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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter

JJ Fain is a senior majoring in communication studies with a minor in journalism public relations. He is from Sebastopol, California a small town in Sonoma County. JJ’s hobbies include playing for the club basketball team, rock jumping, and hiking.

All content by Jonathan (J.J.) Fain
Forward Trae Taylor finishes strong at the basket, giving the team an edge during the second half against Stanislaus State Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.

Wildcat Forward’s breakout year earns him scholarship with NCAA tournament team

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
April 30, 2025

Junior forward Trae Taylor is the first player to commit to a new program after all five of the Wildcats’ regular starters entered the transfer portal. Taylor had a breakout season for the Wildcats,...

Sophomore guard Isaiah Kerr keeps control of the ball during the second-half against San Francisco State Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at Chico State.

Final Wildcat starter enters transfer portal

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
April 13, 2025

Sophomore guard Isaiah Kerr continues the mass exodus of Chico State's core as his future as a Wildcat is uncertain. The Orion has learned that Kerr officially entered the portal on March 30th.  Just...

Junior guard Miles Daniels launches a three-pointer during the first-half against San Francisco State Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at Chico State.

Four Wildcat starters enter the transfer portal

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
March 27, 2025

Four key Wildcats have entered the transfer portal less than two weeks after the Wildcats closed their season in the NCAA Division II Western Regional. Chico State men's basketball will see the departure...

Jojo Murphy goes up for a layup versus Central Washington in their West Regional on Friday March 14, 2025 at Point Loma.

Wildcats season comes to a close in thrilling overtime loss

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
March 16, 2025

Chico State's impressive 26-4 season ended in a stunning overtime loss to Central Washington  in the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats, favored in the matchup, staged a remarkable comeback from a 20-point...

Coach Cevin Meador and the wildcats are fired up as they go against Cal State Dominguez Hills despite having their starting players sidelined Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at Chico State.

Cevin Meador named head basketball coach after historic season

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
March 16, 2025

Four days before the Wildcats’ first preseason game, long-time head coach Greg Clink stepped down after 16 years as the head of the program. Assistant coach Cevin Meador took the interim head coaching...

Caden Harris, left, and Trae Taylor celebrate with a high-five after Chico State scores against Sonoma State during the first half of the game Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 at Chico State.

Wildcats enter March Madness as first-round favorites

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
March 13, 2025

Nerves and anticipation filled Woodstock's Sunday night as Wildcats players, coaches and friends eagerly awaited their names to be called in the NCAA selection show. Chico will look to prove who the apex...

Forward Makenzi Laporte jumps in excitement as Chico scores points against San Marcos State Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Chico State.

Chico State women’s basketball seeks revenge against Broncos in NCAA DII Tournament opener

Lukas Mann and Jonathan (J.J.) Fain
March 13, 2025

The Wildcats get their shot at revenge Friday night when they’ll take on the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos in the first round of the NCAA DII Western Regional Tournament.  The Wildcats are up against...

Wildcats celebrate number 9, Thade Miller, scoring on March 2 at Chico State.

Wildcats’ speed proves decisive in series sweep

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
March 4, 2025

After winning the first three games against the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos, including a doubleheader sweep capped by a walk-off home run, the Wildcats' momentum was stalled by a two-hour weather delay. The...

Guard Jojo Murphy goes up for a layup as San Marcos State’s Will Harris attempts to block his shot Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Chico State.

Wildcats close regular season emphatically with blowout win

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
March 3, 2025

Coming off their seventh straight win on Thursday night, the Wildcats closed the regular season on a high note, cruising past the Cal State San Marcos Cougars 87-60 Saturday afternoon. The season finale...

Sophomore guard Isaiah Kerr looks to score and jumps towards the basket during the first half against Cal State Dominguez Hills Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 at Chico State.

Revenge over No.14 Dominguez Hills extends winning streak to six games

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
February 26, 2025

Coming off of four straight wins and earning the No. 25 rank in the latest national rankings, the Wildcats kept their momentum going with two important wins on the road.  The Wildcats' 15-3 record...

