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.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.