January 2008 Archives
By Michelle Gardner
Staff Writer
For the Cal State San Bernardino baseball team, close has not been quite good enough the last two years. The Coyotes finished fifth in the 10-team conference, one place lower than needed to qualify for the CCAA tournament.
Ditto the previous season.
So the Coyotes are looking forward to changing that trend as the 2008 season gets underway today. Cal State, 29-22 overall and 20-16 in the CCAA last season, opens play with a 2 p.m. game against Cal State Dominguez Hills (16-36-1, 11-25) at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.
“We should be much better offensively,” says veteran coach Don Parnell, starting his 17th year. “It will be a matter of whether or not our pitchers coming back can step it up a notch.”
The Coyotes were picked to finish their familiar fifth in a preseason poll of member coaches. UC San Diego (37-25, 24-12 in 2007), Chico State (47-15, 25-11), defending CCAA champion Sonoma State (50-12, 29-7) and defending West Region champion Cal State Los Angeles (45-17-1, 27-9) were picked ahead of the Coyotes.
Three of those teams are ranked nationally by Collegiate Baseball with San Diego at 15, Los Angeles at 17 and Chico at 19.
The Coyotes return three of their four starting pitchers led by senior Matt Long (5-4, 3.30) who will today. Senior right-handers Cheyne Hann (4-6, 5.51) and Kevin Wilson (3-2, 3.68) will also hold down slots in the rotation with the No. 4 spot still up for grabs.
Parnell is high on junior Mike Leal, a transfer from Riverside Community College, but he has performed well out of the bullpen in the past and might be better suited for that role.
Others who will contribute from the mound are sophomore right-hander Brent Planck, a transfer from University of San Diego, and senior Jose Hernandez who only pitched seven innings a year ago and is coming off arm surgery. Senior right-hander Theron Cueva should also be in the mix once he returns from elbow surgery.
“We are still waiting to see how things come together as far as that fourth spot,” Parnell said. “We have some options but we have some guys coming off injuries that we’re bringing along slowly.”
Returning position players include senior third baseman Drew Valenzuela (.318, 31 RBI), senior second baseman Michael Minjares (.311), senior first baseman-designated hitter Kyle Walton (.303, 20 RBI) and left-fielder Justin Watson (.258).
Junior Chris Olsen, who saw limited playing time last season, replaces the graduated Patrick Walker behind the plate.
Newcomers are expected to play a major in the team’s success. The most notable will be senior Jason Klug, who will swap out at first with Walton.
The Moreno Valley native played two years at San Bernardino Valley College then went on to Dominguez where he netted conference and West Region Player of the Year honors, hitting a gaudy .405 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI. He sat out last season after having arm surgery.
“We’re really fortunate to have him,” Parnell said. “He put up some monster numbers two years ago. We’re not expecting him to put up the same numbers but if he can be close then it will help us a lot.”
Two transfers from Los Angeles Pierce should make the starting lineup with Daniel Soles at shortstop and Andrew Tapia in rightfield.
Rounding out the starting lineup will be junior centerfielder Johnnie Haas, who is stepping for Justin Roberson who signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as a free agent. Haas, a Hesperia native who played at Victor Valley College, has not played baseball in three years because he served a Mormom mission.
“You would think it would take him some time to get back into it but he has looked really good,” Parnell said of Haas.
Parnell expects his team to be in the hunt for a postseason playoff berth that it earned four times between 2001 and 2005.
“Last year the conference was stronger than it has ever been,” he said. “But a lot of teams lost key players. L.A. lost 22 players, basically everyone that contributed. There is no reason that we can’t be up there competing with those teams.”
Cal Poly Pomona basketball coach Greg Kamansky and Cal State San Bernardino coach Jeff Oliver don’t think they will have to caution their teams about overconfidence when they head north to start the second round of CCAA play against San Francisco State and Cal State Monterey Bay.
The Coyotes (15-3, 8-2), ranked second in the region and 13th nationally, have a one-game lead in the CCAA over Humboldt State (12-5, 7-3) and Cal Poly Pomona (8-7, 7-3) with three other teams two games back.
Meanwhile Monterey Bay (4-12, 3-7) stands ninth out of 11 teams so it might look like an easy win. But think again. The Otters beat UC San Diego in the first go-round, something both the Coyotes and the Broncos failed to do.
“They are very dangerous offensively,” Oliver said. “They keep coming at you, they shoot the three very well and they do not quit. You can’t get rid of them.”
Kamansky agrees.
“They are not a 4-12 team,” he said. “I don’t know why they haven’t won more games because they have given all of us fits. They never think they’re out of a game.”
Then there’s San Francisco State (11-6, 6-4), picked by the coaches in the preseason to finish dead last after a 6-21 showing a year ago. But the Gators have been the surprise team thus far. And like Monterey Bay, the Gators beat San Diego a week ago.
The Coyotes also have a history of struggling in the cramped, antiquated gym. Three years ago they faced the Gators in the last game of the regular season with the outright conference title on the line and lost to a then .500 team.
Cal State defeated San Francisco handily at Coussoulis Arena but the Broncos lost to the Gators at home in their first conference game of the season.
“Back then it seemed like a really bad loss,” Kamansky said. “But they have shown they’re for real. No one is taking them lightly now. Certainly not us.”
Oliver said his team is coming off perhaps its best practice of the season. The Coyotes have been led recently by senior center Michael Earl (13.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.6 bpg) and senior guard Marlon Pierce (12.1 ppg, 4.1 apg) with junior Devon Davis (5.1 ppg) and senior David Reichel (6.8 ppg) putting in some quality minutes off the bench in a win over Humbolt State Saturday.
Kamansky has gotten a stellar effort from his 1-2 punch of junior forward Larry Gordon (18.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and senior guard Angelo Tsagarakis (15 ppg, 2.8 apg). But others have stepped up in recent games, most notably sophomore Donnelle Booker (7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg).
Both teams face tough roads the rest of the way. The Broncos, who are ranked eighth in the region, have eight of their last 10 conference games on the road while the Coyotes are on the road for seven.
“We have a tough road ahead of us,” Oliver said. “Humboldt is in the best shape because they have the majority of their games at home and we still have to go there.”
Both women’s teams will be playing the same foes. Cal State San Bernardino (14-3, 8-2) is tied atop the conference with Chico State and was a surprising second in the first West Region poll of the season released on Wednesday.
Coach Kevin Becker thought his team would be fifth or sixth.
The Broncos (8-8, 5-5) are tied for fifth in the conference but have beaten two nationally ranked teams in the last eight days - defending conference and region champion UC San Diego and Sonoma State.
Cal State gets San Francisco State tonight while Cal Poly opens play at Monterey. The teams will then swap foes the following night.
There are a two local players on the rosters of the opposing teams. Former Rialto High and San Bernardino Valley College standout Ja’Nae Westmoreland (6.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg) plays for Monterey Bay while junior guard Will Logan (5.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg), a former Apple Valley High player, is on the Gators roster.
The NCAA Division II Championships committees released their first men's and women's regional polls today and both Cal State San Bernardino teams were ranked No. 2 in the region.
