This weekend marks a significant moment for two former San Joaquin County high school students, as they step onto the grandest platform in collegiate basketball.
Miles Byrd and Cade Alger, alumni of Lincoln High School and Ripon Christian High School respectively, are set to represent San Diego State University in the NCAA March Madness Final Four.
Cade Alger completed his high school education at Ripon Christian in 2019. As a senior, he was instrumental in the Knights' offense, boasting an average of 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. This outstanding performance propelled the team to the CIF State Tournament during the 2018-19 season. Since committing to San Diego State, Alger has participated in 23 games, eight of which occurred this season. His presence was felt in the second round of March Madness, as he played a part in the Aztecs' 72-52 victory over Furman on March 18.
Miles Byrd, in contrast, is a true freshman guard and a recent addition to the formidable San Diego State team. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 7 inches, Byrd shone as the leading player for the Lincoln Trojans during his senior year. His average of 17.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and nearly three steals per game was instrumental in the program's first state tournament appearance since 1982. Byrd's remarkable performances did not go unnoticed, earning him a four-star rating from 24/7 Sports and a No. 89 national
As Alger and Byrd take the court this weekend in Houston, the entire San Joaquin County community, along with their former high schools, will be watching with immense pride and anticipation. As they represent San Diego State in its first-ever Final Four appearance, they also serve as an inspiration to their fellow alumni and aspiring athletes from the region.
