CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

 

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

 

 

Final 2002-03 CPP Record: 23-7. Final CCAA Record: 16-6 (2rd place)

Final 2002-03 Regional Ranking: 4

2002-03 NCAA Division II West Region Champions

 

Broncos Hoping For Another Elite Experience: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s basketball team, the 2002-03 NCAA Division II West Region champion, will open its 2003-04 season on Friday against NAIA power Azusa Pacific in Fullerton at the Hope International Tournament. The Broncos will then face host Hope International on Saturday. Cal Poly Pomona will play a third straight game away from home – at Vanguard on Nov. 25 before playing their first contest at Kellogg Gym on Nov. 28 against North Dakota State. The Broncos are coming off one of the best seasons in the program’s history. Cal Poly Pomona won the West Regional and advanced to the national quarterfinals for only the second time in the program’s history and the first since the 1964. The 23 wins tied the program mark for most victories, also set by the 1964 squad. Cal Poly Pomona returns all five starters and its top six scorers from last year’s regional championship team. Jeff Bonds (Jr., Compton, Mayfair HS), the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional, has been selected by Street & Smith’s as a preseason honorable mention All-American. He was a first-team All-CCAA pick last season. David Sybesma (Jr., Corona, Corona Centennial HS) and Jonathan Williams (Sr., Pasadena, John Muir HS), who both earned second-team All-CCAA honors, also return. Cal Poly Pomona is ranked second in the nation by Street & Smith’s and the Basketball Times in their preseason polls and the Broncos are fifth in the country is a preseason poll by the Division II Bulletin.

 

Head To Head: Cal Poly Pomona is 27-9 all-time against Azusa Pacific, although the Cougars won the last meeting between the two schools in 2001, 64-50. The Cougars are ranked fourth in the nation in the NAIA and are off to a 2-3 start. Cal Poly Pomona is 1-0 against Hope International after winning, 81-63, in 2000. Hope International is off to an 0-3 start heading into a contest against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

 

Where We Left Off: Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s basketball team finished the 2002-03 season with a 23-7 record (Kentucky Wesleyan later forfeited its win over the Broncos in the Elite Eight). The Broncos finished second in the CCAA with a 16-6 mark and set a new program record for most conference wins in a season. Cal Poly Pomona, the fourth seed in the West Region, beat No. 5  Alaska Fairbanks, 80-76, in its first playoff game since 1976. The Broncos then beat Cal State Bakersfield in the semifinals, 62-49, before rallying from a 19-point second-half deficit to topple CCAA champion Cal State San Bernardino, 91-84, in double overtime in the regional championship game. Cal Poly Pomona lost to Kentucky Wesleyan, 85-60, in the Elite Eight in Lakeland, Fla.

 

How The West Was Won: Cal Poly Pomona entered the NCAA Division II West Regional at BYU Hawaii as the fourth seed and won three straight games to capture the title. The three postseason victories set a single-season program record. The Broncos opened the playoffs in their first NCAA Division II postseason game since 1976 with an 80-76 win over No. 5 seed Alaska Fairbanks. Guy Beahm (Sr., Willow Glen, West Valley JC) led four Broncos in double figures with 15 points and hit a key jumper late in the game to help the Broncos preserve their lead. Cal Poly Pomona then knocked off No. 8 seed Cal State Bakersfield, 62-49, beating the Roadrunners for the third straight time last season and the fifth straight time overall. The game was tied at 42-42 with 8:44 left, but the Broncos went on a 12-4 run over the next six minutes to take control of the game. Jeff Bonds (Jr., Compton, Mayfair HS) had 20 points and six rebounds, while David Sybesma (Jr., Corona, Corona Centennial HS) had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The tournament championship game was a classic and Cal Poly Pomona ousted CCAA champion and No. 2 seed Cal State San Bernardino, 91-84, in double overtime to win the regional. Sybesma’s buzzer-beater at the end of regulation capped a miraculous comeback from a 46-27 deficit with 16:17 to go. The Broncos trailed by three points late in the first overtime, but tied it on a 3-pointer by Bonds. In the second overtime, the Broncos outscored the Coyotes, 17-10. Bonds had a career game, pouring in 31 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Sybesma added 17 points and Michael Ridgway (Sr., Houston, TX, Lamar University) hit all six of his field goals and all four of his free throws for 17 big points off the bench. Bonds was named the West Regional Most Outstanding Player, while Sybesma was also named to the five-player All-Tournament team.

