USD Basketball Team Signs Community College Guard

Pat Holbert of Mesa (Ariz.) Community College has accepted a scholarship to play men’s basketball at the University of San Diego, the school announced Tuesday.

Holbert, 6-feet-3, averaged 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and two assists per game in helping Mesa to a 22-9 record this season. He was a teammate of Shawn Hamilton (6-8) who signed with the Toreros in November.

An Inglewood High graduate, Holbert played his freshman season at the University of Idaho before transfering to Mesa. He is the first player to accept a scholarship with USD this spring.

Said USD Coach Hank Egan, “He’s very athletic who can play defense and handle the ball. He can really help us at the guard position.”

Kristen Mann of Glendale High in Springfield, Mo., has signed a national letter of intent to play women’s basketball at San Diego State. Mann (6-3) averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds this season, leading Glendale to the quarterfinals of the Division IV (large schools) state playoffs. Glendale finished second her junior season. She was a second-team all-state selection both years.

Mt. Miguel’s Dwayne Buth, the 1989 state champion wrestler at 165 pounds, has signed with Cal State Fullerton. Buth had a 42-1 record with 35 pins this season and was 136-15 (116 pins) in four years at Mt. Miguel.

FOOTBALL

San Diego State wide receiver Monty Gilbreath underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to remove some cartilage from his right knee at Mercy Hospital. Team physician Dr. Robert Straumfjord told Coach Al Luginbill the surgery was a success. Luginbill said Gilbreath could be available for the Red-Black game May 6, but he will probably not play.

Defensive end Todd Coomes had his injured right ankle re-examined as a multiple set of X-rays were taken to determine the extent of the injury.

Running back Tommy Booker and wide receiver Robert Claiborne, both nursing hamstring injuries, practiced lightly Monday and Tuesday but did not participate in contact.

The big defensive play during full-contact intrasquad drills Tuesday featured Pio Sagapolutele blocking a pass from 6-foot-8 quarterback Dan McGwire. Defensive end Milton Maples took the deflected ball and carried it into the end zone.

BASEBALL

San Diego State had 15 hits and defeated UC Irvine, 9-1, in a nonconference game in Irvine. Brian Dunn was two for four with three RBIs, and Jeff Barry three for four with an RBI for SDSU (30-19). Six Aztec pitchers combined for a six-hitter.

No. 21 USC scored five runs in the seventh inning and went on to defeat the U.S. International University, 11-7, in a nonconference game in Los Angeles. Greg Lee hit a three-run home run, his fourth, for USIU (16-31). Brett Jenkins went five for five with a home run, three RBIs and four runs for the Trojans (34-21).

Chris Murphy hit a three-run home run as UC San Diego defeated host Biola, 11-5, in a nonconference game. J.J. Fisher (6-1) struck out eight and didn’t walk anyone in eight innings for UCSD (21-15). Tim Worrell (9-2)--whose brother, Todd, pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals--took the loss.

The University of San Diego lost to Cal Poly Pomona, 13-8, in a nonconference game at USD. Chris Butterfield hit a two-run home run for Pomona (19-24). USD left 15 men on base.

Point Loma Nazarene College stranded 15 runners in a 6-2 loss to visiting Southern California College (24-17, 12-6) in a Golden State Athletic Conference game. Tony Nobinsky was three for five for PLNC (19-23, 7-13).

MEN’S GOLF

The University of San Diego shot a 919 to finish third in the 54-hole West Coast Athletic Conference championships at Heron Lakes Golf Club in Portland, Ore. Pepperdine won with a total of 892. The Waves’ Dean Kobane finished first with a one-under-par 215. USD freshman Creighton Aotani finished fourth at 226.