Cal State L.A. at Short End of the Hoops Equation

It has been a rough start for the Cal State Los Angeles women’s basketball team this season, which has won just two of its first nine games and has a tough schedule remaining.

The team’s problems can be explained with simple mathematics. With a 12-person squad comprised of two freshman, only two returning players--Debbie Kotani and Charline Campbell--and eight community college transfers, there is little wonder that this equation has rarely added up to victory.

In 1991-92, Cal State L.A. finished sixth in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Conference with a 9-16 record on the strength of a couple of walk-ons and without recruiting.

During her first off-season as head coach, Marcia Murota and her recruiting staff combed the community college ranks for fresh talent.

The result was eight transfers--ranging from Theresa Dousburg of Saddleback College to Pamm Ross of San Diego Mesa. The influx of new players brought with it the problem of unfamiliarity.

“The players are still getting used to a new system and learning to play with each other,” Murota said. “We are still feeling our way (instead of playing with certainty).”

Cal State L.A.’s strong schedule has also contributed to its weak record.

Murota’s team has already lost to St. Cloud State (Minn.), Mankato State (Minn.) and Central Missouri State. The squad has yet to face conference rivals, including Chapman College, Cal State San Luis Obispo and perennial powerhouse Cal Poly Pomona.

Yet, the promising play of the transfer Ross (10.4 points and 6.2 rebounds a game) and freshman Holly Keaton (11.4 points and 8.7 rebounds) has given Murota and the team a positive outlook.

“We are a young team and starting to come together,” Murota said. “When we finally do, I expect good things.”

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Synthetic solution--The University of Washington football team held a workout at East L.A. College last week in preparation for the Rose Bowl against Michigan on New Year’s Day. Rain forced the Huskies to move their training site from Occidental College to the artificial turf at East L.A.

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Fantastic feet--Sophomore halfback Jesus Gonzalez of Cal State L.A.’s soccer team has been selected as the California Collegiate Assn.’s Most Valuable Player. Gonzalez scored 23 goals in 21 matches to help the Golden Eagles (16-2-3) win their first CCAA title since 1983.

Cal State L.A.’s Leonardo Cuellar was chosen conference Coach of the Year. Cuellar, the captain of Mexico’s 1972 Olympic soccer team, guided the Golden Eagles to their first playoff berth in 11 seasons and a game within the NCAA Division II semifinals.

Gary Hurtarte of East L.A. College was named the South Coast Conference’s most valuable player. Hurtarte, a freshman midfielder from Bell Gardens High, scored 16 goals, helping East L.A. (21-1-3) win its fourth conference title in five seasons and reach the semifinals of the state junior college playoffs.

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Moving on--Jesse Rafanan, the Whitmont League’s most valuable football player as a senior at Bell Gardens High in 1990, said he plans to transfer from East L.A. College to Rio Hondo College.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Rafanan did not play this fall. He started at free safety his freshman season at East L.A., but missed most of the season after breaking his leg.

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Running around--Jorge Perea will compete in the seeded two-mile event in the Sunkist Invitational track and field meet Feb. 20 at the Sports Arena. Perea, who last fall became the first cross-country runner from Huntington Park High to win a City Section title since 1950, helped the Spartans to a seventh-place state finish.

Kirby Lee contributed to this notebook.