Antelope Valley’s Other Top Guard Also Injured

Antelope Valley College Coach Newton Chelette said that he is “running out of pieces for the puzzle” after possibly losing another starting guard to injury.

Paul Ernst injured his right hand late in Antelope Valley’s game at College of the Desert on Wednesday, and, although his navicular bone is not broken as was originally feared, his status is still up in the air for a home game Saturday against Mt. San Jacinto.

On Thursday, the injury of Ernst, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, was diagnosed as a deep contusion of his shooting hand. Ernst will dress Saturday and probably will play, according to a school spokesman.

Ernst’s running mate at guard, Dedan Thomas, already was out with an injured left knee. He underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday.

Chelette said that Thomas was found to have no ligament damage, but a cartilage tear was slightly larger than anticipated.

Thomas will begin isometric treatments today, practice within a week and play within 10 to 14 days, Chelette said.

Antelope Valley is 16-6 overall, 2-1 in Foothill Conference play.