This is another first for the Coyotes basketball program, recognizing both teams for being in first place in their respective California Collegiate Athletic Association divisions after the first round of conference play.
CSUSB's men, 15-3 overall, 8-2 in the CCAA and 15-2 against regional opponents, trail Alaska-A nchorage, 16-3, 7-0 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, and 16-0 against D-2 foes.
The Coyotes men have beaten No. 4 Seattle Pacific, No. 6 Central Washington, No. 7 Humboldt State and No. 9 Cal State L.A. this season.
The Coyotes women, 14-3 overall, 8-2 in the CCAA, and 11-3 against region opponents, trail unbeaten
The women have wins over No. 4 Sonoma State and No. 6 Northwest Nazarene and have lost to No. 1 SPU, No. 3 Chico State, No. 7 UC San Diego.
The top eight teams in both polls when the final regional poll is released on March 5 will advance to the NCAA tournament.
CSUSB's tea,ms are on the road this week, playing at
MEN'S WEST REGION POLL -- (team/region record) -- 1. Alaska-Anchorage (16-0); 2.
WOMEN'S WEST REGION POLL -- (team/region record) -- 1.
The Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball team moved up to No. 13 in the latest NABC/Division II national poll released Tuesday.
The Coyotes (15-3) were No. 5 two weeks ago but had dropped to No. 18 after back-to-back losses on the road. Coach Jeff Oliver’s team got back on the winng track with home wins over Sonoma State and then No. 17 Humboldt State last weekend.
Bentley, Mass. remains No. 1.
The Cal State women, who upset No. 25 Sonoma State Friday, just missed moving into the top 25. The Coyotes were third in the receiving votes category. All three of their losses have been to nationally ranked teams.
Both Cal State teams, as well as Cal Poly Pomona will be on the road this weekend at San Francisco State and Monterey Bay.
NABC/DIVISION II POLL
MEN
1. Bently, Mass. (18-0) 197
2. Grand Valley, Mich. (22-0) 195
3. Winona State, Minn. (22-1) 184
4. South Dakota (16-1) 166
5. Alaska-Anchorage (16-3) 164
6. West Liberty, W.V. (15-1) 158
7. Drury, Mo. (15-2) 149
8. Northern State, S.D. (18-2) 138
9. South Carolina-Aiken (15-2) 133
10. Augusta Starte, Ga. (13-3) 123
11. Findlay, Ohio (16-3) 113
12. Southwestern Oklahoma (15-3) 112
13. Cal State San Bernardino (15-3) 111
14. Rollins, Fla. (15-3) 105
15. Gannon, Pa. (17-2) 95
16. C.W. Post, N.Y. (15-2) 73
17. Tarleton State, Texas (16-2) 70
18. Mount Olive, N.C. (14-3) 52
19. Abilene Christian, Texas (15-3) 48
20. Nebraska-Omaha (16-3) 42
21. Southwest Baptist, Mo. (13-4) 40
22. Florida Southern (15-5) 32
23. Northwest Nazarene, Idaho (13-3) 21
24. Seattle Pacific, Wash. (13-3) 16
25. Fort Lewis, Col. (15-3) 10
Others receiving votes: Edinboro, Pa. 6; Northwest Missouri State 6, Assumption, Mass. 5, California, Pa. 5; Lenoir-Rhyn, N.C. 5; Chaminade, Hawaii 4; Minnesota State 2; St. Augustine, N.C. 2; Virginia Union 2; Florida Tech 1; Northern Kentucky 1; Wingate, N.C. 1.
USA TODAY-ESPN DIVISION II
WOMEN
1. Delta State, Miss. (17-0) 624
2. Seattle Pacific, Wash. (17-0) 593
3. North Dakota (18-1) 562
4. Souith Dakota (17-1) 535
5. Indiana University, Pa. (18-1) 529
6. Concordia-St. Paul, Minn. (18-1) 495
7. Drury, Mo. (15-2) 473
8. Holy Family, Pa. (17-0) 451
9. Alaska-Anchorage (17-2) 439
10. Fairmont State, W.V. (17-2) 361
11. Fort Lewis, Col. (18-1) 350
12. Washburn, Kan. (14-3) 313
13. West Georgia (17-2) 296
14. West Texas A&M (14-3) 257
15. Valdosta State, Ga. (17-3) 247
16. Minnesota State-Mankato (16-3) 239
17. Arkansas Tech (16-2) 212
18. Chico State, Ca. (15-4) 182
19. Stonehill, Mass. (15-4) 155
20. Augustana, S.D. (18-4) 133
20. Augustana, S.D. (18-4) 133
21. Anderson, S.C. (16-2) 113
22. Francis Marion, S.C. (13-2) 104
23. Michigan Tech (16-4) 98
24. Emporia State, Kan. (12-5) 78
25. Franklin Pierce, N.H. (15-4) 68
Others receiving votes: Tampa, Fla. 45; Hillsdale, Mich 27; Cal State San Bernardino 21; California, Pa. 21; Tusculum, Tenn. 14; UC San Diego 12; Indianapolis 8; Columbus State, Ga. 7, Ferris State, Mich. 7; Missouri Science & Tech 7; Bentley, Mass. 6; North Georgia 6; Wayne State, Mich. 6; Wingate, N.C. 6; Clayton State, Ga. 5; Augusta State, Ga, 4; Sonoma State, Ca. 4; Northern Kentucky 3; Lander, S.C. 2; Shepherd, W.V. 2, Texas A&M-Commerce 2; Assumption, Mass. 1; Missouri Southern 1; Central Oklahoma 1.
THOMAS STOUGHTON
University of Redlands
Swimming
The lowdown: The senior team captain is the Bulldogs top breastroker and individual medley swimmer. Won the 400 IM (4:25.36) and the 100 breaststroke (1:03.95) in the team’s most recent meet against Cal Lutheran and won the 200 breast (2:20.39) and the 200 IM (2:01.39) in the previous meet against Occidental. Has been part of SCIAC championship teams all three years this far. Placed second in the 200 breast and third in the 100 breast at last year’s SCIAC championship and also contributed on three relays. Carries a 3.64 GPA and is a presidental scholarship recipient and member of the dean’s list.
Age: 22
Hometown: Glendora
High school: Damian High School, 2004
Major: Environmental studies
Favorite athlete: Scott Niedermayer
Favorite team: Anaheim Ducks
Role model: My dad
Can’t miss TV show: American Gladiators
Most embarrassing moment: I got disqualified in a club meet for a flip turn during the transition from back to
breaststroke.
Most memorable sports moment: Senior year at Damien I was ninth in the Division I CIF finals in the 200 IM and
the 100 breaststroke.
Person most influential in your athletic success: My high school and college coaches.
Celebrity you most want to meet: Michael Phelps
Favorite food: Sushi/Japanese
Favorite movie: Top Gun
Last good book you read: Fast Food Nation
Other hobbies: Fly fishing, surfing, hiking
Favorite vacation spot: Maui (staying with my grandpa)
What’s in your CD player/iPOD: Sparta
Best advice anyone has given you: Life it what you make it.
