JC Notes : Mariners Are Good Scorers, but Opponents Are Better

Loyola of Los Angeles became Loyola Marymount University in 1973 when the school, an all-male college, merged with Marymount College in Palos Verdes, an all-female school.

Today the schools share more than a name and a co-ed student body. Their basketball teams--both composed of men--run the same kind of fast-paced offense and porous defense.

Loyola Marymount’s men’s team is known for its run-and-gun offense and non-existent defense. The Lions average 112.4 points a game and the defense allows 112.

The Marymount junior college team is following its big brothers’ footsteps. Last year the Mariners averaged 89.6 points and this season they average 84.3. Their defense allows 93.

“That’s the trouble,” said Marymount Coach Jim Masterson. “We’ve been able to score, but we haven’t been able to stop our opponents.”

In last week’s 113-93 loss to Mira Costa, the Mariners had a 7-point halftime lead, but a weak defense allowed 73 points in the second half.

“That hurts,” Masterson said. “When you’re up 47-40 at the half and you lose like that, it’s hard. It’s really tough.”

Fortunately the Mariners have a pain reliever in forward James Anderson, who even plays good defense, according to Masterson. The 6-foot-3 sophomore is the team’s leading scorer (25 points a game) and rebounder (11 per game).

“He’s just doing it all,” Masterson said. “Whatever needs to be done, James does it. He always takes charge.”

Anderson scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds against Mira Costa, and sophomore guard Ernie Woods, who averages 22 points, scored 27.

Point guard William Hailey has also made a difference for the Mariners, who went into this week’s Rancho Santiago tournament with a 4-7 record. The 5-11 sophomore got off to a rocky start, but lately he’s been productive.

“It just took him a while to adjust,” Masterson said. “Last year he was an off guard and we moved him to the point. He’s increased his shooting percentage.”

Hailey scored 15 points and dished off 7 assists against Mira Costa.

El Camino Coach Ron McClurkin is happy now that his top point guard is back in action.

Van Myers, who broke an ankle during the Fullerton tournament in November, is finally healthy and McClurkin is relieved since the Warriors open South Coast Conference play against Pasadena on Jan. 7.

“It’s going to make a world of difference as far as ball control goes and control of the offense,” McClurkin said. “He’s a true point guard.”

Myers played one season at Cal State Los Angeles and sat out last year because the school wouldn’t release him. The 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore played only two games this season before being injured while trying to grab a rebound.

“He was in there rebounding with the big guys,” McClurkin said. “He had no business being in there. With 8 seconds left to play, your point guard isn’t in there rebounding.”

Tuesday was Myers’ first day at practice and McClurkin liked what he saw.

“He was really in full force today,” McClurkin said after the workout. “He went all-out. I think he’ll be ready for conference.”

Three other cagers have been playing all-out for the Warriors, who went into this week’s Chaffey tournament with a 12-4 record.

Guards Kevin Mixon and Frank Beatty and forward Zlatco Josic average in double figures. Mixon, a 6-foot-3 sophomore, leads the pack with 17.5 points a game. Beatty, a 6-foot-2 freshman, and 6-foot-5 sophomore Josic average 16 points.

El Camino running back Aaron Craver, a Mission Conference first-team selection, was voted the team’s most valuable player. The 6-foot, 250-pound sophomore finished the season with 831 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He was second in the conference with a kickoff return average of 34 yards.

Harbor chose freshman wide receiver Marcel Bridges as its player of the year. The Mira Costa High graduate caught 37 passes for 642 yards and 3 touchdowns.