 

The Kamansky File: Cal Poly Pomona Head Coach Greg Kamansky is beginning his fourth season as the leader of the Broncos. In his first three years as the head coach, Kamansky has guided the Broncos to a 58-26 overall record. His winning percentage of .690 is the best in the program’s history. He led the Broncos to a 23-7 record last season and the program’s first appearance in the national quarterfinals in 39 years. The Broncos were 16-6 in the CCAA and finished second, which is the best finish for Cal Poly Pomona since the conference expanded five years ago. The 16 conference wins were also a new record. In the 2001-02 season, Kamansky guided the Broncos to an 18-9 overall record and a 15-7 mark in the CCAA, which was good enough for third place in the conference. As the interim coach three years ago, 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.

 

The Name Is Bonds; Jeff Bonds: Cal Poly Pomona’s Jeff Bonds is well on his way to  becoming one of the best players in the history of the program. Bonds (Jr., Compton, Mayfair HS) led the Broncos in scoring last year with a 14.4 points per game average and he elevated his game in the postseason, averaging 19.5 points per game in the Broncos’ four playoff contests. The highlight was a career-high 31-point outburst that helped the Broncos upend Cal State San Bernardino, 91-84, in double overtime in the regional championship game. He also scored 20 points in the semi-final victory over Cal State Bakersfield. He was named the West Regional Most Outstanding Player after averaging 19.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in the three regional contests. Bonds scored 20 or more points in four of the last six games of the season. He was named to the All-CCAA first team.

 

Fired Up About Sybesmania: Cal Poly Pomona forward David Sybesma (Jr., Corona, Corona Centennial HS) returns for his third season with the program after making one of the biggest shots in the program’s history. Sybesma hit a 14-foot leaner in the lane to beat the buzzer and send the West Regional championship game against Cal State San Bernardino into overtime. Cal Poly Pomona eventually won the game in double overtime to advance to the Elite Eight. He was the only player to start all of the Broncos’ first 30 games, only to miss the Elite Eight game against Kentucky Wesleyan because of a severely infected toe. Sybesma was second on the team in scoring last year with a 10.7 points per game average and was another player who stepped up his production in the playoffs. He averaged 16.3 points per game and led the Broncos with 7.3 rebounds per game. Sybesma was also named to the All-CCAA second team.

 

Look Who’s New: The Broncos are welcoming four players to their program this season and all four are freshman. Dion Cook (Fr., Canoga Park, Chaminade HS) is a 6-foot-4 guard who is expected to make an immediate impact. Billy Hofman (Fr., Sierra Madre, La Canada HS) is expected to see playing time at point guard. Jason Burrell (Fr., Rancho Cucamonga, St. Mark’s Prep) and Sinqua Walls (Fr., El Segundo, El Segundo HS) are two other freshman who will make a difference for the Broncos.

 

This And That: The Broncos set a new school record for defensive excellence for the third straight year, allowing only 63.5 points per game. The 2001-02 team allowed 64.5 points per game, while the 2000-01 team allowed 66.4 points per game. The Broncos return their top six scorers from last season: Jeff Bonds (14.4 points per game), David Sybesma (10.7 points per game), Jonathan Williams (9.7 points per game), Michael Ridgway (8.6 points per game), Guy Beahm (7.4 points per game) and Hervey Malone II (6.7 points per game). In all, Cal Poly Pomona returns 87.8 percent of its scoring from a year ago.

 

RETURNING PLAYER NOTES

 

3          JONATHAN WILLIAMS (G, Sr., Pasadena, Muir HS)

2002-03: Averaged 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game. Was named to the All-CCAA second team. Led the Broncos in 3-point field goals made (55). Also led the team in assists and in minutes played (31.6 per game).

Season Highs: Points – 20 at Cal State L.A. (2-7-03); Rebounds – 7 at Cal State L.A. (2-7-03), at Cal State San Bernardino (12-21-02); Assists – 7 at UC San Diego (1-18-03).

Career Highs: Points – 20 at Cal State L.A. (2-7-03); Rebounds – 7 at Cal State L.A. (2-7-03), at Cal State San Bernardino (12-21-02); Assists – 8 at UC San Diego (3-3-01).

 

11        JONATHAN BOYD (G, So., Fontana, Etiwanda HS)

2002-03: Averaged 3.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Averaged 6.5 points per game in the playoffs and had eight points in the Broncos’ Elite Eight game vs. Kentucky Wesleyan.

Season Highs: Points – 11 vs. Alaska Fairbanks (3-14-03); Rebounds – 5 at San Francisco State (2-28-03); Assists – 3 vs. Chico State (2-15-03).