What do you want to be doing in five years?: Working in the field of botany somehere on the West coast.
RACHEL JOHNSON
Cal State San Bernardino
Basketball
The lowdown: The 6-foot junior forward is averaging 7.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and has started 10 of 17 games for the Coyotes (14-3). Had a career-high 24 points and six assists in a 78-64 win over Cal Poly Pomona two weeks ago. Went 7-of-10 from the field and 5-for-7 from 3-point range in that game. Also had 17 points with five 3-pointers in nonconference play against Notre Dame de Namur. Averaged 6.2 points and 2.8 rebounds as a sophomore and 3.4 points and 2 rebounds as a freshman. Played four years of basketball and one year of volleyball in high school.
Age: 20
Hometown: Kennewick, Wash.
High school: Kennewick High School, 2005
Major: Communications/public relations
Favorite athlete: LeBron James
Favorite team: Boston Celtics
Role model: My parents (Brian and Cindy Johnson)
Can’t miss TV shows: King of Queens, Sex and the City
Most memorable sports moment: Playing in the NCAA Tournament (Division II) last year.
Person most influential in your athletic success: My dad
Celebrity you most want to meet: LeBron James
Favorite food: My mom’s homemade pizza
Favorite movie: Training Day
Last good book you read: The Secret
What’s in your CD player/iPod: Cam’ron Killa Season
Other hobbies: Shopping
Favorite vacation spot: Mexico
Best advice anyone has given you: Live life to the fullest.
Pre-game ritual or superstition: I chew a piece of gum on each side of my mouth.
What would you like to be doing in five years?: Have a successful career and be happily married.
- Compiled by Michelle Gardner
| WALNUT CREEK — Cal State San Bernardino center Vanessa Wilt has been named Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 21-27. It marks the fifth time this season she has been honored. Wilt, a 6-foot-1 senior from Hesperia, Calif., averaged 20 points and 13.5 rebounds it two home wins over Sonoma State and Humboldt State that kept the Coyotes in a tie with Chico State for first place in the CCAA. She shot 77 percent (17 of 22) from the field and also averaged 2.0 blocked shots in the two games. In Friday’s win over Sonoma State, Wilt scored 22 points and had seven rebounds despite playing just 26 minutes after getting into early foul trouble. Wilt came back on Saturday to score 18 points, grab 20 rebounds, collect two steals, two blocked shots and an assist in 39 minutes against Humboldt State. Wilt tops the CCAA in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, averaging 20.9 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.47 blocked shots a contest. Cal State San Bernardino opens second-half play on Friday when it travels to San Francisco State. The Coyotes conclude weekend play at Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday. Wilson CCAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Week: Nov. 12-18: Renee Goldoff (Chico State); Nov.19-25: Shirsty Kumar (Cal State Stanislaus); Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Vanessa Wilt (Cal State San Bernardino); Dec. 3-9: Vanessa Wilt (Cal State San Bernardino); Dec. 10-16: Veronica Williams (Cal State L.A.); Dec. 17-23: Vanessa Wilt (Cal State San Bernardino); Dec. 24-30: Dane Wellander (Sonoma State); Dec. 31-Jan. 6: Vanessa Wilt (Cal State San Bernardino); Jan 7-13: Melissa Richardson (Chico State); Jan. 14-20: Michelle Osier (UC San Diego); Jan. 21-27: Vanessa Wilt (Cal State San Bernardino). |
WALNUT CREEK — Cal Poly Pomona forward Larry Gordon has been named Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 21-27. It marks the second time this week he has been honored.
Gordon, a 6-foot-5 junior from Pomona, Calif., averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds while helping the Broncos to a pair of home wins over No. 17 Humboldt State and Sonoma State over the weekend. He connected on 57.1 percent (12 of 21) of his field goal attempts and was 15 of 16 from the foul line.
In Cal Poly Pomona’s win over nationally-ranked Humboldt State, Gordon registered a double-double with a career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds. He followed that performance with 16 points and nine rebounds in a win over Sonoma State.
Gordon is currently the CCAA’s leading scorer, averaging 18.1 points a contest, and is second in rebounding with 10.6 boards a game.
The weekend sweep by Cal Poly Pomona moved it into a tie with Humboldt State for second place in the conference standings with a 7-3 league mark as the CCAA reaches its midway point. The Broncos and Lumberjacks trail conference leader Cal State San Bernardino (8-2) by one game.
Cal Poly Pomona starts second-half play on Friday when it visits Cal State Monterey Bay in Seaside. The Broncos conclude weekend action on Saturday when they play at San Francisco State.
Wilson CCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week:
Nov. 12-18: Michael Earl (Cal State Bernardino); Nov. 19-25: Darroll Phillips (Chico State); Nov. 26 – Dec. 2: Cy Vandermeer (Humboldt State), Dec. 3-9: Andrew Kochevar (Sonoma State); Dec. 10-16: Demetrius Hazel (Cal State L.A.); Dec. 17-23: Grayson Moyer (Humboldt State); Dec. 24-30: Larry Gordon (Cal Poly Pomona); Dec. 31-Jan. 6: Chris Rodriguez (San Francisco State); Jan. 7-13: Vincent Camper (Cal State L.A.); Jan. 14-20: Vincent Camper (Cal State L.A.); Jan. 21-27: Larry Gordon (Cal Poly Pomona).
The Cal State San Bernardino women’s basketball team was picked to finish fifth in the CCAA before the season started. So coach Kevin Becker is more than pleased with where his team stands at the halfway point.
The Coyotes (14-3, 8-2) closed out the first round of league play with a 63-53 win over Humboldt State on Saturday at Coussoulis Arena.
With the win, the Coyotes remain in a first-place tie with nationally ranked Chico State.
All three of the team’s losses have been to ranked teams. The Coyotes were coming off a win Friday over No. 25 Sonoma State, which entered that game in first place in the conference.
The first West Region poll— which determines the eight teams that advance to postseason play in March — is due out next week.
“We had an All-American kid (Vanessa Wilt) to build around and we brought in a lot of new kids, role players, and we have seen them develop a chemistry,” Becker said. “We have come together.”
As usual, Wilt shouldered the load with 18 points, 20 rebounds two blocks and two steals. Junior point guard Shanae Blake also had stellar game with 17 points and Krystal Urzua added 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.
Blake, who is coming off a red-shirt year, has come up big, especially in the last three weeks.
“She has been the key for us, every bit as much as Vanessa but in a different way,” Becker said. “She didn’t play last year so it took her few games to find her groove.”
Both teams started slowly with the Coyotes shooting just 25.7 percent (9-for-35) and the Lumberjacks (9-8, 5-5) doing slightly better at 34.5 (10-for-29) as the first half ended with the teams tied at 21.
The Coyotes started pulling away in the opening minutes of the second half, building a nine-point lead on a 3-pointer by Rachel Johnson with 13:24 to go that made it 38-29.
Humboldt chalked up the next six points, four of those by Taylor Kilgore. Her driving layup with 12:32 left closed the gap to 38-35.
Humboldt was also within four points at 43-39 with 6:02 left.
