Lions add new legs to shake up their lineup

Vanguard will try to halt four-game losing streak in Surf City Classic, beginning tonight.The blend between experience and youth has seeped into the Vanguard University men’s basketball team’s starting lineup.

Having started four seniors and a junior in the first eight games, Coach Bob Wilson’s Lions (5-5), who play host to the four-team Surf City Classic beginning tonight, are now starting two newcomers and a second-year player.

“Some of it is due to injuries and some of it is wanting to get a little quicker-type lineup on the floor,” Wilson said.

Senior Leon Rosborough, averaging 5.9 points per game, has been sidelined by a back injury that has not allowed him to practice since late November, Wilson said. Sophomore Greg Gusiff, a 6-foot-1 transfer from Hope International, has replaced Rosborough in the lineup.

Miguel Rosales, a 6-7 junior transfer from East Los Angeles Community College, has stepped in for senior Tim Burnette (6.6 points per game) in the post, and sophomore returner Brian Roberts (7.0 ppg) has replaced junior Kevin Dalafu (8.8 ppg) at one guard spot.

The Lions are 0-2 with the revamped lineup and have lost four straight, but Wilson believes a return to The Pit may help them turn things around.

“Even though the students aren’t here, we think we have a pretty good home-court advantage playing at The Pit,” Wilson said. “Our record is less than glossy, but we’ve only played three home games. Five of our next six games are at home.”

Vanguard meets Beloit College of Wisconsin (4-3), an NCAA Division III school, tonight at 8.

The Lions square off against Lawrence College of Wisconsin (6-0), ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division III, on Friday at 8 p.m.

The Lions have been led by seniors Levi Seekins and Horace Wormely. Seekins, a 6-6 forward, is averaging a team-high 15.7 points and 6.8 rebounds. Wormely, who has knocked off some rust accumulated by sitting out last season, is averaging 12.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds.

“Levi has been our most consistent player,” Wilson said. “He got off to a really good start and is playing well.”

In addition to Rosborough, 6-8 junior Daniel Wojan is out with a back ailment, said Wilson, who has also seen his roster depleted this week by illness.

“We only had six able bodies at practice [Tuesday],” Wilson said.

Wilson, whose team is 0-2 in Golden State Athletic Conference play, said improving consistency is the Lions’ biggest priority.

“We seem to find a lull or two in each game, where we can’t stop the other team for five minutes, or we have trouble scoring for five minutes,” Wilson said. “You’re not going to play at 100% efficiency all the time, but we’re playing 15 minutes of good ball each half with a five-minute lull.”