SCC Gets Some Time Off for Winning

Since the Southern California College men’s basketball team has been playing so well, the six-day vacation Coach Bill Reynolds issued might be considered a Christmas gift.

“But I’ve heard coaches like Bobby Knight say you should never give your team more than three days off,” Reynolds said. “I guess we’ll see how smart our coaches are.”

Reynolds has good reason to be jolly, especially since his team has won five of its last six and had a chance to topple San Diego State last Friday before losing, 74-64.

“We really competed,” Reynolds said, “and actually were in a position to beat them. We were within, 57-56, with about four minutes left but just couldn’t quite get over the hump.”

Point guard Adam Dzierzynski, who is averaging 16 points and six assists, has recovered from a hip and back injury. He scored 29 points to lead SCC past previously unbeaten Pomona Pitzer, 92-80, last Saturday.

“It’s a nice way to go into the holidays,” Reynolds said.

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More Chapman: Although Concordia and SCC have the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament to look forward to as a way to qualify for the playoffs, the Chapman men’s basketball team has no such luxury.

Chapman must qualify as a Division III independent in the West Region, where six teams are selected but five conference champions are automatic qualifiers.

With only one at-large bid available for Chapman, six other independent teams, and the other non-champions of the conferences, every game carries greater importance for the Panthers’ post-season hopes.

“It’s still a possibility,” Chapman Coach Mike Bokosky said. “But you can see what we’re up against.”

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Holiday hoops: On New Year’s Eve, Chapman hosts Bowdoin (Maine) in a key intersectional game. Chapman will host Pomona Pitzer Jan. 3, the Panthers’ last home game until Feb. 6.

Also on New Year’s Eve, SCC hosts Lake Forest (Ill.) at 4 p.m. in the second half of a doubleheader. At 2 p.m., Alaska Fairbanks will play the SCC women, who have won five of the last six with Elaine Whittemore (16 points, nine rebounds) leading the way.

Other local games during the winter break include the Concordia men hosting Rockford (Ill.) Saturday and Lake Forest (Ill.) Monday. Also on Monday, the SCC men host Midland (Neb.).