CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

MEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

Nov. 14, 2001

2000-01 CPP Record: 17-10. CCAA Record: 13-9

Ready For Tip-Off: An experienced and confident Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball team will get its 2001-02 season underway this Friday in Costa Mesa when the Broncos face Vanguard University at 7:30 p.m. While Cal Poly Pomona will be playing its first game, Vanguard is already 1-1 after splitting a pair of games at the Azusa Pacific Tournament.

Sizing Up The Opposition: Vanguard defeated West Coast Baptist in its opener, 101-74 and fell to Oregon Tech, 80-67, in tournament games at Azusa Pacific. Shane McKim, a senior transfer from Biola, scored 40 points in Vanguard’s first two games and led the Lions in scoring in both contests. Damion Morbley, a senior transfer from Cal State Northridge, had 13 points and 10 rebounds in each game, while Josh Pierson, a transfer from Cal State Fullerton, scored 14 points and hit four 3-pointers. The Lions went 8-22 last season, but should be a much stronger team this year because of a talented group of transfers that include three players from NCAA Division I programs.

Sizing Up The Broncos: It’s certainly a different story in terms of experience for the Broncos this season. Last year, after a hit from graduation, the Broncos had only one senior, Nathan Sinning. This year, the Broncos have eight seniors and 11 lettermen returning, including a pair of All-CCAA performers in Lucas LeCour (Sr., Las Vegas, Las Vegas HS) and Steve Lambert (Jr., Covina, Charter Oak HS). The Broncos figure to go with experience in the starting lineup this Friday with LeCour and fellow seniors T.J. Williams (G, Dana Point, Santa Margarita HS) and Marques Montgomery (G, Cerritos, Valley Christian HS) starting in the backcourt and a fourth senior, Rafael Zielonka (F, Anaheim, Servite HS) also in the starting lineup. Lambert will also start for the Broncos.

Series History: Cal Poly Pomona holds a 3-0 lifetime edge against the Lions and won last year’s contest, 91-69. T.J. Williams and Steve Lambert both scored 14 points in the victory. The Broncos, though, had a much more difficult time two years ago in “The Pit.” Vanguard gave Cal Poly Pomona all it could handle before the Broncos prevailed, 67-65.

A Fine Exhibition: The Broncos tuned up for their season opener with a 67-64 victory over the University of San Diego, a Division I program, 67-64, in an exhibition game Tuesday. The Broncos were down, 54-39, with 11:05 remaining, but outscored San Diego, 28-10, down the stretch. Raymond Hubbard (Sr., Chicago, Cuyamaca CC) scored 20 points for the Broncos, who outrebounded the Toreros 31-29. Redshirt freshman Jeff Bonds (G-F, Compton, Mayfair HS) scored 10 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in 26 minutes of action off the bench.

The Kamansky File: There will be no “interim” tag for Cal Poly Pomona head coach Greg Kamansky, who begins his second season leading the Broncos. As the interim coach last year, Kamansky guided a team picked to finish ninth in the CCAA to a 17-10 record and the brink of an NCAA playoff berth. The 17-10 record was the best-ever for a first-year coach in the program’s history. Kamansky was an assistant coach at Cal Poly Pomona for two seasons before succeeding Tim Rapp.

Pack Those Bags: The Broncos will definitely need to be ready at the start of the season because the schedule is daunting. Four of the first five games and nine of the first 13 are away from home. Included in the early part of the season: a trip to Montana State-Billings and road games against conference powerhouses Cal State Bakersfield and UC Davis.

Starting With Lucas: Senior guard Lucas LeCour certainly flourished last season as a junior when he became a full-time starter for the first time at Cal Poly Pomona. LeCour led the team in scoring with 15.7 points per game and earned second-team All-CCAA and All-West Region honors. LeCour also shot a sizzling 82 percent from the free-throw line. He led the team in minutes played (839) and reached double figures in 22 of the Broncos’ 27 games last season.

A Successful Return For Lambert: When Steve Lambert graduated from Charter Oak High School in 1996, he didn’t plan on playing basketball in college. However, after three years away, Lambert returned to competitive basketball last season and was an immediate hit for the Broncos. The 6-7 junior provided the Broncos some excellent post play and averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. For his effort, Lambert earned All-CCAA recognition.

Who’s Back: In addition to the five starters, a couple other major players return for the Broncos. Senior Raymond Hubbard (F, Chicago, Cuyamaca College) was one of the key reserves off the bench last season and averaged 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He is one of the best athletes on the team. Senior David Erickson (C, Newbury Park, Newbury Park HS) will provide leadership and some size inside for the Broncos off the bench.

Who’s New: The Broncos are excited about several of their newcomers, including David Sybesma (Fr., Corona, Corona Centennial HS) and Jeff Bonds (RS Fr., Compton, Mayfair HS). Both players should make major contributions to the Cal Poly Pomona team this season.

Coach’s Corner: “The exhibition game went great. I thought we competed at a high level, but we still have room for improvement. We missed a lot of layups. Defensively, though, we’re way ahead of where we were last year.”

“I think we should be realizing that regardless of who we play or what the situation is, on the road or at home, if we come to play, we can be pretty good.”

“We got a good production from our bench, which is what I expect. I think I can start any one of 10 players. Coming off the bench or starting, every player has his role. Our bench guys know they are just as important as our starters. That’s how this team works – as a team.”

(About Vanguard): “They’ll be a decent test. They have three Division I transfers and they play a lot of 1-on-1. They have some pretty good athletes, they are good on the glass and they are always tough at Vanguard. It is a tough place to play.”

-- Head Coach Greg Kamansky