State website here.

The Full seedings for the popular spring tournament will be revealed on Sunday afternoon on CBS TV in the States, with a continental TV audience of college hoops fans waiting to see who their favourite team will tip off against.

You can also follow all the excitement of March Madness through the NCAA site.

You can learn more about some of Prince Rupert's other athletes in far off places from our archive page.