Titans Go Out at Home With a Roar

There are certain privileges reserved for gloating fans in the final minutes of a blowout, and one of the most honored is calling for the subs.

A chant went up from the Cal State Fullerton crowd in the waning minutes of the Titans’ 71-56 dismissal of Fresno State Saturday. With 37 seconds left, it was at its loudest.

But this one wasn’t for the subs. The last player off the bench, Joe Neeley, a former manager now in uniform as a walk-on, was already in the game.

They were calling for the coach, John Sneed, who has had the job only on an acting basis since George McQuarn resigned before the season.

“We want Sneed, We want Sneed,” chanted a good part of the crowd of 2,225 in Titan Gym.

Fullerton, sticking fast to a decision made before the season to hold an open search, accepted applications until Friday--Sneed’s among them. The school plans to name a coach within a few weeks.

On the sideline, Sneed kept his reaction invisible.

Later, in the presence of Athletic Director Ed Carroll, he responded to questions with a subtle touch.

“Everyone has their opinion,” Sneed said. “I guess two or three voiced theirs.”

The celebratory mood in Titan Gym was the result of a thorough reversal of Fullerton’s first game against Fresno State this season, a 21-point loss that Sneed called “a total embarrassment.”

This time, on a night that marked the final home game of the season, the Titans did themselves proud, and had their fun along the way. They jumped to a 25-11 lead early, let the Bulldogs back in it late in the half, and then pulled away finally with six minutes left in the game when Ceballos knocked down a three-pointer to give the Titans a 57-47 lead. It was never less than double digits again, and once was as large as 17.

With the victory, led by Ceballos’ 28 points, Fullerton (14-11 overall, 9-7 in conference play) assured itself of a .500 season and at least a seventh-place finish in the Big West. With two more victories and the right breaks, the Titans could finish as high as tied for second.

The evening began with the traditional senior recognition, punctuated by Derek Jones’ emotional introduction. As the crowd gave him a standing ovation, Jones hugged not only most of his teammates and his own mother, but also each of the parents of the other seniors gathered at halfcourt.

“I’m a pretty affectionate guy,” said Jones, who came back to play his senior season more than a year after being critically injured in a drive-by shooting. “These are the people who supported me in my time of sorrow.”

Fullerton won with a pressing defense that forced two 10-second violations and numerous turnovers, and an interior defense that helped contain Fresno’s leading scorer, Jervis Cole, who scored 22 points but made only eight of 26 shots.

“We weren’t ready for their quickness,” Fresno State Coach Ron Adams said. His Bulldogs are 12-13, 7-9.

The Fullerton fun was at its height with 4 minutes left, when John Sykes, the Titans’ 6-foot-8 center, came up with the ball and decided to lead the fast break himself, despite having point guard Wayne Williams on his left and Ceballos on his right.

This was much to the delight of the crowd--especially when Sykes finished the break with a between the legs bounce pass to Williams, who layed it in for a 63-49 lead.

The crowd roared. On the sidelines, Sneed wiped his brow and shook his head.

“It topped the night off,” said Sykes, long known for spirited but headstrong play.

Asked if he feared Sneed’s reaction, Sykes said, “Unh, uh. I’m a free spirit. I go with the motion.”

Sneed conceded that the play was a crowd pleaser.

“I don’t enjoy that,” he said. “You tend to get a little out of control with a lead like that.”

All told, it was a night for the seniors--Jones, Brent Calvin and Randal Moos--all of whom started the game. And, it was a night for Sneed.

“I wasn’t exactly sure what the public wanted, or what they thought,” Jones said. “He’s done a spectacular job with us. It was nice to hear that they wanted him back next year.”

They wanted Jones back too. But for Jones, no cheers could do it.