Chico State’s Jordan Ausbie, Justin Craven, Collin Totman and John Griggs from Yuba College, compete in the 100-meter decathlon race on Thursday during the Chico State Multi Classic. Photo taken Feb. 20 by Trevor Lee.

Chico State track & field shines in season debut, securing multiple wins

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain and Trevor Lee
February 24, 2025

The Wildcats opened the track & field season with the 41st Annual Chico State Multi on Thursday and Friday at University Stadium, before finishing the weekend at the Butte County NorCal Preview with...

Guard Jojo Murphy leaps into the air for a layup against Monterey Bay State Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at Chico State.

Wildcat’s secure CCAA championship birth and national ranking after 2-0 road trip

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
February 19, 2025

Following two key home wins last week, the Wildcats, who broke back into the national rankings at No. 25, carried their momentum into the weekend, going 2-0 on the road by handily beating San Francisco...

Guard Jojo Murphy looks to move the ball forward during the first half against Monterey Bay State Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.

Leadership and scoring prowess fuels Chico State’s success

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Sports Reporter
February 18, 2025

Resiliency, self-belief and dedication define junior guard Jojo Murphy’s career at Chico State. His journey from a promising freshman to a conference-leading scorer exemplifies the power of perseverance...

Pitcher Rocco Borrelli started the game and pitched five innings on Feb. 14 at Chico State.

Wildcats bats stay hot as they pick up first series-opening win of the season

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain and Jenna McMahon
February 15, 2025

Masterful starting pitching from junior Rocco Borelli and a red-hot offensive performance, which tallied 14 hits including four extra-base hits, carried the Wildcats to their third straight win. Despite...

The bench celebrates after guard Jojo Murphy throws an alley-oop pass to forward Trae Taylor, who finishes with a dunk Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Chico State.

Wildcats’ defense stifles Otters in tight victory

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Reporter
February 10, 2025

Coming off a tight win versus the Stanislaus State Warriors, the Wildcats looked to maintain their home dominance against Cal State Monterey Bay who are currently in last place in the conference. In their...

Wildcats line up along the fence in the dugout to cheer on their teammate at-bat on Feb. 8 at Chico State. The Wildcats played a three-game series against the Nighthawks.

Wildcats’ offense struggles in homecoming loss to nighthawks

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Reporter
February 8, 2025

After having their game postponed on Thursday due to the weather, the Wildcats took the field on Friday and lost their first home game of the season 5-2 to the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks.  In their...

Jojo Murphy, Trae Taylor and Cortevious Taylor help teammate Max Walters after getting fouled during the second half against Stanislaus State Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 at Chico State.

Wildcats rebound from two-game slump with gritty win over Warriors

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Reporter
February 7, 2025

Looking to bounce back from a two-game skid, the Wildcats were back at Acker Gymnasium facing the Stanislaus State Warriors. The Wildcats got out to a hot start by connecting on four quick three-pointers...

Miles Daniels driving to the cup against Seattle Pacific. Photo taken Nov. 8.

Wildcats drop two crucial conference games in vital road trip

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Reporter
February 3, 2025

After an emphatic win over Cal State LA, the Wildcats entered the weekend tied for first place with Cal State Dominguez Hills but dropped consecutive games for only the second time this season. On Thursday...

Chico State’s Jojo Murphy going around the Sharks defender with a right-handed layup on the left side of the basket in the first half against the Hawaii Pacific University Sharks on Nov. 17. Photo taken by Aaron Draper.

Wildcats Top Golden Eagles, Starting Unit Dominates with Full Lineup

Jonathan (J.J.) Fain, Reporter
January 27, 2025

After snapping their 13-game winning streak in a heavy-weight battle with undefeated conference foe Cal State Dominguez Hills, the Wildcats bounced back with their second-highest-scoring game of the season,...