But the Coyotes got some breathing room with a six point run that included a jumper by Urzua and two buckets by Wilt to go up 49-39.
Cal State maintained a double digit lead the rest of the game.
The Coyotes shot 51.9 percent in the second half to finish with a 37.1 for the game. Wilt’s domination on the boards helped them to a 45-38 rebounding advantage.
Humboldt State, which was coming off a win over Cal Poly Pomona on Friday, shot 41.4 percent for the game and was led by Katie Franci and Kayla Henry with 13 points each. Franci also had a team-high 12 rebounds.
The Coyotes head back on the road next week for games at San Francisco State on Friday and Monterey Bay on Saturday.
Cal Poly Pomona made sure it would not let go of its lead Saturday night against No. 25 Sonoma State. The Broncos grabbed the lead early in the second half and went on to a 64-57 California Collegiate Athletic Association women’s basketball victory Saturday at Kellogg Gym.
Senior forward Vanessa Dominguez (Mission Viejo) led the way with 15 points on 8-of-8 free throws with four assists and two steals for the Broncos, who improved to 8-8 overall and 5-5 in the CCAA. Senior guard Ashley Moody (
“If we can learn to be consistent on a regular basis, we’ll be a good team,’’ Broncos coach Scott Davis said. ‘We’re getting there. Tonight was a nice win against a well-coached, quality program. It’s a strong positive.’’
Danae Wellander led the Seawolves with a game-high 19 points. Lauren Redfield added 10 for
The big key for the Broncos was their free throw shooting. They shot 16-of-20 from the line to pull away in the second half.
“We’re continuing to work hard and that made a difference tonight,’’ Dominguez said. “Good things happen when you work hard.’’
The Broncos are set to begin the second half of the CCAA season Friday night at
The endorphin rush from 24 hours earlier might not have worn off.
At least, that was the danger the Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball team faced Saturday against middling Sonoma State, having beaten the No. 17 team in the nation a day earlier. Instead, it was the Broncos’ opponent who didn’t show up.
Cal Poly cruised to its second straight win, the seventh in their last eight games, 66-59 over the Seawolves at Kellogg Gym. At 7-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (8-7 overall), Cal Poly stayed one game behind Cal State San Bernardino.
“I don’t think we overlooked them,” Broncos coach Greg Kamansky said of Sonoma State. “We didn’t take them lightly at all. They’re in the middle of the pack, we’re in second at this point, but we’re only one, two games from going to sixth or seventh.”
Angelo Tsagarakis and Larry Gordon did most of the scoring damage.
Each finished with 16 points, and Gordon added nine rebounds against the Seawolves (8-8 overall, 4-6 CCAA).
Gordon was coming off a 24-point, 13-rebound effort in Friday’s 76-61 undoing of Humboldt State.
A week earlier, the Broncos knocked off Cal State San Bernardino but followed that up with a tough loss to UC San Diego.
“We didn’t want that to happen again,” Kamansky said.
Added Tsagarakis: “We didn’t want the win against Humboldt to go to waste with a loss against Sonoma.”
The Broncos never trailed after the first four minutes and led 31-17 at halftime. Tsagarakis scored Cal Poly’s final eight points of the first half, including two three-pointers. Sonoma State never got within seven points after intermission.
High-energy shooting guard Andrew Kochevar almost single-handedly kept the Seawolves from getting blown out. Sonoma State’s leading scorer finished with 22 points, including three 3-pointers.
Gordon’s consecutive free-throw streak ended at 29 when he missed an attempt with just under three minutes remaining in the game. It was the 15th straight double-figure scoring night for the Montclair High graduate.
Forward Kaelen Daniels added 11 points off the bench, and guard Rich Collins scored 10 and hit 3-of-4 three-point attempts for the Broncos.
The largest ovation was reserved for Cal Poly guard Jimmy Miyasaka, who checked in with 1:13 left and made his first field goal of the season in the game’s final minute.
By Michelle Gardner
Staff Writer
It might be a bit premature to call a rivalry between Cal State San Bernardino and Humboldt State one of the country’s best at the Division II level since the Lumberjacks joined the CCAA two years ago. But it is getting there.
The Coyotes struck the most recent blow, beating the Lumberjacks 82-73 Saturday at Coussoulis Arena in front of a season-high crowd of 2,597 spectators.
“You have two good basketball programs going head-to-head year in and year out, a rivalry will definitely develop,” Cal State coach Jeff Oliver said.
The teams came in tied for first in the CCAA with both nationally ranked — Humboldt at No. 17 and Cal State at No. 18.
It was the first meeting between the teams since the Coyotes edged the Lumberjacks in last year’s West Region championship 68-66 en route <WC>to <WC1>a berth in the Elite Eight. There might not have been as much on the line but the most recent showdown was equally as thrilling.
“It was a big game, a big statement game,” senior Michael Earl said. “There was a lot riding on this. It was a good game, good atmosphere. The crowd really got it into it.”
The Coyotes (15-3, 8-2) surged ahead with a run midway through the second half. They led by two at 50-48 with 12:50 left to play. They upped that lead seconds later on a nice baseline drive by Renardo Bass, then got a bucket from Devon Davis to go up 54-48.
Every time the Coyotes threatened to break away, the Lumberjacks (12-5, 7-3) came back. The visitors got within two at 54-52.
They stretched the lead back to nine at 61-52 on a bucket by Earl, only to have the Lumberjacks retaliate with a 3 at the other end by Ernie Spada.
The Coyotes’ final run was good enough. They led 66-60 with 5:51 to go. Lance Ortiz drained a 3 from the top of the key to make it 69-60.
Another by Marlon Pierce made it 74-64 with 3:01 left and the Lumberjacks didn’t threaten again.
Cal State shot 54.4 percent in perhaps its most efficient offensive outing of the season. Earl and Pierce had 17 each while Ortiz added 14.
Davis helped out with 10 which loomed large when Earl was out with foul trouble. The team shared the ball well with 22 assists, with Pierce tallying seven and Ortiz five.
Oliver said it was his team’s best performance, given the opposition.
“Becasue of the opposition we were playing and the quality of the opposition and the significance of it, playing for first place.”
Cal State started out strong and led until Humboldt’s Efren Del Rio nailed a 3-pointer to put the visitors up 17-16 with 12:38 left. The Coyotes suffered a blow a minute later when Earl was called for his second foul and went to the bench.
Earl, who scored 21 points and had 11 rebounds in Friday’s win over Sonoma State, played just six minutes in the opening half. With him sidelined the Lumberjacks dominated in the paint. Cy Vandermeer was the beneficiary with nine points, five rebounds and three blocks.
The Coyotes struggled to get the ball inside and settled for jumper from the perimeter. They took 13 3-pointers, making four. Reichel and Pierce hit back-to-back distance shots with six minutes left that stopped a Humboldt run and closed the gap to 26-23.
A 3-point play by Pierce in the closing seconds sent the Coyotes into the lockerroom down by only two, 37-35.
The Coyotes go back on the road next week to play at San Francisco State and Monterey bay, continuing a stretch of eight of 10 games on the road.