Career Highs: Points – 11 vs. Alaska Fairbanks (3-14-03); Rebounds – 5 at San Francisco State (2-28-03); Assists – 3 vs. Chico State (2-15-03).

 

20        HERVEY MALONE II (G, So., Pittsburgh, Pittsburg HS)

2002-03: Averaged 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game. Appeared in all 31 games and started 23 times. Was second on the team in 3-pointers made with 33.

Season Highs: Points – 13 at UC San Diego (1-18-03), vs. Cal State L.A. (1-4-03), vs. Saint Martin’s College (11-29-02); Rebounds – 6 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (3-26-03), at Western Washington (11-30-02); Assists – 5 vs. Alaska Fairbanks (3-14-03).

Career Highs: Points – 13 at UC San Diego (1-18-03), vs. Cal State L.A. (1-4-03), vs. Saint Martin’s College (11-29-02); Rebounds – 6 vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (3-26-03); at Western Washington (11-30-02); Assists – 5 vs. Alaska Fairbanks (3-14-03).

 

23        GUY BEAHM (F, Sr., Willow Glen, West Valley JC)

2002-03: Averaged 7.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game. Appeared in 31 games and started 16 times. Averaged 11.8 points over the last 14 games of the season.

Season Highs: Points – 23 at Cal State Stanislaus (3-7-03); Rebounds – 14 at Cal State Stanislaus (3-7-03); Assists – 6 at UC Davis (1-11-03)

Career Highs: Points – 23 at Cal State Stanislaus (3-7-03); Rebounds – 14 at Cal State Stanislaus (3-7-03); Assists – 6 at UC Davis (1-11-03).

 

32        JEFF BONDS (F, Jr., Compton, Mayfair HS)

2002-03: Led the Broncos with 14.4 points per game. Also averaged 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Averaged 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists per game during the NCAA Division II playoffs. Was named the NCAA Division II West Regional Most Outstanding Player and earned first-team All-CCAA honors.

Season Highs: Points – 31 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (3-17-03); Rebounds – 12 vs. Montana-State Billings (12-30-02); Assists – 6 vs. Montana State-Billings (12-30-02).

Career Highs: Points – 31 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (3-17-03); Rebounds – 12 vs. Montana State-Billings (12-30-02); Assists – 6 vs. Montana State-Billings (12-30-02).

 

33        DAVID SYBESMA (F/G, Jr., Corona, Corona Centennial HS)

2002-03: Averaged 10.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game. Averaged 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds per game in NCAA Division II playoffs. Named to the All-Tournament Team at the West Regional. Earned second-team All-CCAA honors.

Season Highs: Points – 19 vs. Cal State Bakersfield (3-15-03); Rebounds – 10 vs. Cal State Bakersfield (3-15-03), vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-3-03); Assists – 7 vs. Cal State Stanislaus (2-1-03).

Career Highs: Points – 19 vs. Cal State Bakersfield (3-15-03); Rebounds – 10 vs. Cal State Bakersfield (3-15-03), vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-3-03); Assists – 7 vs. Cal State Stanislaus (2-1-03).

 

42        MELVYN NICHOLSON (F, So., Long Beach, Millikan HS)

2002-03: Appeared in seven games for a total of 31 minutes. Missed the last 18 games of the season because of a broken hand. Averaged 1.6 points, 0.9 rebounds, 0.0 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 5 vs. Point Loma Nazarene (12-14-02); Rebounds – 2 at UC San Diego (1-18-03), at Grand Canyon (1-17-03); Assists – 0

Career Highs: Points – 5 vs. Point Loma Nazarene (12-14-02); Rebounds – 2 at UC San Diego (1-18-03), at Grand Canyon (1-17-03); Assists -- 0

 

44        MICHAEL RIDGWAY (F, Sr., Houston, TX, Lamar University)

2002-03: Averaged 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists per game. Averaged 10.0 points per game in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Shot 69.6 percent during the playoffs.

Season Highs: Points – 21 at UC Davis (1-11-03); Rebounds – 7 at Cal State San Bernardino (12-14-02), vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-7-02); Assists – 3 vs. Cal State Bakersfield (1-31-03), at UC San Diego (1-18-03), vs. Saint Martin’s College (11-29-02).

Career Highs: Points – 21 at UC Davis (1-11-03); Rebounds – 7 at Cal State San Bernardino (12-14-02), vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-7-02); Assists – 3 vs. Cal State Bakersfield (1-31-03), at UC San Diego (1-18-03), vs. Saint Martin’s College (11-29-02).