Cal State Fullerton Notebook / Robyn Norwood : Jones Makes a New Start on Basketball Team

Last year, Derek Jones listened to Cal State Fullerton basketball games on the radio as he worked to recover from serious injuries suffered in a drive-by shooting, not knowing if he ever would be able to play again.

These days, Jones is still working. But now it is as a member, once again, of the Fullerton team.

Jones, a starter for the Titans 2 years ago, has fought his way back from the life-threatening injuries he suffered when he was shot near his Long Beach home in August of 1987. This summer, he learned that the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. had granted the extra year of eligibility necessary for him to return to Fullerton. That was the news he had waited for.

“I was pretty down until Coach (George) McQuarn told me that,” Jones said.

So now he is back. No simple task waits for him--or the rest of the Titans. Even though he has struggled some in early practices, Jones, a 6-foot 7-inch forward who averaged 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds 2 years ago, is expected to start. Fullerton lost its top 6 scorers from last season’s 12-17 team.

“We’re very thankful to have Derek,” said John Sneed, an assistant who works with the forwards. “Him being back is an inspiration to the other players.”

How much of his ability Jones has regained is uncertain.

“It’s kind of hard to say,” Jones said. “One part of my game has tapered off, and another part is better. My outside ability is better.”

Jones still lacks sensation and mobility in the ring finger and pinkie of his left hand. Scars are visible on his left biceps, partial evidence of the shotgun blast that struck him on the left side and back, leaving him critically wounded. No one has been charged in the shooting.

Because of the problems he has with his hand, Jones, who is left-handed, has some trouble with ballhandling.

“I try to avoid a lot of dribbling when I’m making my move to the basket,” Jones said. “If I see I can do it without dribbling, I do that.”

Despite difficulty palming the ball, Jones said he can still dunk with his left hand.

“I can dunk with it, but I wouldn’t do it all the time,” he said.

Other physical problems have bothered him in the first 2 weeks of practice. The season begins Dec. 1 against Utah in Salt Lake City.

Jones has been bothered by tendinitis in his right shoulder, perhaps caused by increased reliance on his right arm since the injury.

And last week, Jones missed 4 practices because of lower back problems that doctors say are probably related to the abdominal surgery he underwent after the shooting.

“He is struggling some out there,” McQuarn said. “Just in day-to-day practices, the pounding. Your body reacts to that. . . . We want to give Derek every opportunity. We’re going to be patient and give him every opportunity after what he’s been through.”

Jones returns to a team far different than the one he left. He had expected to spend his senior season playing with Richard Morton and Henry Turner, who have since graduated. But only one player on this team, David Moody, was on the team with Jones 2 years ago.

“We’re pretty inexperienced, but maybe luck will be on our side and once everybody settles in, we’ll have a good season,” Jones said.

Cal State Fullerton, knowing a photo opportunity when it sees one, plans to present President Reagan with a Titan jersey bearing his name and No. 1 during his visit to the campus today.

The gesture raises a few questions:

--In a political arena rife with sports metaphors, will Reagan want to align the Republicans with a 3-6 football team?

--How does wide receiver Tony Dill, who wears No. 1, feel about sharing his number?

“He’s going to be wearing my number,” Dill said. “I’m going to be proud. Maybe he can be proud, too.”

--And how does this strike Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy, who keeps his political preferences to himself, but whose son Michael, a freshman at Fullerton, is a paid worker for the campaign of Michael Dukakis?

“Maybe he can play,” Murphy said.

The Titan football team, coming off a 15-14 loss to Akron Saturday on a last-second field goal, is idle Saturday.

Fullerton will take several days off, resuming practice Thursday.

“Any time you have a loss like that, maybe it’s a good thing to get away from football for a few days,” Murphy said. “That way we can get healed and get back for the last 2 games.”

Titan punter Jim Sirois separated his shoulder Saturday and may be lost for the season.

Sirois, whose 42.6-yard average ranks 11th in the nation, saved a touchdown by chasing down a bad snap against Akron Saturday, falling on the ball in the end zone to limit Akron to a safety.

But Sirois, a senior, injured his shoulder on the play, and may not punt again.

“It’s week-to-week,” Murphy said.

In his 4-year Fullerton career, Sirois has punted 251 times for 10,126 yards, both school records. His career average is 40.3 yards.

Fullerton volleyball player Tammy Miller has left the team by mutual agreement with Coach Fran Cummings because of a dispute over playing time, school officials said Monday.