In a game it led from start to finish, the Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball team gave head coach Jeff Oliver no sense of certainty Friday night against Sonoma State.
“I didn’t feel like we were in control at any point,” Oliver said after the Coyotes’ 65-47 victory at Coussoulis Arena.
Yet while the Seawolves were hanging around, never getting behind by more than 10 points until under three minutes remained, Michael Earl was playing with a purpose.
The Coyotes’ center was injured and had to sit out his team’s 76-65 loss to UC San Diego in their most recent outing.
Three days earlier on Jan. 16, Earl rolled his right ankle in a stunning overtime loss at Cal Poly Pomona in his native city.
“Coming off that game, then not playing the next game, I definitely had to show up,” Earl said. “You always want to have a good showing at home. There was a sense of urgency.”
On Friday, it showed. Earl’s 21 points, on 8-of-10 shooting, was his highest point total of the season. He also finished with 11 points, three blocked shots and hit 5-of-6 free throws in a game of inches.
Combined with first-place Humboldt State’s 76-61 loss to upstart Cal Poly Pomona, the win gave Cal State San Bernardino (14-3, 7-2 California Collegiate Athletic Association) the share of first place it had lost last week.
Coming off the ankle injury, Earl had not practiced consistently this week, Oliver said. As a result, the 6-foot-8 senior came off the bench for the sixth time this season.
It didn’t take him long to establish a presence, scoring 11 before the half and staying out of foul trouble on a taped-up ankle.
“We needed him,” Oliver said of Earl. “(Sonoma State) jumped up defensively and played some nontraditional styles of defense. We needed someone other than Marlon (Pierce) and Lance (Ortiz) to step up.”
In a rare confluence of futility, the team’s two point guards shot a combined 3-for-11 from the field and weren’t a factor on offense.
In their stead, reserve guard Renardo Bass stepped up. His 11 points, on 5-of-7 field goals, were also a season high. He led the Coyotes with three steals and his nine rebounds were second only to Earl.
“We had to get back to what we were doing from the beginning (of the season),” Bass said. “I’ve been playing hard all season long … different guys just step up in different games.”
Sonoma State (8-7, 4-5) had just one win in the two team’s previous eight meetings, but managed to make it interesting with a balanced, inside-out attack.
Cal State didn’t allow a field goal until Andrew Kochevar’s 3-pointer 6:39 into the game, but was unable to solve the Seawolves’ halfcourt defense. Spreading the ball around, nine different players got on the scoreboard but only Bass and Earl managed double figures.
Coming off two straight losses, and with first place on the line tonight against Humboldt State, Cal State will take the win any way it can get it.
“It was good for us to be able to make plays,” Oliver said. “Hopefully that gives guys confidence for tonight''
All night long the Humboldt State women’s basketball team made a living in the paint. But when the Lumberjacks needed a jumper or a free throw they delivered and went on to a 72-65 win over Cal Poly Pomona on Friday at Kellogg Gymnasium.
It looked like an even battle as the teams entered with identical conference records and overall records just one win apart so it is not surprising the contest came down to the last minute. It also makes the loss all the more disappointing.
“We didn’t come ready to play,” Cal Poly coach Scott Davis said. “We weren’t mentally focused and we didn’t play hard. We allowed them to get anything they wanted over and over and over again.”
The Broncos (7-8, 4-5) led 61-60 when Humboldt’s Taylor Kilgore, who came in averaging 3.7 points, hit a 3-pointer with two minutes left for a 63-61 Lumberjacks lead.
Cal Poly Pomona tied it seconds later on a bucket by Natasha Reed with 1:35 to play but had trouble scoring after that. The Broncos misfired on their next two trips down the floor with Andrea Ohlssen missing a layup after a nice feed from Ashley Moody. Ohlssen also shot wildly on a 3-point attempt from the top of the key on the Broncos next possession.
That sealed Cal Poly’s fate as Humboldt put the game away at the free-throw line. The Lumberjacks (9-7, 5-4) connected on nine of 10 tries the last 1:17, and that miss came on the last try with the game in hand .
The Lumberjacks scored 40 points in the paint, many of those coming on easy put backs.
“Our post play has been pretty good that’s why it is so surprising we gave them so much there tonight,” Davis said. “And the post isn’t the strength of their game either. We just made it look like that tonight.”
The teams were even in most statistical categories but the biggest difference was shooting percentage from the field. Humboldt shot 51.9 percent (2-for-54), thanks to the easy chances underneath.
The Broncos managed only 40.7 percent (24-for-59). Katie Franci led the Lumberjacks with 19 points and nine rebounds. She went 6-for-6 from the line down the stretch. Kilgore added 17, including a 3-for-4 showing from 3-point range. Kayla Henry added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Cal Poly got 17 points and four assists from senior forward Vanessa Dominguez and 13 points from Ohlssen. Reyana Colson was held to six points but did have a team-high six rebounds.
The Broncos led 33-32 at the half. Their biggest lead was eight at 32-24 after two free throws by Porsche Kirksey. But the Lumberjacks scored eight of the last nine points of the half and the game was close the rest of the way.
Cal Poly will host first place Sonoma State (13-2, 7-1) at 5:30 tonight.
Vanessa Wilt was glowing.
The Cal State San Bernardino center’s hair was dyed blonde for the first time all season, she was standing beneath a lone fluorescent light in a dark hallway inside Coussoulis Arena, and her team had just beaten the first-place squad in the conference.
“I’m so proud of our team,” Wilt said, barely containing her enthusiasm after a 70-57 win Friday over Sonoma State. “I knew we could do it.”
After picking up two early fouls, the reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association MVP sat out all but six minutes of the first half, yet the Coyotes trailed by just a point at halftime.
Wilt then played all 20 minutes of the second half, scoring 18 of her game-high 22 points, collecting six of her seven rebounds and both of her blocked shots. A close game morphed into a relatively easy victory for the unranked Coyotes (13-3, 7-2) over the No. 25 Seawolves (13-3, 7-2).
“The (most recent) win is always the biggest win,” head coach Kevin Becker said. “It’s nice that they were in first and we showed them we can play, too.”
Wilt lost her streak of 15 consecutive double-doubles to begin the season, but gained something greater in the process: revenge.
“They swept us last year,” Wilt said of Sonoma State. “That kind of hit home for us; that was our main motivation. We had to show we were better than that and we had to take first place in the league.”
Having lost two of their last three games, the Coyotes needed a victory to regain a share of first place. They did so with authority, never trailing over the game’s final eight minutes.
Krystal Urzua scored 13 points off the bench and grabbed five rebounds. For the 5-foot-4 guard, it matched the highest rebound total of any Sonoma State player.
Leslie Pickron was the game’s other surprise contributor. The senior guard had played eight minutes all season before logging 19 on Friday and hitting two three-pointers to double her season total.
Not to be lost was her defensive effort against the Seawolves’ leading scorer, Danae Wellander, who hit 2-of-12 shots for five points, well below her 14.2 season average.
“She got at Wellander,” Becker said, “and did a pretty decent job on her.”
