Cross Feels Strain of Rehabilitation Tug of War : Basketball: CSUN wants guard to undergo physical therapy on campus after car accident, but his attorneys favor doctor in Beverly Hills.

Nearly three months have passed since Trenton Cross was in his car as it was being crunched under the weight of a speeding Toyota 4-Runner, but he still feels squeezed.

And pulled.

On one hand, Cal State Northridge’s would-be starting point guard is being gently prodded by Matador basketball Coach Pete Cassidy to stick around, where the school’s athletic trainers can rehabilitate him from the July 30 accident, hopefully in time for him to play in the Nov. 25 opener.

Then there are Cross’ attorneys, who are working on a lawsuit in response to the accident. Cross said they have directed him to undergo therapy three afternoons a week with a doctor in Beverly Hills, meaning he can only attend the Matadors’ practices on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Attorney Jeff Linn, who is handling Cross’ case, said he could not comment on the matter. Cassidy speaks more freely. He wants Cross with the team six days a week.

“I’m stuck in the middle,” said Cross, a sophomore. “I have one person telling me, ‘You don’t want to come back too soon and make it worse than it already is.’ And I have the other side telling me, ‘You don’t really have anything to worry about. Suck it up and play through it.’ ”

On the days Cross is at practice, he sits in the bleachers, running the scoreboard while wishing he was running the fast break. His on-court activity is limited to shooting free throws.

He walks with a slight limp and complains of reduced range of motion in his left knee and sharp pain in his left shoulder. He doesn’t look hurt. Not like you’d expect, anyway, considering what he’s been through. Or what he’s been under--namely a truck.

Cross was driving on the 60 Freeway in Chino Hills one night last summer. Suddenly, he noticed headlights in the rear-view mirror.

“I saw the lights coming up real fast so I’m thinking the guy is going to pass me,” Cross said. “But he hit the whole left side of my car, flew up, bounced off me and went off the highway.”

Cross said he believes the driver of the Toyota was drunk--hence, the lawsuit--but California Highway Patrol records cite only “unsafe lane change” as the cause of the accident, with no reference to alcohol.

“You always think ‘That won’t happen to me, I drive too carefully,’ ” Cross said, “but you can never be too careful. A drunk driver is a drunk driver, and you never know what they are going to do.”

Cross said his seat belt saved his life. His injuries were remarkably minor. He said he had a knee brace and walked with a cane shortly after the accident.

But he is still mentally shaken. “Even now sometimes I have nightmares,” he said.

Cross also said he can’t listen to the Michael Jackson song, “You Are Not Alone,” because that was playing on his car stereo at the moment of the accident. Unfortunately for Cross, that song is a hit.

“I don’t even listen to the radio because it comes on all the time,” he said. “It was weird because I liked the song, but . . . it brings bad memories.”

Watching his teammates play without him is also tough on Cross’ psyche.

Last year as a freshman out of Reseda High, Cross averaged 6.0 points and 1.8 assists for the Matadors. But he finished with a flourish, averaging 11.2 points in his last six games and 9.9 in his last 11.

“At the end of the season last year was the best ball I was playing, and when the season ended I was really looking forward to this season,” Cross said. “I really do want to play.”

He likely would have been Northridge’s starting point guard for the opener at Nevada Las Vegas if not for the injury. With a team lacking in size, Cassidy plans to play an up-tempo style. And no one is better suited to lead such an offense than Cross.

“I think with Trenton’s quickness, we will be able to push the ball much better,” Cassidy said. “He’s the quickest, best ball-handling point guard we have.”

If Cross is unable to go, the point-guard job will be divided between senior Robert Hill, last year’s starter, and Lucky Grundy, a sophomore who played sparingly last season.

Cassidy’s frustration is not so much Cross’ injury but that he is going off campus for therapy.

“I know [Northridge’s trainers] are masters at getting people ready to play,” he said. “I want him here. If he can’t practice physically, at least he can be here mentally.”

Cross remains hopeful he will be able to practice within two weeks. But for now, he is stuck with a bum knee and voices whispering opposing messages in his ears.

“I want what’s best for me, but still what’s best for the team and for Coach,” he said. “I want to make everyone happy. It’s a tough situation to be in.”