Inside Redwoods Athletics
Born and raised in Fortuna, Drew Franklin carries his hometown with him every time he steps onto the field. A graduate of Fortuna High School, Franklin grew up alongside his brother Tanner, building the kind of competitive spirit that small towns often produce. Family has always been at the center of his journey, and that foundation is evident in the way he approaches both baseball and life.
Franklin first fell in love with the game at nine years old when he began pitching in Minor League for Eel River Little League. From that moment on, the mound became his space. Today, as a starting pitcher for the College of the Redwoods baseball team, that same passion still fuels him.
Q: Where are you from, and where did you go to high school?
Breesia: I was born and raised in Fortuna, CA and attended Arcata High School.
Q: Tell us about your college playing career and academic journey.
Breesia: I played college basketball at College of the Redwoods from 2018–2020 and graduated with my AA. I then went on to play at Simpson University in Redding, CA and played two seasons there from 2020–2022. I obtained my bachelor's degree in political science and graduated in 2022. I graduated from Liberty University in 2025 with my Masters in Sports Management with an emphasis in Coaching and Athletic Administration.
Q: What were your goals for the season?
Breesia: Our goals this season were to win a conference championship and go far in the playoffs. We wanted to make a name for ourselves and show that we are here not only to compete but win championships!
On Sophomore Night (February 16th), we paused to celebrate the incredible journey of our second-year student-athletes at College of the Redwoods in the sport of basketball.
As a District, we would like to say to our sophomores: thank you.
Thank you for the early morning lifts, the late-night study sessions, the long bus rides, and the countless hours in the gym when no one was watching.
Thank you for setting the standard for what it means to compete with heart, representing College of the Redwoods with class.
Two years earlier, you had arrived as freshmen, learning the system, adjusting to the speed of the college game, and finding your place. You left as leaders. You were the steady voices in the huddle, the calm in pressure moments, and the example younger players looked to every single day.
Your impact could not be measured in points, rebounds, assists, or defensive stops alone. It was seen in the culture you helped build. It showed up in practices where you pushed each other to be better. It was reflected in the way you represented the program in the classroom and throughout the community.
We celebrate everything you have accomplished, while recognizing that this chapter is coming to a close. The locker room conversations, the pre-game routines, the shared laughs, and even the tough losses have helped shape you.
These memories will stay with you long after the final buzzer sounds.
And as you prepare for the next step, whether that means continuing your athletic careers or pursuing new goals, you will carry with you the life lessons learned on the court.
These lessons will serve you far beyond the game of basketball.
We’re so proud of you. Thank you for representing what it means to wear a Redwoods jersey.
It’s playoff time at College of the Redwoods!
Our women’s basketball team finished the regular season with a 16–12 record and a second-place finish in the Golden Valley Conference. They have earned the #12 seed in the State Playoffs and will host #21 seed Hartnell College this Wednesday, February 25, at 5:00 PM in the regional quarterfinals. Please come out and support our team!
General admission tickets are $12, with seniors and children under 12 admitted for $8. If you are unable to attend in person, you can stream the game using this link: College of the Redwoods | College Sports | Schedule | Hudl
This marks the first playoff game hosted by the women’s basketball program since the 2020 season — an incredible accomplishment for our student-athletes and coaching staff.
Our men’s basketball team also secured a second-place finish in the Golden Valley Conference and another berth in the State Playoffs. The men received the #23 seed and will travel to face #10 seed Sierra College on Wednesday evening, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM. Please use the link to the right if you would like to cheer them on from your couch: Sierra College | Sports | Schedule | Hudl
This appearance marks the men’s basketball program’s sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs. Congratulations to the players and coaches on another phenomenal season!
In other news, our men’s and women’s track and field teams are off to a tremendous start. At this past weekend’s Yuba College Invite, sophomore high jumper Russell Pascascio not only set a personal record but also broke the all-time College of the Redwoods record, clearing 6’7.5” in his first meet of the season. The performance currently ranks him #1 in California heading into this weekend’s meet at Chico State. Congratulations to Russell and his coaches! And for those who know Russell, we also know he’s a man of many talents — so none of us would be surprised if stand-up comedy is somewhere in his future.
Not to be outdone, Alexis Heuberger of the women’s track and field team achieved a personal record throw of 37.50 meters in the javelin, moving her into third place all-time in the Redwoods record books. Her performance also ranks #3 in California heading into this weekend’s competition. Congratulations to Alexis and her dedicated coaches!
In closing, I want to highlight some of the outstanding work our programs continue to do in the community. A couple of weeks ago, our football and men’s basketball teams visited Grant Elementary School, spending time playing sports with students, reading with them, and — inevitably — answering questions about their height. It’s difficult to measure the impact college student-athletes can have on young kids simply by showing up with kindness, attention, and open ears. Experiences like these can inspire confidence, hope, and direction.
This week, our softball and baseball teams volunteered at Redwood Preparatory Charter School, signing autographs, playing torch tag, and making the students feel truly special. In two weeks, several of our programs will also participate in Pacific Union School’s annual Read-a-Thon in Arcata.
These efforts reflect Redwoods Athletics’ ongoing commitment to serving the youth in our community through our time, presence, and positivity. With each school visit, we believe we are making a compounding investment in the lives of the young people we serve.
Best,
Ryan
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