Shanae Blake added 15 points for Cal State San Bernardino, which has a chance to crack the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 poll for the first time since the 1997-98 season.
For Renardo Bass, getting on a plane and moving to Northern California from his native Norfolk, Va. was easier said than done. He knew relocating would be the first step in building a better life, but he didn’t have the financial means to make that happen.
Ohlone Community College basketball coach John Peterson was expecting Bass to play for him, but was concerned after the player seemed reluctant the last time they on the phone.
“I told him he needed to be there when we started practice or we were moving on without him,” Peterson said. “I wasn’t sure if we would see him, but he showed up. He had to sell his car to buy the plane ticket. That showed how much he wanted to come out here.”
After two stellar seasons with the Renegades, Bass took another step up in 2007. He now plays for the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes (13-3, 6-2), who head into tonight’s 7:30 game against Sonoma State (8-6, 4-4) at Coussoulis Arena ranked No. 18 nationally. They host No. 17 Humboldt State on Saturday.
Getting an education and being part of an elite program means a lot to the solidly-built 6-foot junior guard because of what he has overcome.
He is the oldest of seven children, the youngest of whom is now 12. His father has never been part of the picture, so he spent most of his teenage years working construction jobs to support the family, even though it meant dropping out of high school to do so.
His grandmother helped care for the family until she passed away.
His mother went to jail for two years just as he was preparing to leave for Ohlone.
“I am so thankful to be here. It’s like a family and everyone really accepted me,” said Bass, 23. “I think of how things could have been if I stayed there. I am doing what I can do to better myself.”
The fact that Bass plays for a nationally ranked contender is noteworthy, considering he never played high school basketball. He was discovered by a friend of Peterson’s who saw him at a basketball showcase at Atlantic Shores, a prep school in Virginia.
Bass didn’t have to think twice when contacted by Peterson.
“I didn’t have any other offers and I thought it would be good to get away (to) where I could focus on what I needed to do,” he said. “I just dove in — new part of the country, new school, new everything. I didn’t know what to expect.”
Bass turned in two solid seasons at Ohlone, located in Fremont halfway between San Francisco and San Jose. He earned All-Coast Conference and All-state honors both years, helping the school to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance last spring. The Renegades lost their state tournament quarterfinal to Antelope Valley 71-69, which still makes Bass cringe.
“We blew like a 16-point lead in five minutes,” he said, shaking his head.
While Bass was working to improve his basketball skills, he also had to improve his academic standing. California is one of the few states that accepts students into a junior college who don’t have high school diplomas, but he had to get a GED to enroll at a four-year school.
He lived with a handful of other players from out of state, so he also worked various jobs to pay for living expenses.
When it came time to choose a four-year school, Bass could not have found a better situation. Peterson was friends with Coyotes head coach Jeff Oliver. The defensive philosophy that has been the foundation for the Coyotes’ success the last two years was copied from Ohlone.
Over the summer Oliver took game film from last season to Peterson, who helped him fine-tune the system.
Bass said the coaches have similar demeanors and coaching styles, and the family atmosphere fostered at the school is much the same, which made for an easier transition.
“It really was a lot the same, just at a bigger school,” he said.
Bass got a chance to play in an open gym with his future teammates in the late summer and bonded most closely with seniors Joseph Tillman and Jason Gilzene, both of whom contributed to last year’s Division II national semifinal team.
All say that Bass’ quiet demeanor made for short conversations early. In fact, when he was at Ohlone, Peterson put in special rules designed to make Bass talk.
“He’s a loner. He really keeps to himself a lot, so it took a little while,” said Tillman. “The more he gets comfortable with you, the more he initiates the talk. Once you get to know him he really does have a good sense of humor.”
Oliver admits that he handles Bass a bit differently, but not because of the obstacles he has overcome.
“He is a very quiet, reserved kid, so I am not as aggressive with him as some of the others,” Oliver said.
Oliver utilizes 12 players regularly so Bass isn’t expected to put up huge numbers. He has averaged 18 minutes a contest and started seven of 16 games.
Just being part of the program is a big enough reward. Less than a year into his career he is already beaming about his experience, especially the opportunity to play against UCLA at Pauley Pavlion.
“Every kid wants to play at the Division I level. If you can’t, playing against them is the next best thing,” he said. “And being able to play there . . . I will never forget that.”
The fact that he is the first member of his family to go to college isn’t lost on him either. Once his playing career is over Bass said he would like to be a coach or teacher.
“Coming out here was the best thing that could have happened to me,” he said. “Everything has worked out better than I expected.”
By Michelle Gardner
Staff Writer
Larry Gordon was on Greg Kamansky’s radar but the Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball coach will admit there were other prospects he coveted more.
The coach went to see Gordon’s Montclair High School team square off against Colony but it was more because of his interest in some of the Colony players. But Gordon stole the show with 50 points, changing Kamansky’s plans.
“It was an under-control 50. That was the amazing thing,” the Broncos coach recalled. “It wasn’t like he was the only guy taking shots or he was forcing stuff up. That’s when I knew how much I wanted him.”
The 6-foot-5 forward then became one of Kamansky’s priorites and the Broncos were able to lure him away from others including local rival Cal State San Bernardino.
That has paid off as Gordon has led the Broncos (6-7, 5-3) back into contention in the CCAA. They face a formidable foe today as defending champion Humboldt State (12-3, 6-1) comes to Kellogg Gymnasium for a 7:30 p.m. showdown.
Gordon ranks second in the conference in scoring (17.8 ppg), rebounding (9.2 rpg) and free-throw percentage (.887), is sixth in field goal percentage (.529) and eighth in blocked shots. He should draw consideration for conference player of the year to be handed out later this season.
The Broncos struggled early but have moved into contention by winning four of their last five games. Gordon has been consistent from the start but the Broncos are finally getting contributions from others, most notably senior sharpshooter Angelo Tsagarakis and sophomore forward Donnelle Boooker.
It has been Gordon’s play more than his words that have been the catalyst for the recent showing.
“He doesn’t say a whole lot but he doesn’t have to,” Kamansky said. “The guys see how hard he plays. The only bad thing is sometimes they enjoy watching him a little too much. I have to remind them `Guys you can play too.’”
Gordon was a two-sport standout for the Cavaliers, also excelling in football. He played wide receiver which draws a chuckle from Kamansky, who often teases his star player about his “bad hands.”
Several lower level Division I schools were interested but Gordon never thought of football as anything more than a hobby. Basketball has always been his first love.
A handful of CCAA schools wanted him. The pivotal factor was the opportunity to play as a freshman. He liked Cal State San Bernardino’s track record and its impressive venue but the Coyotes have always leaned heavily on junior college transfers and Division I bouncebacks while the Broncos field a smaller squad and aren’t afraid to throw their freshmen into the mix.
“I really wanted to play right away,” Gordon said. “I hope it doesn’t sound too cocky but I thought I was good enough to play with those guys instead of sitting out a year.”
Gordon rewarded the Broncos for their faith in him. He averaged 6.7 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds as a rookie, earning CCAA Freshman of the Year honors.
