Lions packing bags

In a way, losing in the semifinals of the Golden State Athletic Conference tournament was a blessing for the Vanguard men’s basketball team.

The extra time off allowed the 25th-ranked Lions to practice on improving as a team, instead of focusing on the next opponent for the first time since conference play began in late November.

The practices, geared toward defense and rebounding, should be a benefit for Vanguard (20-12) when it plays ninth-seeded Georgetown (25-7) in the first round of the NAIA Division I National Championships on March 16 in Kansas City, Mo.

It is the Lions’ first trip to the tournament since 1990.

“If you can’t cover people and can’t rebound, you can’t win in the tournament,” Vanguard Coach Bob Wilson said. “When you’re locked into conference season play, you don’t have a chance to practice, just prepare for the next opponent. These past three days, we’ve improved in our defensive pressure and rebounding.”

The Lions learned Wednesday of the matchup with Georgetown, so the coaching staff will give the players today off in order to study the Tigers. The team will practice Friday and Saturday, then leave for Kansas City on Sunday.

“Right now, we are just preparing and concentrating on what we do and how we can get better,” Wilson said.

While it will take a team effort to win, Wilson said seniors Horace Wormely and Levi Seekins have been carrying the team, averaging 14.9 and 16.2 points per game respectively. Senior center Tim Burnette and junior forward De’Auonte Johnson have increased their production in recent weeks.

“Everybody is playing well,” Wilson said. “It has to be a team effort. We aren’t going to beat anybody on an individual effort.”

Wilson said the trip to the tournament is extra sweet because of his four seniors, Wormely, Seekins, Burnette and Leon Rosborough.

“They were here the last couple of years when the program wasn’t doing so well,” Wilson said. “Now they are reaping the benefits of their hard work.”

The Georgetown game will start at 9:45 p.m. local time, which Wilson said would benefit the Lions because it equates to 7:45 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Vanguard’s normal start time for home games.