SPORTSCOPE : Cal Poly Will Open Conference Play on Friday

Off to one of its best starts in recent seasons, the Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball team opens its California Collegiate Athletic Assn. schedule with a game against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Kellogg Gym in Pomona.

The Broncos (9-6) defeated Nebraska Wesleyan and Regis of Colorado in nonconference games last week. San Luis Obispo is 8-7.

Pomona has been sparked by 6-6 senior forward Terry Ross, an All-NCAA Division II West Region selection last season who is tied for the conference scoring lead with a 23.5-point average and is second in rebounding at 9.2.

The Broncos have also been led by 6-7 senior forward Eric Mobley, who averages 11 points and seven rebounds, and junior guard D. J. Norman, who averages 10.2 points.

San Luis Obispo has an outstanding front-line player in 6-8 senior center Stuart Thomas, tied with Ross for the conference scoring lead at 23.5 and leading in rebounding at 9.7. Another outstanding inside player for the Mustangs is Tim Knowles, a 6-7 forward who averages 8.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

The Broncos will play host to Cal State Los Angeles in another CCAA game at 8 p.m. Saturday. Cal State L.A. (5-8) has been paced by junior swingman Kelvin Harris, junior guard Gilbert Miller and senior forward Andre White.

After struggling early in the season, the Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball team appears to be on the rebound heading into nonconference games against Sacramento State on Saturday and Southern Utah State on Monday.

Pomona plays host to Sacramento at 5:45 p.m. Saturday and visits Southern Utah State at 5:30 p.m. Monday. The Broncos (8-6) have won four of five games, including a 62-59 victory Monday over Loyola Marymount--an NCAA Division I team.

Pomona has been paced by senior guard Stephanie Coons, second in the conference with an average of 15.5 points and sixth in rebounds at 8.1. She also leads the CCAA in three-point baskets, having made 19 of 43 for a .442 percentage.

Two other leaders for the Broncos have been reserves Tami Chick at forward and Serenda Valdez at guard. Chick averages 11.1 points and six rebounds and Valdez 9.7 points.

The Broncos should benefit from the return of sophomore center Danielle Carter, a freshman All-American selection last season who played her first game of the season against Loyola Marymount after giving birth to her second child in October.

The Azusa Pacific men’s basketball team is expected to receive one of its most difficult tests of the season when it visits Southern California College in a Golden State Athletic Conference game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Costa Mesa.

Defending National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics District 3 champion Southern California entered the week at 13-2. Azusa Pacific is 8-7.

Azusa Pacific Coach Terry Layton reached a milestone with his team’s 88-76 victory over Concordia of Nebraska last week. It was the 200th career victory for Layton, who is 200-126 in his 11th season as a college coach.

The Cougars have been led by senior forward Matt Burns, who averages 17.9 points and 6.1 rebounds, and junior center Patrick McMann, who averages 14.7 points.

The California Baseball Coaches Assn. will hold its sixth annual clinic for high school coaches at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Cal State Los Angeles baseball field.

Among the speakers will be John Herbold of Cal State L.A., Dave Snow of Cal State Long Beach and Tony Barbone of Azusa Pacific. There is no charge for the clinic, although there is a $5 fee to join the coaches association.

Information: John Meiers at (818) 446-0131.