Lions ready for new start

Steve Virgen

Selfishness and individualism became the demise for the Vanguard

University men’s basketball team last year. For the Lions, it was a

lesson learned: You can have all the talent, but if you don’t have

team chemistry, forget about it.

So, this year, Vanguard Coach Stephen French, now in his fourth

year with the Lions, made sure to recruit team-first players and

built a new foundation for his program. Last year, the Lions upset

NCAA Division I San Jose State and knocked off NAIA No. 1 Biola, but

ended its season on a down note, losing eight of its last nine games,

as seniors Shane McKim and Damion Morbley quit the team in the late

going.

But, last year is last year.

“We’re a completely different team,” French said. “We’re much more

athletic, from top to bottom. Last year, we were post oriented. This

year we’ll do some more running. It’s going to be more enjoyable to

watch. We’re going to be a better team than we were last year. Jared

Mandville (assistant coach) and I really made a strong desire to get

unselfish guys. That’s such a key to team success.”

Leviticus Williamson, one of only two seniors on the squad, is a

6-foot-7 returning starter who is expected to keep teams off balance

with his long-range shooting ability and quick first step. Williamson

transferred from Notre Dame, last year, while Josh Pierson, the

Lions’ other returning starter, transferred over from Fullerton.

Pierson, a 6-0 junior guard, will provide leadership, French said.

Senior guard Shawn Corkery, junior forward Gabe Goldman, sophomore

forward Greg Enns and sophomore guard Brendan Cotter also return for

the Lions and figure to be key contributors this season.

Coach French said he is excited because of seven newcomers, led by

6-4 junior forward Conrad Adamczak, a standout at Santa Monica City

College last year and one of the main reasons Vanguard will play an

up-tempo style this season.

Leon Rosborough is another reason Vanguard will be different. The

6-3 freshman started for Martin Luther King last year when it won the

CIF Division II state title.

Tim Burnette, a 6-7 forward/center, who was a redshirt on the

football team at Washington State last year, as well as Kyle Egkan

(Point Loma Nazarene) Ryan Moreau (Cuesta College) and James Hartman

(Irvine Valley College) are also incoming transfers for the Lions.