Marymount Has to Change Offense, Hopes to Improve

Marymount basketball Coach Jim Masterson expects to improve on last season’s 7-21 record although he had to rearrange his offense at the last minute because his standout player isn’t returning.

Warren Cox, last season’s top scorer and rebounder, was convicted of rape in September and sentenced to five years in state prison Oct. 24. Masterson had planned to build this season’s offense around the 6-foot-6, 205-pound center from the Bahamas, who averaged 19.4 points and 10.7 rebounds as a freshman.

“It certainly hurts,” Masterson said. “Any time you lose 20 points and 10 rebounds it hurts. I had to make adjustments real quick.”

Masterson’s adjustments have worked so far. The Mariners, who opened the season on Nov. 9, were 3-1 heading into this week’s action.

The quality of Cox’s play will be hard to replace, but a lack of personnel won’t be a problem for the Mariners, who have lots of depth at almost every position. Marymount has six returning sophomores and an array of talented freshmen who can run the team’s fast-paced offense.

Kevin Johnson, a 6-5 sophomore from Long Beach, is starting in place of Cox. Johnson averaged 10 points and 6.5 rebounds last season and will provide speed for the Mariners, who scored over 100 points in their first three games.

Kerry Baker, who came from the Bahamas with Cox last year, is Marymount’s top returning player. The 6-4, 190-pound sophomore gives the Mariners speed and shooting versatility at swing guard. Baker, who attended R. M. Bailey High with Cox, was second on the team last season with 16.2 points and 8.7 rebounds a game.

Aaron Platt (6-4, 160), a strong outside shooter, will start at off-guard. The sophomore from Monrovia High didn’t play much last season, but Masterson said he’s much improved, especially on defensive.

Lenny Kai will start at point guard again. The 5-11 sophomore from Hawaii averaged nine points, three rebounds and five assists last season. Masterson said Kai is perfect to run his up-tempo offense.

The only starting freshman is Julian Lawrence, a 6-3 guard from Dobbins Tech High in Philadelphia, who earned the post spot when predicted starter David Dinnel suffered a back injury in a September car accident. Masterson said Lawrence may keep his starting position even after Dinnel is cleared to play later this month.

“He’s a tough kid who can do a lot of things,” Masterson said. “He led the team with 28 points in our first game.”

Freshmen Antoine Burwell, Jermaine Jackson and Steve Elliot will also see considerable playing time. Burwell, a 6-2 player from Brooklyn, N.Y., will be Kai’s backup at point and Jackson, a 6-6 standout from Colorado Springs, Colo., will fill in for Platt at off-guard. Elliot, a 6-foot guard from Hanover, Pa., will play behind Baker.

Masterson said he likes the young talent, but experience will be the key to Marymount’s success.

“We have the most sophomores we’ve ever had here and that makes such a big difference,” he said. “Those pregame jitters don’t affect the team as much and that really helps.”

The Mariners open Southern California Athletic Conference play against Harbor College on Jan. 2 at Harbor. Since Marymount doesn’t have a a gym on its Palos Verdes campus, the Mariners play their home games at Harbor.