He thinks one reason he was able to contribute right away was that he has always played with older athletes, whether it was in his neighborhood or at his high school as a freshman. He grew up competing with cousin Brandon Hogan who was six years older and played at Garey.
“I always trying to prove I could play with him and his friends,” Gordon laughed. “They would always pick on me because I was younger so I was always had to prove myself.”
Gordon had an even better sophomore season, earning first-team All-Conference honors and averaging 12.8 points and 7.4 rebounds.
That set the stage for the season he is now having. Gordon has scored in double figures 13 straight games with a career-high of 24 coming on the road at Cal State Stanislaus two weeks ago. He has recorded eight double-doubles, with a high of 14 rebounds coming against Cal State San Bernardino. He comes into tonight’s contest against the Lumberjacks having made 14 straight free throws over three games.
Not surprisingly he has earned the respect of his adversaries.
“He is one of the premier player in this conference,” Cal State coach Jeff Oliver said. “He has expanded his range to where he is now hitting 3-pointers which makes him even more dangerous. And he has always been a terror on the glass.”
This weekend’s games are crucial in the conference race. Sonoma State follows Humboldt in and will be the opponent on Saturday.
Gordon is happy his team is finally living up to its preseason hype. The Broncos were picked to finish second behind Humbdolt in the conference in a poll of member coaches.
“We got off to a shaky start but we’re finally playing hard and playing together,” he said. “We almost waited until it was too late but now we’re going in the right direction.”
| 1. | Sonoma State | 7-1 | .875 | 13-2 | .867 | W5 | 6-1 | 4-1 | 3-0 |
| 2. | Cal State San Bernardino | 6-2 | .750 | 12-3 | .800 | L1 | 6-0 | 4-2 | 2-1 |
| Chico State | 6-2 | .750 | 13-4 | .765 | L1 | 6-0 | 4-3 | 3-1 | |
| 4. | UC San Diego | 5-3 | .625 | 13-5 | .722 | W1 | 5-2 | 2-2 | 6-1 |
| 5. | San Francisco State | 5-4 | .556 | 8-8 | .500 | W3 | 4-1 | 4-5 | 0-2 |
| 6. | Humboldt State | 4-4 | .500 | 8-7 | .533 | W1 | 4-2 | 3-4 | 1-1 |
| Cal Poly Pomona | 4-4 | .500 | 7-7 | .500 | W1 | 2-4 | 3-2 | 2-1 | |
| 8. | Cal State Dominguez Hills | 3-5 | .375 | 9-6 | .600 | W1 | 3-2 | 4-3 | 2-1 |
| 9. | Cal State L.A. | 2-6 | .250 | 5-9 | .357 | L1 | 3-3 | 2-6 | 0-0 |
| Cal State Stanislaus | 2-6 | .250 | 4-10 | .286 | L4 | 3-5 | 0-5 | 1-0 | |
| 11. | CSU Monterey Bay | 1-8 | .111 | 2-14 | .125 | L10 | 1-5 | 1-7 | 0-2 |
Wednesday's game
San Francisco State 78, Monterey Bay 72
Friday's games
Sonoma State at Cal State San Bernardino
Humboldt State at Cal Poly Pomona
Chico State at Dominguez Hills
Cal State Stanislaus at Cal State Los Angeles
San Francisco at UC San Diego
All games 5:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball standings
| 1. | Humboldt State | 7-1 | .875 | 12-3 | .800 | W5 | 6-0 | 4-2 | 2-1 |
| 2. | Cal State San Bernardino | 6-2 | .750 | 13-3 | .812 | L2 | 4-1 | 3-2 | 6-0 |
| UC San Diego | 6-2 | .750 | 9-4 | .692 | W2 | 7-0 | 2-4 | 0-0 | |
| 4. | Cal Poly Pomona | 5-3 | .625 | 6-7 | .462 | L1 | 4-2 | 2-3 | 0-2 |
| 5. | San Francisco State | 5-4 | .556 | 10-6 | .625 | L1 | 5-3 | 4-2 | 1-1 |
| 6. | Cal State L.A. | 4-4 | .500 | 10-5 | .667 | L1 | 7-2 | 3-3 | 0-0 |
| Sonoma State | 4-4 | .500 | 8-6 | .571 | W2 | 5-1 | 1-4 | 2-1 | |
| 8. | Cal State Dominguez Hills | 3-5 | .375 | 8-6 | .571 | W2 | 2-4 | 4-2 | 2-0 |
| 9. | Cal State Stanislaus | 2-6 | .250 | 3-12 | .200 | L4 | 3-4 | 0-7 | 0-1 |
| 10. | CSU Monterey Bay | 2-7 | .222 | 3-12 | .200 | W1 | 1-3 | 1-8 | 1-1 |
| 11. | Chico State | 1-7 | .125 | 5-10 | .333 | L5 | 4-4 | 0-5 | 1-1 |
Wednesday's game
Monterey Bay 85, San Francisco State 75
Friday's games
Humboldt State at Cal Poly Pomona
Sonoma State at Cal State San Bernardino
Cal State Stanislaus at Cal State Los Angeles
Chico State at Dominguez Hills
San Francisco State at UC San Diego
All games 7:30 p.m.
Two Victor Valley College football players will be continuing their collegiate careers together. Running back Isaac Newton and wide receiver Anthony Berry are headed to University of South Dakota.
Berry (Silverado HS) has finished his academic work at Victor Valley and has already headed to Vermillion, S.D. Newton, a native of New Orleans, will follow after this semester ends.
Newton, a first-team all-conference selection, was sixth in the state in rushing the past season with 1,145 yards, an average of 114.5 yards per game.
South Dakota will join the Great West Conference next season.
The Cal State San Bernardino men's basketball team paid the price for road losses last week at Cal Poly Pomona and UC San Diego, dropping from fifth to 18th in the NABC national poll released Tuesday.
The Coyotes are one spot behind defending conference champion Humboldt State, whom they will host Saturday in a 7:30 p.m. contest at Coussoulis Arena.
The top three places in the poll remained unchanged.
NABC/Division II Coaches Poll
Men
1. Bentley (16-0) 197
2. Grand Valley State (20-0) 195
3. Winona State (20-1) 184
4. Drury (14-1) 173
5. South Carolina Aiken (13-1)
6. South Dakota (15-1)
7. Northern State (17-1) 139
8. Rollins (14-2) 135
9. Alaska-Anchorage (14-3) 133
10. West Liberty State (13-1)
11. Findlay (15-3) 110
12. SW Oklahoma State (14-3) 97
13. Augusta State (10-3) 96
14. Abilene Christian (14-2) 90
15. Gannon (15-2) 84
16. Nebraska-Omaha (15-2) 81
17. Humboldt State (12-3) 73
18. CS San Bernardino (13-3) 65
19. C.W. Post (13-2) 56
20. Tarleton State (14-2) 54
21. Southwest Baptist (12-3) 49
22. Florida Southern (14-4) 40
23. Virginia Union (12-2) 31
24. Mount Olive (11-3) 17
25. Northern Kentucky (13-2)
Also receiving votes: Chaminade 12; Alderson-Broaddus 11; Lenoir-Rhyne 8; Augustana 6; Fort Lewis 4; Central Oklahoma 3; Lewis 3; Florida Tech 2; California, Pa. 1; Northwest Nazarene 1; Wingate 1
UC San Diego begins 2008 ranked No. 15 while Cal State L.A. is No. 17 and Chico State is 19th.
The Tritons are coming off a 37-25 record and an NCAA West Regional Championship appearance in 2007. UC San Diego enters the 2008 campaign led by junior infielder Matt Cantele, who earned first team Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association All-American honors after batting .365 with a conference-leading 23 home runs, .787 slugging percentage and .500 on-base percentage. He also topped UC San Diego and ranked fifth in the CCAA with 60 RBI.
The Golden Eagles, who won the 2007 NCAA Division II West Region championship and advanced to the College World Series, finished last year with a 45-17-1 overall record.
Interim head coach Vince Beringhele inherits only five players from last year’s club. Junior pitcher Isaac Morales (9-3, 3.58), who earned second-team All-CCAA and second-team All-West Region honors, leads the list of returning players. Senior catcher Henry Contreras (.315-0-20), who was part of the West Regional All-Tournament team, is also back and reliable reliever junior John Mitchell (4-3, 3.49) returns as well. Senior infielder Darrick Hale (.263-2-15) and senior reliever Manny Urresti (0-1, 6.75) also return for the Golden Eagles.
Chico State posted a 47-15 overall record, including a 25-11 mark in CCAA play, en route to advancing the NCAA Division II West Region. Despite losing 23 letterwinners, including 11 starters, second-year head coach Dave Taylor returns some quality talent led by senior right-handed starter Kyle Woodruff (7-1, 5.67) and senior first baseman/outfielder Matt Bitker (.341-4-17).
Sonoma State, which finished the 2007 campaign with a 50-12 overall record, including a 29-7 conference mark, is the defending CCAA regular-season and conference tournament champion.
Several teams open their 2008 campaign on February 1.
By Michelle Gardner
Staff writer
The rejuvenated Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball team will take the court tonight hoping the momentum it has from its win over No. 5 Cal State San Bernardino Wednesday can compensate for a little fatigue.
The Broncos (6-6, 5-2) will play their fourth game in eight days Friday when they trek to RIMAC Arena on the campus of UC San Diego for a 7:30 p.m. showdown with the Tritons (7-4, 4-2).
Three of the four games in this stretch are road games. Coach Greg Kamansky’s team was in Northern California for games last weekend and didn’t return home until Sunday. It had one day of practice before facing the always-tough Coyotes. One more day of practice, then a two-hour trip to San Diego.
“It’s a very tough stretch,” Kamansky said. “I’m sure they can’t wait to get their hands on us. There are a lot of factors working against us. We’ll see what kind of legs we have under us.”
Cal Poly got off to a 1-5 start, but has won four straight games and five of its last six. Things didn’t look good after a 50-47 loss to Dominguez Hills two weeks ago. But it chalked up a win over Cal State Los Angeles and has gained confidence with every win.
Players think the mometum will help them battle through the fatigue.
“When you’re losing it’s tough to play a game and then have sit and think about it for four or five days,” leading scorer Larry Gordon said. “When you’re playing well you want to go back out there as soon as you can.”
The team struggled early with chemistry and leadership issues early but players have settled into the roles and are playing better each time out.
Gordon (17.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg) has been the workhorse. He ranks in the top 10 in the conference in four categories and is omcing off a 21-point, 14-rebound showing against the Coyotes.
“Larry isn’t a vocal leader but the guys really feed off of him,” Kamansky said. “He is out there working hard and getting his 20 or so points and 10 rebounds and the other guys just follow him.”
Senior shooting guard Angelo Tsagarakis (15.9 ppg) has also been a key in the Broncos resurgence. The transfer from Oregon State plays with emotion, sometimes too much. He has turned in a steadier effort in recent outings and is coming off an 18-point effort against the Coyotes that included a 9-for-10 showing at the free-throw line.
San Bernardino native Donnelle Booker (7.5 ppg, 5 rpg) is coming off perhaps his best game of the season, although he is still problematic at the line.
In the Tritons, the Broncos will be facing a patient, execution oriented offense that is content wooing the opponent into low-scoring games.
The Broncos own a 12-6 all-time mark against the Tritons. They won both meetings last season but the games were close - 68-65 and 60-54.
San Diego, directed by first-year coach Chris Carlson, has two of the most consistent 3-point shooters in sophomore guard Jordan Lawley (13.1 ppg, 27 3’s) and junior guard Kelvin Kim (10.4 ppg, 22 3’s). Junior forward Henry Patterson (12.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) is also averaging double figures. Senior point guard Clint Allard (9.5 ppg, 5.7 apg) leads the conference in assists.
The squad also includes Ayala graduate Andrew Hatch (7.5 ppg, 2 rpg) who is a key reserve.
“They’re tough, they’re disciplined. They play well together. This is going to be a very tough game, especially on the road,” Kamansky said.
A women’s game between the same two schools is set for 5:30 p.m. UC San Diego, the defending conference and West Region champion, is ranked No. 20 nationally despite graduating the conference player of the year and losing its coach to a Division I job.
The Broncos (6-7, 3-4), who suffered a 78-64 loss to Cal State San Bernardino Wednesday, are currently sixth in the conference. Its top players are senior forward Vanessa Dominguez (12.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and freshman guard Reyana Colson (13.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg).
Freshman Reyana Colson (Compton) led the Broncos with 17 points and seven rebounds as four Broncos reached double figures. Senior Porsche Kirksey (Los Angeles) posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while juniors Sarah McVicar (Citrus Heights) and Andrea Ohlssen (Pacifica) each scored 10.
The Broncos, now 6-6 overall and 3-3 in the CCAA, have won three of their last four games and six of their last nine.
It was a complete victory for the Broncos, who out-rebounded the Warriors, 45-27 and shot 49 percent from the floor on 31-of-63 shooting. Depth played a big role as the Broncos' reserves outscored CS Stanislaus, 31-14.
Two free throws from the Warriors' Lysandra Williams cut the Broncos lead to 33-28 with 4:13 left in the first half. But the Broncos had five players score before the end of the half - led by Ashley Moody with five points - and Cal Poly Pomona was never threatened for the remainder of the game. They led by as many as 28 in the second half.
The Broncos return to the court Wednesday night when they play host to CS San Bernardino in the annual "Pack the Gym Night.'' Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
The men's team, 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the CCAA, moved up from No. 10 to No.6 this week in the National Association of Basketball Coaches poll released today. The women's team, 10-1 overall and 4-0 in the CCAA, earned 12 votes in the USA TODAY/ESPN national poll, not quite enough to get it into the top 25. It is the first time since 1997-98 that the women's team has been listed in the national poll.
In addition, another poll called the 2007-08 College Basketball Computer Ratings, coordinated by David Wilson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's
The NCAA Division II Championships Committee West Region poll, the one that counts in terms of seeding teams for the NCAA tournament in March,